O hí Lughnasadh

I haven't done an actual Lughnasadh ritual in at least four years because I'm always spending the weekend at Fairy Fest. This year, however, with Destiny coming over, we're planning to do something in the evening. As such, I figured I ought to get my altar set up ahead of time.

I rather like this design. I might edit it a little still before next week, but I think I've got a nice, solid foundation.

On the left, I have my chalice, gourds, (plastic) grapes, a cup and saucer for water, salt, and a pair of dried corn cobs.  I also have a "corn dolly" goddess figure (actually made out of taffeta) which I put together several years ago. 

In the center, I've my elemental candles all sitting around the direction plate I got at the auction last month. In the center is the tea light from Rebekka, as well as a tiny incense holder and my new Selenite wands. 

Over on the right side of the altar, there's a god figure to match the goddess one, as well as my wand, athame, and a feather. There are more gourds and grapes, and I filled my cauldron with some festive potpourri I found. A seasonal fairy hangs in the back, and up front sit pieces of Orange Calcite, Citrine, and a crystal which I've finally identified as Aragonite. 

All of this is sitting on an orange tablecloth with a smaller green swatch in the center. The orange is one which I've generally reserved for Samhain in the past, but I decided that I might as well use it since I likely won't even be here for Samhain, and I wanted some more color. The green is actually a piece I got in Japan during a high school calligraphy class. Hidden under my elemental items is the Japanese kanji for "festival"; it's really just as well that it's hidden, because I didn't do the neatest job of writing it. C'est la vie.

Still not entirely sure what our ritual is going to consist of - I'll continue researching that this evening - but I'm excited!

Corn Dolly

How many of you ate corn on the cob for the 4th of July yesterday? Come on, raise those hands... I know I did, and as such, I had a big bag full of leftover corn husks afterwards. Why waste those precious husks on the garbage can? A compost bin is a good place to begin, but a good number of those husks can be saved and turned into corn dollies, which make great decorations for Lammas, Mabon, and even Imbolc! So go on, grab a hand-full of them. I'd recommend having 20 or so on hand, per dolly. You probably won't use all of them, but having extra is better than not enough. If you didn't happen to have any corn on the cob last night, it's okay. Most megamarts carry dried corn husks that can be used instead - just soak them in some water for about a half-hour first. You will also want a pair of scissors, some cotton balls (two or three per dolly), and a skein of yarn. I chose red, but the color is really up to you.

Head:

1. Take a single husk and place a cotton ball or two in the middle. 
2. Fold the husk in half and twist around the cotton balls to form the head.
3. Tie in place with yarn.

 Arms:

1. Take two or three corn husks, and lay them on top of each other. Fold in half, and then in half again.
2. Tie off both ends of the husks with yarn to make the arms.
3. Slide the arms between the front and back flaps of the head piece. Tie in place with yarn, wrapping around several times.

Skirt:

1. Begin layering husks around the waist of the corn doll, pointing up. Yes, that's right - it ought to look like your corn dolly pulled a Marilyn Monroe.
2. Once the skirt goes all the way around the doll, still flipped up, tie the husks to the torso tightly.
3. Begin pulling the husks down over the top of the yarn, so that her skirt appears normal, and conveniently hides some of the yarn.

Extras:
At this point, it's up to you. You could use some yarn, leftover husks, raffia, or other material to give her hair. Using glue and some beads, or just a marker, you can add a face. A poncho-style dress is easily made by taking a length of fabric twice as long as the body, folding it in half, and cutting out a circle for the head. Slide the fabric over the head, and consider tying off with ribbon or more yarn. Or, just leave the dolly as-is. You be the judge.