The Wiccan celebration of Lammas is a significant holiday that falls on August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is the first of three harvest festivals celebrated by Wiccans and other pagans. It marks the halfway point between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox, and it is a time to honor the bounty of the first harvest. Lammas is named after the Saxon word "hlafmaesse," which means "loaf mass." This name reflects the importance of bread and grain during this time of year, as the first grains are typically harvested in late July or early August. Wiccans celebrate Lammas by baking bread and offering it as a symbol of the harvest and as an offering to the gods and goddesses.
These are texts that a lot of Wiccans use in their practice, not all of these are inherently Wiccan in nature and can be applied to any practice. Bolded are my favorite.
Margot Adler Some of you may know her from NPR a talk Radio station but in the Wiccan and Pagan community we know her as the author of Drawing Down the Moon. this man is why I have a religion, I will not share my opinion of his books because I believe this is one you need to read and make your own decision without bias from me.
Wiccans celebrate Lammas by baking bread and offering it as a symbol of the harvest and as an offering to the gods and goddesses. During Lammas, Wiccans also give thanks for the abundance of the land and the fruits of their labor. It is a time to show gratitude for the food that sustains them and to acknowledge the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Ivy the Witch!
Here you will find relevant links and information to help you get going in Outer Court Wicca.
Looking for Witchcraft beginner resources? Check back as this page is currently in development!
- Where do I start?
- Finding a Patron Deity
- Wiccan God and Goddess
- Pagan Beginning Steps
- Spells for Beginners
- Beginner Ritual Tips
- Degrees and Initiation Blog
- geraldgardner.com
- The Wica
Book Recommendations
Scott Cunningham: Some refer to him and the Father of Neo-Wiccan practice as his books are wonderful beginner resources. However, Cunningham was a Traditional Wiccan. It just so happens that his books were written for the public and a lot of the oath bound (meaning secret) information from the Traditional Wiccan coven which he was part of was kept secret.
Raymond Buckland: This is an author for those of you who really enjoy reading. His work reads like a text book and for this reason I believe these books to be wonderful resources for students young and old.
Timothy Roderick: His book Wicca A Year and a Day is one of my favorites. It literally walks you through a year and a day study with easy to follow activities, meditations and questions to make you think. (He has recently released a follow up book to his YAAD book, I will post a review when I have read it!)
Janet and Stewart Farrar: These two have some controversy about them. I personally enjoy some of their stuff but I will say that they like to reference their own work a lot, so if you read one of their books, expect to hear a lot of another book you haven’t read yet. Their writing comes off as a little old fashioned, but they have some good information to share.
Gerald Gardner: The most well known founder of our Faith. this man is why I have a religion, I will not share my opinion of his books because I believe this is one you need to read and make your own decision without bias from me. Though I will say, his hair is awesome.
Doreen Valiente: This is another one I believe you should read for yourself and come to your own conclusions.
Margot Adler: Some of you may know her from NPR (a talk Radio station) but in the Wiccan and Pagan community we know her as the author of Drawing Down the Moon. This book changed the lives of so many people, this lady deserves a huge hug from all of us.
Joyce and River Higginbotham: Their book Paganism was the first book on Paganism I ever read. It goes without saying that I highly recommend this book.
Llewellyn Worldwide: some do not like this company. I do. They have given the world a single source for decently priced NeoPaganism books.
- Other Authors I recommend:
- Dorothy Morrison-Her books are fiesty and I like it.
- Ann Moura- While she has a tendency not to cite sources, her work is easy to follow and she has good reference material
- Ellen Dugan- I have only ready one of her books, but I have been to a few of her workshops and classes and I enjoy her attitude towards her craft.
- Edain Mccoy- Not the highest loved author for various reasons, but the majority of books are easy to follow
- Amber K- Her books are very interesting reads and full of information
- The Witches Almanac- A great annual book series for astrology, planting and various authors stories and advice, a nice light read
- Christopher Penczak- While his tradition is not my cup of tea, his work is easy to follow and he doesn’t talk down to his readers too much.
2. I will also list some of the other well known authors.These authors I have either not read their works or I do not recommend them.
- Gavin and Yvonne Frost-Their work is surrounded by controversy over an initiation ceremony involving sexual acts with a minor.
- DJ Conway- While the books are easy to read, all of her books are pretty much the same thing with a different wrapping, good for beginning, but not a strong foundation.
- Silver Ravenwolf- Just avoid. This author tells people to lie, cites incorrect information and is just a bad place to start More info here
- Aleister Crowley- Not Wiccan, but some of his work influenced Gardner. I haven’t read his stuff. Not good for beginners.
Also, you can’t go wrong with getting hold of a good Rocks and Minerals guide (such as Simon and Schuster’s) as well as an Herbal Dictionary, or Plant dictionary. Don’t forget that the Science of the Earth is just as important to the path as the Metaphysical. (the natural science area of your local library or bookstore are wonderful resources)
Sacred Texts of the Wiccan Faith: These are wonderful building blocks to help you on your path.
These are texts that a lot of Wiccans use in their practice, not all of these are inherently Wiccan in nature and can be applied to any practice. Bolded are my favorite.
- The 13 principles of wiccan belief
- The charge of the Crone
- The charge of the God
- Charge of the Goddess
- The law of power
- The wiccan 10 commandments
- The witches creed
- Thirteen goals of a witch
- The Wiccan Rede
- The Witches Pyramid
- Witches Code of Chivalry
Raymond Buckland: This is an author for those of you who really enjoy reading. His work reads like a text book and for this reason I believe these books to be wonderful resources for students young and old.
Many Wiccans create altars filled with grains, fruits, and other symbols of the harvest to honor this cycle and to invite abundance into their lives. In addition to the focus on food and harvest, Lammas is also a time of community and social gatherings. Wiccans often come together to share a feast, exchange stories and traditions, and participate in rituals and ceremonies. These gatherings foster a sense of unity and connection, allowing Wiccans to celebrate the bounty of the land and the strength of their community. Overall, Lammas is a joyous celebration of the earth's abundance and the interconnectedness of all living beings. It is a time to appreciate the fruits of our labor, to honor the cycles of nature, and to express gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Through rituals, feasting, and community gatherings, Wiccans celebrate the harvest and invite prosperity and abundance into their lives and the world around them..
Reviews for "Lammas and the Wheel of the Year: Understanding the Wiccan Cycle of Seasons"
1. Grace - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Wiccan celebration of Lammas" event. As someone who was interested in learning more about Wiccan traditions, I found the celebration to be lackluster. The organizers seemed disorganized and unprepared, and the overall atmosphere was underwhelming. I was hoping for a more immersive experience, but instead, it felt like a rushed and poorly executed gathering.
2. John - 1 star - The "Wiccan celebration of Lammas" event was a total letdown. I expected an enlightening and engaging experience, but it was anything but that. The activities were limited, the presentations were poorly constructed, and the overall energy was just off. I felt like the event was more focused on selling merchandise than providing a meaningful celebration of Lammas. I would not recommend attending this event if you're looking for an authentic and enriching Wiccan experience.
3. Emma - 2 stars - I attended the "Wiccan celebration of Lammas" event hoping for a deep dive into the Wiccan traditions surrounding Lammas, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The workshops and discussions lacked depth and were more on the surface level. The event felt more like a commercialized gathering rather than an authentic celebration. I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend it to those seeking a true Wiccan experience. There are better options out there for those interested in exploring Wiccan traditions.