Lammas - a Time for Reaping and Reflection
- Chrissie Mowbray
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
As we welcome the start of a new month, if we are mindful, we begin to notice subtle changes in the air. The mornings hold a gentle coolness, and the light carries a soft, golden glow.
This is Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh - the first of the ancient harvest festivals which is traditionally celebrated on August 1st.
Lammas marks the halfway point between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox. Its name is derived from the Old English hlaf-mas, meaning "loaf mass", signifying the offering of the first loaf made from the newly harvested grain. It is a time of abundance, transition and expressing gratitude - an opportunity to pause and reflect upon what it is that we are harvesting in our own lives.
Honouring the Turning of the Wheel
Lammas is a Gaelic festival and has long been a celebration of grain, growth, and gratitude. With its origins primarily in The British Isles, traditionally, communities gathered to bake bread, host feasts, and offer thanks for the bounty of the land. The festival was also an opportunity to acknowledge effort and reward, both individually and collectively. It recognised that we reap what we sow -physically, emotionally, and spiritually - a message which is echoed across many cultures all over the world.
Modern life can appear to rarely afford us time to acknowledge natural transitions, but by recognising the seasonal rhythms that underpin our lives, we can gently tend to our own resilience and wellbeing. Aligning with these natural cycles reminds us that we, too, move through phases of energy, growth, rest, and renewal.
A Time for Reflection and Pause
At Resilient Practice, we often talk about the power of intentional pause. Lammas offers a gentle invitation to reflect on the year so far.
What seeds have you planted?
What is beginning to bear fruit?
What, did not grow as intended?
What needs to be pruned or purged to make room for new growth?
By creating space for these questions, we honour both our efforts and limitations with compassion.
How to Celebrate Lammas for Tending to Self
You don’t need a field of wheat or a stone circle to connect with Lammas. Here are some simple ways to embrace the spirit of the season:
1. Bake Something with Intention
Whether it’s bread, a cake, or even a simple meal - make something from scratch. As you knead, stir, or chop, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve created in your life so far this year.
"What do I want to celebrate today?"
This act of mindful creation brings us into the present, grounding us in gratitude.
2. Journal Your Harvest
Set aside 10 minutes to write about what you’ve ‘harvested’ in 2025. Think broadly: relationships, lessons learned, projects completed, boundaries maintained. Be honest and compassionate.
"What am I most proud of?"
This process encourages self-recognition and awareness of growth.
3. Light a Candle or Small Fire
Fire is symbolic of transformation. Lighting a candle can become a powerful ritual - are you releasing something that no longer serves you, setting an intention for the months ahead, or illuminating something that until now has been residing in darkness?
"What can I let go of to lighten my load?"
Rituals like this help bring clarity and emotional release.
4. Walk Mindfully in Nature
A walk with presence and awareness without rumination can reconnect you with your environment and inner Self. Notice ripening fruits, rustling fields, or the colours of the light. As nature begins its slow turn toward autumn, ask:
"Where am I being invited to slow down?"
Even 10 minutes of nature connection can improve mood, reduce stress hormones, and foster nourishing perspectives.
A Season for Gratitude and Gentle Action
Lammas is not a festival of explosive activity. It is a soft pause—a moment to take stock, give thanks, and adjust your course. In a world that often demands constant productivity, this simple, seasonal acknowledgement can be a radical act of Self-care.
As the wheel of the year turns, let us ask ourselves:
“What am I harvesting, and how can I honour it?”
For more insights and a host of tools and techniques for exploring the Self and improving your human experience see our book:
I absolutely love this article. It not only fully embraces such a wonderful time of year, which Lammas is, but outlines the opportunities that come with it. To pause and take stock of life, appreciate all we can be grateful for, to focus on our own personal development, to learn from nature and all the amazing things it offers to us and how by celebrating Lammas in very simple ways we can tenderly nurture and heal ourselves. Thank you so much 🙏