Bountiful Lady : Goddess of the Grain
A Goddess Workshop
Lammas 2010
10am to 4pm
Join Priestess of Avalon, Vicky Brierley as we journey to meet the Goddess Ker at this time of Lammas.
At Lammas, we can choose to explore the nature of motherhood and of growth and fruitfulness. It is at this time that her body swells with child. This is seen in nature as fruits now are ready to be harvested and the corn is lush and golden ready to be shorn. Thus important colours at this time of year are yellows and golds.
Harvest festivals are of course held throughout the world. One of them in Greece is referred to as the Eleusinian mysteries. These celebrated the transformation of the Goddess throughout the year. The third mystery and thus the most sacred are answered in a grain of corn (wheat) which is analogous to the cycle of death and rebirth. It is shorn only to rise again.
As we can make dolls to connect with Bride, we can also make dolls to connect with the Grain Goddess. In fact, this practise has been going on for centuries in the Corn Dollies that are made with the last sheaf of wheat shorn from the field. These are hung up for luck and protection all year. Some of the kernals from these dolls are then planted to ensure growth and prosperity for the coming year.
As well as wheat, nature itself is bountiful at this time. One only need think of orchards growing with Her bounty or lush maize fields ready with their corn cobs waiting to be plucked. Or even the fat orange bellies of the pumpkins ripening in the lazy, mellow late summer sun.
The Goddess as mother is a powerful archetype. The Goddess is creatrix, nurturer and life giver. She is healer and protectress.
In this one day workshop, we will be exploring the origins of Lammas. We will be discussing ways to celebrate the festival as well as the significance and importance of giving thanks for the many gifts bestowed in the year. We will also explore the nature of sacrifice.Together we will make one of the most vital of Goddess images; The Venus of Wilendorf.
We will learn about the Goddess as Mother, provider and nurturer. We will learn about Ker, Goddess of the Grain. We will also create a harvest altar and make corn dollies which we can place upon it. Finally, we will all create a ceremony in honour of the Lammas Goddess, Ker.
