The Witch's Almanac for the Month of August
Welcome to August, a month where summer begins to slowly fade into autumn. This almanac is a guide for green witches, kitchen witches, and house witches who seek to work with the energies of August through rituals, herbs, and astrology. Here, we uncover the magick of this transitional time, from the first harvest of grain at Lughnasadh to the struggles of Mercury retrograde.
The Magic of Lammas Day and Lughnasadh
August 1st
August kicks off with Lammas Day, celebrated on the first of the month. This day, also known as the Feast of St. Peter, marks the beginning of the harvest season. The Celts honored the sun god Lugh with celebrations on the last day of July, heralding the first grain harvest. Corn dollies made from the first harvest’s straw were kept safe through winter and then buried in spring with the sowing of the fields. This tradition symbolizes the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Witch's Almanac: New Moon in Leo August 4th, 2024
The Leo New Moon on August 4 ushers in a new lunar cycle, offering us the chance to plant new seeds and welcome fresh starts. This potent time draws energy towards us, making it ideal for setting intentions and focusing on what we wish to keep close. While there’s a playful energy inviting us to have fun, it also encourages spiritual recharge.
Correspondences:
- Element: Fire
- Rituals: The new moon in Leo is a fantastic time to embrace new beginnings, creativity, and self-expression. Leo’s fiery energy encourages confidence and passion, making it perfect for rituals involving fire magic.
Candle Ritual: Light a candle in a color that resonates with Leo, such as gold, yellow, or orange. Focus on your intentions for the lunar cycle, visualizing the flame illuminating and energizing your goals.
Burning Paper: Write down what you wish to manifest. Burn the paper with your worries, watching the smoke carry them away. Or, place your manifestation list under the candle, allowing the flame to infuse your desires with power.
Bonfire Gathering: Gather with friends or family around a bonfire. Share your intentions and toss herbs like rosemary into the flames, symbolizing clarity and transformation.
Fire Meditation: Gaze into the flame, visualizing it igniting your inner passions and strengths. See yourself embodying Leo’s confident energy, ready to take on new challenges.
Sacred Space: Create an altar with symbols of Leo, such as sunflowers, citrine crystals, or lion imagery. Spend time there during the new moon, meditating and reflecting on your intentions.
Leo Traits:
- Lights: Charismatic, generous, confident, creative, warm-hearted.
- Shadows: Arrogant, domineering, attention-seeking, stubborn, melodramatic.
Lion’s Gate 88 Portal - August 8
The Lion’s Gate Portal on August 8 celebrates the rising of Sirius after its invisibility due to the sun’s rays. This rebirth symbolizes a powerful connection with our soul and spiritual body. The numerology of 88 adds to this portal’s significance, marking it as a day of heightened spiritual energy.
August 12 – The Perseid Meteor Shower
Peaking on August 12, this is one of the most spectacular celestial events of the year. As Earth passes through the debris left by the Swift-Tuttle comet, observers can witness up to 60-100 meteors per hour streaking across the night sky. This shower is known for its bright, fast-moving meteors and is a perfect opportunity for stargazing under the warm summer nights.
August 13 – Mars Conjunct Jupiter in Gemini
Mars and Jupiter come together in Gemini on August 13, creating a surge of energy. This conjunction enhances confidence, bravery, and the drive to take action. However, be cautious with impulsiveness as Mars can sometimes lead to hasty decisions. Use this energy wisely to communicate and express yourself fearlessly.
August 13-20: T-Square with Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn
From August 13 to 20, a T-Square forms with Mars conjunct Jupiter, squaring Venus and Saturn. This configuration brings tension and a call to action, often manifesting as power struggles, particularly in relationships. It’s a time to stand up for oneself while navigating heated emotions and the need for balance.
August 14 - Mercury Retrograde Enters Leo
When Mercury retrograde enters Leo on August 14, it shifts the retrograde’s energy, encouraging us to reflect on joy and patience. This period is ideal for reevaluating what truly brings happiness and how we can bring more of it into our lives. Be mindful and take this time to reconnect with your inner child and passions. However, be wary of communications and making contracts during this time.
Here is a way to protect yourself from mercury retrograde.
August 17th – Cats Night
Cat Night on August 17th originates from an old Irish legend about witches who could transform into cats eight times but were permanently stuck as cats on the ninth transformation. This legend, possibly inspired by the Scottish Wildcat, led to the saying “cats have nine lives” and the belief that witches could use cats for spying and dark magic. The first reference to cats having nine lives appeared in the 1584 book Beware of the Cat. August 17th may be associated with this legend due to longer nights and increased feline vocalizations.
Witch's Almanac: The Sturgeon Aquarius Full Moon
The Aquarius Full Moon on August 19 stirs the winds of change. It brings an energy of movement and transformation, making us feel like things are in flux. This is a time to expect the unexpected and to remain open to new possibilities. While the energy may be unsettling, it also offers awakening and expansion. Aquarius is all about freedom, individuality, and collective well-being.
The Sturgeon symbolizes ancient wisdom. Use this time to connect deeply to your thoughts and release those that do not align with your intentions.
Correspondences:
- Element: Air
- Rituals:
Incense Ritual: Light incense with a scent that resonates with Aquarius, such as sandalwood or lavender. As the smoke swirls, visualize it carrying away your worries and obstacles. State your intentions for releasing old patterns aloud, letting the air element disperse them.
Bell Ritual: Use a bell or chime to break stagnant energy around you. Walk around your space, ringing the bell and focusing on areas that feel heavy or blocked. The sound vibrations will help to clear and refresh the energy, making room for new possibilities.
Blowing into the Wind: Write down what you wish to release on small pieces of paper. Go outside, hold the paper close to your lips, and blow your intentions into the wind. Let the breeze carry away your burdens, symbolizing liberation and renewal.
Casting into the Wind: Gather natural items like leaves, flower petals, or small feathers. Infuse each item with what you wish to release. Stand in an open space and cast them into the wind, watching as they are carried away, taking your old patterns with them.
Sacred Space: Create a small altar with symbols of Aquarius, such as feathers, turquoise stones, or images of the sky and stars. Spend time here during the full moon, meditating and reflecting on what you wish to release.
Aquarius Traits:
- Lights: Innovative, open-minded, humanitarian, independent, intellectual.
- Shadows: Unpredictable, aloof, rebellious, emotionally detached, contrarian.
The Stars Align
August 21 – Sun Aligns with Regulus
On August 21, the Sun aligns with Regulus, one of the four Royal Stars. This alignment beams powerful energy into our hearts, promoting success, honor, and good fortune. It’s a day to open up to higher realms and balance compassion with self-acceptance.
August 22 – Sun Enters Virgo
Virgo season begins on August 22, grounding us with stabilizing energy. This is an excellent time to cultivate healthy habits and create a sacred inner environment. Virgo’s energy encourages self-reliance and looking within for answers.
August 27 – Venus Trine Uranus
Venus trine Uranus on August 27 brings a breath of fresh air, enhancing our confidence and sense of freedom. This is a wonderful time for positive changes and authentic self-expression, especially in relationships.
August 28 – Mercury Direct
On August 28, Mercury stations direct, bringing clarity and deeper insights. This is a perfect moment to make informed decisions and trust your intuition. With the fog of retrograde lifting, the path ahead becomes clear, allowing for decisive actions and new beginnings.
August 29 – Venus Moves into Libra
As Venus moves into Libra on August 29, we end the month with beautiful, harmonious energy. Venus feels at home in Libra, making it a prime time for creativity, compassion, and forgiveness. It’s perfect for refreshing your style and surrounding yourself with beauty.
Witch's Almanac: August Foods in Season
August is a bountiful month with an array of seasonal foods available in the Northern Hemisphere:
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
- Peaches
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries)
- Bell peppers
- Melons (such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew)
- Eggplant
- Green beans
June Herbs in Season
Here are some herbs that thrive during this season according to the Witch’s Almanac:
- Sunflowers
- Dahlias
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Gladiolus
- Cosmos
- Black-eyed Susans
- Coneflowers (Echinacea)
- Hydrangeas
- Day Lilies
June Flowers in Season
Here are some flowers that flourish during this enchanting season according to the Witch’s Almanac:
- Roses
- Peonies
- Irises
- Lilies
- Geraniums
- Lavender
- Sunflowers
- Delphiniums
- Foxgloves
- Snapdragons
Animals and Insects Astir in August
As August unfolds, it summons an array of animals and insects, each contributing to the symphony of life. Here are some of the creatures you might encounter:
- Butterflies
- Bees
- Dragonflies
- Fireflies
- Grasshoppers
- Frogs
- Squirrels
- Deer
- Snakes
August's Palette of Colors
As summer transitions into fall in August, nature displays a beautiful palette of colors. Here are some colors you might see:
- Golden yellow (sunflowers, goldenrod)
- Deep green (mature leaves, evergreens)
- Rich red (ripening apples, early changing leaves)
- Warm orange (pumpkins, marigolds)
- Soft pink (zinnias, cosmos)
- Bright purple (asters, coneflowers)
- Burnt orange (changing leaves, late summer flowers)
- Earthy brown (dry grasses, seed pods)
- Crisp white (Queen Anne’s lace, hydrangeas)
- Sky blue (clear summer skies, morning glories)
The Witch's Almanac: The Weaving of Rituals and Spells in August
Harvest Celebration: Mark the beginning of the harvest season by creating a special meal with seasonal produce. Express gratitude for the abundance of summer’s bounty.
Stargazing: Take advantage of the Perseid meteor shower by spending an evening under the stars, making wishes or reflecting on personal goals.
Summer Clean-Up: Use the end of summer as a time to declutter your home and garden, preparing for the transition into fall. Donate or repurpose items you no longer need.
Nature Walk: Take a walk in nature to observe the changing landscape, collecting items like fallen leaves or wildflowers as a way to connect with the season.
Create a Sun Diary: Document the changing length of days and weather patterns in a journal, reflecting on the passage of time and personal growth.
Outdoor Meditation: Practice meditation or mindfulness in your garden or a natural setting, focusing on the present moment and the energy of summer’s end.
Seasonal Crafts: Engage in crafts like making flower arrangements, wreaths, or summer-themed decorations using natural materials from your surroundings.
Candle Ritual: Light a candle to honor the transition from summer to fall. You might use scents like lavender or cinnamon to evoke a sense of change and reflection.
Family or Community Gathering: Host a barbecue, potluck, or picnic to celebrate the season with friends and family, fostering connections and making memories.
Self-Care Ritual: Take time for self-care practices such as a relaxing bath, journaling, or setting new intentions for the upcoming season.
Crystals to Commune with in August
- Peridot
- Carnelian
- Sunstone
- Tiger’s Eye
- Citrine
- Amethyst
- Labradorite
- Jasper
- Rose Quartz
- Clear Quartz
Witch's Almanac: Seasonal Symbols and Folk Traditions
- Sunflowers
- Butterflies
- Harvest Crops (corn, tomatoes)
- Grain
- Late Summer Fruits (peaches, berries)
- Bees
- Fireflies
- Seeds
- Zinnias
- Ripe Melons, squash, and berries.
- Cats
- Grain dolly
I hope you’ve enjoyed diving into the magick of August with me. Whether you’re soaking up the last rays of summer or catching a meteor shower, remember to find moments of joy and wonder in your everyday life. Here’s to embracing the season’s energy and letting it guide you. Until next time, take care and let your magick shine bright.
Blessed be!
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About the Author
Lacey is a modern witch living by the seasons and the moon. She is dedicated to helping you develop a practice that flows with everyday life. Read more about her here.