Also known as: LUGHNASADH, LOAFMAS, lÚNASA, LUGHNASA, LUGHNASAIR, LHUANY'S DAY, WOEDMONATH, GULE OF AUGUST, CROM BUBH SUNDAY, DOMHNACH LUGHNASA, GARLAND SUNDAY, GARLIC SUNDAY, GARDEN SUNDAY, SUNDAY OF THE NEW POTATOES, COLCANNON SUNDAY, BLACK STOOP SUNDAY, HARVEST SUNDAY, DONAGFH SUNDAY, BILBERRY SUNDAY, BLAEBERRY SUNDAY, HEATHERBERRY SUNDAY, MULBERRY SUNDAY, WHORT SUNDAY, HURT SUNDAY, FRAUGHAN SUNDAY, PILGRIMAGE SUNDAY, CULLEN WELL DAY, OWNA DAY

Celebrated August 1

Lammas is considered a Grand Sabbat and a Lunar Sabbat.  Sacred to the Mother Goddess, Lammas is the First Harvest and marks the beginning of Autumn. It is symbolic of the aging Sun God whose strength is declining with the decrease in the sun's rays. The Flower Maiden becomes the Harvest Mother. The Dog Star, Sirius, rises at Lammas and takes the soul of the sacrificed sacred king to the Otherworld.

It was considered unlucky to harvest fruits or potatoes before Lammas.

On this day when the first grain is gathered in, it is ground in a mill and baked in a loaf (Thus Loafmas).  Also on this day, rents, land tenure and pasture rights are settled.  Sheep and cattle fairs, tribal gatherings, hilltop gatherings and pilgrimages are held.  It was common to visit wells which were at the peak of their power on Lammas and do what was called "well-dressing".

Lammas is an ideal time for protection spells and rituals.  It is also a great time to hang crystals and suncatchers.

Lammas Fairs and Festivals:  Puck Fair (Ireland), Muff Fair (Ireland), Ram Fair (Ireland), Royal National Eisteddfod (Wales), Wake Fairs (England)

Lammas Sports and Games: Highland Games (Scotland), Grasmere Sports (England), Gerri Kilorak (Spain), Grand Wardmote (England), Horseracing (Ireland), Horse-swimming (Ireland), Ridings (England and Scotland)

Lammas Battles: Faction-fighting, Battle of the Flowers (U.K.)

Other Customs:  Quarter Day Legalities (England and Scotland), Rush-Bearing (England), Telltown Marriages, Handfasting, Wife-selling, Queensferry Burryman and the Ferry Fair (Scotland), Bilberry Sunday (Ireland), Cally Sunday, Blessing of First Fruits (France), Marie au Blé (France), Marymass (Scotland), Crom Dubh Sunday (Ireland).