Harvest - Tumblr Posts - Page 2
"Harvest, peace, abundance. . . And time for enjoy itš"
OtoƱo en el hemisferio sur
The first days of autumn šš
Lammasš¾
In the Northern Hemisphere, Lammas is on August 1st. In the Southern Hemisphere, Lammas is on February 2nd.
With Lammas, aka Lughnasad, falling at the end of Summer, and marking the first harvest, the most common themes for the holidays around it are family, crops, enjoying the last of the heat, and staying well for the coming cold. August 1st is not only Lammas, but we also observe it as Mead Day, National Play Outside Day, Sandcastle Day, and National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. August is National Back to School Month, and there are a number of little celebrations that honor family, including Respect for Parents day and American Family Day. It is also National Sisterās Day, with National Brotherās day only a few days later. This is perfect timing because in India, the Hindu religion is going through the Raksha Bandhan festival, which is literally where they celebrate brotherly bonds. Looking outside of just that specific day, you can see how it falls during Air Conditioning Appreciation Week, Simplify Your Life Week, International Tree Climbing Week, National Farmerās Market Week, National Parks Month, Family Meals Month, and National Wellness Month.
The Summer will be coming to an end, and the crops that were planted in the Spring are ready for a first harvest. Lammas is a fire festival meant to honor the corn and grain that are beginning to be collected. Itās a time to make bread, and store the leftovers for the coming winter. The God, called Lugh in Celtic traditions, now sacrifices himself for the good of the crops, and the survival of his followers through the harsh days ahead. The Goddess, now called the Grain Mother, watches her lover die, but is also pregnant with the new Sun God. This cycle of rebirth is mirrored in the seedlings stored in the ground through winter to come back in Spring. Enjoy the last few days of warmth.Ā
The nice thing about Lammas is that it is simple and uncomplicated. Since it is a harvest festival, you should be using the harvest in your decorating. The most important crop right now is wheat, so it should be just scattered around your whole house. Put the stalks in vases, or tie them together to make a pentagram. Corn is also plentiful at this time, and makes perfect corn dollies for altars. Grains are really important now and itās perfect for making breads. Of course, we are also harvesting other fruits, veggies, and herbs, and it is more than appropriate to incorporate those elements. In honor of the sun, bring in Sunflowers, and donāt forget to drink lots of beer.Ā
Mabon š
In the Northern Hemisphere, Mabon is around September 21st. In the Southern Hemisphere, Mabon is around March 21st.
Due to the school year being dictated by the growing seasons, Mabon falls around the time that schools would typically start their year. For this reason, this equinox doesnāt have as many other holidays that occur around the same time. However, we notice that the celebrations that do are all very similar in vibe. Mabon is usually also National Tradesman Day, and occurs during National Fall Foliage Week, Clean Up the World Weekend, and Balance Awareness Week. The month-long observances either focus on the harvest (like Apple Month, National Honey Month, National Mushroom Month, National Organic Harvest Month, and National Potato Month) or health (like ADHD Month and Healthy Aging Month). Then thereās National Disaster Preparedness Month, which is super helpful, but comes a little out of left field.Ā
As all things in nature have a balance, Mabon is the yang to Ostaraās yin. It is the other day in the year that light and dark, day and night, are equal. From this point on, nights will be getting longer and days will be shorter. We are halfway between Lammas and Samhain, making this the 2nd harvest festival. It is a celebration of what we have already collected, and begun storing for winter, in between all of the hard days of work that goes into harvest season. The God is on his way to his death with the last of the crops cut from the ground. The Goddess is transitioning to her crone phase, and yet, is pregnant and gestating with the new God.
With Mabon being another harvest festival, traditional harvest symbols like baskets and scythes are perfect decor. Donāt be afraid to use the seasonal nature, like acorns, pine cones, and the first colored leaves to fall. You could also use grapes, vines, apples, and corn because they are also plentiful at this time of year. To prepare for the coming of colder nights, candles and blankets in red, gold, orange, and brown, really help to set the atmosphere of the end of summer and the beginning of fall. It also makes sense to represent the balance occurring in nature at this time by sprinkling black and white, or the sun and moon throughout.Ā
Samhain š
In the Northern Hemisphere, Samhain is Oct 31st. In the Southern Hemisphere, itās on May 1st.
As it turns out, there are a shocking number of celebrations that happen around Samhain. For the Trick-or-Treater at heart, we have Beggar's Night, Books for Treats Day, and National Doorbell Day. The day before is National Candy Corn Day, though Iām not sure why there is a whole day for that mess. Two days before is National Cat Day, which is much more appreciated personally, and still fitting with the classic Halloween theme. During, and continuing for two days after, are the celebrations of Dia de los Muertos, and the Catholic All Soulās Day. Samhain also shares its day with Magic Day, which falls during International Magic Week. Ironically, this has absolutely nothing to do with witchcraft or paganism, and instead is meant to celebrate Harry Houdini and like magicians.
Samhain is, at its core, a celebration of death and reflection. While some believe it to be the Pagan New Year, it really feels like a time to gather, prepare for the stillness of winter, and look back on how far youāve come with all of your strengths and weaknesses. It has the spirit of, if not an ending, then a long, deep sleep. As the last of the harvest festivals, it symbolizes preparing for the āDeathā in nature. The Earth goes into hibernation. Our ancestors had to have harvested and stored their crops and meats before winter. In this end stage the Goddess has become the crone, she is wise and helps us reflect to move on. The God dies with the rest of nature, and symbolizes the animals that must die to keep us alive. Itās beautiful.
I get the feeling that, as a general rule, the best decoration ideas are the seasonal ones. For Samhain, traditional Halloween decor fits really well. Pumpkins and apples are seasonal fare, for both the table and door displays. Skeletons and ghosts are more than appropriate, as it ties in with the heavy concept of death and reconnecting with your ancestors. Lamps, jack oā lanterns, lighted pathways are all different takes on the idea of guiding the souls back from the dead. I suppose you could make the same case for the cheesy zombie decorations, but it might be a stretch. Of course, I would not be any sort of self-respecting pagan if I didnāt also include witch and magic related decor that is so popular at the time.Ā
