‘O ‘tis the Sun that maketh all things shine.’
William Shakespeare, Love’s Labour’s Lost.

Once known as ‘Sextilis’, as it was the sixth month of the Roman year (from March). The month was then given the name of ‘Augustus’ in 8 BC, later changed to ‘August’ and is said to derive from honouring the Roman Emperor ‘Augustus Caesar’. As part of the seasonal calendar August is the time of the ‘Corn Moon’ according to Pagan beliefs and the period described as the ‘Moon of the Black Cherries’ or ‘Moon when the Cherries Turn Black’  by Black Elk (Black Elk Speaks, Neihardt). August has also been known as:

‘Oostmaand’ (Harvest month) - Old Dutch

‘Weod-monath’ (Weed month, vegetation month) - Old Saxon

August has historically been considered to be a lucky month. This is the first month of ‘Lammas’ (August - October), commencing on August 1, a time of harvest before the winter onset of ‘Samhain’ (beginning in November). The first day of August was a date for the Druid festival of ‘Lughnasadh’, dedicated to the ‘God Lug’ with celebratory dances which evidence suggests reflected the everyday activities such as cutting the corn, ploughing and weaving. The baking of bread, on August 1, made from the first flour after the first harvest, was used in the ‘Hlaef-mas’, made into the ‘Mass loaf’ as a central part of the Druid ceremonies.

‘Grant, harvest-lord, more by a penny or two,
To call on his fellowes, the better to do;
Give gloves to thy reapers a largess to crie,
And daily to loiterers have a good eie.’
Thomas Tusser

The in-gathering and storage of grain actually began in early June ‘ByBarnabas put scythe to the grass’ but it was not until this time that the major ceremonies and offerings were made of corn to the gods. A residual of this can still be seen today in the common rural practice of making the intricately designed ‘Corn Dolly’ or ‘Kern Dolly’ at this time. These were traditionally made from the new grain and decorated with prayer rags or red thread and ribbon which was believed to ward off negative forces, and in some cases witches. Working in ever decreasing circles the workers would clear the fields, leaving the ‘Corn-spirit’ safely in the middle for capture in the few remaining ears. The daring would throw their scythes into the centre together to cut down the last few stalks. This ritual action known as ‘Crying the Neck’ of the corn-spirit, also ‘Crying the Knack’, or ‘Crying the Mare’. The kern-dollies, as already mentioned, were made from these last few stalks, woven and plaited into ritualistic representations of the ‘Maiden’, the ‘Ivy-girl’ or the ‘Baby’. Placed in the home these were seen to provide protection against negative forces and believed by some to keep the corn-spirit ever present, although this meaning has been disputed. The last sheath of corn was preserved and carried home by the ‘Harvest Lord’, wrapped in a ribbon and handkerchiefs and presented to the women, this ritual being a reminder of the precious need of man for corn, and a lasting trophy of his achievement.