Lammas Gods and Goddesses: A Guide to the Harvest Deities

Lammas is the festival of the first harvest. It falls on August 1st and celebrates the gathering of wheat and grain. It’s a time of gratitude for the land’s abundance and a moment to honour the divine forces behind it. Gods and goddesses of Lammas represent growth, fertility, and the turning of the seasons.

The Grain Gods

At the heart of Lammas are the grain gods. These are deities who embody the planting, growth, harvest, and eventual death of the crops. These gods are deeply connected to the cycles of nature and human survival. They represent not just food, but transformation, sacrifice, and renewal. As the grain is cut down to feed the people, so too are these gods symbolically “sacrificed” and reborn with each new season.

The grain gods include:

Lugh: A central figure in Celtic mythology, Lugh is honoured during Lughnasadh, the Gaelic version of Lammas. He’s a god of many talents—craft, poetry, warfare, and leadership. Although not a grain god in the narrow sense, Lughnasadh was created in memory of his foster-mother Tailtiu, who died clearing land for agriculture. In this way, Lugh becomes a protector of the harvest and a symbol of light and abundance as summer begins to fade.
John Barleycorn: A personification of the barley crop in English folklore, John Barleycorn is both a folk hero and a martyr. His tale is one of suffering, death, and resurrection. He is “cut down” at harvest, but reborn as bread, beer, and nourishment. His story captures the bittersweet nature of Lammas—gratitude for abundance, mixed with the sorrow of seasonal loss.
Tammuz: In ancient Mesopotamian belief, Tammuz (also called Dumuzi) was a god of fertility and vegetation. Each year, he died with the land and descended into the underworld. His return marked the renewal of life and crops. His myth is one of mourning and hope, echoed in many seasonal deities across cultures.

These grain gods are honoured through bread-making, offerings, music, and feasting. Their stories remind us that the harvest always comes with a cost—and that from every ending, a new beginning takes root.

The Earth Goddesses

Goddesses of the harvest embody the earth’s nurturing power. They are life-givers, protectors, and wise elders who watch over the fields, the home, and the turning seasons. While grain gods reflect the cycles of sacrifice and rebirth, these goddesses represent the fertile ground that sustains all life.

The earth goddesses include:

Demeter: The Greek goddess of grain, agriculture, and motherhood. Her deep grief when her daughter Persephone is taken to the underworld causes the earth to wither—bringing on autumn and winter. Her joy at their reunion brings spring and summer. Demeter’s story reminds us that growth often follows sorrow, and life returns after loss.
Ceres: The Roman goddess of grain and agriculture, and the counterpart to Demeter. Her name gives us the word cereal. Ceres was widely worshipped in harvest festivals with offerings of wheat and fruit. She represents nourishment, care, and the vital connection between land and people.
Tailtiu: A figure from Irish myth, Tailtiu is the foster-mother of Lugh. She died from exhaustion after clearing the land so crops could grow. In her honour, Lugh established Lughnasadh, with games, fairs, and ceremonies. Tailtiu represents love, sacrifice, and the human effort behind every harvest.
Sif: A Norse goddess known for her golden hair, which symbolises fields of ripe wheat. Though her stories are brief, she is seen as a goddess of abundance, beauty, and domestic harmony. Her presence is a quiet blessing on the land and home.

These goddesses are honoured with floral offerings, seasonal songs, and harvest symbols like the cornucopia—a horn of plenty that overflows with the earth’s gifts. They remind us to care for the land with the same devotion they offer us.

Tree & Forest Deities

TrTrees, especially the oak, hold deep spiritual meaning during Lammas. The oak stands for strength, endurance, and the life force of the land. These trees are guardians of sacred spaces, linking the earth below to the heavens above. Deities connected to trees and forests are often honoured for their power to protect, nourish, and sustain life.

Dagda: In Irish mythology, Dagda is a great father god linked to fertility, agriculture, and the oak. He carries a giant club that can kill with one end and restore life with the other. His cauldron of abundance never runs dry, symbolising endless nourishment. As a guardian of the land, Dagda’s presence is both grounding and generous—perfectly aligned with the Lammas spirit.
Cernunnos: Often shown with antlers, Cernunnos is a wild forest god who rules over animals, plants, and untamed nature. He represents the balance between life and death, instinct and wisdom. While not directly a harvest god, his energy supports the fertility of the land and the sacredness of natural cycles.

During Lammas, symbols like oak leaves, acorns, and carved staves are placed on altars or carried in rituals. These items connect practitioners to the wisdom of the trees and the deities who dwell within the forests. They remind us that behind every harvest lies the quiet power of deep roots and ancient woods.

Saints and Syncretism

As Christianity spread across Europe, many ancient festivals were reinterpreted to fit the new religious framework. Lammas, rooted in pagan harvest traditions, was no exception. Over time, Christian saints took on roles and symbols once held by older deities. This blending is called syncretism, a merging of beliefs that helped ease the transition between old and new spiritual practices.

St. Peter is sometimes honoured at Lammas as a gatekeeper of abundance. Known for holding the keys to heaven, his image merged with themes of access, harvest, and divine provision. In some traditions, prayers for a good crop were directed to him during the harvest season.
St. Michael, the archangel, is a warrior figure often depicted defeating evil with a sword. His strong and protective energy overlapped with earlier gods of battle and guardianship. In rural areas, he became associated with protecting livestock, crops, and communities from harm.

Churches held Lammas bread blessings, where the first loaf of the new wheat was offered in gratitude. Though the practice had Christian framing, its roots clearly trace back to pagan rites of giving thanks to the land and its gods. In this way, older customs lived on—just with new names and rituals.

This fusion allowed harvest celebrations to continue under the church’s guidance while still honouring the spirit of the land. Many modern pagans still see the saints as echoes of the old gods, carrying their essence into newer traditions.

How to Honour Them Today

You can honour Lammas deities in simple, heartfelt ways:

Bake a loaf of bread and offer a slice to the earth
Build a small altar with wheat, flowers, or oak leaves
Light a candle and say thank you for the season’s gifts
Read myths or write your own poem in honour of a chosen deity
Walk in nature and leave an offering (like a flower or song)

The gods and goddesses of Lammas remind us of our deep connection to the land. They represent the beauty of cycles: growth, harvest, rest, and renewal. By honouring them, we stay rooted in the rhythm of nature and keep ancient wisdom alive. If you want to explore more ways to celebrate Lammas, check out the articles below.