Page 109 - NT 2022 Almanac

1st August Lammas
Lammas is a pagan celebration of the first harvest, and is a time for giving thanks. The word lammas comes from the phrase ‘loaf mass’ which is a special celebration of the first grain to be cut in the harvest, and the first loaf to be made from that grain.
Lammas is also the name of the grain goddess, harvest queen and Earth mother. The harvest god is called John Barleycorn.
1st August Lughnasadh
On this day there is also an old Celtic festival called Lughnasadh – the festival of Lugh or Lug, the Celtic sun king and god of light.
The celebrations include feasting, market fairs, games, bonfire celebrations
and circle dancing. This is a time
to remember that the power and energy of Lugh (the sun) is now slowing down and the darker days of winter are just around the corner.
11th August Raksha Bandhan
This is a Hindu festival celebrated
at the full moon. The name Raksha
Bandhan means the ‘bond of protection’. Raksha means ‘protection’and Bandhan means ‘to tie’. The festival celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. During the festival, sisters tie a rakhi (holy thread) around their brothers’ wrists as a symbol to show that they are praying for their brothers’ protection and care. The brothers in return vow to look after their sisters, and give them a present.
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