Magickal Happenings with Oshuyn...

Lammas is the beginning of the end of summer.  It heralds the gathering of corn, wheat and other crops for the annual harvest.

Lammas falls around August 1, when summer is at its height and the long harvest period is beginning.  "Lammas" means "loaf mass" - it celebrates the bread made form the first cut "corn," an ancient term for wheat.

At this time of year it feels like summer will go on forever, but this is the first warning of the coming winter, and food must be gathered.

The Corn Mother

According to Pagan beliefs, the corn mother's energy retreats into the last sheaf of grain as the corn is cut.  This sheaf is then made into a small figure known as a corn dolly.

Lugh is the Celtic Sun god, who dies as the Sun begins to wane.  He is also "John Barleycorn," whose energy has gone into the grain and is cut down as a sacrifice to the fertility of the land.

Lammas In The Modern World

In Europe, harvest festivals, although usually held at the very end of the harvest period, include offerings of sheaves of corn and even bread made in the shape of grain.  Churches might even have corn dollies, and certainly they still appear in stores and at craft fairs.

In ancient days, the prosperity of the tribe relied upon the fertility of the land and the people who lived on it.  Harvesting grain was laborious work and each grain was considered to be precious.  Threshing floors had a board nailed across so noe was lost and this is remembered nowadays when a couple are newly married - the husband carries his wife over the threshold!

Lammas Celebrations

Lammas is a celebration of summer, and so you should celebrate it outdoors to truly soak up the bountiful harvest from the gods of hte corn.

Lammas Loaf

Bake your own celebratory harvest bread.

1. Use packaged white bread mix or your own favorite recipe to make enough raised dough for one loaf.

2. Knead the dough for one minute, then divide into thirds.  Roll each section into tapered strands ten inches long.  Place strands, an inch apart, on a greased baking sheet and braid loosly to the ends, pinching together.

3. Cover the dough and allow to rise until almost double the size.  Brush with mild and sprinkle with poppy seeds.

4. Bake for as long as your recipe suggests, and tap the base to maek sure it sounds hollow.

Wrap your Lammas loaf in a pretty cloth.

Summer Picnic

Cutting the crops used to involve the whole community.  Scores of people would work in the same field, swinging their scythes in rhythm and then stopping to socialize for an outdoor meal.

Continue the tradition by organizing a picnic with friends at the local park.  You can all bring seasonal foods:  fresh, ripe tomatoes; a sunny-looking quiche made with eggs and fresh, chopped herbs; a salad of grean beans; and use bright yellow flowers a a centerpiece for the talbe or picnic cloth. 

Bring a Lammas loaf and enjoy with butter.  Treat yourselfs to a glass of beer to commemorate John Barleycorn, the grain god.

Traditional Lammas Corn Dolly

The last corn (wheat) sheaf cut was traditionally made into a dolly.  By continuing this ritual you can pay homage to the corn mother an spirits of the land. 

All you will need is a sheaf of wheat and some strands of red ribbon.  You could ask a local farmer if they have a small sheaf to spare or, alternatively, you can buy some dried wheat or pick long grasses.  You can also make a corn dolly using dried husks of corn. 

1. Arrange your sheaf so that the ears of wheat are at the top of the bundle.

2. THen tie a red ribbon just below the ears and you will have made a head for your dolly, with an interesting hair style!

3. Tie another strange of ribbon a few inches lower down from the first - this should form the rough shape of a body.

4. Make a pair of arms for your corn dolly by taking a few short lengths of wheat.  First tie another ribbon just below the one beneath the ears and again a bit farther down to make an impression of shoulds.  THen stick the short lengths of wheat horizontally into the dolly - and you have made a corn mother.

Make this activity more of a social ritual by taking wheat sheavex along to a picnic with your friends. 

Be In Your Brilliance!

Oshuyn