Some things become less relevant with time, but I like a good celebration, especially if it connects us back to nature and the seasons of life. The first harvest fest of the year, which some call Lammas or Lughnasadh, is perfect for a little party and for remembering and being grateful for our ancestors and where our food comes from. 

Usually, the first harvest fest is celebrated on the 1st of August, right in the middle between summer solstice and autumn equinox. In the past, however, farmers would celebrate on the first Sunday in August, as workdays could not be given up, especially when the weather was good. It was and still is the time to harvest the first grain and certain fruits. 

Harvesting the first grain meant celebrating some of the best things in life, especially in the past, but I would say it also holds true today: baked goods and beer. If you want to create your own celebration, I highly recommend making some homemade bread with local produce, serving cold local beer, and having some apples on the table.

It is also a perfect time to reflect. Did you set any goals or resolutions for this year? Or in other terms, did you plant any seeds for your life? If so, now might be the time when you see some of them come to fruition. Did things go as planned? What changed? What might you add into the mix to make the 2nd and 3rd harvest fest more potent?

The first harvest fest is the time for reaping results, but it is also still a time of hard work. You might want to ask yourself what you want to invest your time in for the next few weeks and months. Without hard work, there rarely are great benefits. You might also start noticing that the days are getting shorter. In the past, this was a reminder of how important a good harvest was to get through the colder months. Today, this might mean putting in that extra effort now, to ensure an easier, less stressful winter.

Finally, if you would like to make any offerings for the next harvest season, the most common would be to tie three stalks of grain together and lay it in a field or keep it in your home. It was said that the spirit of the grain would become homeless once all the grain was harvested, so the stalks were kept as an alternative home until the next season. Some also believe it to be an amulet of fortune. Alternatively, you can offer some homemade bread. Dividing it by four and placing it in the four corners of the barn would ensure the safety of the harvest. 

I hope you enjoy the first harvest fest wherever you may be at whatever time of year it takes place where you are. At Magic is the Key we offer a live event on August 2nd if you want to celebrate in the community.