Friday, July 30, 2010

Lammas Day Is Coming...!


Sunday, the 1st of August, is Lammas Day!

Now, this may be one of those days you don't know about so the Hermit...with a little help from the Almanac, is going to share a bit of it's history with you!

This is another one of those days that started out as a pagan holiday that was adopted by the Church, changed to meet their needs, and allowed to continue. That was nice of them, don't you think?

Lammas Day—August 1

Lammas Day marks the beginning of the harvest. In old England, loaves of bread were baked from the first-ripened grain, consecrated in churches, and eaten.

From the Old English hlaf, “loaf,” and maesse, “mass” or “feast,” Lammas is very old indeed.

It derives from the ancient English festival called the Gule of August, which marked the beginning of the harvest, traditionally August 1. The early English church kept this pagan dedication of the first fruit but converted it to Christian usage.

After Lammas Day, corn ripens as much by night as by day. –proverb

Ya see? The Hermit is just a warehouse of almost useless information! Always glad to share these obscure bits of history with you!

Now, how about some coffee or iced tea on the patio? Looks like rain, but that's nothing new lately!

19 comments:

Catman said...

Happy Llamas Day! Hehehe

HermitJim said...

Hey Catman...
You know how it is, buddy! Gotta cover all the bases! Just in case...!

Thanks for coming by this morning!

Niall E. said...

For some reason Lammas is remembered in Ireland (particularly at Ballycastle in Northern Ireland) on the last Monday and Tuesday in August. See http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/LammasFair.html

Momlady said...

I like your useless bits of information. Keeps the old brain working. Good coffee, btw.

chinasyndrome said...

Hermit Jim,I am gonna see if they will give me a couple days off to observe Lammas Day!

China
III

HermitJim said...

Hey Will...
I wonder why it's particularly at that castle? A bit strange, don't you think?

Thanks for the info, and thanks for coming by today!


Hy Momlady...
I'm glad you find these little tid-bits interesting, and that they can serve a purpose!

Thanks for the visit today, Lady!


Hey China...
Now there's an idea I hadn't thought of! Maybe we could have a parade or a dance!

Heck, like I said, another reason for a party!

I appreciate the visit today, buddy!

Ken said...

...i've heard the "corn ripens" proverb before...

...now i know the context...thanx(i think...lol)

HermitJim said...

hey Ken...
Always glad to be of service, my fried!

You are certainly welcome (I think!)! I do appreciate the visit today, buddy!

JoJo said...

Good Morning My Special One
I don't know what we would do with out all this great information from you. I love it because I would never even give this stuff any thought at all. :) Its true you keep us from getting lazy brain.
Does look like rain again but exploring must go on. So pass the pot please and get my motor started.

HermitJim said...

Hey JoJo...
right you are about continuing with the exploring! Never know what you may find!

Be sure to keep us posted, OK?

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!

mechanic in Illinois said...

Now we need those little guys that walk behind horses and pick up their thoughts of the current political adminstration to follow the llamas. At least it's generating jobs. Thanks for another great lesson.

HermitJim said...

Hy Mechanic...
I don't think they were talking about the four legged kind of Lammas, but about the combination of two different words!

Still, anything that creates some jobs is a good thing!

Thanks for the visit today!

Terri W said...

It's not useless info at all. Lots of us still celebrate these old holidays just like the Pagans did.

Happy Lammas!

HermitJim said...

Hey Terri...
Same back at ya, girl! Glad to see you today!

I sure do like the looks of your place so far and think you have gotten a lot accomplished in a short amount of time!

Keep up the good work, and thanks for coming by today!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

WOnder if there's stil some of that bread around, HJ? Could be good toasted with morning coffee but then probably would be too stale. Thanks for the info - learn a few new things each day!

Kyddryn said...

We'll be baking several kinds of bread here at Casa de Crazy. And of course, eating it! C'mon by...plenty to share!

Shade and Sweetwater,
K

Anonymous said...

BUT remember, the Enlish stole the holiday from the Irish Druids who called it Lughnasadh (pronounced Lunasa). I agree with Terri. Can't let these great Pagan holidays be forgotten. Especially that one in December, with gifts, and trees, and misseltoe to catch Beatrice under :-).

HermitJim said...

Hey Beatrice...
I think that we could find a loaf or two around that isn't stale!

Nothing like fresh baked bread with the morning coffee!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey K...
I figured you would probably bake some bread today! I knew I could count on you...!

Wish I was close enough to drop in!

Thanks for coming by!

HermitJim said...

Hey Grenville...
You rascal, you!

Always looking for an excuse to get Beatrice under the mistletoe!

Gotta just love some of these old holidays!

Thanks for the visit this beautiful day!