Loaf-Fest (Lammas) 2006
Arranged by ThunderWolf

LOAF-FEST
This Anglo-Saxon festival takes place on the first of August roughly midway between Midsummer's and Winternights. It is called Loaf-Fest because this was the time when the first grain could be harvested and made into bread - possibly the first bread that had been eaten for several months, after the previous year's grain had run out. Loaf-Fest marks the beginning of the harvest season: a time of hard work, but also of rejoicing; a time when the wishes written at Yule and the seeds planted at Charming of the Plough should be starting to bring forth fruit. At Loaf-Fest, we look back to the beginning of the year and forward to the efforts and fulfillment of harvest which lie ahead of us. Loaf-Fest also marks the ending of the rest and relative freedom of the summer and the beginning of a period of hard and intensive labor in preparation for the winter.
Because this is the time of the cropping of the grain, and also the month most prone to summer thunderstorms, Thunar and Sif are especially called upon. At this time, Thunar acts in the third Dumézilian function, Swinging his hammer to bring fruitfulness to the land and to cause the grain to ripen properly. The tale of the cropping of Sif's hair also reminds us that harvest comes in many realms besides that of agriculture; from the stolen "harvest" of Sif's hair come, eventually, the greatest treasures of the gods - a mighty harvest indeed.
In Practical Magic in the Northern Tradition, Nigel Pennick suggests that the English folk song "John Barleycorn" should either be sung, recited, or acted out as a folk drama in the course of this festival. It was also traditional on Loaf-Fest to give worship to the holy wells and springs and to the wights dwelling within them.
In Iceland, gatherings were held at this time during which one of the major activities was horse-fighting. A similar practice took place in Sweden, as shown on the Haggeby Stone from Uppland, which has two fighting horses behind whom men with goads stand. As well as being entertainment, these horse-duels may have had a holy meaning: Summer is beginning to age and Winter is mounting his first challenge. These fairs were lively events, at which goods were sold and marriages were arranged.

Hammer Hallowing
Hamaar y Nordhri, Helga ve thetta ok hald vordh
Hamaar y Austri, Helga ve thetta ok hald vordh
Hamaar y Sudhri, Helga ve thetta ok hald vordh
Hamaar y Vestri, Helga ve thetta ok hald vordh
Hamaar y Ober mir, Helga ve thetta ok hald vordh
Hamaar y Undir mir, Helga ve thetta ok hald vordh
Hamaar Helga ve thetta ok hald vordh

(as each quarter is hallowed the HPS lights the corresponding candle)

HPS: Hail to Sif! Wife to Thunar, Golden haired mistress of harvested grains.
HP: Hail to Thunar! Thunder of summer, Hallow the shimmering sheaves.

HPS: Now the first fruits are plucked, The first of the fields are shorn. Sif's shining hair has been cropped.
HP: The Thunderer rages on high. But deep in the earth delve the Swart-Alfs Shaping beneath the stone. Forging a harvest higher than grain, and good for all the gods.

HPS: For Sif, golden hair, the Hammer to Thunar, Rulers spear, Wodan and richest of rings.
HP: To Fro Ing, boar shining and ship of the finest, Good is the harvest gained by the Gods.
HPS: The first bread is baked.
HP: The first beer is brewed. We hail Fro Ing forharvest-year good!! Let all bring forth the fruits you hold, And say what seeds have spung so well.

(group before ritual writes of blessings they've received this year and state it as they put it in the cauldron to be lit and placed outside once everyone has placed their sheets within)

HP: Friends, my family, I now bid thee to join in celebration of the season of Loaf-fest. This is the time to remember the basking warmth of Summer. The days are good, and the times to come will be happy for all of us.

HPS: Let us now remember that we must search for the treasure of life, and search for beauty, so that each of us, and our family, shall be happy apart and together.

HP: Let us now remember that nothing is beyond each of us. If we wish enough, dream enough, want enough, and work for it enough, we can do anything. And be whatever we resolve to be for ourselves and for our family.

Workings section if anyone has anything.

(HPS takes the bread and goes to everyone, HP takes the horn of Mead to everyone)
HPS: (to each person) May you never hunger.
HP: (to each person) May you never thirst.

(pass the horn around and allow everyone to Hail a special loved one, living or passed and as many as they wish)

(when everyone is ready)

HPS: Hail to Sif of the Golden hair, Lady of the harvest, may you bless our homes, our family's and all that we own. We thank you fair lady for you blessings and your presence.

HP: Hail to Thunar, the mighty Thunderer, may you bless each of us and protect and guide us on our journey's. We thank you red-bearded Thunderer for your blessings and your presence.

HP: Hail to the dwarves for their strength, Vestri we give thanks to you for your presence, well being and guidance. Hail Vestri!!
(HPS extinguishes the West flame)

HP: Sudhri, we give thanks to you for your presence, passion and guidance. Hail Sudhri!!
(HPS extinguishes the South flame)

HP: Austri, we give thanks to you for your presence, wisdom and guidance. Hail Austri!!
(HPS extinguishes the East flame)

HP: Nordhri, we give thanks to you for your presence. strength and guidance. Hail Nordhri!!
(HPS extinguishes the North flame)

HP: This rite is concluded, may the Gods and Goddesses watch over us all and may your harvests be rich and fulfilling.

History and more from Kveldolf Gundarrson-Teutonic Religion & Ed Fitch-Rites of Odin