Ritual

Summer Solstice is here and Goodies Galore!

Dearest Gentle Reader,

Frigging love starting a post with that line! Summer Solstice, also known as Litha, arrives on Friday June 20th and the fire in you wants to burn with the sun.

To light up and beam out as far as humanly possible!

And why not?

Now you may be thinking to yourself, Jenny I have no clue what you are talking about or how to tap into the energy that is available to me!

Not a problem! There are two glorious goodies for you that will ignite your inner flame!

First off, I have you covered with the amazing Stupendously Abundant Summer Solstice guide. Fondly referred to as SASS, as who doesn’t like a little SASS.

She is a glorious 45 page guide that will walk you through it all with love and tenderness and help you ignite your own fire.

So let me ask – what words come to mind when you think of the Summer Solstice?

Thematically this celebration is about POWER, Strength, Illumination, Confidence, Energy, Self-acknowledgement, Joy and of course – glorious Faerie revels.

It’s time to celebrate and also time to reflect on your personal growth and the meaning of the season of light and growth.

This is the moment of our year when there is the most light available to you.

In terms of consciousness, it is when you are the most present to yourself and who you know yourself to be — the Sun represents the light of all life and consciousness.

At the summer solstice, a doorway in time opens, which our ancestors viewed as sacred and holy.

Litha is a grand portal of energy, space, and opportunity – a chance to let go of fears, doubts, and insecurities.

After the Sun reaches its maximum power, it begins to decline.

Slowly, the night force will grow stronger until its peak at the winter solstice.

Litha is the last chance in our calendar year to activate sacred intentions before moving into autumn and winter, the natural seasons of harvest and rest.

It’s a time to step out in faith and imagine what’s entirely possible for yourself. Dream an expansive vision for your life that will sustain you as the darkness slowly returns with the fall.

Which brings in the 2nd goodie!

After a lovely natter with my guides we are opening up 2 readings that are specific to Summer Solstice, which we haven’t done in two years! The first one is Stand in Your Power and the other one is Hot Mess!

Only 20 spaces will be open from now until the end of June for the Solstice/Litha energy.

Remember, like the Sun, you have your Inner fire.

Your Inner Fire is the fierce, powerful, badass part of you.

The You that does the hard work of bringing your dreams to life. In the same way that crops would cease to grow without the Earth’s sun, your life would shrivel without your Inner Fire.

So let’s ignite it so you can beam like the glorious beastie you are!

Okay, enough chuntering away.

Let’s crack on with the reading, shall we?

These are glorious guides to support you reconnecting with your Dream Song, Your Heart Song, Your Soul Song – your Inner Fire. Let their words and images wrap you in nourishment and niggle away deep inside.

So take a glorious deep breath gorgeous one, and then when you are ready pick the card or cards that resonate.

Did you remember to pick?

Let’s go take a little look-see, yes?

GO DARK

Your darkness is not your enemy.

It can seem scary, but it’s where new life grows and develops. You do too.

This moment calls you to be willing to be with your own darkness. It asks you to embrace your dark as your beloved ally. To cradle your uncertainty.

The dark night of the soul holds secrets for you that you wouldn’t be able to see in the brightness of glaring certainty.

Poet Mary Oliver spoke about a box of darkness as a priceless gift in her life.

Chaos, crisis and suffering want to gift you a new understanding of who you really are beyond who you always thought yourself to be.

COURT THE FEMININE

The word cunning is closely associated with the fox.

Cunning, like foxes and women, has been given a bad rap.

Many have twisted the word’s sacred origins into something manipulative and conniving.

But the word cunning comes from an older Middle English word “ken”, a range of knowledge or sight.

A cunning person understands that deep internal sight and wide-range vision lead to building an authentic life. Excavate your deep knowing and trust its messages.

This is the way your soul-sight grows sharp, and your instincts return to the untamed power you were born with.

Sharpen your cunning to cut away what no longer serves.

No matter your gender, your life deserves the fierce protection that feminine discernment can bring.

CRAFT YOUR FOCUS

Your vision is a magnifying energy source, amplifying and expanding what it perceives.

In any single moment you have one choice. You can turn your gaze toward what you don’t want, what isn’t working, what you are fearful of, what you worry about.

Or, you can look at what you treasure, what you love, and what you hope for, despite what reality tells you is possible.

Either way, what you focus on grows, right?

Now is the time to use this very simple power to direct the energy and flow of your experience.

When you focus on what you already have with gratitude, and what you want with love and appreciation, you create the energy version of your vision before there is any proof in the material world.

This moment invites you to consciously choose your focus.

Okay, have to say – love these cards! All deep, rich and meaningful! Wishing you an amazing Solstice and huge blessings. Remember to grab your copy of SASS, or gift yourself or a friend one of the Solstice reading specials. Huge hugs!

Simple Blessing Techniques that Work!

Jenny Heston · 5:55 pm ·

Throughout human existence, we’ve learned to face the dark time of the year and the longest night with rituals and ceremonies.

These practices equip us to face fears and foster hope as well as maintain our connection to nature.

One of my favourite authors, John O’Donohue, says that a blessing is an innovation, a calling forth.

The word may is often used in blessings because it imagines and wills the fulfillment of desire.

The word can be used like a magic wand, a way to guide energy that changes the world. However, using the word may is not vital, it’s your intention that is the most important aspect.

Allow your words to reflect your heart.

Easy Prosperity Blessing

Bless all the money that passes through your hands with generosity and prosperity. As the money moves from person to person the users will be blessed with the spirit of giving and with the attractive powers of prosperity.

Nourish Bodies and Soul Blessing

During this season we share lots of food and treats at meals, parties, events, and even cookie and soup exchanges. If you make food yourself, you can imbue it with good health and sweetness to nourish the recipients’ bodies and souls.

Soothing Frazzled Nerves Blessing

The holiday season often brings many errands and extra driving or traveling. Waiting in long lines or being stuck in traffic can eat away at goodwill.

If you are feeling stressed and impatient, probably those around you are too.

Whether in your car or waiting in line, blessing everyone in the area with “May all beings be at peace” is magickal.

After a few moments of slow breathing and silent blessings, the change in energy is palpable.

Stealth Blessing

This is so useful and can be used anytime, anywhere.

Pick a small hand gesture that you can do without anyone noticing.

The two I use most are simply crossing my fingers or making an “okay” sign with my index finger and thumb and letting the index finger flick, as if releasing something.

After deciding the gesture, charge it with your blessing of choice (I usually use “May all beings be at peace” as a generic blessing).

Then wherever you are, whenever needed, you can make the gesture and release that blessed energy into the vicinity.

My Birthday, Equinox and a giftie for You!

Jenny Heston · 4:14 pm ·

Happy Marvellous, Metaphysical, Magical, Mysterious, Musical, Manifesting, Mabon, Monday!

How was your glorious Virgo New Moon? Did you take time to breathe in that rich Earth Goddess energy and make some wishes/intentions?

I am so excited as Equinox is just around the corner! Here in the Northern Hemisphere we are celebrating Mabon, which is Fall. In the Southern Hemisphere it is Ostara – Spring! Two of my most favourite seasons!

So grab a nice strong cuppa, snuggle up and let’s go explore Mabon and My birthday gift to YOU! shall we?

In case you didn’t know Equinox or Mabon falls on September 22nd (my birthday!) and is a powerful time of abundance and celebrating the bounty you have.

The Autumn Equinox is the 2nd of only 2 days through the year when the Earth is in perfect balance. On the Equinox, day and night are equal. But in autumn, the sun is waning and the days are now shorter than the night.

The equinox is that delicious place of balance, gratitude and bounty – both inner and outer! In celebrating Mabon we give ourselves time to focus on gratitude and open our hearts to the great natural world around us. Gratitude is so empowering and healing: it helps us to create a conscious connection with each other and the universe and see our life’s journey as an endless cycle of in-breath and out-breath, of giving and receiving.

We are beginning to turn inward. This is a time of balance just as it is for the natural world around us. We feel the coming of the darkness and are pulled towards our spiritual side in a new way.

A couple of great questions to ask yourself are – Where do I need Equinox’s balance in my life right now? What am I being called to let go of for myself this season?

Mabon is often referred to as “Witches Thanksgiving ” (no, it doesn’t mean you have to be a witch). It means it’s the second harvest festival on the wheel of the year, a time to give thanks for the bounty in your life, to release the things that you may have outgrown and to be grateful and count your blessings! Yes?

Counting our Blessings is a powerful practice and something I do every morning on the beach or in the woods!

Not only do we count our blessings, it’s also important to take time to reflect on our triumphs from the year and acknowledge what we’ve worked hard to grow and harvest. We need to remember to feel proud of our accomplishments. However, in order for new growth to occur in the spring, things must die in the autumn.

Many of you have emailed and asked if there is going to be a Mabon Magickal Manual this year, HECK YES! She is quite lovely and the perfect way to guide and support you into breathing in the essence of abundance, the change of season and awakening to all its meanings.

As Equinox is my birthday, my gift to you is the most delicious Mabon Magickal Manual (fondly known as MMM), where you get to pick the price!

(Yes, I did say that outloud).

She has 46 pages of pure magick, myth, oracle spreads, rituals, practices, how to work with the glorious archetype of this season (and she is an amazing one) and so much more! All to help you come into balance and harvest exactly what you need at this time!

Thus, she will be available from today until I come back from my birthday trip where I am going to explore Salt Spring Island with all my kids and their partners. My plans are to play, explore, dance, weave with the energies and hike the fairy door trail (and maybe take one to leave there).

So with all the chuntering, let’s crack on. As you allow your breathing to slow down a tad, and come back into your body. I invite you to just BE and BREATHE, allowing everything else to just drop away for this moment. Then when you are ready ask your wise inner where is the balance I need at this time of year?

Then when you are ready – pick.

Let’s go see who wants to share with you this week.

HUMMINGBIRD DREAMS

The Smallest

Even those who seem the least to us have their dreams. The tiniest and the weakest have their place in the Universe just as we do. They have a special job that only they can do, a place that only they can fill. There is no one being that is more important or more worthy than another, regardless of the form in which they choose to express themselves in life.

We marvel at the tiniest hummingbird. How can it move its wings so rapidly that it can hover in one spot and then fly off in a split second? What strength and agility it has. What diving form! It’s hard to believe that something so tiny can bring so much beauty and wonder.

If you are feeling small and insignificant, remember your uniqueness. The only shoes you have to fill are your own and they fit you just fine!

There are no insignificant people, none who are less whole than another. Eliminate prejudices and judgements whether cast upon yourself or another. If you feel that someone is not up to your standards, then realise that is what you are projecting upon them.

Change your perception and see them truly as they are…a reflection of the Divine, just as you are.

Spirit expresses through us all in its own way. It’s not for us to second-guess.

If you are feeling less than whole, remember your divine birth and take comfort in knowing that you are divinely perfect. Pursue your dreams and know that you are divinely guided. Have faith in your dreams and your abilities.

I am a unique being.

There is no other like me.

My purpose is my own to fulfil.

No one else can do this.

Spirit expresses through me,

In a way that only I can give expression.

My gifts to the world are mine alone to give.

I am in divine harmony with all life.

So be it!

Take time to notice the smallest things today.

WISHING YOU HEALTH

Wholeness

If you find yourself wishing for your wholeness, then it’s time to do whatever it takes to break the spell of dis-ease whether it be on a physical, mental or spiritual level. All these levels must work together in order for you to be the best that you can be.

There must also be acknowledgment that lack of wholeness, or the feeling that something is missing, is all just an illusion.

First understand your divine perfection, that you are now and have always been whole! Bring that wholeness down and merge it into your body. Treat your body well with a good diet, exercise and loving thoughts.

If it is time for a checkup, then go get one. There is always something you can do to honour your body and make it a happier place to reside. Sometimes you have to place yourself above others in order to get proper rest and to ease out the tensions in your life. This is not a selfish act, as you must be in tiptop condition in order to give your best to yourself and others.

Forgive yourself and others for any past deeds, as holding onto these regrets takes a lot of energy that could be used elsewhere.

Move forward. Love yourself! Know that you are worthy of good health and happiness!

I am worthy of good rest.

I am worthy of good food.

I am worthy of good health.

I am worthy of the good in life.

So be it!

Call a friend today!

LIGHTING THE WAY

Illumination

We all wish for guidance and help along the way, yet sometimes guidance comes from within. When we connect to the energy of Spirit that resides within each of us, we see clearly what we are to do. Reach for the stars!

Allow that communication with Spirit to connect you to your highest good.

Connecting to Spirit is as easy as recognising that you are already one with the Universal Power. Strengthen your trust in your Divinity.

Ultimately, you are to be the one who shows others the way. You hold the light for them as they climb the path of illumination.

In order to do so you must continue your own journey in learning and refining your own truth. It is only through example that we can change our world, one person at a time. But if enough people hold the light, in enough places, we can bring about change at a much more advanced rate.

This glorious faery holds the lantern for all to see, so that anyone who wishes to climb the path can better see the footholds and avoid the pitfalls. She has reached the highest peak. Her face shows that she takes her job seriously.

Guidance can come in many forms…the words of a friend or loved one, or of a professional counselor. Guidance can come from a book or a stranger’s words.

Listen to what information comes your way, then sit with it and meditate on it. You will get a sense as to whether it is valid for you or not, if you are open and willing to hear your truth. You may be destined to teach or counsel others.

Each step of my journey is illuminated and sure.

I move with trust and confidence.

I welcome the chance to light the way for others.

I hold the light high.

So be it!

Light a candle for someone today!

Oh my gosh, I so, so, so love the cards. Perfect for this moment in time! So most delicious one, please take a moment to breathe in gratitude and like a tree, allow the leaves of release to drop like cosmic compost. Remember the Mabon Magickal Manual birthday gift and I will see you in two weeks! Big hugs and squeezes.

Can Joy and Grief Happen Together? The Aquarius Super Moon!

Jenny Heston · 5:55 pm ·

Happy Motivational, Magnanimous, Melodious, Mirthful, Magical, Marvellous, Muliebrity, Manifesting Monday!

I laughed so frigging hard last week as I used the word “Moist” in the greeting and I had quite a few people email in saying – ewwwww!

I don’t know about you, but if someone offers me “a muffin” or “a moist muffin”, I know which one I’m grabbing and snarfling down. Moist all the way baby!

This is probably the last reading until September as all sorts of wonderful shifts, creation and changes are happening in the background and so I’m being guided to focus there.

So if you want to keep up to date with all the new things are going to be happening and all the yumminess – make sure you are part of our email community!

Okay my darlings with July coming to a close we are going to explore Joy and Grief and the first of the two Super Moons of August. Are you ready? You comfie and settled?

Before we start, let me ask a question (actually two).

What does Joy feel like for you? What are the sensations and where does it sit in your body?

What does Grief feel like for you? What are the sensations that flood up and where does it sit in your body?

Both Joy and Grief are strong emotions and they land in the body and the psyche in different ways, but they are both intense, oftentimes overwhelming and in your face.

Now you may be thinking to yourself – mmmm, Jenny WTF, but be willing to dance with me, okay?

I wear multiple hats in my work and I love all of them as they blend deliciously together and all interweave.

Therapist, Coach, Spiritual Counsellor, Lay Chaplain, Witch, Business Owner.

This last couple of weeks in my Lay Chaplain role I have had the honour and delight of co-creating three radically different wedding ceremonies for 3 radically different couples.

Weddings are joyful, right? They are filled with promise, hope, commitment and love. Yet interestingly enough, all of these couples are having to learn how to juggle both Grief and Joy at the same time.

One couple, the bride to be, is having to put her best friend and most amazing cat of 18 years down, two weeks before the ceremony.

The second couple, the bride’s father, died suddenly in November, her touchstone in her family of origin. And a few weeks prior to the ceremony she had to drive for 3 days with her young son to scatter his ashes where his father and brother were scattered.

The third couple, the groom, found out that his stalwart and supportive mother has an incurable disease and may not even be alive for their ceremony.

On a personal note I have found this “most interesting” as with it being July I am feeling a lot of grief as this week is my glorious big sister Fi’s birthday and next Monday is the anniversary of her death day.

Yet there is Joy in helping co-create glorious meaningful moments for these amazing couples, as well as holding the space and fully understanding the grief they are feeling.

There is also the balance of Joy and Grief for myself as my wonderful brother in law will be here from the UK in a few weeks and we are going to scatter my sister’s ashes in the creek where my father’s ashes went and in the ocean.

So dear one, remember if you are juggling Joy and Grief it’s important to first face the complexity of the situation. Identify those bitter-sweet emotions of losing a cherished loved while at the same time appreciating the value of life, the joy.

And let’s be honest, it’s normal and common to hold opposing feelings at the same time, oftentimes with feelings that are layered with contradictions.

Despite being seemingly opposite emotions, joy and grief are interconnected aspects of the human experience. Both play essential roles in shaping our emotional landscape and influencing our interactions with the world around us.

Remind yourself, it’s okay and It takes practice to learn how to let seeming opposites coexist within us.

So let’s talk about the Aquarius SuperMoon that arrives on August 1st, which brings up these emotions as well!

(Aren’t you thrilled!)

This is the first of 2 Full Moons in August, as a lunar cycle is 29.5 days, this means we are set for another Full Moon on August 30th, a Blue Moon in the sign of Pisces.

Both of these Full Moons will be Super Moons, meaning they will be closer to Earth, and we will feel their effects more strongly.

Having two Full Super Moons in the same month indicates a strong pull to release, detox, let go, and walk away from all that is no longer resonant with our being.

So what does that look like for you?

The Aquarius Full Moon on August 1st is the perfect entrance point to this journey of creating space. It holds a sweet, healing vibration, guiding us to gently and lovingly prepare to let go of all that is heavy.

We may find painful emotions, heartbreaks, grief, and disappointments rising to the surface.

Many of you have shared that the energy has felt very emotional, deep and at some points overwhelming.

Writing things out on paper, talking things through with a friend, seeking help, or simply taking the time to have a conversation with our mental chatter can bring some relief.

This is the time to ground, be gentle with your gorgeous self and just allow all the feels to flood up and use some of the techniques above, don’t keep the feels locked in your heart, body or mind, okay?

Let’s crack on with the reading shall we?

When I asked the guides who they wanted to use to share with you this week, they chose these glorious guides.

So darling one, just take a moment and breathe. If you are holding any heaviness, allow it to soften as you breathe. If you are feeling in need of support and love, hold those energies in your mind’s eye and invite them in, along with Joy. The Joy of being here in this moment, the Joy of breathing, the Joy of the sun filtering through the leaves of the trees where you live.

With that energy swirling. Take another deep breath and pick the card or cards that resonate for you.

Did you remember to pick?

Let’s go have a look…..

AWAKENING ANCIENT WISDOM

Deep inner knowing is emerging within me.

The Universe wants you to know that the wisdom of your ancestors, your predecessors and all of history exists deep within you.

Whether you realise it or not an inner portal is opening as this sacred information pours into your consciousness.

You have always possessed innate knowledge, but at this juncture, simply by being still, you are able to access it with even greater perception.

Profound enlightenment is growing within you, even if you are not aware of it.

Trust and know that within you is a deep wise being, and your wisdom is supportive and helpful to others – even if you are questioning whether to share it.

Pay attention to the coincidences, signs, and synchronicities around you.

To understand a dream, sign, or synchronistic event, ask yourself: If this symbolised a message from the Ancients, what would it be? How can I access even more wisdom within myself? How can the wisdom of the past help my present and my future?

SHARING OF YOURSELF

I am an incredibly generous being.

You are being invited to share from the depths of your soul.

Allow others to see your essence and feel your radiance. If you give with the thought that it’s something you must do as a duty or sacrifice, you may feel depleted.

However, if you give with the belief that there’s no scarcity of energy, funds, or joy, the Universe will pour an abundance of these things into your life.

Don’t expect to receive something in return – rather, be generous just because it feels right.

You can only give as much as your capacity to receive, so open yourself to receiving even more!

Share who you are with others. Give what you have, what you do, and who you are.

The more freely and fully you share of yourself, the more freely and fully the Universe will give to you.

Ask yourself: How can I give even more? What is stopping the flow within my life? What could occur in my life if I gave without reservation?

EMERGING INTO GRACE

I open my soul to grace.

In the stillness of retreat, the gifts of Spirit will emerge at your feet.

In gratitude and thankfulness, an opening into the deepest spiritual realms is waiting for you.

Simply be ready and be open, as waves of sacred love will pour into your heart.

Allow Grace to grow within you so that, more and more, you serve as a safe sanctuary for yourself and for others.

Please remember that all is well. You can relax and let go, for your path is divinely guided and you don’t need to push, struggle or go it alone.

If you allow, gifts from the Creatrix will pour into your life. Gratitude can abound.

A spirit of Grace will unfold in your life.

Ask yourself: How does the spirit of grace want to work in my life? What has blocked it from filling my life in the past? If I truly let go and open myself to grace, what will unfold?

Mmmm, great questions, great guidance. So my delicious one, as we close out the month of July I wish you calm, joy and balance. As we encounter the first Full Moon of August I wish for you to release the weight you feel the need to carry, whether it is mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical.

I am going to take some time and space for the next month to honour my sister, visit with my brother in law, and how I work is changing. Gosh, I have been doing these readings for 10 years! So if you want to be kept updated on what‘s being created (which is fabulous), make sure you are on our glorious email community list.

So I will see you in September! (Unless my guides are adamant I do a reading! Lol).

Massive hugs and squeezes gorgeous ones.

What is Lammas and an Abundance Ritual!

Jenny Heston · 3:03 pm ·

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 the intent that is important. If you have no broom, collect a bundle of twigs and tie them at the top with a 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 you 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!