Sabbats: Prepare for Lammas with Intention-Setting and Reflection

The Wheel of the Year keeps turning, and with August 1 comes Lammas, the first of the harvest festivals. This Sabbat invites us to slow down and reflect with gratitude. It’s a time to honor what’s ripened in our lives and notice what still needs care and tending.

Lammas marks that quiet moment when summer starts to shift. The days are still warm and bright, but if you’re paying attention, you can almost hear autumn whispering at the edges. It’s nature’s gentle reminder to pause, take stock, and celebrate both the work you’ve done and the growth still unfolding.

The word Lammas comes from the Old English hlāfmæsse, meaning “loaf mass.” It ties back to the old tradition of baking bread from the first grain harvest and blessing those loaves on August 1st. It was a way of giving thanks for the first fruits of the season and the hard work that made them possible.

Literature lovers might also recognize Lammas from Romeo and Juliet. Juliet’s nurse reminds us that Juliet’s birthday falls on Lammas Eve, which would be July 31st.

And for a little old-school humor, folks used to say something would happen at “latter Lammas” — basically, their version of saying, “Yeah… that’ll happen never.”

The Spiritual Energy of Lammas

Traditionally, this festival celebrates the beginning of the grain harvest, a reminder that all things grow in their own time. It’s a powerful checkpoint to reflect on what you've planted in your life this year. Where have your efforts started to bear fruit? What still needs nurturing? And maybe… what needs to be released to make space for what’s next?

Spiritually, Lammas invites us to find the sweet spot between action and patience. It's both a celebration and a gentle nudge to recommit to your goals, your growth, and your purpose.

Simple Ways to Prepare with Intention

You don’t need a big, elaborate ritual to honor this Sabbat (unless that’s your thing, in which case, go for it). Here are a few ways to slow down and connect:

1. Reflect on Your Harvest:

Grab your journal and ask: What have I created or accomplished so far this year? Where am I seeing growth? Big or small, it all counts.

2. Set Your Late-Summer Intentions

Lammas energy is perfect for intention-setting. What seeds still need your attention? What do you want to call in as the wheel turns toward the darker half of the year?

3. Give Thanks

Even if life feels chaotic, there’s always something to be grateful for. It might be a supportive friend, a new opportunity, or simply the beauty of a summer sunset. Gratitude grounds us.

4. Connect with Nature

Spend time outside. Walk barefoot on the grass, sit under a tree, or visit a local farm or garden. This season reminds us that we are part of the natural cycles too.

5. A Simple Candle Ritual

Light a candle (gold, orange, or earthy tones work beautifully) and speak your intentions aloud. Let the flame be a symbol of your focus and commitment.

A Time to Celebrate Your Effort

Lammas reminds us that growth isn’t always instant, and the most meaningful changes often happen quietly over time. So, be gentle with yourself. Celebrate what is blooming. Tend to what still needs your energy. And trust that, like the harvest, your intentions will ripen in their own time.

Wishing you a reflective, intentional, and abundant Lammas.