I have to stand quietly in the glorious gently swaying fields of old John Barleycorn as he reflects the Spectacular golden light of the magic sun. His time has come! His life and sacrifice will once again stay in us all.
This is my time of year, a Leo born 3rd of August 1955, is also known to be Lammas, or first harvest, and also the Festival of Lughnasadh and the commemoration of Lugh.
Feeling the Hearbeat of Harvest
To me, at this time of year I find my mind is constantly occupied with thoughts of death and rebirth, transformation and sacrifice, mindful of our slow descent into the inevitable winter Darkness and stillness.
At this significant threshold time, I feel deep changes within myself, my copious dreams become more real and profound and I believe full of anticipation to see if these dreams actually bear fruit. They often do!
My song Heartbeat of Harvest captures the images that arise for me. I invite you to watch this video of the song. (Full lyrics later in this post.)
Points along the turning of the wheel
Being mindful of the Beltane celebrations that had gone before, where we acknowledged the union of the sky father and the Mother Earth principle, it is now a profound joy to witness the abundance fruits of this first harvest of the year.
It is good to give thanks for this beautiful tale of abundance and essential that we are mindful of those who have fewer blessings in their life.
So from this point we progress steadily towards the autumn equinox, the second harvest – Alban Elfed.
Soon we will witness the migration of the geese and deep profound changes, as winter’s cloak surrounds us once again and we look towards the hearth fire and bread to sustain us.
Soon these warm days will be a memory, and we will continue to express gratitude for what we are now receiving from every fruit of field and garden.
But we must also recognise our internal and spiritual journey, The Seeds of our imagination planted with true Intent and purpose, always strive and bloom to become a ripe harvest for your heart and soul.
So my words here must embrace a fabulous time span starting with the summer solstice 21st of June – Alban Hefin, for me here in the Northern Hemisphere enjoying this astronomical event of the Longest Day, this time keeping vigil through the night around my solstice fire awaiting the dawn ceremony of the sun rising up on this powerful new day.
I patiently await harvest time in a mere 6 weeks later, a time for reaping the wheat and barley, the time of Lughnasadh on the 1st of August, also a great time for communitas, for gatherings, contests and games, and symbolic ceremonies, the passing of a wheel around of circle in honour of the turning year.
A more conventional Festival for this time of year, also to be acknowledged of course, Lammas or loaf mass which I am glad to see has been revived in many Christian churches now.
Our second of the harvest festival is quickly upon us September 21st the autumnal equinox also called Alban Elfed within the Druid tradition meaning light of the water. This period now denoting the end of harvest time. Again, night and day are in equal balance but soon enough longer nights and days will be upon us.
A song arises
So, I was totally inspired to write and create my poems and song called Heartbeat of Harvest, trying to encompass the majesty of this awe-inspiring period of time we all share annually! Provides a sense of peace, a perspective, and gratitude within me. It is a great escape and distraction from this rather peculiar and hybrid world we find ourselves in right now.
Below are the lyrics to my poem/song Heartbeat of Harvest. I hope you enjoy them.
Brighten my soul with the colours of autumn,
Watch red leaves fall and die,
I feel the heartbeat of harvest calling as the journeying geese pass us by.
This threshold time, by harvest fire,
Hold the candle burning,
I greet you in my shrine of heart,
I greet the autumn turning.Chorus:
Lady of land, lord of forest,
Autumn splendour, shine,
In fruit and grain, you manifest,
In essence of bread and wine.Green lord of glory, harvest flavour,
Cut down, and now as beer,
And goddess of the grain and bread were calling,
Our feed through darkened year.
Seed fallow fields in my life,
May I grow and ripen with you,
Give thanks for this tale of abundance,
And bless all of those with few.(Chorus)
I cherish the lessons you show me,
Heartbeat of Harvest by George Nicholas, recorded by
May the gift of giving be mine?
And the deep well of love, spring forth in my life,
And with this let my soul and heart shine.
Featured photo of field of grain by Jonas Zürcher
You can find many more articles about the this season on our Lammas / Lughnassadh page.
For more information about George, including his collected articles here on Pagan Song, his bio, and links to George’s sites on the web, check out George’s page on Pagan Song.
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