A few general ideas on ways to make your Lughnassadh ritual com alive!
Lughnasadh
Circle Decorations:
Try using a yellow or yellow-orange altar cloth, and green, yellow, or orange candles. Decorate with bunches of herbs, sheaves of grain, ears of corn, and/or small baskets of fruit and vegetables. Burn Lughnasadh Incense (Lughnasadh Recipes 2 has some great recipes, or try Lailokens Awen Lughnasadh Altar Set).
Cast the Circle using the athamé.
Lughnasadh Circle Ideas:
- Burn a Lughnasadh fire of herbs and wood to commemorate the Sun's passing. Say goodbye to the Sun by saying something like:
"We thank You God of Sun and Light,
for warming us from dawn 'til night.
For fertilizing all on Earth,
for bringing us Your cheer and mirth.
For laughter, joy, and shining ray,
for guiding us along our way.
And as You go, we hold You dear,
until the winter brings You near.
And with the Yule You're born anew.
Goodbye, dear Sun, we shall miss You."
- Thank the Mother for Her bountiful gifts by blessing the onions, garlic, and grain stables in your kitchen (flour, cornmeal, oatmeal, and so on). Line them up on the altar or counter, place your hands over them, and say:
"We thank You, Mother, for these gifts,
for meal and bulbs and that which sifts.
Please bless these items with Your grace,
and hold them dear within their space.
So as we eat, Your blessings flow,
within, without - from head to toe."
- Bake magickal bread in celebration of the harvest. As you eat the bread, say:
"Cycle of Life contained herein,
Birth and Death and Birth again.
Help me to understand my role,
in life, and help me cleanse my soul.
So I may walk this path with ease,
as I will so mote it be."
- Make the corn dolly for next year's Imbolc. Bless the dolly by saying:
"Seeds of Life that burn and thrive,
seeds of plenty come alive.
By Sun and Earth this spell fulfill,
become now Brigid, who melts the chill."
- Create a Prosperity Witches' Bottle. Just gather together a small bottle with a tight-fitting cork, a fish hook, some clover, a bit of cinnamon, and a few coins. As you place the materials in the bottle, visualize money coming to you from all directions. Cork the bottle and seal it with a bit of wax from the altar candles, then enchant it by saying:
"Money come alive and grow,
pour down on me both high and low.
By herb and hook and glass and coin,
prosperity and I now join.
Paper money and coins that shine,
come to me, for you are mine."
Bury the bottle near your front door. If that's not possible, set the bottle in a place where it won't be disturbed.