Sorry I'm so late; if the Times editor prints the article it will be way past the holiday, but oh well, no use crying over it. Anyway, here ya go:
Lammas:
Also called Lughnasadh (loo-nuh-suh) this holiday marks the beginning of the Harvest season. It generally takes place around July 31st or August 1st. The days will steadily grow shorter as we approach the Autumn Equinox. This festival honors the Celtic sun god Lugh.
At the Harvest season he rains down on the crops with his golden rays. The harvest that he provides feeds us through the upcoming winter. Grain goddesses such as Demeter and Ceres are also honored at this time.
As Christianity spread, Lughnasadh became Lammas, which means "loaf mass." This was a reference to the first loaves of bread made from the new harvest. Some of these were placed on the altar. Loaves were also used to please the God/dess, and eaten with reverence.
Yet another ceremony that was practiced at Lammas was the "Catherine Wheel." A large wheel of a wagon was taken to the top of the nearest hill, tarred, set aflame and rolled down the hill. The flaming wheel represented the sun god's Sun disk, and his decline.
Well that's my Lammas info for ya. I would also like to include a Sabbat I forgot. Here is Beltane...
Beltane:
The last of three spring fertility festivals. Beltane is held on May 5th, and people, plant and animals alike, all prepare for the warm months ahead. Flowers are a must, as this spring festival is directed toward the beauty of spring as well.
In the Wiccan religion, this holiday marks the marriage of the Lady and Lord. Two halves are joined to make one, which is the third being. It is a time of peace and oneness and one of the special times of year that faeries are supposedly seen.
A very popular festival, almost all Pagans celebrate it as one of the major Sabbats. Many enjoy this spring holiday of faeries, children, love, and celebration.
In closing, I would like to say that there are only two more Sabbats,, and when I'm done writing about them, I want to start researching some new holidays and religions. So y-mail me your ideas... I'm open to all suggestions. I'll give you credit if you help. Thank you.
Magick the insomniac, signing off...
