We are coming close to the First Harvest Earth Festival, a time to bring in the grain. This is a time of year when country fairs were held and still are…a time to share and show off the best that you have grown. For the First Harvest, it is all about the grain and the symbols that go with it.
This time of year, a corn-husk doll is one of the most popular items used to decorate. First, let’s have a bit of a discussion on that. This day is exactly six months from the first day of spring, during which we also create a corn-husk doll to symbolize Brigid and put her to bed. With that, we are making the same item for both fertility and harvest.
There is also something else we need to consider with the word CORN. This word was used universally to describe all cereal grains, from wheat, rice, oats, spelt, and even what we call corn or maize in the U.S. With that understanding, a corn dollie was and is a totally different item.
A corn dolly is an ornament made from the first or last grain harvested of the year. It is a plaited, woven décor that is sometimes called wheat weaving. These spectacular pieces of art can be simple to very complex and are all quite beautiful.
It is also believed that by making a corn dollie, you capture part of the life of the field, which would protect your family throughout the winter. Come spring, you would burn the dollie to release this energy and start the cycle over again.
I myself in no way discourage a little corn-husk doll; in fact, I have one, and a wheat weaving, as well. We should also be fully aware of the whole tradition.
Some believe Lugh to have sacrificed himself so the fields to produce a good harvest, and the corn dollies to be a tribute to him or even a means of capturing his spirit.
None of this is true. Lugh is the bringer of death, the cold, and wintertime. He brings forth the Dark Half of the Year. This day is meant to honor and celebrate him; it is not to be thankful for his sacrifice, because it is the Summer Lord who is sacrificed at the Harvest, not the Winter Lord.
This year, you may want to do some research on how to make a wheat weaving to decorate your home for the first day of autumn. Not only are they easy to make, but you can also keep them indefinitely or even add to them year after year with a different style. The choice is up to you.
Many Blessings,
High Elder Redhawk
