Today is Lammas, which is known as the First Harvest of the year. This day marks the transition into the harvest season of August, September, and October (of which there is a Second Harvest and Last Harvest that correspond to these months).
This holiday is often called Lammas, Lughnasadh, or Lugh, although I usually just refer to it as the First Harvest. On my path, it celebrates the beginning of Summer’s decline and ramping up of the busy season where we begin to reap in the abundance that the bounty of summer’s energies has encouraged to grow and flourish.
Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are sure to be some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of the upcoming Second Harvest (aka. Mabon, Autumnal Equinox) in September.
Theme of the Season – Lammas, Waxing Crescent Moon, Elder (Sambucus nigra)
In this card a woman dances among sunflowers, celebrating in her harvest with the product of her labors cradled close under one arm and boline in the other hand ready to reap what she’s sown. There is pride in the angle of her jaw and tilt of her head, strength in her posture, and voluptuous elegance in her form.
The Waxing Crescent Moon is a symbol of growth, creativity, and attainment and welcomes the energies of positivity and expansion into one’s life. It is a time for welcoming in new habits, new themes, and for leaning forward into changes that you wish to control the direction of with your actions and will.
The Elder (Sambucus nigra) is a tree of transitions and change, guarding liminal spaces and providing purification and protection within the transitional places that we travel between. The dried bits of this plant can be used for spellwork involving physical and emotional healing, as well as hex breaking, purification, and protection.
When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is one of healing through progress. You are at a place in your life and upon your physical path where you have choices to make and these cards encourage you to lean hard into positivity and optimism. Don’t allow yourself to step out of the light, but instead take an active role in making sure your harvests this year are abundant and plentiful.
Earth – Four of Wands – You are comfortable and relaxed in your path forward at this time. You know what needs done and have a solid plan as your foundation. Use this energy to carry you toward your goals rather than wallowing in the comfort in more languid ways.
Air – Nine of Swords – Careful that you don’t let your worries become hurdles that hold you back. Negative thoughts and a pessimistic inner dialogue won’t help you in making progress at this time. Better to set these things aside so that you can move more freely and continue to charge forward toward your goals.
Water – The Moon Rx – Moments of uncertainty can feed into negativity. Make sure that you are not giving uncertainty the chance to grow and thrive in your life. If you have to “fake it ’til you make it”? Do so.
Fire – Knight of Pentacles – Business is slow right now and that’s a good thing. Don’t become restless during the lull, but instead use this time wisely on other things. It won’t last forever and you want to work on what you can get done now so that when things pick back up you can feel a sense of accomplishment from the slow season.
Waning – The Memory and Pruning – It’s time to set aside self reflection and deep exploration of inner thoughts and feelings. Action is needed, and you can’t stand in stillness and mull things over, and -also- act at the same time.
Waxing – The Explorer and Mirror – Movement and knowing yourself. This is the theme you need to lean into at this time. You know what you want and need, and it’s time to take the steps and action to reach the fulfillment you seek.
Twisting the Leaf 