Lughnassadh(Feast of Lugh, Celtic sun-God and "Master of All Things"), also called Lammas, is celebrated on August 1.
This holiday seems to have 2 seperate, regional origins, and might have been celebrated at slightly different times. Basically, it is a holiday of first harvest/first fruits, as well as one of work accomplishments---which is a personal sort of harvest. For farmers, the actual date of first harvest can be used, rather than August 1.
It is sometimes hard for us, in this era of a money society where food is readily available, to appreciate the urgency and importance of a good harvest and healthy fertile animals.....each family's survival depended upon it, and as such, any positive influence on the food supply was welcome and heartily participated in by all. This is an ideal time to recognize the origin of foods and stress that foods come from the earth, our Mother. During ritual, each person should take a portion of the bread/food, always offering the first piece to he Gods. Place offering outdoors for Nature to take. Throughout the holiday, focus on harvest and thanksgiving concepts.
In the legend of the God and Goddess, Lammas was the time of sacrifice----the God/Green Man was symbolically sacrificed to ensure fertility of the land. This was also a time to offer the first of the fruits of harvest to the gods as thanks....The Old
English name for the day, hlafmas or literally "loaf mass", celebrated the harvest of grain,
which was vital to the survival of humans and animals in an agricultural society. Often, loaves of
bread were baked with the first grains, then blessed; after offering a portion to the gods, each
person then ate a bite of this loaf. It's reasonable to believe that the first loaves were also used in
rituals at this time of year.
This is a logical time of year for rites of passage to adulthood, such as Rites of first fruits, to symbolize a child crossing the threshold to adulthood and grown-up responsibilities.
Another meaning for this date has Gaelic/Celtic origins as the Feast of Lugh, thus the name
Lughnassadh. Lugh was a Celtic god who was skilled in many things. According to ancient
Celtic myths, he was denied entrance to Tara until he proved that he was highly skilled in every
attribute considered essential; at the time: carpenter, smith, Druidry, harper, poet, skills of battle,
sorcerer, physician, bronze worker, to name a few!
Lugh was a God who symbolized proficiency in many arts, so this is a good holiday for blessing your work tools, performing rituals for your current work/career, or for desired work. Celebrate the gains and advances of the years work---another, equally important kind of harvest.
Lughnassadh represents the bounty of harvest and rewards for hard work, but also the
coming dark------since the Solstice at Midsummers, the days are growing perceptibly shorter, and
soon the Wheel will turn towards Autumn. Celebrate that duality with the knowledge that the
Wheel will continue to turn.
Any type of grain is appropriate; offerings might include first grains and produce, especially if you are a farmer or gardener; to have offerings for the Lughnassadh aspect of the festival, offer replicas of your work tools or symbols of the year's gains. One example of this would be play money.
Other herbs might include berries such as blackberries; ivy, sage, spearmint, willow, yarrow,sunflower, and corn. Think also of all the fruits, vegetables, seeds, and grains available that are locally
harvested----all these may be used in your Lughnassadh celebrations.
Deities associated with Lammas are those representing agriculture and creativity. Some agricultural deities include Grainne, the Morrigan, Demeter; also sun/light deities such as----of course!----Lugh and the Dagda.
Teach your children about the land(or share this knowledge with others): have them
pick from your own garden, or find a farm that will allow you to harvest your own veggies,
berries, etc. This helps remind us that the spirits of the land help to provide for our needs.
Adults can obtain fresh produce-----if possible, try to get at least one meal item from your garden or from local farmers, and teach your family how food is produced and how important this production is.
Incorporate foods of the season into your celebratory meal...fresh produce, whole grains, and fruits. One example menu would be:
Breakfast: whole-grain cereal with fresh milk(from local dairies if possible)
Lunch: A Southern favorite, vine-ripened tomato sandwiches, or a fresh salad.
Dinner/ritual meal: fresh whole grain bread(traditionally shaped like a man), local veggies such as corn on the cob and grilled zucchini, and melon with berries for desert.
Decorate the table with sunflowers and green oak leaves; gold and green candles.
Also, this is an opportune time to bless one's tools of work and set goals for the coming seasons. For example, if you are a writer, symbolically bless your pen and paper or word processor. Focus too on each person's role within the family, and how all must work together to be successful and prosperous.
Bake (or have baked) a light grain bread in the shape of a man to use as a Lammas loaf
in your ritual or observance.When bread and fresh foods, plus work tools, are on the table, establish sacred time. Speak of the dual meaning of the holiday....Lammas as a harvest and giving thanks time, and Lughnassadh as a work reward and planning occasion. Bless the bread, give the first portion to the spirits, and share the
rest with your fellow celebrants.
Stress how important to our everyday lives both aspects of the holiday are: growing of food, as well as the work we each do. Bless the work tools(be creative---children might bless toys, school books, or items used in chores) and consecrate them for the coming year, that the creative and financial harvest be a success. Stress too each family members vital role in making the household run; this is an ideal time to mark new levels of family responsibility.
As a time of reward and prosperity, Lughnassadh is the perfect time to bless and
consecrate your tools, both ritual and occupational. Children and students can do this by blessing
supplies for the coming school year. If you can't literally bless your work tools, use a photo or
drawing. this will add to your continued prosperity and creativity throughout the year.
