Monthly Astro-Forecasts August 2018

Monthly Astro-Forecasts August 2018

To view more of Sarah-Jane’s insight, please visit her website, Sarah-Jane Grace

As the pace of change continues to ebb and flow, and twist and turn, there is a sense that we are finding it harder to know where one chapter of change ends and when the next one begins. It’s as though we are in a big blur of shift, and it’s indefinable and without shape or definition. Of course, as human beings, we have an inherent need to define, but we can’t always get what we want. We already know that life, by its very nature, is unknowable, but it doesn’t stop up from seeking out new barriers of wisdom and learning. There are times to thrive, push and flourish, and yet there are also times to pause, reflect and hibernate. Sometimes we may feel like we need to do it all at once!

Life is confusing, but it has always been this way. If we feel like we have a handle on things, then something usually comes along to remind us that we simply ride the waves, we don’t create them. Yet, is that really true? Don’t we, individually and collectively, create ripples in the great big pond of life? Aren’t all of our actions and inactions a part of the bigger picture? Yet, even though what we do, and don’t do, shapes the essence of life, when it comes down to the ebb and flow of the currents, this is far harder to pinpoint as it feels more universal and less personal.

Of course, much of this boils down to perspective as it’s how we see change that, in many ways, defines how we experience it. Change is an inevitable part of life but many of us resist it and try to outsmart, or outwit, it with varying degrees of success. Endings and beginnings, life is never still. A new beginning projects us forwards, but the ending reminds us of that we are fluid and continually moving. It’s a bit like reading a book, as we turn the page, the last lines of the page dance around our consciousness as we engage with the new page, both blending together, and without each other, not really making much sense.

If we pause for a moment, close our eyes and take a big deep breath, we can sense the interconnected and magical nature of the universe in which we reside. In that moment, life slows down and we can hear every sound, every thought and every moment that has ever come to pass. Infinity is within our hearts and souls, but we so easily forget the miracle of this as everyday life keeps us occupied, slowly erasing the magic from our hearts and souls.

It’s time now to find new ways to let this magic flow more freely in our lives as it’s our willingness to be fully awake and wholehearted that will ultimately open up new ways of living and being for us all. We take solace from knowing we are not alone as so many of us are now stepping from the shadows, to face and release fear, and to live with authenticity and a sense of freedom within our hearts and souls.

Although we may walk alone, intuitively we know that we are not alone as we are surrounded by smiling souls whenever we close our eyes. It’s important to remember to smile and to live with compassion as these act like beacons to others, bringing them warmth and hope. So, just as we receive this, we offer it to others as well, creating ripple after ripple of love.

These are undoubtedly challenging times, but they are also empowering, magical and vibrant as well…

For now, I wish you all kinds of wonderful.

With love,

Sarah-Jane

Aries

As life continues on its twists and turns, there is a growing sense that you are beginning to allow yourself to take more time to enjoy the ride rather than simply seeing it as a means to get from where you are to where you want to be. At times, you would be forgiven for feeling as though your life has been on fast forwards as you have had little time to take a breath, let alone pause and reflect. You have been so busy that even knowing where you want to be in your life may not be very clear anymore as you are so focused on keeping on keeping on. You have an almost constant stream of things to do, people to see and places to go, and whilst this keeps you stimulated and engaged, there is a sense that some of it has become more automatic as part of ‘what you do’ without much thought as to why you do it.

August looks set to be a month that brings you ample opportunity to pause and reflect on why you do what you do, enabling you to think more consciously about your very long to do list. It’s time to think about what truly makes you happy, what lights up your soul and what doesn’t. Whilst you may not be able to eradicate those aspects of your life that deplete you, by becoming more aware of them, you can begin to find new ways of dealing with them that are less depleting and more life affirming. This is a golden opportunity to reset the balance of your life as you connect to your true priorities and also to your vibrant, passionate essence. It’s time to acknowledge that you press the ‘fast forward’ button, so you can release it too…

Taurus

As the winds of change continue to gather momentum in your life, there is a growing sense of new awareness rising up from deep within your heart and soul. It’s as though you are beginning to see both yourself, and your life, from a new perspective and you’re realising just how much of yourself you give to others. Whilst you are the glue that tries to hold everyone, and everything, together, even glue needs some ‘me time’ – time just to be, to rest, to reflect and to not ‘do’. Yes, you are stubborn, and you often push ahead even when the tides are against you as you are never one to give up or give in, but sometimes you need to do what’s best for you, and sometimes this means letting go for a while and seeing where the tides take you. Don’t lose sight of what makes you, you, instead celebrate your uniqueness and passion, and allow yourself to find a new balance in your life.

This isn’t about changing the fundamentals of your character, it’s about being a bit less stubborn when it comes to acknowledging your own needs. You are deeply compassionate when it comes to others but find it hard to shine this light onto yourself. Such an act isn’t selfish, it’s necessary as it gives you some breathing space, as well as an opportunity to review where you are, where you’ve been and where you’re heading. It’s easy to get lost in the array of stuff that keeps you distracted on a daily basis and this can grow in size over time and space, so it’s time to start simplifying things, to unravel some of the knots that you’ve become tied up in recently and to take a great, big breath of life…

Gemini

Your life has become quite fragmented and disjointed over recent weeks and months as you have been trying to be the person you feel you ought to be but, at the same time, not really being sure who that is. It’s tiring trying to be someone without shape, definition or form, and it’s exhausting trying to push and shove to build up momentum when you’re not really sure where you’re heading or why. In short, it seems you have got yourself into something of a pickle as your head and your heart are not on the same page, top this with a fairly deep sense of restlessness and a sprinkling of curiosity, and it’s not surprising you are feeling a little out of sorts. It would be easy to think you’re remaining static through this period of indecision and uncertainty, but this couldn’t be further from the truth as you have shifted exponentially recently, and you are simply not the same person staring back at you in the mirror anymore.

There is a part of you grieving for the old you, the you that felt familiar and easy, yet, intuitively you know you are ready to spread your wings and fly as this is your butterfly time – your time to break out of the cocoon of keeping on keeping on in order to find a brand new way of living and being. The key to feeling whole again comes from honouring your heart and your head, loving your quirks and being truly compassionate with yourself. Letting go of the acerbic, harsh inner critic will also help as this can cut you to shreds if you let it run wild. Being you is both wonderful and a joy, and it’s time to feel this wholeheartedly now with every cell of your being…

Cancer

There is no one else quite like you. You are a unique being, with a unique perspective and distinctive way of looking at the world. You have always been a little different to your peers, and whilst you have spent long periods over the years trying to fit in and blend, over time, you have realised the value in being you. It’s only human to want to be a part of the flock, but you have never been one for wearing wool or going baa. In many ways, you thrive on the differences, as this gives you a sense of value and meaning, and it inspires you to let your true essence flow more freely in life. It’s not that you deliberately try to be different, but you feel no need to hide or deny it. Yet (and yes, there has to be a yet!), life isn’t all pizazz and extraordinary, there is a great deal of mundane, pedestrian distraction that fills up your life as well. Of course, you know this, but it can be hard to find contentment in the humdrum when your consciousness reaches far wider.

There is a risk that you can sometimes drift away from the here and now as you get lost in the mundane and lose sight of the magic and sparkle. It’s unquestionably hard trying to thrive as a vibrant soul when you’re faced with the washing up, the ironing and cleaning the toilet. Yes, life can be mundane at times, but your inner sparkle never fades, it just gets covered up with stuff and clutter. August looks set to be a month where your pizazz and sparkle re-surface, inspiring you to let your true nature flow more freely, and with love, as you contemplate your path ahead…

Leo

August looks set to be a month of revelatory shift for you as you begin to open up to a new level of consciousness that’s been knocking on your door for quite some time now. It’s not that you’ve been ignoring it, well, you have, but you just haven’t seen a way to incorporate it into your already busy life. You are well aware of the need to do things the right way as long as this correlates with doing things your way. Whilst you would never dream of assuming that you are always right, intuitively you know that your way is usually the best way so why would anyone ever question that! You are a passionate and driven soul, and your vibrant, creative intuition brings you innovative ideas and distinctive dreams.

You have a vision of how the world could be, just as you have a vision as to how your life could be. These are held with great esteem deep within the recesses of your heart and soul, and you carry them gently as you walk through life, believing they will come to pass, and you have the courage and confidence to do your best. There is no sense of big-headedness here, it’s just the way you are: your belief is unbending, and this gives you a huge advantage in life as you don’t give up easily. Sometimes this trips you up, but, on the whole, your passion and drive has enabled you to live the dream far more than most. It’s time now to channel your formidable energy towards opening up your heart and soul with more passion and love than ever before as you seem ready to embark on a new chapter in your life, one that’s filled with exciting possibilities, new terrain and much joy…

Virgo

You are one of life’s deep thinkers and you often find yourself contemplating the meaning of life as you go about your daily tasks. Pondering the interconnectedness of humanity over your cornflakes and wondering what exactly life is as you do your food shopping are part of your everyday world. In short, there is very little that is ordinary about you; you stretch your consciousness far and wide in an attempt to make sense of why things are the way they are. You have grown and evolved to reach a point of understanding that these questions don’t have clear-cut answers, in fact, most don’t even have answers, but you enjoy rolling them around your mind all the same in order to expand your awareness. Of course, this can also sometimes leave you feeling frustrated as you want to know more, but you have found a willingness to be at peace with some of the more unknowable aspects of life.

It can be hard at times to bring your expansive consciousness back to earth as you are far happier drifting through the universal expanse as a bundle of vibrant energy. After such explorations, how can you settle with keeping on keeping on? Of course, you do keep on keeping on, as this is what makes the wheels turn in the bigger picture of your life, but you have realised the importance of following your dreams and making the most of every single moment. Although you can get lost in the mighty expanse of your thoughts, you have seen the preciousness of life and the need to live life now. It’s the present moment that truly matters, not some distant place on the far away horizon. This doesn’t mean stop having dreams, it means living them in the here and now. So, be the rainbow and shine…

Libra

You have always been something of a beacon of light, that part of your soul that radiates brightly into the world to inspire, encourage and empower others. You are compassionate and empathic, and you carry great warmth and joy at the core of your being. Your clarity and vision bring shape and definition where there used to be none, and your inner power and courage illuminates the path for others. You are a very selfless soul, often reaching out to others, holding their hand, picking them up when they fall, or simply wishing them well. Your smile reaches across time and space, because it means something. You don’t do something unless you mean it. Yet, this is a side of your nature that you often don’t acknowledge. In many ways this is because it’s such an innate part of you that you don’t realise you’re doing it. This is such a shame, as the more aware you are of it, the more potential you have to channel this amazing gift towards yourself as well.

It’s time now to acknowledge your role as a beacon of light, to be the lighthouse that you know yourself to be. This isn’t only about continuing to help and inspire others, it’s also about illuminating the nooks and crannies of your own heart and soul in order to re-connect to your true path in life. Whilst much of this became lost in the mists of time, and the path may have become tangled with overgrown plants, the way is still clear to see, you just need to look for it. It’s time now for you to connect more deeply with your soul and to dance with the waves of light as they radiate brightly from within. You are ready now to illuminate your world from the inside, out…

Scorpio

Finding peace and learning to love the wild terrain that resides within your heart and soul, has been a long and winding journey for you. You have often tried to tame your inner passion, as you felt you needed to in order to fit into life. As you realised it’s your passion that sources your creativity, drive and wisdom, you have started to let go of the need to stifle and restrain your wild inner world. Yes, it doesn’t always sit sedately for afternoon tea, sometimes it can be unruly and downright awkward, but would you really have it any other way? It can be unquestionably hard being you as, on one hand you try so hard to conform, but on the other hand, your inner wildness just won’t sit still, constantly waving at you, shouting ‘oi, over here!’.

Do you love your wild terrain, or do you try to contain and restrain it? Have you considered being more tender and loving towards your inner wildness as this is, after all, a part of you? Indeed, in many ways, it is you. Trying to be what you intrinsically are not takes a great deal of time and effort, energy which could be much better spent being channelled into riding the waves with your wild energy and finding new ways to thrive. Unchartered terrain isn’t always easy to navigate but you have a built-in GPS, as well as a spiritual survivalist kit that is way beyond the comprehension of most. In other words, how more ready do you feel you need to be?! August looks set to be a month to step into the magic of the unknown and to trust your wild energy to guide you. It is a part of you, so trust it, love it and become one with it…

Sagittarius

The fires that burn deep within your heart and soul are full of creative passion and a carefree energy that fills you with anticipation and excitement. You are a free spirit and although life has often had other plans, your free-spirited nature loves to dance and shimmy as though no one is watching. Yet, intuitively you do know that others are watching so you can never be truly sure if you are unhindered or not. It’s a bit like a falling tree in the forest, does it make a sound or not? In many ways, it’s the questioning as to whether or not you are truly free that has become the tether of restriction in your life as the more you focus on it, the tighter it becomes. Maybe you do shape your life in a way that is tempered because you do not walk alone, but does it really matter? Yes, you want to be free, but this is a state of mind rather than a state of being, so the more you embrace the concept of freedom within your heart and soul, the freer you will feel.

This isn’t some new age mumbo jumbo, it’s a fact. Just close your eyes and think about it for a moment and you will know it to be true. So, do you do your best dance despite the restrictions life places on you, or do you wait until that perfect moment when the planets align and you are completely free? Whilst the latter may, at some point, happen, it kind of misses the point about life, as living life wholeheartedly is taking the rough with the smooth, the restriction with the freedom. Life is about living fully in each and every moment rather than sitting and waiting for a perfect moment to come. So, take a breath and dance…

Capricorn

Life is still full of questions. Questions with answers, questions waiting for answers and questions that simply don’t have answers. The latter irks you as you don’t like to feel beaten by the inherently unknowable nature of life, but you are wise enough to know when you need to accept and allow. Yet, do you really know? What if you give up too quickly? What if the answer is just around the next corner? Well, both are possible, but you could spend from now until eternity asking such questions about such questions. How much of your life do you want to spend chasing answers? Maybe the answers are already with you in the here and now and it’s the act of not looking that allows you to see? Are you happy to sit and wait for ‘the big reveal’ when everything suddenly falls into place and makes sense? Whilst you intuitively already know not to do this, there is still a part of you on the hunt for ‘the’ answer. Maybe your energy would be better spent thinking about what you truly want from your life?

No one ever said that life was easy, but there are times when you intuitively know that it has the potential to flow more smoothly. Of course, there will always be pot-holes and dead-ends, but that’s a part of being alive. Admittedly it’s your tendency to question that brings you so much wisdom and knowing, but it also brings you even more questions. Sometimes, you need to let go and instead learn to let be. Letting be, isn’t giving up, it’s a willingness to stop chasing and doing, and to start being. It’s time now to embrace your lighter side and step more consciously into the moment allowing life to breathe into you whilst you breathe into life…

Aquarius

August looks set to be a pivotal month for you as the winds of change continue to gather momentum, whipping up quite a frenzy when it comes to your hopes and dreams. You seem ready to make some big decisions about your path ahead as you re-assess your life and begin to re-focus on your true priorities and goals. You have been hovering at a precipice for quite some time now, poised and ready to leap ahead but not really sure if you’re willing to look over the edge to see what’s below. As a result, you find yourself stuck in-between a moment where you are neither here nor there! It’s only temporary, of course, but it’s a little unnerving to not quite know where you are in space and time. What’s stopping you from looking over the edge of the precipice? You seem ready for change and you are a courageous soul, so the unknown usually offers you excitement and adventure.

It’s important for you to go deeply within to explore any resistance you may be feeling as this is a potent period of your life for change and in order to grab it with both hands, it’s important to be clear about what’s holding you back. In many ways you have broken free from lots of the chains that have previously bound you to old beliefs and fears, but there is another layer surfacing now ready to be let go of. This is something to celebrate as it’s a sign just how far you have come in your own evolution, but there is bound to be an inkling of trepidation as letting go can often stir up feelings of loss and endings. However, the combination of your formidable mind, your innovative creativity and your mighty vision means you have much to be excited about…

Pisces

As a fluid soul, you often see yourself as a being of the seas, drifting with the currents and riding the crests of the waves. Your watery nature is a sign of your emotional richness and profound sense of empathy. You are a deeply connected soul and embracing your true essence is as important for you now as it has ever been. You spend a great deal of your time with others, helping them, listening to them and supporting them. You give so much, in fact you tend to ‘over-give’ if there was such a phrase, and maybe it’s time to create it as your tendency to over-give has reached a kind of critical mass as it simply cannot be sustained unless you give more to yourself as well. At the same time, allowing others to support you is important and whilst you are stubborn and determined, the art of allowing is a skill you really do need to master.

Although you see yourself akin to a ship sailing around the oceans, in many ways you have adopted the role of a buoy, chained to the ocean floor, feeling stuck and restrained. Yet, you banged the chain into place, so why not release it and set yourself free? Okay, so whilst life is never as easy as black or white, it doesn’t have to be mind-bendingly complicated either. You are a vibrant, passionate and amazing soul, and it’s important you acknowledge this now as you are the only one who can create the shifts required to get from where you are to where you want to be. Of course, part of this involves actually knowing where you want to be! August is a month to re-shape and re-define your path, so get a wiggle on and set sail once again…

Moon in Aries

Moon in Aries

 

We’re motivated by a strong desire to start fresh. A gut instinct to start something new is with us now, as well as the gumption to do so. Our pioneering impulses are strong, and we feel energetic, spontaneous, and enthusiastic. We may also be tactless and impulsive now. Excess energy is best channeled into physical activity.

The Moon in Aries generally favors the following activities: Quick actions that yield immediate results. Undertakings that involve the self and the personality. (Staying power may be lacking). Self-assertion, taking on challenges, beginning short-term projects.

The Witches Current Moon Phase for August 1, Lammas

The Witches Current Moon Phase for August 1, Lammas

Waning Gibbous
Illumination: 81%

The Moon today is in a Waning Gibbous Phase. This is the first phase after the Full Moon occurs. It lasts roughly 7 days with the Moon’s illumination growing smaller each day until the Moon becomes a Last Quarter Moon with a illumination of 50%. The average Moon rise for this phase is between 9am and Midnight depending on the age of the phase. The moon rises later and later each night setting after sunrise in the morning. During this phase the Moon can also be seen in the early morning daylight hours on the western horizon.

Source

Blessed Be

 

“Blessed be the Harvest,
Blessed be the Corn Mother,
Blessed be the Grain God,
For together they nourish both body and soul.
Many blessings I have been given,
I count them now by this bread.
Guardian of the East, I pray for your indulgence.
Hear me now as I request your aid in the cycle of life.
As your winds blow through fields of ripened grain,
Carry loosened seeds upon your back
That they may fall amidst the soil
That is our Mother Earth.”

– Lammas Ritual

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days a Year for August 1 – 2

Lammas/Lugnasadh Comments

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days a Year for August 1 – 2

Old Lammas Eve, Festival of Lights, St. Clair

In some areas of England, Old Lammas Eve is the date for fairs and “handfast marriages” —trial unions in which either party is free to end after a year without the social stigma of divorce. It was also around this time that the crop fields were thrown open for Winter grazing.

The ancient Egyptian festival in honor of the Goddess Isis and her search for Osiris is commemorated on this day by a Festival of Lights. With the advent of Christianity, this day became the feast of Saint Clair, patron of embroiderers.

 

8 Facts To Know About Lughnasadh, Pagan Harvest Festival

Lammas/Lugnasadh Comments
8 Facts To Know About Lughnasadh, Pagan Harvest Festival

The holiday honors Lugh, the Celtic god of light

In August many pagans and polytheists celebrate the summer festival of Lughnasadh. Here are eight things to know about the holiday:

1. Lughnasadh, also called Lammas, falls on August 1, roughly halfway between the summer solstice and autumn equinox.

2. The name of the holiday derives from Old Gaelic and is a combination of Lugh, a Celtic god, and násad, or assembly.

3. The holiday honors Lugh, the Celtic god of light, but it also celebrates his mythical foster mother Tailtiu, who is said to have cleared the lands of Ireland to make way for the planting of crops.

4. Modern pagans celebrate Lughnasadh as a harvest festival, when the first crops of the year would traditionally have been reaped.

5. Lughnasadh’s alternate name, Lammas, derives from the Old English term for “loaf mass.” It originated from early English celebrations of harvest time, during which loaves of bread were consecrated.

6. One of the earliest references to the holiday is a 15th century version of a medieval Irish legend, Tochmarc Emire. The saga suggests that the holiday celebrated the god, Lugh’s, wedding feast. Other legends, though, attribute the origins of the holiday to a mythical funeral rite Lugh held in honor of his mother, Tailtiu.

7. Many pagans and polytheists celebrate the holiday with feasting, songs, and games. Some honor the harvest roots of the holiday by baking breads and cakes.

8. Lughnasadh is one of eight pagan holidays, along with the fall equinox, Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, the spring equinox, Beltane, and Litha.

Source

Antonia Blumberg, Reporter
Published on HuffPost

 

Lammas Charm for Gathering in Abundance

Lammas/Lugnasadh Comments

Lammas Charm for Gathering in Abundance

You will need:

A broom or beson

Ribbon (traditional Lammas colors, green(for abundance) or gold(for prosperity and gathering)

A Sprig of Mint

As far as the broom or beson goes, any broom/besom will do as it is always the intent of your actions that are important. If you don’t have a broom then collect a bundle of twigs and tie time at the top with your ribbon to make a hand shaped broom. The broom/besom is a potent symbo of hearth and home, found in some form in almost every home. It is a traditional magickal tool useful for everyday charms as it has the imprint of its owner firmly on it.

Next take your sprig of mint (ideally from your own garden, or dried mind – put in a pouch. The mint represents abundance and plenty and is easily accessible to obtain.

Take your broom and tie your ribbon around the 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 the 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.”

If you don’t have an outside space, you can sweep from your front door inwards to either you kitchen or hearth.

Repeat this three times, take your besom back into your house and put it in its usual place. You can leave the ribbon on for as long as you want to. If you have made your own broom you can place it where you consider the heart of your home to be. You can return the mint to the earth and be sure to say thank you for the use and gift of it.

Make a Corn Husk Herb Sachet

Lammas/Lugnasadh Comments
Make a Corn Husk Herb Sachet

Corn Husk Sachet
During the late summer, particularly around the Lammas season, corn is in abundance. It’s everywhere, and if you’ve ever picked fresh corn straight from the fields, you know how delicious it tastes! When you pick your own corn – or even if you buy it from your local farmer’s market – you typically have to figure out what to do with all those leftover husks. You can use them to make a corn dolly or a husk chain if you like. Another great way to use them is by making corn husk herb sachets.

You’ll need:

Several corn husks
Dried herbs of your choice
A hot glue gun
Not sure which herbs to use? Check out our list of Herbal Correspondences.

WEAVE THE HUSKS
Corn Husk Sachet

Trim the ends off the husks, and cut them into strips – I find that about 1/2” – 3/4” in width is the most manageable size. Weave several strips together as shown in the photo (I used five going in each direction, for a total of ten). Once you’ve created a square, use your hot glue gun to anchor the stray edges into place, so you have a nice even edge.

ADD YOUR HERBS
Corn Husk Sachet
Fill your pouch with dried herbs of your choice. Image by Patti Wigington 2012
Fold the square in half and glue the short sides together, creating a small pocket. Fill the pouch with herbs of your choice, and then hot glue the long open edge closed.

To give your sachet some magical mojo, select herbs based upon purpose and intent:

Healing: Apple blossom, lavender, fennel, chamomile, sandalwood, wintergreen, peppermint
Money/prosperity: Bay leaf, basil, chamomile, Buckeye, myrtle, apple, sunflower, pennyroyal
Love: Allspice, apple blossom, catnip, lavender, clove, yarrow, marjoram, basil.
Strength: Oak, acorns, bay leaf, thistle, yarrow.

Once your glue has dried you can place these sachets around your house or in your drawers. The corn husks will dry naturally, and you’ll be left with scented woven packets. If you like, decorate them with a pretty ribbon, some berries, or other seasonal items.

 

Author

Patti Wigington, Author
Published on ThoughtCo

The Final Sheaf

The Final Sheaf

In many societies, the cutting of the final sheaf of grain was indeed cause for celebration. People celebrated by making corn dolls, which represented the spirit of the grain. Sometimes these dolls were full-sized, made of the last stalks of corn to be harvested, and decorated with ribbons, streamers and even articles of clothing. Ivy was a symbol of rebirth, and so it wasn’t uncommon to dress the corn doll with a headdress of ivy.

In some rural areas, the corn doll was kept in a place of honor at a farmhouse in the village, until it was time to make one the following year. At that time, the old one was ceremonially burned.

Elizabeth W. Barber writes of harvest customs in Russia and eastern Europe in The Dancing Goddesses: Folklore, Archaeology, and the Origins of European Dance. Barber says, “The reapers carefully cut and bind the first sheaf and give it as an offering of “first fruits” to God or the gods… then the teams cut, bind, and store the remaining grain, until they approach the end of the last field. But this again requires care, for now the reapers feel they have driven the “spirit of the grain” into a corner, and if they anger her, there will be no harvest next year. What to do? All over Europe, from Russia and the Balkans to Ireland, the last sheaf has traditionally been made into some sort of corn dolly.”

The creation of corn dolls was just one of many customs surrounding the final sheaf of the grain harvest. In Ireland, the final sheaf was gathered with great ceremony, celebrating the living things that might be living within it. If you think about it, that makes sense — a cornfield is a perfect nesting place for small animals, such as rabbits, mice, birds, or frogs.

As the reapers harvested the crop, the animals within fled, until there was only one sheaf left. Since the animal was more often than not a small, very frightened hare, the phrase “putting the hare out of the corn” came to mean the end of the reaping.

In some parts of the British Isles, young maidens were invited to cut down the final sheaf. The one who was able to do so in a single stroke of the scythe was guaranteed to be married within the year — probably because she had just proved herself as an able and strong farmwife. In other areas, it was believed that the person to cut the final sheaf would have good luck for a year, but in some communities, it was a sign of ill fortune to come.

Courtney Weber says in her book Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess, “At Lughnasadh, [Brighid] produces the harvest… when sowing time comes again, the grain from the final sheaf was mixed with the new seed, to nurture the earth again, encouraging the next harvest, and ensuring a cycle of life and rebirth.”

An odd tradition in some areas was the use of the final sheaf to find the corpse of a drowning victim. The sheaf was placed in the water with a lit candle upon it, near where the person was believed to have fallen in.

The sheaf drifted, and it was believed that it would come to rest where the body was submerged. It was thought that only the final sheaf had the magical ability to find these lost souls.

Regardless of how it was used, the cutting of the final sheaf meant that the grain harvest was over. Now bread baking could begin, and food stored away for the coming winter months.

 

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Patti Wigington, Author
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The Magic of Corn

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The Magic of Corn

Of all the grains eaten in the world, corn–or maize–probably is surrounded by more legends and folklore than any other. Corn has been planted, tended, harvested and consumed for millennia, and so it’s no wonder that there are myths about the magical properties of this grain. Let’s take a look at some of the customs and traditions surrounding corn.

Corn Folklore
Parts of Appalachia are rich in superstitions surrounding corn. Some farmers believe that if you miss a row while you’re planting corn, someone in your family will die before harvest season. Likewise, if you see kernels of corn lying in the road, it means company is on the way – but if you brush the kernels away or bury them, your visitor will be a stranger. If the husks on your corn extend far beyond the ear itself, it’s a sign you’re in for a long hard winter. Burning the cobs, husks, or kernels will bring about drought in the coming season.

In late August, we celebrate the beginning of the Corn Moon. This moon phase is also known as the Barley Moon, and carries on the associations of grain and rebirth that we saw back at Lammastide. August was originally known as Sextilis by the ancient Romans, but was later renamed for Augustus (Octavian) Caesar.

During the westward expansion of the nineteenth century, settlers in some Midwestern areas believed that if a girl found a blood-red corn cob among the yellow ones, she was sure to marry before the year was out. Forward thinking young men occasionally planted a few random kernels of red corn strains among their crops. In Kentucky, it’s said that blue kernels found on an otherwise red corn cob will bring the person who finds them very good luck indeed. Longfellow alluded to this custom, writing, “In the golden weather the maize was husked, and the maidens blushed at each blood-red ear, for that betokened a lover; but at the crooked laughed, and called it a thief in the corn-field.”

In parts of Ireland, it’s believed that burying a sheaf of corn while uttering a curse will cause your enemies to die–they will rot from the inside as the corn decays in the soil.

Some Native American tribes planted beans, squash and corn in an arrangement known as Three Sisters. In addition to being a self-sustaining ecosystem, in which each plant helps the others, the planting of this trio is associated with the concept of happy families, abundance, and community.

Corn also features prominently in Native American folklore. The Cherokee, Iroquois, and Apache all have tales about how corn came to be part of man’s diet – and these stories usually involve an old woman presenting corn as a gift to someone young.

Using Corn in 7 Magical Ways
To use corn in magical workings, think of the symbolism of this hearty grain. Here are some ways you can use corn in ritual:

Use corn in rituals involving growth and transformation. After all, a single kernel brings you a tall stalk full of (you guessed it!) more kernels! You can also associate it with self-sustainability and fertility, both of people and of the land.
Ceres was the Roman goddess of grain, specifically corn, and of the harvest season. According to Roman legend, she was the one who taught mankind how to farm. She is associated with agricultural fertility and a bountiful harvest. Make her an offering, and she may well protect your crops from natural disasters such as flooding or blight.
Create herbal sachets out of the husks, to use around the house, bringing in magic associated with various herbs.
Make offerings to gods or goddesses of fertility. Depending on your tradition, different deities like different things, but in general, you can’t go wrong with offerings that are food, drink, or handmade items.
Sprinkle corn around your ritual area to delineate sacred space. This is a great way to create an eco-friendly circle that you don’t have to clean up later – don’t worry, the birds and other local wildlife will take care of it!
Make a corn doll to honor the deity of your tradition.
Create a corn husk chain, with each link representing a magical goal. As you get closer to the goal, remove a link, and either burn it, bury it, or return it into your garden.

 

Author

Patti Wigington, Author
Published on ThoughtCo

 

The Legend of John Barleycorn

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The Legend of John Barleycorn

In English folklore, John Barleycorn is a character who represents the crop of barley harvested each autumn. Equally as important, he symbolizes the wonderful drinks which can be made from barley — beer and whiskey — and their effects. In the traditional folksong, John Barleycorn, the character of John Barleycorn endures all kinds of indignities, most of which correspond to the cyclic nature of planting, growing, harvesting, and then death.

Although written versions of the song date back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, there is evidence that it was sung for years before that. There are a number of different versions, but the most well-known one is the Robert Burns version, in which John Barleycorn is portrayed as an almost Christ-like figure, suffering greatly before finally dying so that others may live.

Believe it or not, there’s even a John Barleycorn Society at Dartmouth, which says, “A version of the song is included in the Bannatyne Manuscript of 1568, and English broadside versions from the 17th century are common. Robert Burns published his own version in 1782, and modern versions abound.​”

The lyrics to the Robert Burns version of the song are as follows:

There was three kings into the east,
three kings both great and high,
and they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn must die.

They took a plough and plough’d him down,
put clods upon his head,
and they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn was dead.

But the cheerful Spring came kindly on’
and show’rs began to fall.
John Barleycorn got up again,
and sore surprised them all.

The sultry suns of Summer came,
and he grew thick and strong;
his head well arm’d wi’ pointed spears,
that no one should him wrong.

The sober Autumn enter’d mild,
when he grew wan and pale;
his bendin’ joints and drooping head
show’d he began to fail.

His colour sicken’d more and more,
and he faded into age;
and then his enemies began
to show their deadly rage.

They took a weapon, long and sharp,
and cut him by the knee;
they ty’d him fast upon a cart,
like a rogue for forgerie.

They laid him down upon his back,
and cudgell’d him full sore.
they hung him up before the storm,
and turn’d him o’er and o’er.

They filled up a darksome pit
with water to the brim,
they heav’d in John Barleycorn.
There, let him sink or swim!

They laid him upon the floor,
to work him farther woe;
and still, as signs of life appear’d,
they toss’d him to and fro.

They wasted o’er a scorching flame
the marrow of his bones;
but a miller us’d him worst of all,
for he crush’d him between two stones.

And they hae taen his very hero blood
and drank it round and round;
and still the more and more they drank,
their joy did more abound.

John Barleycorn was a hero bold,
of noble enterprise;
for if you do but taste his blood,
’twill make your courage rise.

‘Twill make a man forget his woe;
’twill heighten all his joy;
’twill make the widow’s heart to sing,
tho the tear were in her eye.

Then let us toast John Barleycorn,
each man a glass in hand;
and may his great posterity
ne’er fail in old Scotland!

In The Golden Bough, Sir James Frazer cites John Barleycorn as proof that there was once a Pagan cult in England that worshipped a god of vegetation, who was sacrificed in order to bring fertility to the fields. This ties into the related story of the Wicker Man, who is burned in effigy. Ultimately, the character of John Barleycorn is a metaphor for the spirit of grain, grown healthy and hale during the summer, chopped down and slaughtered in his prime, and then processed into beer and whiskey so he can live once more.

In early Anglo Saxon Paganism, there was a similar figure called Beowa, or Bēow, and like John Barleycorn, he is associated with the threshing of the grain, and agriculture in general. The word beowa is the Old English word for – you guessed it! – barley. Some scholars have suggested that Beowa is the inspiration for the titular character in the epic poem Beowulf, and other theorize that Beowa is directly linked to John Barleycorn.

In Looking for the Lost Gods of England, Kathleen Herbert suggests that they are in fact the same figure known by different names hundreds of years apart.

 

Author

Patti Wigington, Author
Published on ThoughtCo

When Maiden Becomes Mother

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When Maiden Becomes Mother

Lammas Traditions from Nebraska to Wales
by Brighid

Once again, we approach the fall rituals of harvest and riches of the Earth Goddess, thankful for Her bounty She bestows on us. Lammas, August 1 (its celebration typically held the night before, July 31), is the time of the first grain harvest, with objects made of grains (wheat, barley, corn and so on – for example, a bundle of corn stalks) being considered very magickal, for they represent the generosity of the Mother.

Lammas is directly contrasted in the wheel of the year to Imbolc. The two holidays represent opposite aspects of the Goddess. At Imbolc She is the Corn Maiden, fresh and new after her winter rest, and at Lammas She is the Corn Mother, the crone with all development and fruitfulness coming to an end. Lammas also involves the Sun King becoming the Dark Lord, giving of his energy to the crops to ensure life. It is the time of the death of summer and the start of fall, with the days growing shorter and the foliage ending its growth and fruit-bearing cycles. It is the time to share the fruits of the earth, of your own accomplishments with others.

Almost every culture has a celebration in thankfulness for the reaping of the crops in this time of year.

The Celts knew this holiday as Lughnasadn (pronounced loo-na-sa), celebrating the harvest of the grains, marking the last days of the sun god, Lugh. However, races and games that were held in Lugh’s name were more the funeral games for Lugh’s mother, the goddess Tailtiu, in her time of being crone. The Celts believed that the grain held the spirit of the harvest; as each sheaf was cut, the next would absorb the spirit energy of the cut sheaf. Thus, when reapers came to the last sheaf, it contained the whole spirit of the field. A corn doll was made of it in the image and honor of the Mother. In some groups, the person gathering the last grain, often in some special feat of sickle-wielding, was honored by receiving the magick of the grain. Lammas was also a time for Tailltean marriages, informal marriages that lasted a year and a day, similar to handfastings.

In the Bronze Age, there was a Lughnasadn tradition that a High King or God King was chosen then to serve a year and a day, after which his reign ended and so did his life in honor of the Goddess. He was a symbol of the grain, which has to die before its seeds are sown. As by request of Lugh himself, this ritual was put to an end and a great feast was instituted in its place.

The English (Saxons) called this holiday Lammas, “loaf mass,” the mass after the loaves are made from the new grain. At Lammas, couples would run hand-in-hand over bonfires to purify their relationships, a tradition perhaps connected to the Celtic Tailltean marriages.

The Welsh also had a Lammas holiday, and using the muscles gained from the summer work, they held games to test their strength. These games are still held today, alternating between North and South Wales.

The Italian streghe (witches) associated this holiday with the symbol of the cornucopia overflowing with fruit and the harvest grains.

When I was a young girl, we in Nebraska had our own ritual when the big combines would roll into our small farming town. My girlfriends and I would spread out on lawn chairs in my front yard – my house was closest to the road – and watch the hired Texan and Oklahoman farmhands steer those massive machines into our area. Watching the men work, their young muscles bronze and sweaty, over the corn harvest, we would place bets – betting our tip money (very vital since it also was our party money) on which boy we could charm with our wiles and snatch a few intimate moments with. Ah, the harvest we had!

Whatever your celebration ritual may be, let us all remember this is a time for appreciating all that She has given us and for sharing that bounty with others. Enjoy your Lammas!

 

Deities of the Fields

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Deities of the Fields

When Lammastide rolls around, the fields are full and fertile. Crops are abundant, and the late summer harvest is ripe for the picking. This is the time when the first grains are threshed, apples are plump in the trees, and gardens are overflowing with summer bounty. In nearly every ancient culture, this was a time of celebration of the agricultural significance of the season. Because of this, it was also a time when many gods and goddesses were honored. These are some of the many deities who are connected with this earliest harvest holiday.

Adonis (Assyrian)
Adonis is a complicated god who touched many cultures. Although he’s often portrayed as Greek, his origins are in early Assyrian religion. Adonis was a god of the dying summer vegetation. In many stories, he dies and is later reborn, much like Attis and Tammuz.

Attis (Phrygean)
This lover of Cybele went mad and castrated himself, but still managed to get turned into a pine tree at the moment of his death. In some stories, Attis was in love with a Naiad, and jealous Cybele killed a tree (and subsequently the Naiad who dwelled within it), causing Attis to castrate himself in despair. Regardless, his stories often deal with the theme of rebirth and regeneration.

Ceres (Roman)
Ever wonder why crunched-up grain is called cereal? It’s named for Ceres, the Roman goddess of the harvest and grain. Not only that, she was the one who taught lowly mankind how to preserve and prepare corn and grain once it was ready for threshing. In many areas, she was a mother-type goddess who was responsible for agricultural fertility.

Dagon (Semitic)
Worshipped by an early Semitic tribe called the Amorites, Dagon was a god of fertility and agriculture. He’s also mentioned as a father-deity type in early Sumerian texts and sometimes appears as a fish god. Dagon is credited with giving the Amorites the knowledge to build the plough.

Demeter (Greek)
The Greek equivalent of Ceres, Demeter is often linked to the changing of the seasons. She is often connected to the image of the Dark Mother in late fall and early winter. When her daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades, Demeter’s grief caused the earth to die for six months, until Persephone’s return.

Lugh (Celtic)
Lugh was known as a god of both skill and the distribution of talent. He is sometimes associated with midsummer because of his role as a harvest god, and during the summer solstice the crops are flourishing, waiting to be plucked from the ground at Lughnasadh.

Mercury (Roman)
Fleet of foot, Mercury was a messenger of the gods. In particular, he was a god of commerce and is associated with the grain trade. In late summer and early fall, he ran from place to place to let everyone know it was time to bring in the harvest. In Gaul, he was considered a god not only of agricultural abundance but also of commercial success.

Osiris (Egyptian)
An androgynous grain deity named Neper became popular in Egypt during times of starvation. He later was seen as an aspect of Osiris, and part of the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Osiris himself is, like Isis, associated with the harvest season. According to Donald MacKenzie in Egyptian Myths and Legend:

Osiris taught men to break up the land which had been under flood) to sow the seed, and, in due season, to reap the harvest. He instructed them also how to grind corn and knead flour and meal so that they might have food in plenty. By the wise ruler was the vine trained upon poles, and he cultivated fruit trees and caused the fruit to be gathered. A father was he unto his people, and he taught them to worship the gods, to erect temples, and to live holy lives. The hand of man was no longer lifted against his brother. There was prosperity in the land of Egypt in the days of Osiris the Good.

Parvati (Hindu)
Parvati was a consort of the god Shiva, and although she does not appear in Vedic literature, she is celebrated today as a goddess of the harvest and protector of women in the annual Gauri Festival.

Pomona (Roman)
This apple goddess is the keeper of orchards and fruit trees. Unlike many other agricultural deities, Pomona is not associated with the harvest itself, but with the flourishing of fruit trees. She is usually portrayed bearing a cornucopia or a tray of blossoming fruit. Despite her being a rather obscure deity, Pomona’s likeness appears many times in classical art, including paintings by Rubens and Rembrandt, and a number of sculptures.

Tammuz (Sumerian)
This Sumerian god of vegetation and crops is often associated with the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Donald A. Mackenzie writes in Myths of Babylonia and Assyria: With Historical Narrative & Comparative Notes that:

Tammuz of the Sumerian hymns… is the Adonis-like god who lived on earth for a part of the year as the shepherd and agriculturist so dearly beloved by the goddess Ishtar. Then he died so that he might depart to the realm of Eresh-ki-gal (Persephone), queen of Hades.

 

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Patti Wigington, Author
Published on ThoughtCo