Lammas Associations

Lammas, typically celebrated on August 1st in the northern hemisphere (February 1 in the southern hemisphere), is a festival of abundance, gratitude, and transformation. As the first harvest festival (of three) on the Wheel of the Year, it marks a time when the fruits of summer's labor are gathered and communities come together to honor the earth's generosity. The second harvest festival is Mabon, and the third is Samhain.

Traditionally, this festival has been associated with grains like wheat, barley, and oats, which symbolize sustenance and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. But beyond grains, Lammas is rich with meaningful symbols, including sacred herbs, protective crystals, and the warm, golden hues of late summer. Each of these elements plays a role in Lammas traditions, reinforcing the themes of prosperity, protection, and the transition from the peak of summer to the first whispers of autumn.

In this post, we'll explore the many associations of Lammas, from the plants and foods that nourish us to the spiritual tools that help us connect with the energy of the season. Whether you're looking to incorporate Lammas herbs into your rituals, decorate your altar with harvest-themed crystals, or simply deepen your understanding of this sacred time, these associations offer insight into the deeper meaning of the festival. By embracing these symbols, we honor the cycles of nature, the year's harvest, and the abundance that sustains us.

What is the Wheel of the Year?

The Wheel of the Year is a sacred cycle of seasonal festivals that marks the changing spiritual energies of nature throughout the year. Rooted in ancient pagan and agricultural traditions, it consists of eight festivals—four solar events (the solstices and equinoxes) and four cross-quarter celebrations at halfway points between them. Each festival reflects the rhythms of nature, from the rebirth of the sun at Yule to the height of the sun's energy at the summer solstice to the quiet introspection of Samhain.

The Wheel serves as a guide for living in harmony with nature's cycles, honoring themes of personal growth, harvest, rest, and renewal. Whether observed through rituals, gods and goddesses, great feasts, or personal reflection, the Wheel of the Year offers a meaningful way to connect with the ever-turning dance of the seasons. (More on the Wheel of the Year here.)

Lammas Crystals 

Lammas crystals remind us of wealth, happiness, and other forms of abundance.

Citrine

Citrine is a crystal closely connected to Lammas, embodying the energies of abundance, prosperity, and the golden warmth of the harvest season. Its golden yellow and orange hues mirror ripened grains, loaves of bread, and the lingering power of the summer sun, making it a perfect stone for celebrating the first harvest.

Citrine is often used in Lammas rituals to attract success, encourage gratitude, and amplify the joy of reaping the rewards of one's hard work. It is also known as a stone of manifestation, helping individuals set intentions for continued growth and abundance as the seasons begin to shift. Whether placed on an altar, carried as a personal talisman, or incorporated into Lammas decorations, citrine serves as a reminder to embrace the blessings of the present while preparing for the transition into autumn.

Amber

Amber is a powerful symbol of Lammas, representing warmth, protection, and the energy of the harvest sun. As a fossilized resin, amber carries the essence of ancient trees, embodying the wisdom of nature and the cycles of life, death, and renewal—key themes of the Lammas festival. Its golden hues reflect grains, loaves of bread, and the summer sun, making it a fitting stone for honoring abundance and gratitude.

Amber is often used in Lammas rituals for protection, prosperity, and grounding, helping individuals stay connected to the earth's energy as the seasons begin to shift. Whether worn as jewelry, placed on altars, or used in meditation, amber serves as a reminder of the sun's life-giving power and the importance of embracing both the rewards of the present and the transitions to come.

Tiger's Eye

Tiger's Eye is a stone closely associated with Lammas, symbolizing strength, confidence, and the balance between work and reward. Tiger's Eye is often used in Lammas rituals to promote courage and determination, qualities needed to finish the hard work of the harvest season and prepare for the months ahead.

It is also believed to bring prosperity and protection, helping individuals remain grounded and focused as the seasons begin to change. Whether carried as a personal talisman, placed on an altar, or used in meditation, Tiger's Eye serves as a reminder of resilience, gratitude, and the strength found in nature's cycles.

Lammas Herbs and Plants

Lammas, the festival of the first harvest, is deeply connected to the natural world, making herbs and plants an essential part of its celebrations. Many of the herbs associated with Lammas are those that thrive in late summer, symbolizing abundance, protection, and spiritual transformation.

Grains like barley and oats take center stage, representing nourishment and the cycle of life, while herbs such as rosemary and sage are used for their protective and cleansing properties. Flowers like sunflowers and marigolds bring the energy of the sun, reinforcing themes of warmth and gratitude. Fruits and vegetables, including apples, blackberries (wild berries if you can swing it), and corn, also play a role in Lammas feasts.

Whether used in cooking, rituals, or decorations, these plants serve as powerful symbols of growth, renewal, and the transition from summer to autumn.

Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb deeply connected to Lammas, symbolizing remembrance, protection, and the blessings of the harvest season. As an herb that thrives in the warmth of summer, rosemary aligns with the themes of growth and vitality celebrated during Lammas. Traditionally, it was used in cooking to season freshly baked breads and harvest feasts, enhancing the flavors of the first grains and vegetables gathered from the fields.

Its scent is believed to sharpen the mind and strengthen memory, making it a fitting addition to any Lammas feast that celebrates the past season's efforts and the cycle of life, death, and renewal.

Beyond its culinary uses, rosemary carries deep spiritual significance in Lammas traditions. It has long been regarded as a protective herb, often burned as incense or placed on altars to purify sacred spaces and bless the harvest. Some practitioners weave rosemary into wreaths or bundles to bring good fortune and ward off negativity as the seasons begin to shift.

Because Lammas is a time of gratitude and transition, rosemary's association with remembrance serves as a reminder to honor both the sacrifices made for the harvest and the intentions set for the coming months. Whether used in feasts, rituals, or decorations, rosemary embodies the wisdom, strength, and continuity that Lammas represents.

Sage

Sage is closely associated with Lammas as a symbol of wisdom, protection, and purification, aligning with the festival's themes of transition and gratitude. As the first harvest is gathered and the seasons begin to shift, sage is often used in rituals to cleanse spaces, objects, and people, ensuring that negative energies do not carry into the coming months.

Sage's aroma is believed to promote clarity and insight, making it a valuable herb for reflection and setting intentions during Lammas celebrations. In addition to its spiritual uses, sage is also incorporated into harvest feasts, adding flavor to breads and roasted dishes while carrying the symbolic meaning of sustenance and healing.

Whether burned as incense, placed on altars, or used in seasonal cooking, sage serves as a reminder of the wisdom gained through the cycles of nature and the importance of honoring both the past and the future during this sacred time.

Wheat

Wheat is one of the most significant symbols of Lammas, as it represents abundance and the first grain harvest. The festival marks the time when its crops are gathered, signaling the beginning of the harvest season. As one of the oldest cultivated grains, wheat has long been associated with sustenance, survival, and prosperity.

During Lammas, the freshly harvested crops are often baked into loaves of bread, which are blessed and shared in gratitude for nature's bounty. This act of baking and breaking blessed bread reflects the themes of community, generosity, and the cycle of life, as the grain is cut down to provide nourishment for all.

Spiritually, wheat holds deep significance in Lammas traditions, symbolizing sacrifice and renewal. Many myths surrounding the harvest feature a dying-and-reborn god, who is "cut down" to sustain life and ensure future growth.

Some pagans and Wiccans create crops-based decorations, such as corn dolls, to honor the harvest deities and bring blessings for the coming months. The golden color of bread also aligns with the energy of the sun, which is still strong but beginning to wane as autumn approaches. As a symbol of both physical nourishment and spiritual transformation, wheat embodies the essence of Lammas, reminding people to give thanks for the fruits of their labor while preparing for the changing seasons ahead.

Oats

Oats are one of the staple crops harvested during this time. They have historically been a vital crop, providing nourishment and sustenance for both people and livestock. In many agrarian cultures, the first sheaves of oats were gathered and used in celebratory breads, porridges, and offerings to honor the land's abundance.

The resilience of oats, which can thrive in harsher climates, symbolizes endurance and the rewards of patience and hard work—key themes of Lammas. Their presence in the harvest reinforces the importance of gratitude and the recognition that nature's gifts sustain life through the changing seasons.

Beyond their role as a physical food source, oats carry spiritual significance in Lammas traditions. In some practices, oat stalks are woven into charms or used in rituals to bring prosperity and protection for the coming months. They are often included in harvest decorations, representing fertility and the cycle of renewal.

The act of cutting and threshing oats also mirrors the sacred cycle of sacrifice and rebirth found in Lammas mythology, where the grain god is symbolically "cut down" to ensure the survival of the community. As a symbol of both physical and spiritual nourishment, oats embody the essence of Lammas—a time to celebrate nature's generosity and prepare for the seasons ahead.

Barley

Barley is a key grain associated with Lammas, symbolizing abundance, sustenance, and the rewards of the first harvest. As one of the oldest cultivated grains, barley has long been a staple food, used to make bread, porridge, and ale—important elements of Lammas feasting and celebrations.

In ancient times, barley was among the first grains harvested, marking the transition from summer's growth to the gathering of essential resources for the coming months. The act of harvesting barley reflects the themes of gratitude and preparation, as communities once relied on its nourishment to sustain them through the changing seasons.

Barley's golden stalks, ripened under the summer sun, embody the warmth and energy of the season while reminding people of the sacred balance between work, sacrifice, and reward.

Beyond is often associated with deities of agriculture and fertility, including the Celtic god Lugh. Some Lammas rituals include offerings of barley to the earth or the weaving of barley stalks into decorations to bring prosperity and protection for the future. Barley's transformation into bread and ale also symbolizes alchemy and renewal, as the raw grain is turned into something that nourishes both body and spirit.

Just as the grain is cut down to provide sustenance, Lammas teaches the lesson of giving and receiving, honoring the natural cycles of life. In this way, barley stands as a powerful emblem of the harvest season, embodying the gratitude, abundance, and wisdom that Lammas represents.

Marigolds

Marigolds are strongly associated with Lammas, symbolizing the warmth of the sun, abundance, and protection. Their vibrant golden and orange hues reflect the ripened fields of grain and the lingering summer light, making them a perfect flower for celebrating the first harvest.

In many traditions, marigolds are believed to bring prosperity and positive energy, making them a common addition to Lammas altars, wreaths, and decorations. They are also used in rituals for protection and blessing, as their bright petals are thought to ward off negativity and invite good fortune.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are a powerful symbol of Lammas, representing the energy of the sun, abundance, and the cycle of growth and renewal. Their bright yellow petals and towering presence reflect the peak of summer's warmth while also signaling the gradual transition toward autumn.

Just as the sun begins to wane after Lammas, sunflowers turn their faces toward the light, embodying themes of resilience and gratitude. They are often used in Lammas decorations, altars, and rituals to honor the life-giving power of the sun and to attract prosperity for the coming months. Additionally, their seeds, which will later be harvested and replanted, symbolize the never-ending cycle of life, making sunflowers a perfect reminder of the balance between giving and receiving during this sacred festival.

Lammas Colors

Lammas is associated with warm, earthy colors that reflect the ripening fields and the golden glow of late summer. The most common colors tied to this harvest festival include:

Gold/Yellow

Representing the sun at its peak and the ripened grains ready for harvest, gold and yellow symbolize abundance, prosperity, and the warmth of the season.

Orange

A color of transformation and energy, orange reflects the changing time of year as summer begins to shift toward autumn. It also represents creativity and vitality.

Red

Symbolizing strength, passion, and the fire of the sun, red is sometimes used in Lammas decorations and rituals to honor the sacrifice of the grain and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Brown

Representing the fertile dirt and the grounding energy of the season, brown is a reminder of the connection to nature and the importance of gratitude for the land's gifts.

These colors are often incorporated into Lammas altars, decorations, and ritual attire to align with the themes of harvest, gratitude, and the turning of the seasons.

Lammas Elements

Lammas is primarily associated with the element of Earth, as it is a festival centered around the harvest and the abundance of the land. The grains, fruits, and vegetables gathered during this time all come from the earth's nourishment, making it a time to honor fertility, growth, and sustenance. The element of earth represents stability, grounding, and material wealth—all of which align with the themes of Lammas, as people give thanks for the food that will sustain them through the coming months.

Fire is also a significant element in Lammas celebrations. As a festival tied to the Celtic sun god Lugh, Lammas carries the energy of the sun at its peak, symbolizing warmth, transformation, and the power of the harvest. Bonfires were traditionally lit during this time, serving as a way to honor the sun and to purify and bless the gathered crops. Fire's presence in Lammas rituals represents passion, strength, and the cycle of sacrifice and renewal—just as the grain is cut down to provide sustenance, making way for new life to emerge.

Lammas Symbols

Here are a couple of other symbols often associated with Lammas.

Cornucopias

Though primarily associated with Mabon, the cornucopia, or "horn of plenty," is also a fitting symbol for Lammas. Representing abundance and nourishment, the cornucopia is often depicted overflowing with grains, fruits, and vegetables—just as Lammas celebrates nature's bounty.

As people gather the first crops of wheat, barley, and corn, the cornucopia serves as a reminder of nature's generosity and the rewards of hard work and dedication. Its horn-shaped design also reflects the connection between the harvest and ancient deities of fertility and prosperity, reinforcing the idea that Lammas is a time of gratitude and preparation for the months ahead.

Beyond its association with physical abundance, the cornucopia embodies the cycle of giving and receiving, as well as the importance of honoring the land's gifts. Some practitioners use the cornucopia in rituals, filling it with symbolic offerings to express gratitude and ensure continued prosperity.

The overflowing nature of the horn also represents the idea of sharing, emphasizing the communal aspect of Lammas, where people historically came together to celebrate and distribute the harvest.

Wheat Stalks

Wheat stalks are a powerful symbol of Lammas. They represent abundance, sustenance, and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. As the golden fields are cut down to provide nourishment, they remind people of the sacrifices made for survival and the gratitude owed to nature's bounty. The harvest during Lammas is also a recognition of the balance between giving and receiving, as communities once came together to reap what they had sown through the season's labor.

Combining the Lammas Elements

Incorporating the many associations of Lammas into your celebration can deepen your connection to this sacred festival, the gods and goddesses you associate with the season, and the cycles of nature. Start by embracing the harvest's bounty by decorating your space with grains like wheat, barley, and oats, which symbolize abundance and the rewards of hard work. You can bake bread using freshly harvested grains as an offering of gratitude or create a cornucopia filled with fruits, vegetables, and herbs such as rosemary and sage to honor the earth's generosity.

Setting up an altar with Lammas colors—gold, orange, red, and brown—along with seasonal flowers like sunflowers and marigolds, can enhance the energy of the celebration and reflect the warmth of the summer sun.

Crystals can also be powerful additions to your Lammas rituals, reinforcing the themes of prosperity, protection, and transformation. Placing these stones on your altar, carrying them throughout the day, or meditating with them during your Lammas rituals can help you align with the festival's energies and embrace the lessons of the season.

Finally, Lammas is a time for reflection and gratitude, making it a perfect opportunity to engage in spiritual practices that honor both the past and the future. Consider writing down your accomplishments from the past season, finding a way to celebrate them, and setting new intentions for the harvest ahead.

You can also perform a simple fire ritual by lighting a candle and meditating on what you are ready to release and what you wish to manifest. Sharing a meal with loved ones, offering thanks for the abundance you celebrate, and spending time in nature can further connect you to the essence of Lammas.

By weaving together the festival's associations—grains, herbs, crystals, colors, and rituals—you create a meaningful celebration that honors both the physical and spiritual gifts of the harvest season.

Happy Lammas!

More on Lammas

Now that you have your Lammas correspondences ready to go, do you want to explore more about the holiday?

About Lammas: The first of three harvest festivals on the Wheel of the Year!

How to Celebrate Lammas: Baking, harvesting, harvest foods, and more!

The Celtic God Lugh

The god Lugh: Meet the Celtic god Lugh, who can help you celebrate Lughnasadh--or Lammas.

Lammas Reflections

Lammas meditation: A meditation to celebrate Lammas

Lammas journal prompts: 25 journal prompts to reflect with during Lammas

Introducing Our New Book!

The Lammas Companion: Spells, meditations, coloring pages, and more.