Lammas-Tide Blessings

The third great festival of the Celtic year takes place on August 1, known in Ireland as Lughnasadh, "the assembly of Lugh," one of the chief gods of the Tuatha Dé Dannan. It marks the midpoint of the summer half of the year between May and November and is the first of the three autumn months. In the Christian era the festival on August 1 became Lammas, the name derived from hlaf-mæsse (loaf-mass), the Old English name for the feast, when a loaf made from the first ripe grain was taken to church to be consecrated upon the altar. Rosemary ~ an herbe of Lammas

All who come into contact with Rosemary are blessed with the gift of remembrance.  Rosemary tones the mental faculties of those of all ages, but of elders in particular, keeping their memories intact. Rosemary is a special ally for elderly storytellers, aiding them in accurately preserving and telling the stories which keep us linked to our heritage and help us understand the weather that have shaped our families.

The wild folk and peasants held that rosemary would only grow well in a house where women were the dominating force. Rosemary was also revered by the Spaniards as one of the bushes that gave shelter to the Virgin Mary.

Rosemary Oil

• jojoba oil or a cold-pressed organic olive oil
• fresh or dried rosemary leaves

When making an infused oil from dried leaves, fill your jar only one-third of the way, as the leaves will draw the olive oil into themselves as they impart their own volatile oils to the matrix.   Makes an excellent cooking oil. When steeped in jojoba oil helps hair grow, massage it into the scalp rather than on the hair. Baking Bread ~ a Lammas Ritual

In a large mixing bowl combine:

• 2 cps. milk warm to the touch
• 2 packages dry baking yeast
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cp. honey
• 1/4 cp. dark brown sugar

Cover bowl and set it aside in a warm place until it has doubled (about 1/2 an hour)

Add to this mixture and stir until bubbly:

• 3 tbsp. softened butter
• 2 cps. unbleached white flour
• Sprouted wheat if you wish

Then mix in:

• 1 cp. rye flour
• 2 cps. stone-ground whole wheat flour

With floured hands turn this dough out onto a floured board and gradually knead in more unbleached white flour until the dough is smooth and elastic and no longer sticks to your fingers.

Place this dough in a greased bowl, turning it so that the dough is greased, then cover it with a clean cloth and keep it in a warm place to rise until it is doubled (about an hour). Then punch it down and divide it in half. Shape it into two round, slightly flattened balls, and place it on greased cookie sheets. Cover these and return them to a warm place until they double again.

When the final rising is almost complete, with your athame incise a pentagram on the loaf with words such as:

I invoke thee beloved Spirit of the Grain Be present in this Sacred Loaf.

Beat a whole egg and a tbsp. of water together and brush this over the loaves. Bake the loaves in a 300° oven for about an hour, or until they are done and sound hollow when they are tapped.

Resources Herbal Rituals by Judith Berger Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life by Pauline Campanelli Kindling the Celtic Spirit by Mara Freeman

Illustration by: Kathy Crabbe, Lammas Blessings, 2013, watercolor and ink on paper, 8x10”. 

Kathy Crabbe is a Creative Soul Guide, artist, author and educator who has devoted her life to exploring spirituality and creativity with passion and integrity. Kathy empowers soul-seekers to live the life of their dreams through online resources, inspirational art, Divine Feminine eClasses, eBooks, and Creative Soul Readings infused with a rich background in the arts.

A Soul Reading for Jenn

*This reading is being shared with client permission*

What is a Soul Reading?

During a reading guidance is received from the Divine in response to your questions about love, career, healing, and karmic destiny. In some cases your spirit guides and ancestors will also pop in to say hello and share a message or two.

I work to prepare myself energetically and physically through yoga, meditation and chakra balancing. I work with oracle cards of my own design along with healing crystals in response to your questions. I request from Spirit an open heart and a clear channel to provide you with information that is only of the highest, deepest and most profound good for your soul. My style of reading is down-to earth, honest, and informative with conscientious follow-up!

You can purchase a soul reading here.
You can read what clients are saying about their readings here.

A Soul Reading (no questions) for Jenn

- I was immediately drawn towards my Fairy Herbal Healing deck for your reading and I pulled a card called “Fennel.”

Fennel is nourishing and sustaining, like mother’s milk. It also helps to open a person up to the delights of the body. It can be soothing and nourishing and can help loosen fears. It is also excellent for new mothers, to help build up the bond between mother and child and to allow for mutual nourishment. You can drink fennel tea whenever you feel in need of nourishment.

My First Impressions:
- I was drawn towards working with a Transmitter Quartz Crystal, because I feel as though you are a magician-type, meaning that you are very capable of directing your power outwards and attracting what you need to you.

- I see your energy arching outwards, and all over. I also think focusing this power will be beneficial for you.

- I am seeing some risky (business?) ventures as well, so be careful.

- I suggest working with a good grounding stone such as Black Onyx, along with a good directing and grounding stone such as a Smokey Quartz point. They will help you remain steady on your path and help with any indecision you may be experiencing.

- It is important that you work with positive and spiritually minded business associates.

- It is essential that you come from a place of groundedness (earthy practicality) and financial stability, in your work.

I suggest working with the stone, Aquamarine also.

Aquamarine is asking you to take inventory of your life and possessions, and to release that which no longer fits who you are. This stone also works with Ocean Goddess energy to shield and protect you in support of your process.

Aquamarine Affirmation: I release that which no longer serves, and accept Universal abundance.

I decide to pull another card for you, but this time from my Goddess Zodiac Power deck and it is called “Sarasvati – The Sagittarius Goddess.”

Sarasvati is a Shakti, an Indian Goddess. She helped bring the world into being. She is both a water Goddess and a Goddess of speech. She is the inventor of all the arts and sciences, patron of all intellectual endeavors, and a true artist herself. She invented writing to record the songs she inspired and music so that her beauty could be praised.

- I sense that you are an ambitious person, but that it is very necessary to balance this ambition with Spirit. This will help center you in your power.

I decide to pull a third card for you, to take a look further into the future and it is called “Kuan Yin – Capricorn Goddess.”

Kuan-Yin is a feminine Bodhisattva, or Buddha-to-be and is the most powerful being in the entire Chinese pantheon. Her name translates to “she who hears the weeping world” and she is the chief symbol of compassion in the Orient. By constantly repeating her name, it was said to bring peace and generosity into her worshiper’s lives.

- I get a sense that it is your intuition that reigns supreme.

- I see a little girl too (Mandy?) who is very independent.

- I am sensing the fulfillment of security and family.

- I am ending your reading by sending you a prayer for recognition of true success.

Many Sparkly Blessing to you, Jenn!

If you are interested in booking a soul reading you can do so here.

A Celtic May Day Meditation

What is Beltane?

Beltane, also known as May Day, is one of the 8 major (Celtic) Pagan holidays falling at the midway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. The word "Beltane" means "bright fire," and may be associated with the Celtic sun god, Bel. Love is in the air this month as we celebrate the earth's fruitfulness through our own sensuality and sexual revitalization. Symbolic bonfires were burned on hill-tops in Ireland and Scotland from pre-Christian times and well into the 19th century to summon the life-sustaining forces of the sun and to purify the land for crops. Modern-day Pagans in Scotland honor this tradition at the annual Beltane Fire Festival in Edinburgh.

A Beltane Blessing Ritual

As usual, I celebrate the Celtic festivals on my own, through meditation and ritual. *When I work with my oracle cards (all drawn by me) I DO NOT look at the cards until after the reading, I simply place my hand over the card and 'feel' or intuit it's energy.

I decided to work with my Fairy Herbal Healing deck for this particular Beltane ritual and pulled a card (randomly, of course!) called "Faery o' the Vine."

The Fairy Herbal deck consists of 80 oracle cards that I created from my Fairy Herbal paintings. Their energy is light, ethereal, airy, and sparkly plus based in the green world, so add in some earthiness and green energy as well.

The Grapevine is a feminine herb ruled by the Moon. It is said to increase fertility and strengthen mental powers. It is also used in money spells.

I also was very drawn towards my Welsh Isis Rainbow Generator Crystal as well.

Generator Crystals can broadcast healing and Love through the Earth’s energetic field, to be received by all beings upon the planet. The Isis Crystal (or Manifest Spirit Crystal) has the ability to guide one in connecting with the archetypal Goddess energy and in giving birth to one’s dreams through action. It is particularly useful for those who are willing to dedicate their lives and essences to expressing Divine energy in this realm of matter.

Healing Visions

During my meditation I was able to feel peace, contentment and healing, by getting to a place of satisfaction with who I am on a soulful, spirit level.

Being happy with who we are, feeling and knowing with every pore of our being that we are alive and perfect just as we are is what it's all about.

Next, I decided to work with a Celtic Quartz Cluster. I call it a “Fairy Cluster” because it has a light, fairy-like energy about it. Quartz Clusters also help to encourage a sense of community, as well as creating harmony and removing negativity from the environment.

Fairy Herbal Healing Oracles

I drew another card from my Fairy Herbal Healing deck and it was called "Lavender."

Lavender helps bring a sense of stability into one’s life and it attracts energy of a high vibrational nature. It is also used to attract money and bless homes.

- I felt such strong love towards my work and especially towards the soul healing energy work that I do.

The Lefty Oracles Speak

Next I pulled a card from my Lefty Oracle deck, to try and make a strong connection with my Spirit Guides and it was called "Demon."
The Lefty Oracle deck consists of 50 oracle cards that I created from my Lefty paintings. Their energy is playful, light, edgy, ethereal and quirky.

Because the Lefty cards were all drawn with my non-dominant left hand, the ‘intuitive’ hand (controlled by my right brain) they do not come with any kind of written interpretation so it's up to me to trust myself and my intuition when I attempt to interpret this card.

- I sensed Fire Spirits around me, and they were taunting me by saying, "Is it hot enough for you yet?" (Keep in mind that I have not yet looked at the card I pulled, this I will do at the very end of my reading.)

"We want you to be a little bit uncomfortable, to challenge yourself!"

May Day Animal Totems

All of a sudden I opened my eyes and a bunny appeared out my window, and stopped as if it was looking at me! The first thought that popped into my head was, "Be gentle."

The next thing I saw was two big blue jays and to me, this symbolized the need for me to "Squawk loudly about this gentleness!" So that is what I'm doing today in this post.

Wishing all of you a Happy May Day and much love.

A Healing Message Soul Reading

This is an actual real life example of one of my Healing Message Soul Readings. My wish is that it will help others understand my style of reading and perhaps, through osmosis even absorb some of the healing information within. What is A Healing Message Soul Reading?

This reading is designed to offer you healing guidance in your time of need. I will be incorporating healing messages, positive affirmations, visualizations and prayers designed specifically to address your concerns and issues. I believe we all have the power to heal ourselves body, mind and soul and my greatest wish is that this reading will encourage you to take the steps necessary to empower yourself in a healing and positive way.

This reading offers you a more hands-on healing approach then my other readings because you are given specific tools and exercises to enhance your innate healing abilities.

A Healing Message Soul Reading

*This reading is being shared with client permission* The card I pulled for you in response to your upcoming breast biopsy examination is from my Lefty Oracle deck and is called “Alice lives here now.”

Because the Lefty cards were all drawn with my non-dominant left hand, the ‘intuitive’ hand (controlled by my right brain) they do not come with any kind of written interpretation. That part is up to you. Go with your intuition and trust whatever images, thoughts or feelings come up in relation to this card. It’s time to trust yourself and put your intuition to work - Go!

I chose a gemstone called Chrysocolla for your reading to assist us in going to a deeper more spiritual plane of inner knowing so we can access your quiet inner depths. You can also work with this stone on your own as well. I recommend holding one stone in each hand or visualizing a deep lake-blue-turquoise and forest green color surrounding and protecting you.

Chrysocolla also helps in the releasing of grief, sadness and fear from the emotional body as well as helping to promote feelings of joy, certainty, and peace. It teaches one about letting go, surrendering pain and releasing worry to universal love.

I also want to welcome one of your Spirit Guides who has just shown up. She is a Native American Shaman.

A Healing Exercise for you: Please feel free to lie down or sit in a comfortable chair while allowing yourself to feel the cool, calming and refreshing energy of the colors and stones we have chosen to work with wash over you. Also, try and imagine yourself spending time beside, or within a cool, clear waterfall in a deep green forest.

Feel yourself relax and allow the green-blue healing vibrations of your chosen stones/colors penetrate every pore and cell of your body, filling your very being with peace and calm.

You can also cross your hands over your heart and bow your head in prayer while repeating this affirmation:

"I am whole and holy."

Now form your hands into prayer, relax and just let go of everything; all your worries, thoughts and concerns.

Affirmations: "I am _____________ "(state your name.) "I know I will be okay."

Now breathe deeply. Your Guide and I are using a blue feather and an owl feather to brush away all your worry and concerns by using our feathers to just brush the energy surrounding your body out and away from your entire body – we work in a circle all around you using our feathers. Feel a cooling, healing breath of fresh air all over your body.

I pulled another card for you from my Goddess Zodiac Power Deck and she is called “The Aquarian Goddess – Ix Chel.”

Ix Chel Among the Maya of the Yucatan peninsula, this was the name of the snake-goddess of water and the moon, of childbirth and weaving. This night-riding goddess spent her energies in nursing the women of earth through pregnancy and labor and taking special care of those who visited her sacred island of Cozumel.

Some Goddess Guidance for you: Keep your fire and your strength burning. Feel your strength and your femininity working together.

Affirmations:

"I am perfect just as I am." "I know grace." "I have seen Goddess and I know I am loved in every fiber of my being."

Blessed Bee.

And to end your healing session I chose a card from my Fairy Herbal Healing Deck and it is called “Meadowsweet.”

Meadowsweet or “Queen of the Meadow” has long been sacred to various Goddesses, and later was sometimes connected with the Virgin Mary. You can work with an image of this flower by holding it in your mind’s eye and feeling it’s soothing qualities of strength and softness. Feel strong and flexible but not rigid. (This herbal information is from the book “An Astrological Herbal for Women” by Elisabeth Brooke.)

**I spoke with my client shortly after her reading and she told me that the visualizations and affirmations had been very helpful and calming for her during her biopsy, and that all had gone well. Many months later she emailed me to let me know that: "It was so very helpful to me…and I’ll admit that I continue to use the imagery of the waterfall in the deep forest as a source of comfort."

If you are interested in booking a Healing Message Soul Reading you can do so here.