Lammas 2003
Something Old, Something New This Year at the
Annual Lammas Games!
Preparing for Lammas
Seeds for Change and Contemplation
SEF Midsummer Circle in Worcester
News from our Members
First in the SEF Crafty-craft series - Brewing for Samhain: Sunday Oct 19, 1-4pm
The following clergy are available through the Society of Elder Faiths:
By Jennifer
At this year's Lammas Games on August 10 in Hopkinton, MA at the Metro West YMCA
Camp's Camp Carol Pavilion, there will be a few new features, namely the Arts &
Crafts display (actually back by popular demand from many years ago), and swimming
for those who want to beat the August heat.
Artists, crafters, gardeners, and others with something nifty to show off are invited
to bring up to three "fruits of your labor" to the Art & Craft hut. Bring arts
(painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, etc.) and crafts (sewing/quilting,
handicrafts, etc.), as well as seasonal "bounty from the garden", i.e. anything
you have made or grown -- even your prize-winning eggplant is welcome! (We hear that
a newly published author in our midst might bring a copy of her book.) We will have
some tables and "pegboard" display boards on hand, and can also hang art on the walls
of the hut. If you have display stands for your work, feel free to bring them along.
If any of the displayed pieces are for sale, you may include an index card listing
their prices. All ages are welcome to participate in the Arts & Crafts show.
Come prepared to cool off in the pool, too. A lifeguard will be provided.
Do bring your swimsuits and towels; the YMCA site is NOT clothing-optional.
Other nice features of the Metro West YMCA site are the walking trails, small
playground area for children, and picnic pavilion with tables and barbecue grill (so
bring your lunch).
The Lammas Games are a recreation of the Celtic tradition of games and competition
at the summer gathering of the tribes in honor of Lugh, the God of All Skills.
They have been held locally each year for more than 10 years (we’ve lost count!)
and continue to feature inventive games for all ages. For more information about
the games, directions to the YMCA site, and photos from previous years’ games,
please see our website:
We are really looking forward to trying out the new YMCA site, and we hope you will
join us on August 10!
by Morwynna
From the Saxon "hlaf maesse" or "loaf
blessing", Lammas marks the beginning
of the harvest season with the first harvest
of grains.
At this season, games grew out of the
natural competition of those performing
physical work together in the fields. Many
of the Highland Games and Fair Games
test skills which were necessary for
farming, livestock raising, or hunting:
strength, agility, speed, coordination.
Each person competing in these events
was showing off his or her ability to
provide food, shelter, and protection for
the clan, tribe, or family (especially as
prospective spouses might be observing).
State and county fairs today still combine
many elements of these customs. They
feature games, races, sporting events,
and competition in practical skills such as
cooking, sewing, animal husbandry, and
horticulture. They are gathering spots for
people from all over a large geographical
area, and provide entertainment in
celebration of the abundance of the
harvest.
The name "Lughnasadh" for this festival
comes from the Keltic god Lugh, who was
skilled in many different crafts. He
instituted celebration and games in
memory of his foster-mother and teacher,
Tailltiu. This was also the festival that
marked the gathering of the tribes at high
summer: marriages were arranged, trial
marriages begun, and alliances between
clans were formed or strengthened.
Lammas drawing © Jennifer
By Thea
On Sunday, June 27, 2003 Morwynna, Gwydion and Thea attended the second Seeds of Change
Day at Brigham Hill Community Farm in Grafton. The day’s activities were led by Ruuana
(originator and coordinator of the Seeds of Change project.) Thankfully the recent heat
wave had subsided and the day’s temperatures were in the 80’s. Gratefully, we were
somewhat shielded from the still quite strong sun by a thin layer of clouds. Among the
rows of broccoli flitted dainty fey-like white butterflies. Walking past the already
planted rows of broccoli gave one a positive incentive and sense of hope when passing
through the field to the place where the day’s work was to be done. The plants were already
vital and strong.Ruuana and Gwydion created the holes for planting and Morwynna and Thea
inserted the young fledgling plants into the holes and worked with the Earth to secure the
plants in the ground. The Earth was soft, warm and rather moist. At times it was tinged
with the scent of fresh manure. The smells were invigorating. The Earth felt alive,
nurturing and warm as we stabilized the plants into the ground.Birds of all sorts flew by
as we worked. I could hear a cardinal all throughout the day. The day was the 11th
anniversary of my mother’s passing and I felt her with me in the warmth of the sun, the
intermittent cool breezes, the feeling of “aliveness” in the Earth, but most especially
in the cardinal’s song. It felt wonderfully gratifying to be passing along my love and
energy to people in need through this day of direct contact with the Great Mother. An
interesting side note to the day was that when I was on the borderline of sleep and waking
that night, I had a lucid psychic exchange with a very female primal presence.
My mother or THE Mother, Creatrix of All? It was both I believe. It was an extremely
successful and productive day. In total we planted 250 broccoli plants for the Seeds of
Change project. We’re helping people less fortunate than ourselves in the name of the Lady,
and in the process receiving positive gratification and genuine healing for ourselves.
We sincerely hope that you will join us next time around.Directions to the barn can be
found at
By Jennifer
On June's rainy Friday the 13th, Elizabeth and I led an SEF-sponsored open Midsummer ritual
at Taproot Bookstore in Worcester. Five guests turned out and even though three of them said
they had never taken part in any kind of Wiccan or Pagan circle, we raised wonderfully strong
energy and swapped lots of interesting stories and questions about magical experiences over
cakes and juice at the end of the ritual. The rite primarily invoked the Solar deity,
who would soon reach His highest point of power at Midsummer. A Solar candle was lit and
a chant about the turning point of the year was sung during the power raising: "Can you see
the seeds of darkness in the brightness of the day, and the power of renewal in the process
of decay."
Lammas: Friday July 25, 7:30 PM
Autumn: Sunday Sept. 14, 2:00 PM
Samhain: Friday Oct. 24, 7:30 PM, and
Yule: Friday December 12, 7:30 PM.
SEF Member Morven Westfield has recently published her first novel, a vampire story
with a high-tech setting: Darksome Thirst. You can read about her and about her novel
at http://www.morvenwestfield.com.
This year prepare for Samhain a bit differently by learning to brew Ancestor's Ale! In this hands-on class we will prepare a special homebrew suitable for serving to your Beloved Dead at All Hallows. Besides learning all the necessary basic brewing techniques for you to start brewing at home, we'll explore the history (and current incarnations) of ritual libation pouring. You will leave this class with complete instructions for home brewing, a variety of recipes, and three bottles of Ancestor's Ale for use in your upcoming Sabbat celebrations.Cost for the workshop is $25.00 ($20.00 course fee, payable to the SEF and a $5.00 materials fee, payable to the instructor.) Additionally, all attendees are required to bring three 12 oz brown or green glass, non- screw top beer bottles. They must have had all labels removed and be completely clean.This workshop will be held in at Brigham Hill Community Farm in Grafton. For directions to the farm online, please see
A licensed Wiccan Elder, with ministerial credentials from the Covenant of the Goddess and the Society of Elder Faiths (SEF), authorized to perform legal weddings and handfastings. Also available for other religious services and Rites of Passage. Debbie Fields-Berry P.O. Box 335, B.U. Station Boston MA 02215 dberry@bu.edu 508 839-3457
I hold legal credentials through the Covenant of the Goddess and am ordained though the Society of Elder Faiths. I am willing to travel within New England and will work with people of any Neo-Pagan tradition or non-Pagans with an earth centered focus. I require an initial face to face meeting with a couple at least 2 months before a wedding. I have also performed Wiccanings and am available for other rites of passage. Peg P.O. Box 485 Upton, MA 01568-0485 meagan@control.com 508 839-3457
SEF Messenger: The Community Newsletter of the Society of Elder Faiths
Lammas 2002
Editor : Jennifer
Staff: Morwynna
© 2002 Society of Elder Faiths
SEF Members may submit news to:
news@elderfaiths.org
;
or
PO Box 30, Marlboro, MA 01752;
or
508 839-3457