Today I learnt .... How to celebrate Lughnasadh

Today, August 1st Wiccan people celebrate a feast called Lughnasad, it is a date to thank for things recieved, especially harvesting.

Lughnasadh, is the time of the first harvest, when the plants of spring wither and drop their fruits or seeds for our use as well as to ensure future crops. Mystically, so too does the God lose His strength as the Sun rises farther in the South each day and the nights grow longer. The Goddess watches in sorrow and joy as She realizes that the God is dying, and yet lives on inside Her as Her child. Lughnasadh, also known as August Eve, Feast of Bread, Harvest Home and Lamma, wasn?t necessarily observed on this day. It originally coincided with the first reaping. As summer passes, Wiccans remember its warmth and bounty in the food we eat. Every meal is an act of attunement with nature, and we are reminded that nothing in the universe is constant.

LUGHNASADH—Greater Sabbat
Summer flowers are on the altar and around the
Circle. The altar cloth and candles should be yellow. The
Erecting the Temple is performed. This may be
followed by Full Moon or New Moon Rite, if appropriate.
The Bell is rung three times by Covener acting as
Summoner.
Summoner: "Haste! Haste! No time to wait!
We're off to the Sabbat so don't be late!"
Priest/ess: "To the Sabbat!"
All: "To the Sabbat!"
With PRIEST and PRIESTESS leading, the coven move
deosil around the Circle, walking or dancing. Circle as
many times as you wish. PRIEST/ESS starts a hymn to
the gods and all join in. Finally all halt and stop
singing.
Covener. "The powers of life and death are held by
the gods."
Covener: "Great is the power of the Mighty Ones."
Covener: "God is old yet young." Covener: "And
the power is his."
Then follows an enactment of a seasonal motif (e.g.
Death and rebirth of the god, leading to a great harvest;
thinning of plants, toward a better harvest; strength
and testing; killing of older god by younger god, with
funeral games to honor the dead one). Bell is rung
seven times.
Covener: "In the midst of our Lady's rule do we
remember her brother/lover/husband.
Great is his power through his union with
the Goddess.
And through his death and rebirth, as the younger son, Is the harvest assured and
the power
passed on,
To grow and spread wide to all he loves.
Remember the Lord, yet in him ever see
the Lady. Praise the Lady and, through
her, the
Lord."
Priest: "Blessed be the Lady of the Circle."
All: "And blessed be her Lord."
Priestess: "May the surplus be drawn from the land."
All: "That the body may be filled with strength."
Priest: "Power to the Lord."
All: "And power to the Lady."
Priestess: "Let the old wane."
All: "That the young may wax anew."
Priest: "Ever turns the Wheel."
All: "Ever onward."
PRIEST and PRIESTESS lead the coven in a dance
about the Circle. This may be followed, or accompanied,
by a song or chant.
ALL, except Priest and one male Covener, sit. PRIEST
then dances around, deosil, between the seated
coveners and the line of the Circle. MALE COVENER
dances around widdershins, between the coveners and
the altar (in other words, one outside the ring, going
clockwise, and one inside, going counter-clockwise).
As they pass each other they strike hands over the
coveners' heads. Coveners may, if they wish, clap the
beat for them to dance to, shouting "Lugh!" at the
striking of hands. They circle and strike hands twelve
times. At the twelfth strike the PRIEST drops to the
ground and COVENER jumps over the seated ones to
run once around the circle, deosil now, along the
Priest's path. Returning to the Priest, he helps him to
his feet and they embrace. All cheer and come to
their feet.
Priest: "Lady and Lord, we thank thee,
For all that has been raised from the soil.
May it grow in strength from now till
harvest. We thank thee for this promise
of fruits
to come.
Let the power of our Lord
Be in each and every one of us
At this time and throughout the year."
All: "So Mote it be."
Lesson Six: Sabbats / 73
74 / Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft
The bell is rung three times. Then shall follow the ceremony of Cakes and
Ale. After that the Cleaming of the Temple is performed so that there is
plenty of room for fun, games and entertainment (which may still take
place around the altar if desired). The evening concludes with a feast.