The First Harvest (Lammas): Suggestions For Practices And A Simple Elemental Ritual

Last updated on: June 18, 2020 at 12:26 am by Cyndi Brannen

The First Harvest (Lammas): Suggestions For Practices And A Simple Elemental Ritual 2020-06-18T00:26:00-04:00 Cyndi Brannen

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Whatever you call the midway point between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox, it’s a time worthy of celebration. The First Harvest represents the bounty of the land and our lives. I take this time to reflect upon my personal bounty and crops, review my projects and relationships and crafting a corn dolly. Then it’s time to honor the local harvest with a simple feast. The grand finale is a contemplative ritual involving the elements.

August Eve or the first day of the month marks the midway point between summer and fall. This is the time of the first harvest, known as Lammas among other names. It is time to harvest what we have planted. The tomatoes are ripe, the corn is high. The growing season is in full bloom and it is time to enjoy the benefits of our hard work. This time, halfway between the summer solstice and the fall equinox is a great time to take stock of what you are now reaping.

The Significance of the Corn Dolly

My approach is to have a period of contemplation while making a corn dolly. I often jot down a list of the bounty in my life. This is an added boost to my regular gratitude practice that is so vital for attracting plenty. Then it is time review what I am working on – those crops I am tending. Finally, a deep dive into what crops aren’t growing well. Do these projects and relationships need more tending, a different approach or is it time to let them die? Sometimes toxic relationships need to be left to wither. After this it’s time for a meal of locally sourced veggies with my boys, followed by a simple ritual.

About Cyndi

Cyndi Brannen is a witch and spiritual teacher living the coastal life in rural Nova Scotia. She is a trained energetic healer, psychic and herbalist. Merging together her training in shamanism, Tarot, past life work, meditation and her twenty year career as a psychologist, she teaches and writes about better living through witchcraft. She founded Open Circle about a decade ago which now offers online courses, including The Sacred Seven: A Course in Applied Modern Witchcraft. She has written the forthcoming Keeping Her Keys: An Introduction to Hekate’s Modern Witchcraft. Hekate’s Modern Witchcraft: The First Key is a year-and-a-day course that will start November 1. More info at keepingherkeys.com You can read more about the author here.

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