Lammas 2004 Arranged by Moon Ankh   In old Irish the word "Lunasa" means August, it honors the God Lugh. It is most widely known as a grain festival, since it is time to harvest corn, wheat, barley .It is also the 1st of the 3 harvest of the turning of the wheel. In the ancient times, part of the harvest would be given back to the fields as thanks, and a pig would be sacrificed, letting its blood drain onto the dirt was to insure a bountiful harvest for the next year. Other pantheons that celebrated were, the Roman festival of Vulcan, God of fire, Green Corn Festival for the Native Americans, And the Egyptian celebration of the Birth of Isis and the Sun god Ra.   Supplies needed Corn on the cob Multi wheat bread Oatmeal Red wine Burning herbs: Eucalyptus, frankincense, Alfalfa, Chamomile, St. Johns Wart Simmering herbs: 2 oz Rose petals, loz Sandlewood,l Cinnamon stick 1 drop Lilac oil, 2 drop Jasmine oil Potpourri pot Big and small caldron Element candles God and goddess candle Pig on a plate Everyone stands outside the circle. Alter facing EAST HPS Says: The wheel of the year turns on and on, bringing us to and from another season, and from and to another. What will be is. What was wiIl be. We pause briefly to watch the wheel turn, and we gather on this blessed eve so that we may celebrate the first harvest. In this moment between time, we come to give thanks for the bounty of the fertile earth and to feel ourselves a part of the relentless turning of the wheel of life, death and rebirth. Let all who would honor the goddess and the god enter into their protective circle. Everyone enters the circle HP casts Circle, walk the circle 3 times while everyone is saying: Circle, now we conjure thee That thou gayest a boundary be. Between the worlds of men we know. And that the Mighty Ones shall show A guardian and protector be, For power we shall raise in thee Preserve, contain it in thy sphere To aid the work we shall do here So have we consecrated thee So may our circle blessed be. Call quarters Start facing East East, Iight candle and incense, Say: Lady Isis, worker of magicks, We ask your presence with the elements. Sky and Sun and Sea and Earth, Teach us, give our wisdom birth.   South, Iight candle and hold up, Say: Lord Horus, magestry of the Hawk, We ask your presence with the elements. Sun and Sea and Earth and Sky, With your powers gather nigh.   West, Iight candle, hold up water, Say: Lady Nephthys, Lady of Knowledge, we ask your presence with the elements Sea and Earth and Sky and Sun, All together four and one.   North, light candle, hold up salt, Say: Lord Osiris, Judge of the Underworld, We ask your presance with the elements. Earth and Sky and Sun and Sea, Join us as we call to thee.   Facing East and the Alter and Looking up, HPS Says: Nut above us, mother of us all. Geb, below us, father of all things Safe we stand within the gods Blessed be the work we do tonight.   Invoking the Goddess HPS Says: Isis Goddess of the fields, Goddess of the Harvest We seek you starlight that sings we seek magick with wings. Would laugh and then cry, we seek your joy. We seek your love without end, Maid, Mother, and friend. Come with me, I will show you my lady, What your spirit unfolds. Would we look on a beauty, that's blinding to see? Are there words you would have me know, To seek your power to grow. Dedication Any Magickal Workings Cakes and Ale Blessing of bread and ale HP Say: Blessed be the bounty of the harvest and fruits of the womb of the Goddess. HP & HPS: Both put hand over bread and say: "Might into magick, power into spell, empower this bread, heed my will."   Go from person to person as they take the bread as they say what they are thankful for, always saving a piece for the fairies. Do the same thing with the ale.   HPS Says: "To Whom does the coven give this offering?" Convener steps forward Convener says: "We give this bounty of the land back to whom it came. We offer it to mother earth and the fire. We ask that it be shared with the fairies of the fields and the animals of the desert. HP & HPS & Convener put hands on the left over bread Say: "We consecrate this offering back to the mother from whom it came, her animals and her fairies beings. Blessed be."   Holds up the blessed bread HPS says: "Offerings given in love return 3 times over. Blessed me this gathering, the givers and the gift. Everyone: Blessed be Everyone one by one: throws some of the harvest back into the fields (plate) and Into a fire as a sacrifice to honor the Gods and for the continuing growth of the crops (your future).   HP pours red wine on the earth (plate with pig) as a blood sacrifice, with fingers of right hand dip into blood and make a pentacle on forehead of each convener for protection and blessing.   HPS Says: Our work is ending. We thank the Lady Isis, Lord Horus, Lord Osiris, Lady Nut and Lord Geb for Their protection and guidance, below us and above us. Stay if you will, go if you must.   North, pinch out candle Say: Earth and Sky and Sun and Sea, Thanks you, for joining us this night. West, pinch out candle, Say: Sea and Earth and Sky and Sun, Thank you for joining us this night.   South, pinch out candle, Say: Sun and Sea and Earth and Sky, Thank you for joining us this night.   East, pinch out candle, Say: Sky and Sun and Sea and Earth, Thank you for joining us this night.   HPS Says: Although we shall leave our formal circle, we ask that the love, protection, and guidance we have received from theses deities continue, for all we shall ever be in need of theses blessings.   Everyone says: The circle is open, but never broken. Blessed be. Carry plate and red wine and bread outside for the Fairies.