Full Grain Moon and Lammas Fire & Sharing Circle

Moon Phase Circles and various moon rituals have been held for many centuries, probably thousands of years, to mark the changing cycles.

Full moon celebrations tend to focus on gratitude for what we have, or have been given.

The August full moon is called the Grain Moon, after the grain harvest at this time of the year.

This year the first August full moon coincides with the festival of Lammas, or Lughnasadh, which is the first harvest festival of the year, celebrating the grain harvest.

We will meet at the car park at the School of Sustainable Living & Wellbeing at 8pm.

Then we will walk to the sacred circle, where we will settle ourselves around the fire.

There are benches and logs to perch on but they may be wet

You are advised to wear waterproof boots or wellies in case the grass is wet, and to bring waterproof outer clothing. Warm clothing top layers for the later evening are recommended too..

You may wish to bring something waterproof to cover the benches to sit on, such as a waterproof picnic rug, or cushion, or you may prefer to bring a small stool or camping chair.

If you would like to bring a small artefact that has meaning to you, to set around the fire, within the circle and under the full moon, please do.

THE CIRCLE

We will open the circle with a greeting and a poem.

Then the circle will be cast.

I will lead some breathing practices followed by a short meditation.

Coming out of meditation, I will invite everyone to join me in some stretching.

and then to join hands and stretch our hands upwards to the moon, like opening a moon flower

We will then spend a little time considering the meaning of the Full Moon and its name, its recognised spiritual meaning and its meaning to each of us.

We will also learn about the festival of Lammas, or Lugnasadh.

We will then share something to eat and drink together.

Then we will join in an activity related to this festival.

I will invite you to join once again in circle where we will each have an opportunity to speak about something that is on our minds.

We will use a ‘speaking stick’ to show who’s turn it is to speak and then that person can first introduce themselves to the group and then take some time (5-10 minutes) to talk about whatever they want to talk about, with no interruptions, while everyone else listens attentively in silence, offering no judgements, no suggestions, no solutions and no advice. Just holding space.

The circle is intentionally limited in number of people, so that each person has a chance to speak if they want to.

You may want to speak about your life, your thoughts, worries, concerns, successes, hopes, intentions, stories, poems, difficulties, experiences, perhaps something you have never said but have wanted or needed to speak aloud, or anything at all.

Anyone who prefers not to speak, simply passes the stick along.

After the ‘speaking stick’ has completed it’s journey once around the circle, there will be an opportunity for anyone who didn’t speak the first time, to take the stick and speak if they have decided to do so.

All that is said in circle remains confidential and stays in the circle.

If you want to there is also the option to bring paper messages (or sticks imbued with meaning), (about worries, feelings, bad experiences, etc.), to throw into the fire, to clear away unwanted issues and open to new opportunities.

Or you could do this to add fire and energy to new hopes, dreams and aspirations. These can remain private to you or you can share if you wish to.

Next we will join in a drumming circle, to help us connect to ourselves, to each other, and to the rhythms of nature.

To close the circle we will join hands in a seamless circle of community, love and support, and a closing blessing.

Then at around 11pm, we will gather our belongings, and walk back to the car park and say our farewells.

OTHER INFORMATION

if you wish to bring additional refreshments we ask that you respect our vegan values and only bring plant based foods and drinks.

All food and drinks provided will be vegan.

If you have additional dietary oreferences, please let us know ahead of the event so we can cater for your needs.

We request that you do not bring single use plastic bottles as we have signed the Dopper Pledge to not have these on site.

HOW TO FIND US – INPORTANT PLEASE NOTE

Access to the farm by vehicle is via Truro Avenue, Murton, SR7 9LG.

(this is the entrance to the farm lane, and NOT the farm postcode, which, in many satellite navigation systems, provides the wrong directions).

On foot or bicycle, the farm can be accessed by various surrounding footpaths from Murton, Seaton, or Dalton le Dale.

Number 61 bus stops in Truro Avenue, near the start of the farm lane, which is located between numbers 42 and 43 Truro Avenue.

There is free parking in the farmyard.

There is a compost loo (clean and not at all smelly) and outdoor urinals.

Hand washing is available.

There is a small shop where you can purchase our products.