The word “Lammas” translates as “loaf-mass.” Historically, on Lammas day, August second, a loaf of bread baked from the first grains harvested was brought for blessing.
In August, the peak of summer has passed. The first light before dawn is getting later. I know this because my dog and I like to walk before the sun gets very high up in the sky, so we stay cool. Now it is darkish at 5:15 when we used to be well on our way walking the neighborhood!
Before that first light, I can see the 3 stars of Orion’s belt coming over the horizon in the east. Orion is a winter constellation, so the appearance of this distinctive row of stars signals that is where we are headed.
Harvest Blessings
But now, we still have the heat of summer and the products of our gardens. I am still harvesting strawberries and mint and a few veggies.
And oh – the zinnias and sunflowers are so abundant in the flowerbed!
Beeeeautiful!
The flowers are blessing me as well as the bees and insects who visit them!
As the zinnia flowers are spent, I collect them for seeds for a flower garden next year. This shows the bigger picture that within this harvest is the seed of all future harvests.
Harvesting Seeds
Traditionally, first harvest is a grain harvest, but I have let my Holy Basil and carrot as well as flowers go to seed.
Grain serves as nourishment to sustain us now and in the winter. I will have my mint tea and Holy Basil tea to warm my winter.
Grains also provide seed to plant in the next cycle in the spring. I have my Holy Basil seeds for next year’s garden.
The significance of grain at Lammas is that it represents both fulfillment and future potential.
This is an affirmation of life.
Reaping
When reaping our harvest, cutting down the grain stalks as the growth cycle ends, we find a kernel of new life in the grain seed itself. This is an affirmation that fullness will come again in its time when that seed is planted.
In August, active growth is slowing down. We can reap what we have sown. We can receive the blessings of the growth.
Receive Blessings
I have jars of dried mint and Holy Basil. I am eating yellow squash and zucchini and my dog is enjoying it too. I still can have a bowl full of strawberries from time to time from my garden. These are gustatory blessings.
I also am blessed in my life.
I am blessed with fullness in my connections with patients, friends and family. I am blessed with a dog companion. My work blesses me with seeing patients improve and a way to synthesize my knowledge and experience for transformation.
What are the blessings you are receiving at this first harvest of Lammas?
