Tides and Cycles

The eve of August 1 is Lammas, the celebration of the first harvest. The circle is adorned with ears of corn, baskets of vegetables and reaping tools. The ritual itself is a thanksgiving for the harvest, particularly the grain harvest, and ritual eating and sharing of bread and wine is the sabbat's main theme. At Lammas Witches honor the Goddess in her aspect as all-providing Earth Mother, Grain Goddess or Corn Mother, and the God is honored as the sacrificed God of Grain.

Solitary Practice

Place upon the altar sheaves of wheat, barley or oats, fruit and breads, perhaps a loaf fashioned in the figure of the Sun or a man to represent the God. Corn dollies, symbolic of the Goddess, can be present there as well.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and incense, cast the circle, and invoke the God/dess.

"Now is the time of the First Harvest,
when the bounties of nature give of themselves
so that we may survive.
Father Sky, Lord of the Grain
As you prepare to give of Yourself to Mother Earth
Grant me understanding.
Earth Mother,
Teach me the secrets of rebirth
as the Sun loses its strength and the nights grow cold."

Rub the heads of the wheat with your fingers so that the grains fall onto the altar. Lift a piece of fruit and bite it, savoring its flavor, and say:

"I partake of the first harvest,
Mixing its energies with mine that I may continue my quest
For the starry wisdom of perfection.
Mother Earth and Father Sky,
Gracious Ones before Whom the stars halt their courses,
I offer thanks for the continuing fertility of the Earth.
May the nodding grain loose its seeds
to be buried in Mother's breast,
ensuring rebirth in the warmth of the coming spring."

Consume the rest of the fruit, celebrate the Simple Feast and release the Circle.

* Adapted from the book "Witchcraft Today", an article by Pauline Campanelli, & "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham, and some of the Spoken Words were Personalized by Ambrosia Knight.