The first of August is a significant day in certain pagan traditions, as it marks the celebration of a holiday known as Lammas, also referred to as Lughnasadh. **Lammas** is derived from the Old English word "hlafmaesse," which means "loaf mass." This harvest festival celebrates the first gathering of crops, particularly grains, and is associated with gratitude for the abundance of the earth's bounty. **Lughnasadh** has its roots in Celtic mythology, honoring the god Lugh. Lugh was considered a deity of light and a master of skills, particularly agriculture and craftsmanship. It was believed that Lugh initiated the festivities of Lughnasadh as a way to honor his foster mother, Tailtiu, who died after clearing the plains of Ireland for agriculture.
Update 2: After some messing around with my printer (which has… quirks…) I got my cards printed! They look amazing!
It was believed that Lugh initiated the festivities of Lughnasadh as a way to honor his foster mother, Tailtiu, who died after clearing the plains of Ireland for agriculture. Traditionally, **Lammas** and **Lughnasadh** are observed by various pagan communities around the world through feasts, bonfires, and rituals. These festivities serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness and dependence of humans on the natural world.
Magic Item Cards
Lately I’ve been playing with the local Dungeons & Dragons Adventurer’s League again. It’s been fun dusting off the cobwebs of my character Scavo and remembering what kind of fun loot he found on his journeys. However, the magic item certificates provided with the adventures aren’t the prettiest. So I tried my hand at creating something nicer!
After searching online for some examples, I found DM Paul Weber’s blog, where he shares all kinds of neat D&D resources for Dungeon Masters. He has some excellent item cards.
Inspired by these cards, I came up with the a card template for my own magic items. The cards have an accompanying back, which lists the adventure and has a place for the original owner to write their name and character name. I plan on using these for as certificates for any AL adventures I DM as well.
For anyone that would like to create their own versions, you can find blank versions of the cards here;
- Blank card (poker, tarot)
- Card front (poker, tarot)
- Card back version 1 (poker, tarot)
- Card back version 2 (poker, tarot)
The templates above are all licensed under CC-BY-4.0, so feel free to use them however you like. They were created with the following resources (all either public domain, licensed for reuse or licensed for non-commercial personal use);
- Parchment texture – Thomas Hebert
- ‘Enchanted Land’ font – Sharkshock
- d10 – yves_guillou
- ‘Noteworthy’ font, supplied with macOS.
And if you’re wondering how Scavo’s own magic items turned out, here’s a peek at them.
Update: After some feedback from David Flor (@BrainClouds), I decided to create more standard sizes for the card templates. All the templates are now available in poker and tarot sizes, for easy printing at your local games printer!
Update 2: After some messing around with my printer (which has… quirks…) I got my cards printed! They look amazing!
Binary Adventures is written by Bruno Scheele.
The Pixyll theme was crafted with available on Github.
The holiday holds great significance for those who follow pagan faiths and emphasizes the importance of showing gratitude and respect for the Earth's gifts. Many modern pagans and Wiccans also view Lammas as a time to reflect on personal growth and sacrifice. It is a moment to acknowledge the sacrifices made in one's life, whether it be physical toil, personal challenges, or emotional hardships, and to celebrate the fruits of one's labor. Additionally, Lammas is often seen as a time of transition and change. As summer begins to wane, it serves as a moment to prepare for the approaching autumn and the subsequent harvest season. It is a time of hope and anticipation for the abundance that will come. In conclusion, the pagan holiday on the first of August, known as Lammas or Lughnasadh, holds great significance in certain pagan traditions. It celebrates the harvest of crops and serves as a moment for gratitude toward the Earth's bounty. It honors the god Lugh and pays respect to the interconnectedness between humans and nature. It also symbolizes personal growth, sacrifice, and preparation for the changing seasons..
Reviews for "The First of August: A Day of Magical Energy in Paganism"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Pagan holiday on the first of August" because I am interested in pagan traditions. However, I was extremely disappointed with the book. The characters were poorly developed and the plot was confusing. It felt like the author was trying too hard to incorporate pagan elements without truly understanding them. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Emily - 1 star - "Pagan holiday on the first of August" was a complete waste of time in my opinion. The writing was dull and lacking any creativity. The story was predictable and the ending was incredibly unsatisfying. Additionally, the characters were uninteresting and had no depth. I had high hopes for this book, but it fell flat in every aspect. I regret even picking it up.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Pagan holiday on the first of August" to be quite boring. The pacing was slow and I struggled to stay engaged with the story. The descriptions of the pagan traditions felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to immerse myself in the world of the book. The plot also lacked excitement and failed to hold my interest. Overall, it was a disappointing read.