Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a Wiccan holiday celebrated on August 1st. It marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the earth. In Wiccan traditions, Lammas is associated with the Celtic god Lugh, who is seen as a deity of light, skill, and craftsmanship. It is believed that Lugh sacrificed himself for the land, allowing the crops to grow and ensuring a bountiful harvest. On Lammas day, Wiccans gather together to celebrate and show gratitude for the first fruits of the harvest. They may create altars with symbols of the harvest, such as wheat, corn, and fruits, and offer prayers and blessings for a successful harvest season.
“Warner is a dead-on observer of playground politics, and has a great ear for dialogue.”
—School Library Journal
Ellie and the Bunheads comes directly from my younger son s experience as a serious dance student he is a professional now, currently with the Pittsburgh Ballet. Honors for the EllRay Jakes series EllRay Jakes is Not a Chicken Junior Library Guild selection, Scholastic Book Club selection, Texas Bluebonnet Award 2012-13, 2013 California Collections selection, BPL s 2012 Summer Reading List; EllRay Jakes is a Rock Star Junior Library Guild selection, Scholastic Book Club selection; EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank Junior Library Guild selection.
They may create altars with symbols of the harvest, such as wheat, corn, and fruits, and offer prayers and blessings for a successful harvest season. Rituals may involve baking bread using grains from the earth and sharing it with the community as a symbol of unity and abundance. Some Wiccans may also engage in outdoor activities, such as making wreaths or corn dollies, to honor the earth and its fertility.
EllRay Jakes Is Magic - by Sally Warner (Paperback)
Third-grader EllRay, a "shrimpy, goof-up kid," discovers magic all around him when he and his schoolmates participate in the Oak Glen Primary School talent show and work together on a wedding shower gift for their teacher.
Book Synopsis
Small kid. Big Stage.
Does EllRay have a talent to put on show for the entire school?
When EllRay and his friends hear about the school talent show, they're not impressed. They're too old for that stuff. But their teacher, Mrs. Sanchez, isn't so quick to let her students off the hook. Five students absolutely must try-out, and EllRay somehow ends up being one of them. Now he has to figure out something he's talented at. like, maybe magic?
But now the pressure's on. It's up to EllRay to take the stage and show his classmates and the whole school that he's not only talented but magic.
Review Quotes
Praise for the EllRay Jakes series:
"Warner is a dead-on observer of playground politics, and has a great ear for dialogue."
--School Library Journal
". ideal for reluctant readers."
--Booklist
"Young readers can identify with EllRay, who is neither a bad seed nor a goody-two-shoes; he and his sense of humor are just right."
--Kirkus Reviews
Honors for the EllRay Jakes series: EllRay Jakes is Not a Chicken Junior Library Guild selection, Scholastic Book Club selection, Texas Bluebonnet Award 2012-13, 2013 California Collections selection, BPL's 2012 Summer Reading List; EllRay Jakes is a Rock Star Junior Library Guild selection, Scholastic Book Club selection; EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank Junior Library Guild selection.
About the Author
Sally Warner grew up in Connecticut and California. She then received her B.A. degree from Scripps College, and her B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in fine arts from Otis Art Institute. She worked as an artist (primarily charcoal drawings) for many years, exhibiting her work at galleries, small museums, colleges, and universities across the country. In 1995 she published her first book for young readers, and since then she has published more than 20 novels.
Visit Sally Warner at Sally Warner www.sallywarner.com.
Brian Biggs was born in Arkansas in 1968, moved to Texas in 1979, fled to New York City in 1987 to attend Parsons School of Design, lived in Paris France for a few years, ran away to San Francisco in 1993, and since 1999 he has lived in Philadelphia. Brian illustrated the covers for the first three EllRay Jakes books and also illustrates the Roscoe Riley series for HarperCollins.
Lammas is seen as a time of transition, as the days become shorter and the energy begins to shift towards the upcoming autumn season. It is believed that on this day, the veil between the physical and spiritual realms is thin, allowing for heightened spiritual connections and communications. During Lammas celebrations, Wiccans may also reflect on personal growth and set intentions for the months ahead. They may focus on the metaphorical harvest in their lives, acknowledging their achievements, and releasing that which no longer serves them. In conclusion, Lammas day is a significant holiday in Wiccan tradition, celebrating the abundance of the earth and acknowledging the cycle of life and death. It is a time of gratitude, reflection, and connection with the divine and the natural world..
Reviews for "Lammas Day: Wiccan Prayers and Invocations for Abundance"
1. Laura - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Lammas Day Wiccan." The story started off promising, but it quickly became repetitive and predictable. The characters lacked depth and were quite one-dimensional. The author failed to create any sense of suspense or tension, and the climax felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I found the book to be a letdown and would not recommend it.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Lammas Day Wiccan" was a total waste of time. The writing was amateurish, filled with grammatical errors and inconsistent storytelling. The plot was weak and uninteresting, and the characters were completely unrelatable. I struggled to finish the book, constantly questioning why I was still reading it. I regret picking this up and would advise others to steer clear of it.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Lammas Day Wiccan," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked depth. The plot development felt forced, and the dialogue was unconvincing. The author tried to create a mystical atmosphere, but it came across as forced and cliché. I found myself losing interest as I read and lost track of the characters due to their lack of development. Sadly, this book didn't live up to my expectations.
4. John - 3/5 stars - "Lammas Day Wiccan" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The writing style was average, and the story felt disjointed and dragged on at times. The characters were mildly interesting, but their actions often didn't make sense within the context of the plot. While there were some captivating moments, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution. This book had potential but ultimately fell short of being an engaging read.
5. Emma - 2/5 stars - I was looking for a thrilling paranormal read, but "Lammas Day Wiccan" didn't deliver. The plot lacked originality and was filled with predictable tropes. The dialogue was cheesy and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The book felt rushed, with crucial details and explanations missing. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity, and I was left feeling unsatisfied as a reader.