Ritual

What, Why and How to Celebrate Lammas.

Happy Lammas! (No, not Llamas, there are no llamas here). Also known as Lughnasadh.

What is Lammas and what relevance does it have in my life you may be asking yourself. Firstly, I will say it is a celebration, and who doesn’t need a glorious reason to celebrate!? Secondly, let’s go explore what it is – so are you sitting comfortably? Have a nice cuppa tea to hand, or a cool glass of water? Then let us begin.

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago in the wonderful Gaelic mythological story of the Wheel of the Year, the Sun God (Lugh, Celtic God of Light and the son of the Sun) transfers his power into the grain, and is sacrificed when the grain is harvested. So we have a dying, self-sacrificing and resurrecting god of the harvest, who dies for his people so that they may live. Sound familiar?

The power of the sun goes into the grain as it ripens. It is then harvested and made into the first new bread of the season. This is the Saxon hlaef-masse or loaf-mass, now lammas. Seed grain is also saved for planting for next year’s crop, so the sun god may be seen to rise again in Spring with the new green shoots, as the sun also rises in the sky. There are many traditions and customs all over the country that are still carried out at harvest time today.

So Lammas is the first Harvest Festival of the year, it is a time of awareness that the strength of the Sun (Lugh) is beginning to wane and there is a shift and change afoot. Active growth is slowing down and the darker days of winter and reflection are gently and slowly raising their heads. It happens normally anywhere from July 31st – August 2nd, though some will tell you it can happen between August 1st and September 1st.

“ At Lammas the Goddess is in Her aspect as Grain Mother, Harvest Mother, Harvest Queen, Earth Mother, Ceres and Demeter. Demeter, as Corn Mother, represents the ripe corn of this year’s harvest and Her daughter Kore/Persephone represents the grain – the seed which drops back deep into the dark earth, hidden throughout the winter, and re-appears in the spring as new growth. This is the deep core meaning of Lammas and comes in different guises: it is about the fullness and fulfillment of the present harvest holding at its heart the seed of all future harvest. (It is a fact that a pregnant woman carrying her as yet unborn daughter is also already carrying the ovary containing all the eggs her daughter will ever release – she is already both mother, grandmother and beyond, embodying the great Motherline – pure magic and mystery.)”

So as the grain harvest is gathered in, there is food to feed the community through the winter and within that harvest is the seed of next year’s rebirth, regeneration and harvest. The Grain Mother is ripe and full, heavily pregnant she carries the seed of the new year’s Sun God within her. There is tension here. For the Sun God, the God of the Harvest, the Green Man, or John Barleycorn, surrenders his life with the cutting of the corn.

What are some of the symbols, plants and colours of Lammas you ask?

Green, Gold, Mint and Sunflowers! Mint is one of the revered plants of the Druids and Its magical properties are both protection and healing, and at this stage in the year, its properties of drawing abundance and prosperity, are most appropriate. Why sunflowers? Think about it, we often take sunflowers for granted, yet by this time of year their flower heads are full and heavy with that wonderful spiral of seeds and they spend the whole day gently turning their heads to gaze at the sun. In the Aztec temples of the sun, priestesses carried sunflowers and wore them as crowns. They symbolize the fertility of the Solar Logos.

I found a glorious little ritual for abundance to do on Lammas that you might want to try. (Courtesy of The Goddess and Green Man).

Lammas Charm For Gathering In Abundance

You will need:

A broom or besom. Don’t worry if it isn’t a traditional besom, any broom will do as it is always intent that is important. If you have no broom collect a bundle of twigs and tie them at the top with Lammas ribbon to make a hand broom shape. The besom/broom is a potent symbol of hearth and home, found in some form in almost every household. It is a traditional magical tool useful for everyday charms as it has the imprint of its owner firmly on it. Sweeping is a natural gathering gesture.

Ribbon. A piece of green ribbon (for abundance), a piece of gold ribbon (for prosperity and gathering) or ribbon in Lammas harvest colours would be equally suitable.

A Sprig of Mint. Ideally a sprig of mint from your garden (but you can get this from any supermarket), or dried mint – put it in a pouch. The mint represents abundance and plenty and is easily accessible to the urban hedgewitch.

Take your broom and tie your ribbon around the stave or top. Tie in your sprig of mint or securely fasten your pouch. Take your broom outside, place both hands on the stave and focus on your intention – gathering in your harvest for winter. Turn slowly three times in a clockwise direction then start to sweep towards your door saying:

“By one, two, three and four, sweep Lammas gifts to my door. May abundance be a constant friend, by my hearth till Winter’s end.”

Repeat this three times, then take your besom/broom back into your house and put it in its usual place. You can leave the ribbon on for as long as want to, for a lunar month, or until winter is done. If you have made your own broom you can place it where you consider the heart of your home to be. The mint can be returned to the earth with thanks.

If you do not have an outside space you can sweep from your front door inwards to either your kitchen or hearth using the same charm.

So now you know what Lammas means, why it is celebrated and have a fun and easy ritual to perform to honour it, and bring in abundance. So go grab your broom and start sweeping!

How to stay Sane and Manifest with this Full Moon Eclipse of the Blood Moon.

Jenny Heston · 4:30 pm ·

Well here we are on the eve of the Full Lunar Eclipse of a Blood Moon. How are you feeling? I have been feeling this energy for a few weeks now and it has just been ramping up since the partial solar eclipse of the New Moon a couple of weeks ago. “This total lunar eclipse intensifies the effects of the full moon in Aquarius with infinite power. While full moons aren’t uncommon and blood moons aren’t unbelievably rare, the fact that this will also be the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century should prove its importance. Lasting a whopping 103 minutes it is the harbinger of one the most intense transformations we’ve undergone in the last 18 years. Because that’s just what a total lunar eclipse does. It brings significant change to our lives.”

So let me assure you if you have been feeling slightly unbalanced, emotional, confused, vulnerable or prone to flashing anger – you are not alone. Many of us have been feeling those things. Think about it – if the Moon has the energy and the power to cause huge bodies of water (oceans) to move, and the human body is 60% water, how can you not be affected?

All full moons naturally bring your shadow self out to play. All the thoughts and feelings tucked tightly away in your subconscious float to the surface, and everyone becomes more volatile, sensitive, and emotional. When a total lunar eclipse is a full moon multiplied by a million, tensions begin swarming our world long before it even begins and the energy ebbs away long after it’s over. This lunation doesn’t simply change your mind, it changes your entire world. With so many intense metamorphoses going on, who can blame you for being over the top?

Here is an analogy that may resonate with coffee drinkers lol. If a full moon is equal to a pot of coffee in the morning, then a full lunar eclipse is as if you have had 100 pots of coffee to drink. Making a tad more sense now? Throw in the fact that 5 planets are retrograde and Mercury (that delightful little demon of communication), went retrograde TODAY and we have a glorious cauldron of change, chaos, confusion, clarity, fear and a myriad of other emotions. INTENSE is a fabulous word to describe it. So what to do? (Hiding out in the closet is not a valid option, at least not for the whole day!)

The energy is all about transformation and change (whether you are ready or not). Instead of pushing back against this energy (especially out of fear), let’s use the lessons from that old TV show “Karate Kid” and use the energy of this time to help us with massive transformation and change that we desire. Who’s with me on that one? As this is a great time for transformation, expansion and huge clearing of some old deep emotional insecurities, patterning and wounding – let’s use that energy for good and not for wallowing.

So grab a piece of paper and if you feel inclined, write the responses to these questions down.

The first question to ask yourself is – “What do you truly want?” Now you can list off a new car, bigger house, a million dollars on your doorstep, Ryan Reynolds in your shower – and those are great, but shallow. So let me ask the question again – “What do you truly want?” How do you want to feel, where do you want to live, who is your tribe?

What are the the doubts, fears, anxieties, old patterning you need to face?

Are you willing to ask for help and support for your big dream?

Are you ready for things to be different?

What are you willing to release or give up in order to create what you truly want? Now this is a tricky one for most of us, so ponder that a moment.

Have you finished jotting those down?

Now please, some of those may have been challenging to write down, but the key thing is to focus on the positive, please, please, please don’t all of a sudden grow a long tail and turn into Eeyore and fall into judgement, despair, blame or negativity. The reason I say that is your thoughts and decisions can have far reaching effects.

Change can often feel tricky and scary, especially when we we aren’t the ones “in control” of it. Albeit change isn’t always easy, there are delicious pockets of understanding through the mayhem that allow you to see a brighter, shinier more aligned path. Reflect back if you will on “things” that may have happened in the past, job loss, divorce, relationships ending. Do you remember feeling at that very instant it might be the end of the world? Yet 9 times out of 10 after the lumps and bumps it unfolded into something better than you could have imagined? Remember that when you get fearful and want to “control” everything.

Okay, so now you have your answered questions yes? Burn em! Set them alight and offer them up! Let it all go, surrender and release. One of the key ways to work with this energy of the Full Moon Eclipse is by releasing negativity and replacing it with forgiveness. This is part of being a purposeful creator. Then take a moment and just think of yourself and others and who, what, where do you need to forgive? For example, were you short with your kids the other morning? Did a friend make a comment that hurt your feelings. It doesn’t matter what it is just list them in your head, say them outloud and when you are done – say I forgive and release for my highest good.

Then fill that gorgeous void you have just created with that process with gratitude, if necessary as Pam Grout says “Thank your sheets for being soft and yummy to sleep in.” List them, write them, say them outloud. Okay?

Then get the heck outside! If you are a crystal owner, or have things that are touchstones or sacred to you, put them outside under this glorious moonlight, including your body. Put some nice music on, move your body. Fill up mason jars with water, pop lids on them and let them sit out under the moonlight (but pop them in the fridge if you aren’t going to use them immediately).

If you are someone who likes to work with chants and they make you feel good. I highly recommend either of the following:-

Om Namo Narayanaya, which literally translates into “Acknowledging the Divine in everything.”

Or my favourite as I’m a big Ganesha fan:- Om Sri Maha Ganapataye Namah, which translates into “Salutations to Ganesha and calls on his power to remove obstacles to success.”

And remember that there is something incredible waiting for you on the precipice of your destiny. It’s all there within arms reach, are you willing to be bold enough to reach for it and move through change and transformation? Happy Full Moon Eclipse!

Summer Solstice, Litha, Midsummer’s Eve – What it is and how to celebrate.

Jenny Heston · 2:59 pm ·

What is Summer Solstice you ask and why the heck should I give it any attention? Mighty fine questions, so let’s go for a little explore. Solstice comes from the Latin words sol, meaning Sun and sistere, meaning to come to a stop or stand still. On the day of the June solstice, the Sun reaches its northernmost position, as seen from the Earth. At that moment, its zenith does not move north or south as during most other days of the year, but it stands still at the Tropic of Cancer. It then reverses its direction and starts moving south again. The opposite happens during the December solstice. Then, the Sun reaches its southernmost position in the sky – Tropic of Capricorn – stands still, and then reverses its direction towards the north.

On a purely factual basis Summer Solstice (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) marks the longest day of the year and the shortest night, it’s the start of the the lazy hazy days of summer. Kids are normally on summer break, families scramble to go on a holiday or camp, and a lot of time is spent soaking up the sun whilst hanging at the beach, playing in the water or hosting a summer bar-b-que. Summer Solstice both ushers in the warmest season and also a gentle reminder that the days are going to get a bit shorter. Even though the days feel longer, more languid and relaxed there is an underlying freneticism of getting outside, celebrating the sun as much as possible, as it will soon be gone. This year Summer Solstice occurs on Thursday June 21st.

Okay, so we have the facts, but what does it all mean? Summer Solstice (also known as Litha, or Midsummer Eve) is all about abundance, growth, expansion. It’s the celebration of the Sun! Think about it, the farmer plants the seeds in the cool of the Spring in the wet ground and as the Summer Solstice approaches things have sprouted and are reaching up as if they are doing a glorious sun salutation. It’s a time to watch the ripening and fruiting of the plants around us and our ideas. This is a delicious inner fire/power celebration that acknowledges the abundance that grows from tiny seeds.

At Stonehenge, (which was built over 5,000 years ago) the heelstone marks the midsummer sunrise as seen from the centre of the stone circle. In ancient times, the Summer Solstice was a fire-festival of great importance when the burning of balefires ritually strengthened the sun. It was often marked with torchlight processions, by flaming tar barrels or by wheels bound with straw, which were set alight and rolled down steep hillsides. The Norse especially loved lengthy processions and would gather together their animals, families and lighted torches and parade through the countryside to the celebration site.

The use of fires, as well as providing magical aid to the sun, were also used to drive out evil and to bring fertility and prosperity to men, crops and herds. Blazing gorse or furze was carried around cattle to prevent disease and misfortune; while people would dance around the balefires or leap through the flames as a purifying or strengthening rite. The Celts would light balefires all over their lands from sunset the night before Midsummer until sunset the next day. Around these flames the festivities would take place.

In Cornwall up to the mid 18th century the number and appearance of fires seen from any given point was used as a form of divination and used to read the future. So as we can see, this celebration has been around for years, upon years and has an intensity and a deliciousness about it.

So now we have facts, the meaning – how does one celebrate it? There is no right or wrong way by any stretch. However, here are a few simple ideas that aren’t overly complex.

Great the rising sun with some crystals. Energy Muse has a nice ritual for this.

Take a moment to offer up a prayer. If you have no clue what to say, here are a few ideas for celebrating Litha.

Move your body. Welcome the sun on this longest day with a couple of sun salutations. This is a simple Yoga flow that requires you just to be present and go as far as your body will allow you to go. If you are unclear as to what it looks like there are some great beginner versions on line and this will give you a glorious full body stretch (in a gentle way).

Make an altar. Pop some seashells, flowers, fruit and dried herbs on it and voila, you have created an altar. It doesn’t have to be big, or front and centre in your living room if that makes people around you uncomfie. Your altar could be those cool rocks you picked up over the last year all gorgeously stacked on your kitchen counter.

Eat outdoors. Whether it is your packed lunch at a park, or a family dinner at the picnic table. Eat outside and breathe in the green, the sun, the connection. Look at the plants that are near you whether they are wild rampant buttercups, or a gorgeous rose whose scent wafts to you on the breeze. Realise everything is connected, people, planets, sun and most certainly you.

Take off your shoes. I’m not saying you have to go barefoot for the whole day, but at some point, take off your shoes, let your toes wiggle in the grass or the dirt and just BE for a few moments.

Get your hands dirty. Plant something and if you try to tell me that it is too late I will call bollocks. It’s a great time to pop in more spinach, Brussel sprouts and a myriad of other things. So take a moment, grab a pack of seeds and as you pop them into a pot or the ground, set an intention.

Fire time. Have a bonfire, or a little fire, and if not a fire, light a candle.

Welcome the water. Get near water, whether it is sitting by a creek, a lake or having a dip in the pool. However, if you are living in a desert this could be a tad tricky, so in that case just pour some water into a little bowl and have it near your fire/candle.

Reset. This is a gorgeous time to use the energy of the Summer Solstice to burn away anything (and I mean anything) that no longer is who you are, or is serving your highest good. One year I had a photo of someone who had been incredibly toxic in my life, but still pulled the strings. So I took the photo, said a blessing, dug a hole and popped the photo in. Lit a fire and felt tons better!

Community. Invite a friend or 15 to celebrate with you. This is a fun celebration and festival and a pivotal time in the year. Invite friends over and have a potluck, a fire, a delightful natter, play music and celebrate your connection with each other.

There you go. You have now celebrated the Summer Solstice.

Wishing you glorious fires, connection, abundance and most of all fun!

It’s Beltane!

Jenny Heston · 2:00 pm ·

I love Beltane, I love it because it is fiery, passionate, intentional and produces results!

Beltane was thought to be one of the more important festivals of the Gaelic calendar. Beltane is a Fire Festival. The word ‘Beltane’ originates from the Celtic God ‘Bel’, meaning ‘the bright one’ and the Gaelic word ‘teine’ meaning fire. Together they make ‘Bright Fire’, or ‘Goodly Fire’ and traditionally bonfires were lit to honour the Sun and encourage the support of Bel and the Sun’s light to nurture the emerging future harvest and protect the community.

Beltane celebrates the height of Spring and the flowering of life. Earth energies are at their strongest and most active. All of life is bursting with potent fertility, look at the trees around you – (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere), they are bursting forth with bright green leaves and the little sparrows are back as well as the robins. Abundant fertility, on all levels, is the central theme.

The Goddess has reached her fullness and is the manifestation of growth and renewal and shows up as the May Queen, Flora, the Goddess of Spring. The God emerges as the Young Oak, May King or as Jack in the Green. They fall in love, the union is consummated and the May Queen becomes pregnant. Together the May Queen and the May King are symbols of the Sacred Marriage, the union of Earth and Sky. If you have ever read “The Mists of Avalon” you will know what I am talking about. “This is the night of the Greenwood Marriage. It is about sexuality and sensuality, passion, vitality and joy. And about conception. A brilliant moment in the Wheel of the Year to bring ideas, hopes and dreams into action. And have some fun!”

Have you ever seen a Maypole dance? If you have never seen a proper Maypole dance done, I highly recommend it! A phallic pole, often made from Birch (why Birch you ask – Birch is regarded as a feminine tree and Deities associated with Birch are mostly love and fertility goddesses. It is one of the first trees to show its leaf in Spring), was inserted into the Earth representing the potency of the God. At the top there would be a glorious wreath, most often Hawthorn flowers and the flowers represented the Goddess. Hawthorn is a deeply magical tree and is one of the three trees at the heart of the Celtic Tree Alphabet, the Faery Triad, ‘by Oak, Ash and Thorn’. Traditionally Beltane began when the Hawthorn, the May, blossomed. It is the tree of sexuality and fertility and is the classic flower to decorate a Maypole with.

The dance around the Maypole represented Their unity. Ribbons of Green, White and Red hung down from the top of the pole and each young woman would take an end and dance. As they danced around the pole they would weave in and out and through whilst holding onto their gorgeous ribbon. This weaving represented the Spiral of Life and the union between the God and the Goddess. It’s moving artistry and glorious fun!

So if you haven’t gotten it yet, Beltane is a festival of flowers, fertility, sensuality, and delight. The Beltane fires of yore were a time of revelry, pairing and celebrating fertility (there were lots of babies born 9 months after the celebrations!) Also, cattle would be led between two fires for protection and to encourage a strong, fertile herd. People believed the smoke and the ashes from the Beltane fires offered protection and fertility. Holy wells were visited and feasts were had. Rowan was often used in Beltane festivals as it’s a tree of protection and healing. Branches of Rowan were placed as protection over the doors of houses and barns at Beltane to protect from increased Faery activity as they woke from their winter slumber. Sprigs were worn for protection also. Rowan berries have a tiny five-pointed star on the bottom reminiscent of the pentagram.

So all in all a great time to celebrate, set intention, fertilise either self or ideas and have a grand jolly time!

But I guess the question some people have is – “Why bother marking the day?” Good question, and my answer would be because it connects you to something bigger, older and deeper than our modern day to day.

I love the way Donna Henes puts it:- Ceremonial observance adds lucid layers — depth, dimension, drama and distinction — to our lives, making the ordinary seem special, and the special, extraordinary. Through the practice of ritual we are privileged to experience ourselves as prepared, present, passionate, principled and potent. When we set aside the quality time and claim the psychic space for ceremony, when we assume the authority to do so, we are able to transform our perceptions, our perspectives, our experiences, and in the process, our reality.

Does ritual have to be long, drawn out, complicated and require a shed ton of things you don’t have in your home? Some people believe so, but I don’t. To me ritual is performed when I make food for those I love with the intention of it being nourishing and a dish of connection. It’s also in when I routinely smudge and energetically cleanse my home, or in the Epsom salt tub that I draw up for one of the boys with the oils that will help them.

So with all that being said let’s go explore 3 simple rituals for Beltane. The first one is the egg charm (and I most certainly do this at Easter) and it is so easy to do. The second is a tree blessing, which I love and will be doing. The last, but not least is a very simple dandelion renewal ritual – if spring has sprung early enough for you.

Pick what resonates for you, or create your own. The key elements are Intention, Willingness and Openness.

Enjoy and have fun!

Beltane Tree Blessing Charm

Jenny Heston · 5:25 pm ·

Beltane Tree Blessing Charm (Goddess and Green Man)

This charm is a simple and meaningful way to connect with the exuberant surge in earth energy that bursts forth at Beltane.It can be used for blessing and honouring a tree or as part of a Handfasting, Baby Blessing or Summerlands ceremony.

Equally it can be adapted for healing purposes or as an expression of hope for the future.

You will need :

A piece of white ribbon, cord or wool (to represent peace, healing and tranquillity) big enough to tie gently to a branch .

Honey dissolved in a little warm water and allowed to cool (clear honey works best ) – for healing, fertility, love, gratitude, and as an offering.

To begin, approach your chosen tree. Clear your mind and focus on the ceremony/blessing ahead. You are going to walk around the tree three times, clockwise. At the end of each round you are going to touch the tree with your right hand and make a heart connection with it. This is the important thing.

Walking slowly around the tree on the first circling say:“With grateful heart and loving mind I give thanks for your wisdom”. Touch the tree with your right hand for as long as you feel necessary.

On your second circling say: “With impassioned heart and respectful mind I give thanks for your silent strength”.Again touch the tree with your right hand.

On the third circling say: “With blossoming heart and inspired mind I give thanks for your wild beauty.” Touch the tree with your right hand.

Now sit or kneel in front of the tree. Pour a little of your honey at the base of the tree and say:“May you be blessed with Beltane’s bursting, replenished in Beltane greening, strengthened by Beltane passionate flame. Brightest Beltane Blessings on you my friend.”

Pour the last of your honey, take your ribbon and tie it to a branch and say “With love, gratitude and open heart.” And the charm is now complete.

You can do a distant blessing on a tree that you are far away from by using a pot of earth and just the honey. And as ever you can use your own words to make the charm your own.

Ritual

Beltane Tree Blessing Charm (Goddess and Green Man)

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