Lughnasadh (loo-nah-sah) is a Gaelic festival, the first of three harvests. Plants are producing their fruits, and many should be ready or almost ready to harvest at this time. Even if you do not garden, you too can still celebrate this holiday, and you really should (I explain more below).
What is Lughnasadh?
From sundown July 31 to sundown August 1st, Lughnasadh is celebrated in the northern hemisphere, and January 31 to February 1st in the southern hemisphere. This holiday marks the half-way point between the Summer Solstice (Litha) and the Fall Equinox (Mabon) according to the Wheel of the Year. It is time to give gratitude for the abundance that nature has provided.
Lughnasadh originated in Ireland. Its name comes from the Celtic deity Lugh (Loo). Keep reading to know more about this solar deity.
Ceremonies were typically taking place waterside or on a hilltop. Feasts, rituals and hand-fasting were the most common during this celebration.
I read that using a broom, the crop owner (and sometimes the whole family) would ride brooms through the fields of crops or their gardens to banish negative energies and to bring forth growth to the land. I cannot say or certain if this was done or not, but I am adding it to my celebration list of things to do.
Tar was painted on the tips of ears and tails of livestock. This was done in the hopes of the health and protection of the animal. Animals were also walked through water to protect and purify the animal. Red and blue threads were tied to the tails of cattle and magical charms were hung from the udders in hopes that the cow’s milk supply will stay abundant.
This is also a time to honor and pay tribute to your ancestors. They depended on this time of year to start gathering food for the cold winter months ahead. Their survival depended on this time, and it was not an easy life.
Lughnasadh or Lammas?
Lughnasadh is the pagan or neo-pagan (modern pagans) term for this celebration. Most pagans and wiccans tend to use this term when celebrating this festival.
Lammas is the Anglo-Saxon term for Lughnasadh which derives from the Old English word hlafmaesse which means “loaf-mass.” With Christianity on the rise, Lammas was still celebrated the pagan way. But as pagans started to convert over to Christianity, hlafmaesse was brought into the church. Christianity soon adapted the celebration and changed the name. They also removed the pagan deities for agriculture and replaced them with the agricultural saints that are known today (Saint Isidore).
Choosing which name you prefer to use really depends on the deities (or saints) you wish to represent in your celebration of this festival. If you wish to honor pagan deities, Lughnasadh would be the term of choice. If you choose to pay tribute to the Chrisitan Saints, Lammas would be the term of choice. However, names aside, they both celebrate the same things and in the same ways (for the most part). So, in my opinion, you call it whichever name you wish. No judgment here!
Who is Lugh?
Lugh (sometimes spelled Lug) is a Celtic deity representing light. Believed to be somewhat of a seer, he was also seen as a wise deity and was later described as a great warrior.
While in battle against Balor (his grandfather, also claimed to be a cyclops with a death stare), Lugh, used his slingshot to hit Balor in the eye, blinding him and then killing him with his spear. This led to 40 years of peace and prosperity over the land. Due to his ability to wield his spear as well as skill in throwing weapons, he got the nickname ‘Long Armed’ or ‘Long handed’.
According to Irish Mythology, Lugh is a triplet where his two siblings did not survive. Story goes, Balor sent a messenger to take all three infants and drowned them all except one. Lugh had been dropped into the harbor, where he was then rescued by Birog (a familiar spirit or fairy woman).
As a game lover, Lugh is said to be the one to create horse-racing, Fidchell (a Celtic game that is kind of like chess), as well as ball game style sports.
You can find Lugh being mentioned or a part of many things today in modern times. From being in Marvel comics, to video games, and in Dungeons and Dragons.
Why celebrate Lughnasadh?
Even if you are not a pagan or someone who gardens, you should still celebrate Lughnasadh. If you do not garden, that is ok. There is more this festival than just gardens. Take time during this celebration and really reflect on where your food comes from.
We are so accustomed to just going down the street to the grocery store and get what it is that we need. There isn’t much thought to that. I know I am guilty of not always thinking about this (but I am getting better). There is no struggle (unless an item is sold out). When was the last time you really thought about the farms that your food came from? Many of us do not put a lot of thought into it.
Now is the time of year to be grateful for the growth and harvest of crops. Even if we do not grow and harvest them ourselves.
Also, show gratitude towards nature. Nature is what gives us life. It is how we get our food, our water, the air we breathe. All things that are easily forgotten these days. Without nature we would cease to exist. This is why I believe that it is so important to take a step back and think of the times of our ancestors. Where food was scarce and if there was no food to harvest, it would not be a god winter. Many died due to this. Not just from starvation, but due to weakness which led to sickness and disease. Kind of gives you an appreciation for living in a time that we do now.
Lughnasadh Activities
The most common activities used to celebrate hundreds of years ago can still be used today. Now, there are more activities you can do to celebrate Lughnasadh than there was when our ancestors celebrated, bu that makes it all the more fun for everyone!
- Feasts (picnics, food with friends and family)
- Bake bread or a Lammas Bannock (a special cake)
- Harvest crops (if ready)
- Forage berries and herbs
- Craft and hang a Rowan Cross
- Decorate your altar
- Reflect (on nature and/or yourself)
- Make sun water
- Protection magic
- Bonfire (if allowed)
- Refresh protection spells and charms
- Celebrate ancestors and those who have passed
- Make an outdoor altar
- Start a fall garden
- Share your garden abundance with family and friends
- Drumming
- Try something new (something you have always wanted to try but never got around to it)
- Marriage
- Dance
- Sing
- Give offerings to deities, ancestors or nature spirits
- Refresh your altar
- Make moon water
- Cooking
- Preservation projects
- County Fairs (common in rural areas)
- Have a gathering of friends and family
- Make herbal infusions, tinctures, salves, etc.
- Be out in nature
- Go for a walk
- Ride a broom through your garden to banish negative energy and bring in growth
- Craft corn dollies
- Play outside games
- Preform a ritual (protection, fertility and abundance are the most common)
Lughnasadh Rituals
Create an Altar (see decor and correspondences listed below)
I am sure most of you already have an altar and I hope you take the time to decorate it for this bountiful festival. However, this is not the altar I am talking about. I am talking about creating an outdoor altar. Decorate and dedicate this altar not only to deities (or saints) but also to the nature spirits.
Lay out offerings to show these deities and spirits your appreciation for them and the work they do to make harvest and this festival a success.
Ritual if you have livestock or wish to protect your pets
Bake a Lammas Bannock cake. Take a piece for yourself and go outside. As you walk around taking bites of your cake, throw a small piece over your shoulder, alternating between the left and right. These offerings are for the predatory creatures. Each piece thrown is in hopes that your livestock is to be unharmed from predatory animals.
Gratitude Journaling
Since this is a time to show gratitude and give thanks, why not keep a record of it. Take some time to start and write in a gratitude journal. Life moves so quickly that we don’t really take the time to slow down and appreciate the little things.
Gratitude journaling is proven to help you mentally. And from what I have experienced and heard from so many people. It really changes your perspective on life for the better and positively impacts your day to day.
Special Waters
Make batches of moon and/or solar water during this time. Put specific intentions into the water for whatever purpose you wish to use it for during or after his festival.
I like to put intentions of strength, growth and abundance into my moon and solar water. This water I then use in my garden to help my plants flourish and keep producing throughout the rest of the harvest season.
Decor Ideas
When decorating your home or altar for Lughnasadh I want you to think fall harvest. Here are some specific ideas that you can incorporate into your space. Also, check out more ideas listed in the correspondences below.
- Sunflowers
- Corn Dollies
- White (neutral) or color corresponding color tablecloth/ altar cloth
- Candles
- Baked Goods
- Fresh Produce
- Fresh Flowers
- Wheat
- Corresponding Animal Figures
- Pictures (passed loved ones)
Lughnasadh Correspondences
Names: Lughnasadh, Lammas, August Eve, Lunasda, Lunasdal, Bron-Trogain, Hlafmaest, Loaf-Mass
Theme: Harvest, Growth, Blessings, Strength, Protection, Season Changes, Gratitude, Reflection, Abundance, Reconnection
Colors: Brown, Gold, Green, Yellow
Incense: Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Rosemary, Sandalwood
Herbs: Basil, Bay Leaf, Fennel, Garlic, Rosemary
Flowers: Aster, Poppy, Sunflower, Marigold
Trees: Apple, Holly, Oak
Animals: Eagle, Lion, Squirrel, Stag
Food/Drink: Apples, Apple Cider, Berries, Corn, Grains, Mead, Nuts, Squash, Wine
Crystals: Citrine, Carnelian, Onyx, Quartz
Symbols: Corn Dollies, Cornucopia, Light, Pentacle, Rowan Cross, Scythe, Wheat
Deities: Apollo, Danu, Hecate, Isis, Lugh, Tailtiu, Thor, Thoth