Seasonal Herbalism: Honoring the First Harvest with Plant Allies

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As the golden light of late summer stretches across the land and the wild grasses begin to whisper of change, we arrive at a sacred turning point in the Wheel of the Year: the First Harvest. Also known in Celtic traditions as Lughnasadh or Lammas, this time marks the beginning of the harvest season—an ancient celebration of abundance, gratitude, and reciprocity between humans and the Earth.

For herbalists aligned with seasonal rhythms, this is a time to both gather and give back. It’s when we deepen our relationship with the land, give thanks for what has grown, and begin preparing our medicine cabinets and pantries for the colder months ahead. It’s a dance between savoring the now and stewarding for what’s to come.

In this article, we’ll explore the spiritual and practical significance of the First Harvest, how to work with seasonal plant allies during this time, and herbal rituals and remedies to help you attune your body and spirit with the bounty of late summer.

What Is the First Harvest? A Brief History of Lughnasadh

The First Harvest, traditionally celebrated around August 1st, is the midpoint between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox—a cross-quarter day in the Wheel of the Year. It marks the time when the first grains were harvested, loaves were baked, and communities gathered in ritual and revelry.

In Celtic lore, Lughnasadh (pronounced LOO-na-sah) honors Lugh, the sun god of craftsmanship and skill, and the fruits of his labor that now bless the Earth. Fields of grain, ripened berries, and early roots were offered in gratitude. Fires were lit, songs were sung, and feasts were shared.

From a folk herbalism perspective, Lughnasadh is also a transition time—when plants shift their energy downward, signaling the slow descent toward fall. It’s a powerful moment to harvest herbs for nourishment, protection, and preservation.

The Energy of Late Summer: Transition, Gratitude, and Preparation

Late summer brings with it a rich blend of elements: the heat of the sun, the lengthening shadows, the ripening fruit, and the first hints of decay. This is not the vibrant bloom of midsummer, but rather a deeper, more grounded energy—a threshold between the height of growth and the inward pull of autumn.

Herbalists and wildcrafters know this is the time to:

Harvest aerial parts before the plant’s energy retreats to its roots
Begin preserving herbs through drying, tincturing, and infusing
Create seasonal remedies that build resilience for colder months
Practice rituals of gratitude and release as we honor the Earth’s generosity

Plant Allies of the First Harvest

The following herbs align beautifully with the energetics of the First Harvest. These are not only abundant at this time of year but also carry spiritual and medicinal properties that support transformation, grounding, nourishment, and gratitude.

1. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Energetics: Cooling, drying, bitter
Medicinal Actions: Antimicrobial, astringent, diaphoretic, wound-healing

Yarrow is a protector herb and a long-standing ally during times of transition. Found blooming in meadows and field edges, its feathery leaves and clusters of white or pale pink flowers are both gentle and powerful.

Use yarrow to create a first-aid tincture or salve—perfect for harvest-season scrapes and bites.
Hang dried yarrow over your doorway as a protective talisman.
Burn yarrow in ritual fires to clear energetic debris and set intentions.

2. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Energetics: Bitter, warming, aromatic
Medicinal Actions: Nervine, digestive stimulant, dream-enhancer, emmenagogue

A plant of the liminal, mugwort bridges the physical and spiritual realms—ideal for working with during seasonal shifts. Mugwort helps the digestive system assimilate rich harvest foods and prepares the womb for cooler seasons.

Infuse mugwort in oil for a muscle rub or womb massage blend.
Use in dream pillows or smudging bundles to enhance intuition and connect with ancestral guidance.
Add to ritual baths with intention-setting herbs like calendula and rose.

3. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Energetics: Drying, warming
Medicinal Actions: Anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic

Goldenrod blooms like liquid sunlight across hillsides in late summer. Often misunderstood as a source of seasonal allergies (that’s ragweed!), goldenrod is in fact a remedy for respiratory health, kidney support, and emotional resilience.

Steep goldenrod with nettle and red clover for a mineral-rich tonic tea.
Use as a solar plexus ally for building confidence and inner strength.
Offer goldenrod to your altar or fire as a gesture of thanks to the land.

4. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Energetics: Warming, slightly bitter, drying
Medicinal Actions: Lymphatic, vulnerary, antifungal, anti-inflammatory

Calendula carries the essence of the sun, capturing warmth and vibrancy in each golden petal. It’s a gentle but powerful healer for the skin and lymphatic system, and a wonderful addition to herbal first-aid kits.

Infuse calendula into oil for wound salves, balms, and skincare remedies.
Dry the petals and add to late summer tea blends or baking rituals.
Work with calendula in ceremony for emotional clearing and renewal.

5. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra/canadensis)

Energetics: Cooling, slightly drying
Medicinal Actions: Antiviral, immune-supportive, antioxidant-rich

As summer wanes, elderberries ripen on dusky branches—a reminder of seasonal immunity and wise preparation. A staple in many herbal households, elderberry is a first-harvest jewel that bridges summer and fall.

Harvest elderberries and make a syrup, oxymel, or cordial.
Pair elderberry with rosehips and cinnamon for a warming immune tonic.
Honor elder as a sacred tree—leave offerings of gratitude when harvesting.

Rituals & Practices to Honor the First Harvest

Seasonal herbalism isn’t just about medicine-making—it’s about remembering our place in the cycle. Here are ways you can honor the First Harvest with intention, connection, and herbal magic:

Create a Harvest Altar

Decorate with fresh herbs, grains, flowers, and fruits. Include a bowl of dried herbs or seeds you’ve gathered, and offer thanks aloud for what has grown in your life—both physically and spiritually.

Host a Fire Ceremony

Light a small outdoor fire or candle and offer herbs like mugwort, rosemary, or cedar. Write down what you are releasing as you step into the next season and burn it as an act of renewal.

Forage with Gratitude

Take a basket and gather herbs or berries from a local patch. Harvest with care—leaving offerings, only taking what you need, and speaking to the plants as you work. Dry your finds for teas, tinctures, or spellwork.

Bake Herbal Bread

Lughnasadh is known as the “loaf mass,” and baking bread is a traditional ritual of abundance. Try adding rosemary, sage, calendula petals, or dandelion to your dough. Bless the bread before sharing or eating.

Craft a Seasonal Medicine

Make a tincture, glycerite, infused vinegar, or oxymel using your first-harvest herbs. Label it with the date, lunar phase, and your intention for the coming season. Let it serve as a living time capsule of your journey.

Aligning Body & Spirit with the First Harvest

As herbalists, we tend to both land and lineage. The First Harvest is a moment to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with the cycle of giving and receiving.

In your body, this is a powerful time to:

Support digestion as seasonal foods shift
Calm the nervous system with restorative nervines
Begin immune preparation for fall with elder, astragalus, or reishi
Reflect on your personal harvests—what has bloomed, what has withered, what is asking to be composted

Conclusion: The Wisdom of Enough

The First Harvest reminds us that abundance is not measured by excess, but by right relationship—with ourselves, our communities, and the land. Working with plant allies in this season teaches us to live with reciprocity, to share our gifts, and to give thanks not only for what we receive but for what we’ve learned.

Whether you are deep in the forest, tending a backyard garden, or brewing tea on your kitchen counter, know this: You are part of the cycle. You are part of the harvest.

Blessed Lughnasadh, dear one. May your medicine be potent, your heart full, and your path guided by the wisdom of the plants.

Written by Frost and Fern Apothecary
Rooted in Fairbanks, Alaska. Guided by the Boreal Forest. Crafted with care and wild intention.

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