Lammas: A Time of Gratitude and Gathering the First Grains

Celebrated August 1

The Wheel of the Year turns again, and we arrive at Lammas, the first of the harvest festivals. Also known as Loaf Mass, this sacred day marks the midpoint between summer solstice and autumn equinox. The sun still lingers warm on the skin, but there’s a shift in the air if you’re listening closely, like a whisper of fall beginning to stir beneath the buzz of high summer.

Lammas is a celebration of first fruits, both literal and symbolic. It’s a time to honor what’s beginning to ripen in our lives, to give thanks for the seeds we planted (months or even years ago) that are now starting to bear fruit. It’s less about wild abundance and more about mindful gratitude. Think of it as a sacred pause to notice what's already growing and working before we rush ahead.

Why We Celebrate Lammas

Back in the old days, Lammas was a big deal because it marked the first grain harvest. People would bake bread from the first sheaves of wheat and bring loaves to church or ritual for blessing. This wasn’t just about food, it was about life. If the grain didn’t come in, the winter would be lean. So this early harvest was a sign of hope, a moment of relief, and a call to gratitude.

We might not all be harvesting wheat these days, but we’re still working hard to grow things, businesses, families, healing journeys, creative visions. Lammas invites us to pause and ask: What in my life is starting to come into form? Where am I beginning to see the payoff of my effort?

It’s also a chance to practice trust. Not everything is ready yet. Some things are still ripening. Lammas says, celebrate what you have, even as you wait for what’s still on its way.

How to Celebrate Lammas Today

1. Bake Bread (Or Anything Made With Love) It doesn’t have to be fancy. Even store bought bread offered with gratitude can be powerful. The act of baking or sharing food is deeply symbolic at Lammas. It says, “I honor what I’ve created and what has been given.”

2. Harvest Something—Literally or Energetically Pick herbs from your garden, clear out your inbox, or finish a project that’s been lingering. Let something come full circle, even in a small way.

3. Set Up a Gratitude Altar Include symbols of harvest, sunflowers, corn, wheat, apples, or anything golden and warm. Add a candle and spend a few minutes naming what you’re thankful for right now, especially things you worked for.

4. Write a Letter to Your Past Self Thank them for the choices they made that led to what you’re experiencing now. It’s a beautiful way to connect with your own journey and recognize your resilience.

5. Offer Something Back Give away clothes you no longer need, share produce from your garden, volunteer, or simply tell someone how much they mean to you. Lammas is about circulation—receiving and giving.

Final Thoughts...

Lammas is a soft reminder that abundance doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it arrives as a quiet moment of ease, a kind word, a shift in your body, a glimmer of peace in your heart. We celebrate not just the big wins but the quiet growth that’s often overlooked.

So take a breath. Look around. What’s working? What’s blooming? What’s feeding your spirit right now?

Bless it. Break bread with it. And say thank you.