Introduction
It is the month of August, and it seems to me that the world has let out a long exhale this time of year. It is becoming one of my favourite times, the not quite summer, not quite autumn feel of it all. Like things are on pause. Not the standing still of time feeling that I have with the Summer Solstice. There, the long sunny days seem as if they will last forever, have lasted forever, and that part of the summer season is a forever thing. It becomes easy to take for granted the long hours of daylight, of sunlight, of green in a riot of abundance everywhere in the woods and the fields.
The soft sigh of August
Instead, August seems to offer a soft sigh. The earth is gently beginning to slow the effort of growth to that of winding down for winter. Winter is some way off—still more of a thing of memory or imagination than a looming reality. It is easy to become lost in the long afternoons, listening to the humming of insects, and forget that there is winter coming. There is still the summer, the long afternoons although on the wane are still most assuredly summer. There is a gentle quality to the afternoon light. It is hazy and soft and lingers. It is different than the full on blaze of a summer solstice afternoon.
The busy time of growing is done. All of the effort, the energy that went into growing roots and sprouts and leaves, now done. The finished effort is there to see in the ripening of golden fields, in the light wisp of seeds borne from grass. A world all wrapped in green and gold is worth the time it takes to celebrate, to simply stop and observe and see.
And perhaps that is what August is all about. Accepting the reward and the gift of the hard work done, the toil of the energy spent. Being mindful of and noticing the rich abundance of the natural world. About making space to stop and appreciate. Letting out the soft sigh and sit dreaming under a tree, looking out into the golden ripe fields.
A Ripening World
That is just what the world is—it is ripening. What is there is ripe for the taking, it is ready, it is developed and ready to be savoured and devoured. In some ways this was recognized in the ancient rituals of harvest festivals. There was a literal devouring of all that was offered in abundance. It was a recognition of the abundance, of the enjoyment of what has become ripe after months of rooting, seed sowing and brilliant growth.
Celebrating August
There are many ways to celebrate August, and in so doing strengthen connection with Nature and a gentle serene EarthWise way of being in the world.
There are many ways in which August can be celebrated. The harvest festivals of Lughnasadh and Lammas are already part of different spiritual practices. These are sometimes called the first harvest festival, or a recognition of the first cutting of grain. There are later harvest festivals to follow, later cutting of grains, such as hay, which can have two or even three cuttings.
Even in, perhaps especially in, a modern world where daily life can seem so divorced from the natural rhythms and cycles of the Earth, it is important to take the time to notice and be part of these cycles and rhythms. Below are some simple ways you can incorporate this into a celebration of the month of August and this particular time of the year and all that has come before it and all that will come after it.
Ideas on celebrating August
- Existing Spiritual Practices—Lughnasadh and Lammas
You may already have some awareness or even already take part in some way with these renditions of a first harvest festival. Or, you may not even know much about these harvest festivals. There are many traditions around these. Spend some time looking into their historical and modern traditions, and find one that has resonance with you.
2. Building a new spiritual practice
Perhaps you do not take part in Lughnasadh and/or Lammas. Or you may already do so and wish to build a new way to celebrate August and its rich ripeness. You can think of your own way in which to recognize and enjoy all of the abundance. Perhaps leaving an offering in a favourite spot (making sure it is an offering that is not harmful to the nature around it. Take a moment to be aware of and thankful for the abundance that is all richly evident in this season.
3. Take a moment to let out a sigh
Resonate with the Earth energy around you. Find a place to let out a sigh, an exhale, of relaxation and rest. This could be a moment of sitting in a sunny field, admiring a ripe landscape, or sitting underneath a tree. This could be a moment only, or it could be a longer session of forest bathing or of barefoot earthing. It might even be a combination of these. In whatever way it feels beneficial and in whatever time you have, let out that sigh. Join the Earth in its August mellowness. Take a momen to savour the moment.
4. Take a moment to look at the moon—in whatever phase it is in.
Look at the moon in the sky—whether it is a moon in the evening, full on night, or early dawn. It is as much a part of the August-scape as the sun and the ripened grains. The full moon can go by many different names, depending on the culture and location doing the naming. The “Grain Moon” is a very apt one for this time of year, in the Northern Hemisphere, with the golden fields all around.
Conclusion
These are some ideas and reflections on the meaning of this time of year and a way to connect with the Earth energies in August.
I wish to all a relaxing and restful August. I would love to hear your favourite ways of celebrating and connecting to this time of year, in whatever way you observe it, in the comments.