First Harvest Festival
Earth Holy-day of Lamas/Lughnasad
August 1st
Super Full Moon In Aquarius
August 11th
New Moon In Virgo
August 28th
As we enter August, the energy of Summer begins to ripen and mature.
You may find that your garden is now feeding you some of your first Summer feasts, the farmers markets are full of young potatoes, ripe tomatoes, sweet corn, zucchini, basil and fresh cucumbers.
You may notice the Sun starting to set a little earlier and the light becoming a warmer gold.
Our European ancestors who relied on grains for survival waited to harvest and bake the first breads until August 1st – the sacred midpoint between the Summer solstice (June 21) and the Fall Equinox (September 21).
As pagan and Earth based traditions were overtaken by Christianity, the festivals honoring the first harvest of grain were incorporated into a Christian tradition of blessing bread.
No matter what your ancestral roots or religion, you are a part of the Earth’s natural cycles and seasons. You too are ripe fruit and your Summer is maturing.
The month of August invites you into noticing what is ripe in your life, what is ready for harvest, and how you can celebrate and share your abundance with your loved ones, community and the Earth.
Cyclical Insights
There is an energy of growth in our hearts as we enter Leo season and the warmth of the Sun continues to relax us. Notice what is growing inside of you. Time away on vacation can help us connect to our hearts, our loved ones, release stress from our body and nervous system and refresh our minds.
There is an energy of fullness and ripening this month, mirrored by our abundant gardens. Make sure to drink in the nourishment of this season, taking in the colors, smells and sounds of Nature by spending time outdoors, going to the beach, camping, spending a night under the stars in your backyard, shopping at your farmers market and eating seasonal foods.
There is an energy of harvest that is just beginning. The subtly changing light is hinting that all periods of growth end with a return to the darkness. Fall is not far, and with it will come a certain nostalgia for the energy of youth, celebration and carefree enjoyment that is still available now in the last of the Summer months.
Enjoy each precious moment. Make time with your loved ones, cook fresh meals from the garden and gather outdoors, feasting and sharing your hearts until you find yourself in the darkness of the Summer night with the stars above you.
How do you feel more connected to your
joy, purpose and visions of how you want to live?
Themes of This Moon
Atmosphere: Summer thunderstorms, warm breezes at night, the cool air by the river, hot sand to relax your body. The Earth’s arms are open to you, inviting you into her gardens, wild waters and abundant gardens. Fall in love with the Earth and yourself as a guardian of Life.
Movement: Swim in wild water or a pool. Lakes, rivers, the ocean, streams and wild springs open our hearts to the wonder of life and the joy of our inner child, while offering a refuge from the heat.
Flower: Sunflower — The radiance of this beautiful, edible garden flower embodies the generous abundance of August’s energy. Native to the Americas, the Sunflower has been used for centuries for food (edible seeds and oil), clothes (natural dye and fiber), for spiritual offerings (worshiping the Sun) and energetic protection for the home and garden.
Tree: Plum — What was a beautiful blossom symbolizing hope in the Spring is now a juicy plum fruit! Plums are native to China and now grow all around the world. The primordial Chinese character Li means plum and also the light giving force of fire and Sun. As medicine and food, plums can be eaten fresh, added to an arugula goat cheese salad, fermented into wine, baked into an almond tart or dried, as our ancestors did, when they traveled the ancient trade routes from Asia through the Mediterranean.
Herb: Basil — Italian Basil is a culinary herb with deep significance and lore. Native to India or perhaps even China, the Basil plant is revered in many cultures for its medicinal and spiritual properties of good luck, love, protection and warding off evil.
Add fresh Basil to your foods and salads, make pesto, add it to cold water for a delicious, cooling drink and dry it for the Winter months to come. Roman legends say that if you accept a bouquet of Basil from a lover, you are destined to marry!
Eat Local
Summer is a great time to create a fun challenge for your family and friends of eating locally. Try it for a week or a month!
This is great for the planet, reducing packaging and transportation emissions, and it offers supreme nutrition to you!
Fruits and veggies begin to lose their nutrients within 24 hours of being picked and local produce is often picked at its prime ripeness and highest nutritional content. It also has the best taste! Simple food preparations to local, organic fresh foods become gourmet meals!
Here are some great Summer
food preparations to try:
• Grill homegrown zucchini marinated in olive oil and fresh oregano. Serve with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Chop tomatoes, basil and cucumbers, then toss with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and coarse salt for a delicious salad. Dip locally made bread into the sauce.
• Fill half of your blender with chopped watermelon and add a handful or more of fresh Mint. Blend with ice for a delicious, sweet juice that tastes like mint chip ice cream but is so healthy, hydrating and cooling!
Journal Prompts
How can you connect to your inner child and receive the opportunities for joy and play this Summer?
What landscape of the wild Earth is calling your name? Mountains? Ocean? Lakes? Rivers? A cabin in the woods? Follow the call…
What is ripening in you as Summer comes to an end?
What are the messages and guidance coming from your brave and regal heart?
