Practical magic Hermoasa is a concept that combines both practicality and mysticism to create a powerful magical experience. It emphasizes the use of everyday objects and rituals to manifest desired outcomes. This concept is based on the belief that magic can be accessible and practical, rather than something reserved for rare moments or special occasions. The term "Hermoasa" originates from the Spanish language, translating to "beautiful." In the context of practical magic, it symbolizes the beauty that can be found in the simplicity of everyday objects and rituals. Practical magic Hermoasa encourages individuals to find magic in the ordinary, to embrace the mysticism that exists within the mundane.
Lammas is one of the four “Greater Sabbats,” making it one of the most important days on the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. It is the cross-quarter day between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, and it marks the beginning of the harvest season. Though it’s often the hottest part of the Summer, this is also the moment when the first hints of Autumn are perceptible—the first grains are ready to be harvested, the trees begin dropping their fruits, and the ever-shortening daylight becomes more apparent with each sunset. At this time we give thanks for the abundance of the past growing season and look forward to the remaining weeks of light and warmth as we continue reaping what we have sown.
Irish legend has it that the festival originated with Lugh himself, when he held a funeral feast and sporting competition to honor his foster mother, Tailtiu. Lammas rituals are related to harvest and gratitude, and recognizing the manifestations of our intentions that have unfolded so far during the course of the year.
Practical magic Hermoasa encourages individuals to find magic in the ordinary, to embrace the mysticism that exists within the mundane. It teaches that magic is not confined to elaborate ceremonies or rare tools but can be found in the simple act of lighting a candle, brewing herbal tea, or arranging crystals on a mantel. This concept emphasizes the importance of intention and focus in magic.
Lughnasa - How to celebrate the ancient Celtic festival
As the exact Lughnasadh date may fall anytime between August 1 and August 12, IrishCentral has your definitive guide for all the best ways to celebrate the Lughnasadh festival.
Lughnasadh date
Lughnasa marks the beginning of autumn (fall). It is the beginning of the harvest season and celebrates the decline of summer into winter. The old Celtic pagan festival lasted a month, with August 1 at its midpoint, but is currently most often celebrated on the Sunday closest to that date.
Celtic festivals and rituals typically center around the assurance of a bountiful harvest and the celebration of the harvest cycle.
There is often much confusion surrounding Lammas/Lughnasa because of the variety of names and the differing dates on which it is celebrated.
When the Gregorian system was adopted in Ireland in 1782, 11 days had to be dropped to make the calendar astronomically correct. This led to the festival being celebrated on either the 1st or the 12th of August, called respectively New Style and Old Style Lughnasa.
To further complicate matters, many Lammas/Lughnasa festivities became appropriated to Christian saints’ days or the nearest Sunday.
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Lughnasadh festival traditions
Folklore survivals of Lughnasa are celebrated under a wide variety of names, such as Bilberry Sunday, Garland Sunday, and Domhnach Crom Dubh (‘Crom Dubh Sunday’), depending on the locality, at various dates between mid-July and mid-August.
The name Bilberry Sunday comes from a tradition of gathering bilberries (blueberries) at this time. If the bilberries were bountiful, the crops would be also. This is also the feast of the first grain harvest. Though the exact date of the festival varies, in the old days it was held anywhere from August 1 to August 14. Often, it began at sundown of the previous evening, or July 31, since the Celts measure their days from sundown to sundown.
Garland Sunday is so-called because garlands of flowers and greenery are usually placed around most of the Holy Wells. These wells are found throughout Ireland and are most often dedicated to the patron saint of the parish. This day also marked the end of the ‘hungry season' as people were now confident there’d be plenty of new potatoes, freshly baked bread, and baskets brimming with berries.
Read more
- The eight sacred Celtic holidays of the year
Lughnasadh recipe
Nothing reminds us more of summer than a freshly baked blueberry pie full of big and plump, sweet and juicy berries. The important thing to remember when making any fruit pie is to start with good-quality fruit. If using cultivated blueberries make sure they are firm, plump, fragrant, and dark blue with a dusty white bloom. The white bloom is the blueberry’s natural protection against the sun and is a sign of freshness.
Blueberry pie recipe for Lughnasadh
Ingredients:
- 5 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 (15 ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Method:
Sprinkle berries with lemon juice; set aside.
Fit half of pastry in a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions.
Combine 1 cup sugar and next 3 ingredients; add to berries, stirring well.
Pour into pastry shell, and dot with butter.
Unfold remaining pastry on a lightly floured surface; roll gently with rolling pin to remove creases in pastry.
Place pastry over filling; seal and crimp edges.
Cut slits in top of crust to allow steam to escape.
Brush top of pastry with beaten egg, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar
Bake at 400° for 35 minutes or until golden.
Cover edges with aluminum foil to prevent over browning, if necessary.
Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
* Originally published in 2015. Updated in 2023.
Wiccan mythology holds that the God’s power begins to wane at this time, as the days grow shorter and the crops are ready to be cut down. In some traditions, the Sun God actually infuses the grain with his power, and so is sacrificed, in a sense, when the grain is harvested. This grain is then used to bake the first bread from the year’s crop, which in earlier times would then be taken to a church and laid on the altar to be blessed. This custom is a good example of how pagan religions and Christianity were able to coexist and even commingle for a time. The name “Lammas” actually comes from this tradition, taken from an old Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning “loaf mass.”
Through focused intention, individuals can harness energy and direct it towards their desired goals. Practical magic Hermoasa encourages practitioners to set clear intentions and goals, and then utilize everyday objects and rituals to bring these intentions to fruition. For example, a practitioner might want to attract more love into their life. They could use a simple and practical ritual like lighting a pink candle, writing their desires on a piece of paper, and placing it under the candle. Through this ritual, they are infusing their intention into the object (the candle) and allowing it to manifest their desires into reality. Practical magic Hermoasa is not about grand gestures or extravagant displays of power. It is about recognizing the inherent magic that exists in the world and within ourselves. It encourages individuals to tap into their own innate power and utilize it to create positive change in their lives. In conclusion, practical magic Hermoasa is a concept that emphasizes the practicality and accessibility of magic. It encourages individuals to find beauty and power in everyday objects and rituals, and to harness their intention and focus to manifest their desired outcomes. By embracing the magic that exists in the ordinary, practitioners can create positive change in their lives and connect more deeply with the mystical forces that surround us..
Reviews for "Awakening the Witch Within: Practical Magic Practices for Self-Exploration with Hermoasa"
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