It’s the first week of August, the Wheel of Life has turned, and we once again welcome the festival of Lughnasadh (or Lammas) – the First Harvest (the subsequent two harvest festivals being Mabon and Samhain) and the official beginning of the harvest season, as a whole. In the natural cycle, this time (in the northern hemisphere) signals what we would call the beginning of Autumn, as the Summer drought drives plants to progress into dormancy, and the long daylight hours shrink steadily. 

One of the core principles of Permaculture is to obtain a yield. Holistically speaking, this idea is relevant whether one is referring to farming, forestry or pursuing other life dreams. This year has proven itself to be one for the history books. Those of us who survive it, will be changed forever in some way. So it is all the more interesting that August appears to be giving us the opportunity for a particular kind of harvest, one that includes taking stock of the impact so far and then re-orienting ourselves for the next stretch of path ahead. We’ve lived with the impact of COVID-19 for several months now. Though it is still spreading in the United States, we’re beginning to slowly understand it. Yet, our medical experts say that this Autumn may bring an second wave of cases. That said, I ask myself, “what is my harvest right now? What is my first harvest from the events during the growing season (Spring & Summer) so far – knowing that further harvests later in the season? What am I cultivating right now that I hope to harvest later in the season?”

First harvests are particularly sweet and vibrant, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and fresh greens – to name a few. It encourages me to be particularly bold in my declarations. The still-warm days help comfort me when I take big, otherwise intimidating steps in life. 

Imagine the many harvests we yield in our lives? The opportunity this year is to dream big. What are you currently harvesting? Gaiaceous Gardens has been evolving since moving from Seattle to the forests of the Olympic Peninsula. This season specifically has yielded us a new look, logo, new services and product. Please take a look at our new website and let us know what you think.

I’d also love to hear what, from those areas of life that bring you happiness, you are working on harvesting at this time!