Lammas is the first of the witchy harvest festivals. It’s also a time for reaping what we’ve sown – both physically & energetically.

Today, August 1 marks the beginning of our descent into the darker half of our year with the holiday called Lammas. As a cross-quarter festival, it marks the halfway point between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox.

You may notice Mother Nature bursting forward with life during this time of year. In Anglo-Saxon England, this was the celebration of the first grain harvest. Apples and grapes are ripe with life and ready to be harvested. The sage and basil bushes are nuts with growth,  and we give thanks to the bounty of food we receive.

If you’re interested in connecting with the energy of this transitional holiday and celebrating Lammas, try these simple and accessible ritual ideas.

There is no right or wrong way to celebrate the Sabbats. What’s important is that you give yourself space to connect in whatever way feels best to you.

Reflect and Recenter

Lammas is a time of reflection since we’re over halfway through the year. Where do you stand on some of the goals you set for yourself back in the winter? What can you take notice of and give thanks for, and what can you let go of? Sometimes the aspirations we set for ourselves seem great in theory, but when it comes time to create we realize there’s no space for them in our lives. Or we get something we thought we wanted, only to find out it makes us feel even more bogged down. Imagine this as a time to take an imaginary scythe to your life. Where can you cut back, so you can give more fully to the areas of your life that make you feel authentic and whole?

Take out your journal and answer these questions for yourself:

– Where do I want to focus my personal growth?

– Where can I cut back, and give myself more space?

– How can I create more balance for myself?

Set a Lammas Altar

Find a space where you can feel safe, relaxed, and open. Maybe it’s a simple side table by the window. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Fill your space with symbols and objects that represent abundance to you. Local, blooming flowers would be a lovely addition, as well as some decorative bits of wheat or corn. If you can get them from a more organic source, like a farmer’s market or from the wild, they’ll have a bit more magick. But store-bought items will always do. It’s all about the intention you put behind them. Colors of yellow, red, brown, and green are traditional for harvest festivals like Lammas.

I also found these super simple apple candle holders that would be a great addition to any altar space.

Take a walk to your local farmer’s market

Since we’re no longer in a time where we do much harvesting of our own food, it’s important to strengthen this relationship with the Earth however we can. If you have a garden, this is a wonderful time to harvest some

of your bountiful produce. Be mindful and attentive to the energy of the plant, and make sure to say thank you. If you don’t have access to a garden, local farmer’s markets are great. Connect with the people who’ve planted, tended, and harvested the food. Be sure to take a moment of appreciation for the great cycle of life and how it sustains us all.

Abundance and gratitude meditation

Lammas begins the slow descent into the darker half of our year. It’s the time when we begin to slow down and turn inward. If you don’t have a consistent meditation practice I encourage you to start small.

Sit in a comfortable position where you can be undisturbed. Close your eyes and begin to focus on your breath. Take a mental note of all the things you’re thankful for in your life – big and small. Say a prayer of thank you to Source for guiding you, and allow yourself to clear space so that you may harvest the fruits of the season.