Lughnasadh

[Helen Milano]

-Need small loaf of bread on altar, cauldron decorated with grains by the East candle
-Drawing down the moon is ommited from the opening ritual.
-Hold up a dish of fruits and bread saying:
"Now do I give thanks for an abundant harvest
the seed which was planted in the spring has brought life."
-Place dish on or before altar
-Dance aroudn the circle in celebration, playing instruments and singing.
-Hold a loaf of bread aloft. Draw down the Goddess energy, invoking:
"O mighty mother of us all, bringer of all fruitfulness,
give us fruit and grain, focks and herds, and childer to the tribe,
that we may be mighty. By the rose of thy love, do though descend
upon the body of thy servent and priestess here."
-Begin the corn dance, all the while holding the loaf as a sacred object
-Holding the loaf in both hands, say:
"Thus do I strengthen my Lord
his energy resides in this bread
a record of all life that ever was
and all that is yet to come.
I eat of this bread,
that my Lord may live on,
and the wheel may turn.
-Take some of the bread to eat
-Say:
"The light does not die, it merely chanfes to another form."