The Pagan Sabbat Lammas or Lughnasadh occurs at time where the summer heat is at its most intense but fall is just around the corner. The harvest has just begun and fresh food is becoming more plentiful. It is a time of joy and celebration.

The Sabbat is celebrated on the first of August. The celebration of the harvest is the main concept of this holiday. The Celtic Sun God Lugh is also honored on this day. Festivals and rituals may be used to celebrate and honor this Sabbat.

Festivals can be held to celebrate the first harvest. The festivals can include a celebration honoring Lugh. There may also be food and drink that are common to the harvest served. The celebration must honor and be thankful for the bountiful harvest ahead.

The feasting should include loaves of bread made from the grains of the harvest. Fruits may include apples, grapes, pears, plums, and berries. A cookout or potluck could be part of the celebration. Suggestions for food include cinnamon raisin bread, apple pies, and grilled pears. The drink of the festival could be wine. Children may be included in the festival so grape juice is a great alternative. Apple cider would be good as well.

Colors for the festival could be red, orange, yellow or white. The red, orange and yellow signify the heat or flame of the sun. These colors, especially yellow, honor the Sun God. The color of the coming fall season and falling leaves are also red, orange and yellow. White is a neutral color that can be substituted for another color or used on its own. It can be used in any ritual or celebration. The colors can be used for candles, table settings, clothing or other decorations.

Rituals may be created or recycled for the Sabbat. A ritual created by the participants is a very personal celebration of the holiday. This type of ritual is not any less valid or effective as a ritual that has been performed for many years. The participants or the individual planning the event should be prepared for the ritual.

The way that you celebrate a Sabbat is not as important as the intention behind it. The Lammas celebration should honor the harvest. The participants should be thankful for the harvest and be prepared to give something back. Whether there is a festival or a ritual, there should be respect for the earth and all that it has given us.