August 15: Our Lady's Herb Day
The Feast of the Assumption of Divine Mother Mary
The ancient Feast of the Assumption of Divine Mother Mary will occur on Tuesday, August 15. This annual holy day commemorates Mary’s ascension to Heaven. In days of yore, it was celebrated as Our Lady’s Herb day, a day for blessing all the herbs, vineyards, grains, flowers, and fruits.
The customs of this celebration were based on a medieval tradition that placed Mother Mary as the overseer of all plant life. In Marian liturgies, Mary herself is often compared to flowers like lilies and roses known for their purity and beauty. Additionally, all the waters of the world are said to be blessed and transformed by Mother Mary into healing waters on this special day. May it be so!
In many parts of Europe, Assumption Day is still observed as a public holiday. In Italy, Ticino, and San Marino, it is called Ferragosto. Named after the Latin Feriae Augusti (the festivals of the Emperor Augustus), Ferragosto was introduced in 18 BC to celebrate a battle victory and the early harvest of the late summer season. In these modern times, it is customary for celebrants to close their homes and shops and go on holiday at this time of year.
Assumption Day is a perfect time to enjoy the bounty of our own harvests, and also to contemplate and commune with the Blessed Mother, who is the epitome of pure-hearted power, radiant love, and compassionate action; who is advocate and protector of plants and trees, children, animals, and the infirm; and who offers a most profound form of supreme comfort to all Her children.
Never was a leaf so green, for you branched from the spirited blast of the quest of the saints.
When it came time for you to blossom (I salute you!), your scent was like balsam distilled in the sun.
And your flower made all spices fragrant dry though they burst into verdure.
You are the Moon and the tides and the mysteries of birth and death.
You are the star shine and passion's witness.
You show us the way through the portal of despair into wholeness.
Song to the Virgin by Hildegard von Bingen
As always, Juliana there are more that one level of contemplation and support to your emails and wisdom. Thank you for offering us a contemplation to the internal realms where boundless support lies. I just had Hildegard von Bingen knocking at my brain recently, and this is the 3rd occurrence in a few days, so there we have it. AND there was the Church - Maria Lanakila - on Maui that is standing still. So may the Divine Mother in all Her forms wrap Maui and may we allow her to wrap us in her strength. Blessings Juliana!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this. I also celebrate this day. May Mary bless all the children especially today.