It's early August, and here in the Midwest, it's hot and it's humid. At this time of the year, we celebrate Lughnasadh (LOO-nus-ah) or Lammas, its medieval Christian name which means "loaf mass". Even though it is after the astrological peak of the sun, it is the time that the sun is most felt. It's the time we celebrate the first fruits of the field, vine, tree and garden. The first of three harvest sabbats. Also, we honor the Irish sun god Lugh. His connection with the sun explains his name (means "shining one"), and accounts for the attributes he displays, handsome, perpetually youthful and tremendous energy and vitality.
From Kathleen Dupree comes an eloquent essay on the origins of this feast. She includes a little-known and poignant myth of Lugh's foster mother, the daughter of an older race, the Fir Bolg, conquered by the younger Tuatha De Dannan gods of Ireland:
...Lughnasadh is named for Lugh, the Celtic deity who presides over the arts and sciences. According to Celtic legend, Lugh decreed that a commemorative feast be held each year at the beginning of the harvest season to honor his foster mother, Tailtiu. Tailtiu was the royal Lady of the Fir Bolg. After the defeat of her people by the Tuatha De Dannan, she was obliged by them to clear a vast forest for the purpose of planting grain. She died of exhaustion in the attempt. The legend states that she was buried beneath a great mound named for her, at the spot where the first feast of Lughnasadh was held in Ireland, the hill of Tailte. At this gathering were held games and contests of skill as well as a great feast made up of the first fruits of the summer harvest....
...As years passed, traditions surrounding the feast at Tailte began to solidify into events and ceremonial activities designed to celebrate not only Tailtiu and the bounty of the harvest that her original sacrifice provided but also to honor the work and sacrifice of human beings as they strove to provide sustenance for their families and community....
...With the coming of Christianity to the Celtic lands, the old festival of Lughnasadh took on Christian symbolism. Loaves of bread were baked from the first of the harvested grain and placed on the church altar on the first Sunday of August."
This is also a time when we take an early look into what we as individuals, or as a group, circle or coven, have produced in our spiritual and daily lives. It's a point where we make an early check on our progress and reap the bounty of our inner work.
In ancient Celtic Ireland, this was a time for oaths. Second only to Beltane for handfasting and other important, life changing events. Here in North America, thanks to our Native American sisters and brothers, many celebrate early August as a grain festival in honor of the Corn or Maize Grandmother.
Some ideas for celebration include:
Sacrifice bad habits and unwanted things from your life by throwing symbols of them into the sabbat fire. Bake a loaf of bread in the shape of a man and sacrifice him in your ritual. Make him a part of your feast but save a piece to offer the gods.
Take time to actually harvest fruits from your garden with your family. If you don't have a garden, visit one of the pick-your-own farms in your area.
Include bilberries or blueberries in your feast; these were a traditional fruit, whose abundance was seen as an indicator of the harvest to come.
Gather the tools of your trade and bless them in order to bring a richer harvest next year.
Share your harvest with others who are less fortunate
Decorate with sickles, scythes, fresh vegetables & fruits, grains, berries, corn dollies, bread. Colors are orange, gold, yellow, red and bronze.
