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Ritual for Lughnasad/Lammas
by
Maria Kay Simms
A Wicker Man Ritual
For the group ritual of the Wicker Man, we constructed a two-foot high little
man out of grapevines. It is easy to find a roll of grapevines at most any
craft store, and usually you can find small balls already formed. For our man
we used a small ball for the head and a larger one for the body. A small roll
of vine was soaked in water to make it soft and pliable and then it could be
twined to bind head and body together and then constructed arms and legs. The
"man" then has plenty of openings into which papers can be stuffed. He was
displayed next to a jar of papers and pencils as everyone arrived. Before
ritual they were asked to meditate on the onset of the season of sacrifice, when
the grain of the harvest must die in order to provide food, and to reflect on
something that they needed to give away and share in order to make space for new
and added growth in their own lives. They were to write a symbol of what they
would sacrifice and then stuff it inside the Wicker Man's body. At the central
point of the ritual, the priest who was Lugh said the following:
Often we are faced with sacrifices that we must make. We come to realize that
something we have must be given to others in order to open space within lives
and souls for new growth. In thinking of what that may mean for you, you have
placed the symbol of your personal sacrifice within this "Wicker Man," symbol of
the sacrifice of your God. Meditate upon your own sacrifice and offer it
willingly to the fires of Spirit with your pledge that you will go forth to
carry it out also within your Life.
The Wicker Man was then put into the Sabbat fire, while we raised and released
energy by drumming. Then the High Priestess blessed the cakes and cider:
Blessed be the sacrifice of the Lord of the Grain, the grains that have been
reaped that you might eat. Blessed be the fruits of the vine of harvest. As
you receive, share with the person next to you, sunwise around the circle, and
savor the joy of sharing. When all have been served, we will offer a toast of
thanksgiving and then taste and savor with love and gratitude. Be sure to save
a small portion of both food and drink to return to the Earth, with love and
gratitude for her abundance.
A Lughnasad Ritual of Sharing
To prepare, set out symbols for each element, such as: a feather and incense for
Air, a red candle for Fire, a seashell or bowl full of water for Water, a rock
or a flower for Earth. In astrology, Air and Fire are considered of the
masculine polarity; Water and Earth are of the feminine polarity. For the
purposes of this ritual and for balance, we'll use the polarities to call upon
both God and Goddess within.
Center yourself and create sacred space in your usual way. If you are using
incense, light it, and light the red candle.
Hold the censer and feather in your hands and focus, saying: "God is within me
and I hold the Air, mighty power of thought in my hands and in my mind. What
will I do to direct that power and share it with my world?" Pause for a moment
to listen for an inner message and then form your answer. Use the feather to
direct the incense smoke as you walk around your circle and speak of what you
will you to use and share your gifts of Air: rational thought, learning,
communication...
Hold the lighted red candle and focus, saying: "God is within me and I hold the
Fire, mighty power of spirit and inspiration in my hands and in my heart. What
will I do to rouse that power and share it with my world?" Again, pause for a
moment to listen for an inner message, and the carry the candle around your
circle as you speak of what you will do to share your gifts of fire: energy,
inspiration, courage, initiative...
Hold the container of water and focus, saying: "Goddess is within me and I hold
the Water, mighty power of feeling in my hands and in my soul. How may I share
this flow?" Pause for a moment to listen for an inner answer and then carry the
water around your circle, sprinkling it with your fingers as you go, and speak
of what you will do to share your gifts of water: intuition, compassion,
sensitivity...
Hold the symbols of Earth in your hands and focus, saying: "Goddess is within me
and I hold the Earth, her body, in my hands. How can I share my gifts of Earth?
(Or, how can I protect and heal my world?)" Pause for a moment to listen for an
inner answer and then carry the stone or flower around your circle as you speak
of what you can do to share your gifts of Earth: responsibility, persistence,
strength, practical manifestation...
Resolve that you will take steps to carry out the promises you have made within
this rite.
The above ritual is adapted from the group ritual for Lughnasad in
The Witch's Circle. In that group rite, the high priest, high priestess and two elders of
the circle each presented one of the elements to each covener, saying "You are
God/dess. You hold the [element] in your hands. What will you do..." and the
participant then responded with a pledge.
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THE CRAFT
Facts about The Craft
What are Wicca and Witchcraft?
The Wiccan Rede
& the Law of Three
The Pentagram
The Elements
Air |
Fire |
Water |
Earth
The Wheel of the Year
The Timing of the Sabbats
Samhain |
Yule |
Imbolc |
Ostara
Beltane |
Litha |
Lughnasad |
Mabon
Magical Moon
Maria Kay Simms' monthly column on
lunar and astrological events to
help you plan your magickal calendar.
Recommended Reading
Moon Tides, Soul Passages,
The Witch's Circle,
A Time for Magick,
Future Signs, and
Your Magical Child
by
Maria Kay Simms
Books on Spellcraft
Books on Wicca & related subjects
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