Hello Everyone
As I once explained a few years back, Lammas is one of the old-fashioned Lady Days (Quarter days) of Accounting but is the far older festival of First Fruits in the Old Religion, the first crops harvested of Autumn. It was a major festival but after almost being forgotten is only beginning to grow in prominence amongst New Agers once again. However, I am beginning to wonder if it is a misnomer today.
Hundreds of years ago the harvest was absolutely essential. We can understand that for it was a matter of survival. No harvest meant no food, which meant famine, starvation and death. We see images of starvation on the news today, but it is hard to imagine this happening in these lands. But it happened from time to time in our history. The whole community would have been involved in the growing and harvesting of their food supply, so once the harvest had been gathered in there would have been celebration and great relief. Now, of course, if there is enough money then food is imported; the modern harvest in these lands is just a financial enterprise anyhow; survival is ensured; we have lost touch with Nature and the gift of life. That is our loss.
Climate change is becoming more obvious as the years go by and Lammas is no longer about First Fruits. Some crops have long been harvested for the season of Summer started three heat-waves ago! Some species of plants are truly suffering as their environment is changing so fast. The knock on continues into the animal kingdoms. The ripples run outwards, on and on.
What are we doing to the planet? Where is all this heading? Our spring water drinking supply here is nearly drying up and I am getting very worried. Our power from the water wheel is greatly reduced. No raspberries this year – although gooseberries were great. I tend to think of Lammas as Lament, and yet we have it lightly!
The usual updates are there – Planting by the Moon and Astrology for Healers and Therapists.
Happy Lammas Day!
Blessings
John
