This is the celebration of the Irish god, Lugh and his foster mother Tailtiu. It is also the first of the three harvest festivals. The other two harvest holidays are Mabon, this year September 23 and Samhain on October 31. The date Lughnasad is celebrated is August 1. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas is one of Celtic fire festivals. Imbolc, Beltane and Samhain are the other three. Grain and bread are sacred to this festival, otherwise known as Lammas, which means “loaf mass.” Across the Wheel of the Year is Imbolc when we celebrate the first stirrings of spring.
Even though it feels like summer, this is the time of year to start to prepare for fall. In fact Lughnasadh is the Celtic start of fall. It is time to harvest the first of the grains. Many herbs and seeds are ready to be collected. Some may be used fresh, and you may decide to dry some for later use. After you dry them, put them in airtight jars and do not forget to label them and include the date. When dry many herbs and seeds can look alike. Various fruits like berries and vegetables like tomatoes and zucchini are ready to be picked. This is the time of year to enjoy fresh food.
Lughnasadh is a Celtic fire festival. As such consider building a fire. You may want to fire up the grill. An alternative is burning a candle.
This is a traditional time of year for contests and games. Think of the Olympics and the Scottish Highland Games. Lugh’s foster mother Tailtiu cleared the land for farming and as a result of her hard labors, she died. Lugh held games and this festival in her honor. Contests and yes boasting are great to do at this time of year. Lugh was very accomplished at many things, in fact so many pursuits that he was able to boast that he was very skilled. Lugh was a warrior, artisan and possessed wisdom among other traits. Contests in many skills are encouraged. Music, dance, athletic, cooking and artistry are among them. Think about the regional fairs and the competitions they have. Consider a ritual in which you write and boast about your achievements which may be accomplished over your lifetime or over the year. Your boasting may be between you and deity or it may be to other people as well. This kind of boasting engenders pride.
Lugh’s marriage was at this time of year. This is a time of year that couples may choose to get handfasted for a year and day. It is also a time of year when other contracts and agreements are made. Traditionally, tenant farmers would pay landlords with their first sheaves of grain.
Colors for Lughnasadh are the harvest colors of orange, yellow, brown and green. Consider these colors for your altar cloth, candles, crafts and what you wear. Sunflowers make great decorations for your hair or altar. Another traditional craft for this time of year are corn dollies. A corn dolly may be may be made of of wheat or corn husks and may be saved and used as the Bride at Imbolc. This is a good time to make a corn dolly because this is when you can easily get the materials. Also consider making making candleholders out of apples, incense, a harvest figure out of bread dough and a pentacle out of grapevines.
Items for the menu on Lughnasadh reflect the harvest theme of this holiday. Of course bread is most appropriate. How about having some zucchini bread? Other grains work well, too. Popcorn is an excellent treat. How about having sweet corn cooked on the grill?Berries, apples and sunflower seeds are wonderful choices. Iced herbal tea such as lemon balm is a cool item to drink. Beer is another appropriate drink due to the hops in it.
Enjoy learning and planning for Lughnasadh!
This year the full moon will be on August 1. It will be a super moon!What a time it will be to celebrate both Lughnasadh and the full moon! Consider magick that attracts abundance. On the day of this post the moon will be a waxing gibbous.
Have a festive and meaningful Lughnasadh!
I will continue to post on Wednesdays.
Auburn Greene
Suggested Investigation:
Cabot, Laurie with Jean Mills. Celebrate the Earth: A Year of Holidays in the Pagan Tradition, Delta, 1994.
Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen, Llewellyn, 1990.
Forest, Danu. The Magical Year: Seasonal Celebrations to Honour Nature’s Ever-Turning Wheel, Watkins Media Limited, 2016.
Fox, Selena. “Celebrating Lughnassad,” Circle Sanctuary Network Podcasts, July 28, 2019, Encore from 2012.
Fox, Selena. “Lughnasadh & Lammastide Traditions,” Circle Sanctuary Network Podcasts, July 31, 2022, Encore from July 28, 2021.
Fox, Selena. “Plant Spirits Lughnasadh Rite,” Circle Sanctuary Network Podcasts, August 2, 2020.
Johnson, Cait and Maura D. Shaw. Celebrating the Great Mother: A Handbook of Earth-Honoring Activities for Parents and Children, Destiny Books, 1995.
Nock, Judy Ann. The Wiccan Year: Spells, Rituals, Holiday Celebrations, Provenance Press, 2007.
Wigington, Patti. “Lammas Craft Projects.” Learn Religions, August 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/lammas-craft-projects-4136753.
My Inner Wiccan 