~*Lughnasadh*~
Place upon the altar sheaves of wheat, barley or oats, fruit and breads, perhaps a loaf fashioned in the fugure of the Sun or a man to represent the God. Corn dolls, symbolic of the Goddess, can be present there as well.
Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the circle.
Recite the Blessing Chant.
Invoke the Goddess & God.
Stand before the altar, holding aloft the sheaves of grain, saying these or similar words:

Now is the time of the First Harvest,
when the ounties of nature give of themselves
so the we may survive.
O God of the ripening fileds, Lord of the Grain,
Grant me the understandinf of sacrifice as you prepare to deliver yourself under the sickle of the
Goddess and journey to the lands of enternal summer.
O Goddess of the Dark Moon,
Teach me the seacrets of rebirth
as the Sun loses its strength and the night grow cold.

Rub the heads of the wheat with your fingers so that the grains fall onthe the altar.
Lift a piece of fruit and bite it, savoring its flavor, and say:

I partake of the first harves, mising its energies
with mine and I may continue my quest for the starry wisdom of perfection.
O Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun,
gracious ones before Whom the stars halt their courses,
I offer my thanks for the continuing feritily of the Earth.May the nodding grain loose its seeds to be guried in the Mother's breast, ensuring rebirth in the warmth
of the coming spring.

Conusme the rest of the fruite.

Works of magick, if mecesssary, may follow.
Celebrate the Simple Feast.
The circle is released.
Ritural from:
Wicca, A guide for the Solitary Pracitioner
BY:
Scott Cunningham
Refer to the correspondences page for candles and incense to use in this rite.
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