Lammas Rituals and Aromatherapy

In the Northern hemisphere of planet Earth, Lammas or Lughnasadh is generally celebrated on August 1 and marks the halfway point between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox. Lammas comes from the Old English word for Lughnasadh, which is the Gaelic word for the grain festival which marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is the first of the harvest festivals, with Mabon/Autumn Equinox and Samhain to follow in six week increments. Lammas is the first harvest of grain. Mabon or the Autumnal Equinox is the second harvest of fruit and Samhain is the third harvest of nuts and berries. Lammas, which derives from “loaf mass,” has historically been observed in Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. Lammas is also known as August Eve, the Feast of Bread, the First Harvest and of course Lughnasadh.

Lughnasadh is named for Lugh, the Celtic god of light, but honors Lugh’s foster mother, Tailtiu. It is believed that Tailtiu cleared the lands of Ireland to make way for the planting of crops but then died of exhaustion. Some also believe that Lughnasadh is a festival celebrating Lugh’s wedding feast. Regardless, Lughnasadh traditionally incorporated large gatherings, spiritual ceremonies and customs, great feasts, athletic contests, matchmaking and rituals like pilgrimages up tall mountains and hilltops and visiting holy wells and sacred springs.

Colors: yellow, gold, orange + green

Plants: hollyhocks, heather, acacia, sunflowers, calendula, myrtle, meadowsweet, corn and corn stalks, wheat, oak leaves, barley, rye and acorns.

Food: grains, bread, summer fruits, berries, apples, cider, grapes, wine and mead.

Altar: Adorn your altar with offerings of baked bread, honey, mead (honey wine), corn husk or wheat dolls, yellow and gold candles, frankincense, yellow flowers or any summer flowers and plants, and fruits and other fruits and vegetables associated with the first harvest: wheat, corn, apples, cherries, grains, berries wheat, cornhusks, and berries

For many years, Kate has been making a pilgrimage to the West Country of England to visit Glastonbury, a place steeped in mystery and legend, trusted to have been the location of the ancient Isle of Avalon. As a young woman Kate read Marion Zimmer-Bradley's The Mists of Avalon, in which she relates the Arthurian legend from the perspective of a priestess. This magikal tale stirred up an ancient memory that sat dormant in Kate until her visit to the Isle of Avalon. To many, Avalon provides a portal from the earthly to otherworldly and a place where we can cross from the profane to the sacred. Avalon perfume features trance-inducing Jasmine melded with herbaceous Blue Tansy to evoke the immortal, sacred feminine energy of the Isle of Avalon. Enigmatic Clary Sage, known as the woman's herb, brings spiritual growth, clairvoyance, and aligns us with the High Priestess within.

Inanna -- the ancient Sumerian Goddess of sensuality, fertility (grain) and war -- dates as far back as 3500 BC. She was known as the queen of the heavens and associated with the planet Venus and the Star of Ishtar. Her powerful, self-willed and independent nature is what drew me to her. She may be more than 4000 years old, yet she embodies many qualities needed for the modern mystical woman of this era; fearlessness, strength, creativity and resourcefulness. Inanna’s myth was born in pre-patriarchal times when honoring the divine feminine was still part of everyday and every man's life. She was the daughter of the moon couple Nanna and Ningal and the ancient Sumerians believed she was born out of the primordial sea. Here Heavenly Morroccan Rose is married with earthly Indian Sandalwood. A touch of Clove adds a courageous, sensual fire -- a creation worthy of any Goddess!

Lakshmi Sacred Perfume evokes beauty and prosperity. Hindu Goddess Lakshmi is the embodiment of beauty, wealth and prosperity. This sacred perfume evokes both material and spiritual success while revealing authentic beauty with notes of Turmeric, Jasmine, and Honey.

Firefly Body Perfume Oil was created for passion, love and creativity. Fireflies use a specific flash pattern to attract a mate after dark. If a flashing male catches a female's fancy, she will signal back and they mate. Firefly Body Perfume Oil unveils your unique beauty, reveals your highest creative potential, arouses your senses and lets you be seen for who you truly are: Beautiful, magnificent and powerful. Let your passion rise, your fire shine and intoxicate the worlds around you. Royal Jasmine married with seductive Patchouli forms the foundation for this captivating body perfume oil. Luminous Neroli, with the blessing of sacred Frankincense makes this blend an alluring elixir. Lavish yourself and apply from head to toe to perfume your whole body in the fashion of the Ancient Egyptians. It’s a great way to start the day after a bath or shower and can also be mixed with your favorite unscented lotion.

Fire Aromatherapy Body Lotion was created to evoke love, passion and sensuality. Fire fuels confidence, passion and creativity. Fire Aromatherapy Body Lotion is sensual and empowering. Deep, sensual Sandalwood will encourage faith and trust, while exotic, feminine Moroccan Rose opens the heart and raises your vibration. Lavish this lotion generously from head to toe while setting your intention for the day or evening. Inhale the divine aromas and visualize your wishes coming true.

Just as the Earth is fertile and full right now, may you also find that your projects, ideas and creativity are overflowing.  Fertility & Manifestation Anointing Oil is a blend of musky Indonesian Patchouli and purifying Cedarwood with sunny sweet orange and a touch of Indian spice created to manifest new ideas and bring miracles. The word Fertility signifies the preparation of fertile ground for planting or creating something new - in art, relationships, health, business and money etc. - in other words, fertile energy to manifest a new creation. Fertility & Manifestation Anointing Oil is a tool to help bring forth our inner visionary and create something uniquely our own.  

Meditate on the gifts and abundance of the season and bring in more plentitude with Prosperity Anointing Oil. Prosperity attracts the energy of abundance and riches and helps remove money blocks and manifest prosperous energy. Basil has been a symbol of wealth attraction since ancient times and encourages the flow of abundance. 

Energizing Wind Massage + Body Oil was created to give the wearer energy and strength. An invigorating and energizing massage and body oil, Energizing Wind Massage + Body Oil helps prepare you for the day and serves as a potent pick-me-up. It keeps the mind and body alert while encouraging a bright attitude to overcome challenges. Massage this oil over the entire body to revitalize muscles and stimulate the senses or self-apply as an invigorating body oil to nourish the skin and uplift the spirit. Energizing Wind is a great addition to your morning ritual that helps you greet the day with strength and energy. Energizing Wind Massage + Body Oil is a bright, stimulating blend of energizing Geranium, fresh Citrus and herbaceous Rosemary. Geranium helps revitalize skin and muscles, Citrus wakes up the mind and Rosemary increases circulation.

Use Rain of Prosperity Aura Mist to bring forth prosperity and to create a plentiful environment.Rain of Prosperity Aura Mist helps to create a prosperous atmosphere and serves as a tool to set and maintain your outlook. Basil and Bergamot have been used since ancient times as symbols of prosperity and as a means to direct the flow of abundance. With generosity in your heart and clear intention in your mind, mist in a circular motion above your head. Take a moment to breathe deeply and feel the gentle droplets as the scent and energy of prosperity rain down around you.

Lammas is a great time to focus on gratitude, as gratitude paves the way for abundance and prosperity. True Abundance Diffuser Oil is a prosperous blend of Bergamot, Basil and Cinnamon intended to attract abundance and success. It’s a great oil to help remove financial obstacles and create a bountiful atmosphere.