Lammas Ritual The wheel of the Year turns on and on, Blessed be the harvest, Blessed Be the fruitful Corn Mother Blessed Be the God of the Harvest. I partake of the First Harvest, fruit of the womb of the Goddess. Blessed Be Mother Earth. Ring the bell three times, then continue, saying: I celebrate this day the First Harvest, the Festival of Bread and the Marriage of the Sun and the Earth. Chant or sing, may do while dancing around the circle: Dance, dance, wherever you may be, when you dance with the Lord, he will dance with thee. Turn, turn, a Circle then you form, and the Lord of the Dance is the Lord of the Corn! Raise open arms at Altar; sing or chant: Down, down, into the Earth He'll go Giving life to the grain that in Spring we sow. He rules the Shadowland 'til Yule; When His Sun is reborn and He joins us anew!. Clap or ring bell seven times, and say: Great is the power of the God of the Sun and the Goddess of the Earth from whom spring all life. Hold wand over bread and say: The harvest of the corn that sustains us is brought through death and rebirth. The lord of the Corn leaves the side of the Earth Mother that His power may be passed into the land for His children to live. Blessed Be the God of the Corn, whose love for His children knows no bounds! In the Land of Shadows will He abide with the Lady as Crone, awaiting the time of His joyous rebirth. Touch Bread with tip of wand and say: May the God bless this bread that I eat in honour of the cycle of Life that created it and me. Tear a portion of the bread as libation and place in the cauldron; eat a bit of bread and set aside to share Hold arms open, palms up, level over Altar and say: My Lord and my Lady, I am blessed by your gifts from the soil. These first grains are the promise of fruits to come. Let the power of the Goddess and the God be in me at this time and throughout the year, that I never forget that I am one with the absolute, the all, the two who are one. So Mote It Be!. Cakes & Ale Closing the Circle Lord and Lady, I have been blessed by your sharing this time with me, watching and guarding me, guiding me here and in all things. I came in love and I depart in love. North (Wand/Athame moving deosil farewelling each elemental with raised open arms, the lower and close arms and move to the next quarter, snuff candles if used. Depart in peace, Elemental Earth. My blessings take with you. East Depart in peace, Elemental Air. My blessings take with you.. South Depart in peace, Elemental Fire. My blessings take with you. West Depart in peace, Elemental Water. My blessings take with you. Set wand on Altar and raise open arms and say: Beings and powers of the visible and invisible, depart in peace. You aid in my work, whisper in my mind and bless me from Otherworld. Let there ever be harmony between us. My blessing take with you. The Circle is cleared. Take athame and move widdershins around the circle (n.w.s.e.n) envisioning the blue light drawing back into the athame and say: May the circle be open yet unbroken. May the Love of the Goddess be ever in your heart. Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet again. Blessed Be - Whitewitch Suggestions For Things To Do At Lammas Collect Rainwater in non metallic container: add mugwort to empower objects Create and bury near the entrance of your house a small protective Witch's bottle full of broken and sharp pointy things. Make a corn dolly to save for next Imbolc (see Making A Dolly) for inspiration Collect Blackberries and make a fresh pie marked with the Solar Cross. Have a magical picnic with libations to the Earth of Bread and wine. Back Next