July 31,August 1, Lammas (Loaf-Fest),
Today marks the eve of major celebrations in the Celtic paths, Laughnasadh. This is the first of three consecutive Harvest festival, celebrating grains, and the God and Goddess associated with it. Laughnasadh means the funeral games of Lugh, reffering to Lugh the Irish sun god.
However, the funeral is not his own, but the funeral games he hosts in honor of his
foster- mother Tailte. For that reason, the traditional Tailtean craft fairs and Tailtean
marriages (which last for a year and a day) are celebrated at this time.
This day originally coincided with the first reaping of the harvest. It was known as
the time when the plants of springs wither and drop their fruits or seeds for use as well
as to ensure future crops.
As autumn begins, the Sun God enters his old age, but is not yet dead. The God
symbolically loses some of his strength as the Sun rises farther in the South each day
and the nights grow longer .
Pre Christians Celts celebrated the Oidche Lugnasa on this night in honor of the solar
deity Lugh. His annual sacrifice at the end of the harvest season ensured the fertility
of the corn and grain for the next growing season.
The Celts celebrate the this festival from sunset August 1 until sunset August 2 and
call it Lughnasad .
The Christian religion adopted this theme and called it Lammas, meaning "Loaf-mass", a time when newly baked loaves of bread are placed on the altar.
Lammas, the harvest festival; giving thanks to Ertha ( Urda) for her bounty. Often alms are given to the unfortunate at this time.
As summer passes, many Pagans celebrate this time to remember its warmth and bounty in a celebrated feast shared with family and friends. Save and plant seed from fruits consumed during the feast rituals. If they sprout, grow the plant or tree with love and as a symbol of your connection with the Gods. Walk through the fields and orchards or spend time along springs, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes reflecting on the bounty and love of the ancient Gods.
Augusts Eve: An old August Eve tradition practiced by rural Scots is predicting the following year's marriages and deaths by throwing sickles into the air and drawing omens from the position in which they fall.
Festival of Loki: Today is the Festival of Loki and his consort, Sigyn. Loki is not a God, as some commonly think he is but rather a brother to those Gods in the Aesir.
Loki is best known for the discord, strife and distress he caused among the Aesir and Vanir both. Sigyn forgave him all his trespasses and stayed with him when he was banished, showing extreme loyalty by easing his torment during his torture.
August 2
Lady Godiva Day: Lady Godiva is honored each year today in Coventry, England with a procession of a nude women honoring the historical march of Lady Godiva in her attempt to get her husband to reduce taxes on the Folk there. Her spouse agreed to lower the taxes if she rode nude through the township. Sure that she would not do such an act, he was made to hold true ,to his part of the deal and thus, taxes were lowered. We hail Godiva...
Day of Death for Norman Rufus: Today marks the Day of Death for King William II Rufus (for his red hair). It is thought by many that the death of his Norman king falls in line with the death of other kings, such as Olaf of Norway... who stood steadfast against the encroaching Christian tides against the Pagan religions and practices at the time.
Loch mo Naire: On this date each year, the waters of Scotland's Loch-mo-Naire become charged with magical powers to heal all who drank from or bathed in it, it is believed. It was custom for those who visited Loch-mo-Naire to toss in a coin (preferably silver) as an offering to the benevolent spirit of the lake.
Ending of Tinne: Celtic Tree month of Tinne ends
August 5
Oyster Day: Londoners believe that if you eat an oyster today you will not want for money all year.
Harvest Moon Ritual: An old English Harvest Moon ritual is to gather a key, a ring, a flower, a spring of willow, a small piece of cake, a crust of bread, 10 of clubs, 9 of hearts, ace of spades, and ace of diamonds. Wrap these in a handkerchief and place it under your pillow. If you dream of storms, it means trouble coming; if the storm ends, a clam fate after strife. If you dream of a ring or the ace of diamonds, marriage; bread, a good job; cake, prosperity; flowers, joy; willow, treachery in love; spades, death; clubs, living in a foreign land; diamonds, money; keys, great power; birds, many children; and geese more that one marriage. Upon going to bed say the following:
Luna, every woman's friend,
To me thy goodness condescend.
Let me this night in visions see
Emblems of my destiny.
Celtic Tree month of Colle: Celtic Tree month of Colle begins, honoring the Hazel tree. Colle runs from August 4 to September1. Find a Hazel tree and take some branches home and make a honor tree by sticking a branch into a earthen pot with sand and dirt and making honor ornaments of things to hang from the tree.
August 9
Day of Remembrance for King Radbod: The Frisian king ejected Christian missionaries and upheld Asatru in his country against great pressure. Pour a libation to the ancient Frisian Goddess Friagabi, "Giver of Freedom". Like Radbod, you can renounce the alien faith. Here are some words reversing the Christian oath the Saxons
were made to swear. "I forsake the Christian God, and I forsake all worship of him, and I renounce all his works! I take up the words and work and worship of our Gods and Goddesses, of Thor and Odin and Tyr and all who are their companions!"
August 10
Puck Faire: An Irish festival known as the Puck Fair begins on this day. This is a medieval type festival, which pays homage to the mischievous sprite Robin Goodfellow , and continues for three consecutive days.
August 12
Runic Half month of Thurisaz: Ending of Runic Half month of Thurisaz
August 13
Runic Half month of Ansuz: Runic half month of Ansuz begins, honoring the Gods of the Norse Pantheon. Ansuz from 13th to the 28th of August (Harvest). Take some time out each day to think on the Gods of the pantheon... both large and lesser, Aesir and Vanir alike.
August 14
Day of the Burryman: On this date every year, a "burryman" (a man wearing a costume of thistle burrs, and representing an ancient fertility God) walks throug the streets of many fishing villages along the coast of Scotland, collecting donations from Villagers.
August 16
Full Moon of August: Full moon of August shows its face tonight, the first of true Harvest moons.
August 17
Odin's Ordeal: Today marks the beginning of the nine days during which Odin, the father of the Norse Gods, hung on the tree Yggdrasil to secure the knowledge of the runes. This commemoration runs through August 25.
August 23
Tyr's Blot: Today is the traditional day for Asatruars to celebrate Tyr and pay homage to his qualities and remember his sacrifice for the Folk, such as giving up his hand to subdue Fenris the Wolf
August 26
Feast of Ilmatar: In Finland, the annual Feast Day of Ilmatar, the water mother, and who was the daughter of Air, and created the Earth, sky, and Sun from Teal egg.
August 28
Frey Faxi: Norse Celebration of Harvest time, invoking the protection of the harvest from during the darker half of the year and honoring the Gods and Goddesses, as well as the work beasts, who brought along the harvest thus far. Honor Frey during this time... with libation and a few oats taken.
Runic half month of Ansuz: Ending Ansuz.