* Planetary Ritual for Lammas *
©1999 Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell
(You can do the ritual any time during the first week of August.) "Every planetary alignment holds an opportunity for growth and expanded awareness, and contains symbolism that can be universally shared and understood. By meditating on current planetary themes, we can tune in to the archetypal energy inherent therein, gaining a deeper understanding of our own personal myth, integrating the planetary energies experientially through personalized ritual."
As the midpoint between Midsummer and The Autumnal equinox, Lammas (Old English, meaning "Loaf Mass") celebrates the first harvest, a festival of regeneration dedicated to the inventors of agriculture. This is the season where the Sun consummates it's union with the Earth, symbolized by sheaves of wheat and loaves of fresh bread upon the altar, along with the first fruits and vegetables from the garden. Pies made of berries are baked to commemorate the death of the "Green Man", who lives in all the green plants of the Earth, who is sacrificed each year at Harvest time, so that others may prosper.
Lammas Herbal Lore:
*Blackberry : (berries or leaves) Healing, money, protection.
*Caraway: Consecration, longevity, fidelity. Bake in bread to celebrate the Harvest.
*Corn: represents fertility, place on altar as an offering to the Great Cosmic mother, Ceres / Demeter.
*Fenugreek: Used in rinse water as you clean, is said to attract money. Make a tea to ingest or use in the bath. Focus on developing the powers of the mind. *Hollyhock: Favored by faeries to bring luck to the home.
*Mistletoe: gathered on Lammas by the Druids of old. Protection, healing, conception, consecration.
*Oat: Cakes are made with the new grain and shared with friends and family. Oat is used in money spells.
*Sunflowers: Wisdom, fertility, a strong and healthy confidence. place on altar; add seeds to feast.
The Altar
Decorate with loaves of bread, grains, ears of corn, summer squash, zucchini, sunflowers, hollyhocks and oat cakes, blackberry wine. You will need three candles: gold, red and dark blue.
Ritual
Cast the circle by visualizing white light encircling you in a clockwise motion. Honor and invite the four elements into your circle: East for Air, South for Fire, West for Water, and North for Earth.
Incense ingredients
Frankincense, Cinnamon, Blackberry leaves, Apple blossoms.
Bring any or all of the above ingredients into your ritual circle and add each ingredient one at a time, while grinding by hand with a mortar and pestle and focusing on the properties of each herb as it is added. Consecrate your incense by dedicating it to the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, and once the incense is prepared, burn some on a charcoal as you focus in on your ritual.
Ritual Bath
Chamomile, Fenugreek, Goldenrod, Oatmeal.
Place any or all herbs in cheesecloth and tie well; run under tap. You can also make a strong tea from the herbs: bring pure water to a boil, and allow to cool a few minutes before pouring over herbs; strain into bath.
Candles
The gold candle represents the Sun in Leo. How can I be a better magnet for success? How can I better project love and generosity to others?
- Focus clearly and write your intent on a small piece of paper.
- Place note under candle.
- Light the candle.
The red candle represents the initiative energy of Mars in the dramatic sign of Leo. Where do I choose to apply my creative impulse? Repeat steps as before.
The dark blue candle represents the Moon in Virgo, and the necessary attention to detail for the success of your goal. Repeat as before.
Spend some time meditating on the themes of your ritual, and when you feel the ritual is complete, thank the Mother Goddess, and burn each paper as you focus once again on the intention of the goal, releasing the energy to the wind and elemental helpers. Thank the nature spirits, deities or elementals, and close your circle, allowing the candles to burn all the way down, or instead, burn them for a little while for the next few days, letting them burn all the way down on the third day.
(This article is an excerpt from the book: "The Magical Astrology Guide for the Year 2000" by Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell. Sarolta is an astrologer and tarot consultant, and works with clients to create personal rituals based on individual needs and astrological cycles. She also writes Daily Horoscopes and New Moon Magic for every sign at Moon Spells
Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.
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