* LUGHNASADH / LAMMAS GRATITUDE MEDITATION * Lammas or Lughnasadh ( pronounced Lúnasa ) is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season usually held on the eve of July 31st – August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and the eve of January 31st – February 1st in the Southern Hemisphere, beginning and ending at sunset or celebrated about halfway between the Summer Solstice & Autumn Equinox. This work is simple really, The Harvest Season is upon us, so take a moment of reflection to fill your heart & mind with an abundance of gratitude for all the blessings that are at your feet & all the blessings on their way to you. Sit outside, burn your favorite...
SUPPLIES FOR A TRADITIONAL BESOM: - Handle should be made up of a four-foot length of ash, oak for the handle -Thin branches of birch for the bristle part (you can substitute a woody herb like mugwort or thyme for the bristles if you like) -Lengths of willow or heavy cord to bind everything together -You'll also need scissors and a bucket of warm water. Whatever you'll be using for the bristles -- whether it's birch, an herb, or some other wood -- should be soaked in the warm water overnight to make them pliable, as should the willow binding, if you're using it. (Consider making your broom within your sacred circle or sacred space ) * Always feel free...
The first things you should bring into the home are a loaf of freshly baked bread, a bottle of wine & a new broom. The bread and wine ensure that you will always have enough to eat and drink in your new home. The besom represents the male / female energies & protection. Use the broom to 'sweep' away any negative energies the former tenants may have left behind. A chant for the process and home blessing: " Protect this home, High to low, fence to fence, door to door, light to dense, roof to floor. " This also happens to be a traditional Jewish housewarming gift. Bread, that this house may never know hunger; Salt, that life may always...
