Discover the link between astrology and harvest festivals in our calendar…

Harvest is such a vital process.

Humans live and stay nourished by earths spoils, and historically have thrived in tune with nature and preservation.

While we don’t really live as much with the rhythms or cycles of farming now, it is interesting to reflect on the astrological timing of harvests, and what it meant to our ancestors.

Nowadays, we can procure canned goods from store shelves but in times gone by we might have relied upon a Virgo neighbour to stow away our goods!

Jarring and preserving fruits and vegetables takes precision, and techniques to be honed as an expertise.

Any germs need to be carefully avoided!

Now we can be so grateful for big manufacturers but in olden days we had to adhere to the following cycles in smaller communities…

Astrology And Harvest!

The Three Major Harvest Festivals: Lammas, Mabon & Samhain…

In Celtic tradition, Wicca and for practicing Neopagans, there are three Harvest festivals.

Lammas | Leo Season…

At the mid-point of Leo Season we celebrate Lammas, the first of the harvest festivals marking the beginning of harvest season.

Marked as August 1st (or about halfway between the summer solstice and autumn equinox), this is a holiday or holy day based on the Celtic festival of Lugnasdh.

It’s also known as Loaf Mass Day, with the Anglo-Saxon hlaf-mas, “loaf-mass”).

One of the oldest points of contact between the agricultural world and the Church, Lammas is a Christian holy day.

The festival is named after the Sun God Lugh, marked the end of the growing season and the gathering of the first crops.

This is when Virgo can come into her own!

What is harvested? 

Beans, corn, cucumbers, melons, okra, tomatoes, and summer squash.

Mabon | Libra Season | Autumn Equinox…

The second of the three harvest festivals, Mabon, is celebrated as we usher in Libra Season.

This is the Autumn Equinox (22nd or 23rd September).

This is the holy day giving thanks to the Earth Goddess for the bountiful harvest, securing blessings for the winter months ahead.

What is harvested? 

Tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers and runner beans, apples, pears, squash and leeks.

Samhain | Halloween | Scorpio Season……

The third and final festival is Samhain, more familiar today as ‘Halloween’.

Variations of the word Samhain are used in Gaelic languages for naming the month of November.

This marks the end of the harvest season, and the start of a new Celtic year.

We could consider this as the time to face our fears around what we have to sustain ourselves, even turning to others to negotiate or deal with the hands of power who have more than us…

For if we’re left wanting, it could mean death…

What is harvested?

Apples, pumpkin, carrots, beets, swedes, cabbages, lettuce, mushrooms and cauliflowers.

In Summary – Astrology And Harvest Festivals…

Our ancestors created their farming calendars in line with the regularity of the seasons. Astrology plays a vital role in the timing of the Sun, seasons, cycles and weather patterns.

Therefore, the celebrations we have throughout the year timed with moments in the astrological calendar have come to us thanks to food and eating.

The parties and fun we have are in some way dependent on a good harvest. I find this fascinating, and all the more reason to respect what’s eaten!

What are your favourite foods to grow and forage for throughout the year? Let me know on Instagram!