Lammas

August magic begins with Lammas/Lughnasadh, the first Celtic Harvest Festival of the year (August 1st). Lammas is a good time to give thanks for those who harvest the fields, and to express gratitude to Mother Earth for her bounty. Bake bread. Make popcorn. Fashion a corn dolly. Make a wreath of grains or summer flower. Join with others to celebrate the Earth’s abundance. Click here to discover Lammas crafts and rituals on my Lammas Pinterest board. Additional ideas and details can be found by clicking on the past issues link at the top of this page.

“Mine is a heart of carnelian, crimson as murder on a holy day…. Mine is a heart of carnelian, blood red as the crest of a phoenix.”
                        “The Awakening of Osiris.”
                        The Egyptian Book of the Dead, translated by Normandi Ellis

Stone Magic

Fiery red or yellow stones are associated with Lammas.

Carnelian: Ancient Egyptians carried or wore carnelians for energy and vitality. The stone works mainly on the sacral chakra, and gives the bearer renewed zest for life.

Red Agate: Descriptions of agates date back to the Greek philosopher Theophrastus in 300 BC. Egyptians carved scarabs from the stones, and later civilization engraved cameos on the layered stones. Wear an agate next to the skin of an area that needs healing. Red agates are associated with the solar plexus chakra and self esteem.

Tiger’s Eye: Physical and psychological head ailments, as well as asthma and bronchitis, may be relieved by placing (or taping overnight) Tiger’s Eye on the navel chakra.

Corn Moon

The magic continues with the Full Corn Moon (2:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time) on August 29. This Pisces Full Moon caps a week of good luck with favorable links between the Moon and Neptune, and the Sun and Jupiter.