Celebrating Lughnasadh

Embracing the first of the harvest festivals and the abundance of earth.

I’m not exactly sure what it was, but something sparked an interest in me to learn more about my lineage and the cultures of where my ancestors came from. Over the past handful of years I’ve studied my family tree going back to the 1500s in some cases, I’ve gone to visit gravesites of ancestors I never knew and I even traversed the Atlantic to get married in the country where my maternal line stemmed from.

For many of us, the land we call home is not where our families originated. I think because of that, many people along the way lost a connection to their lineage and the cultures, celebration and traditions that played such a big part for people before us.

In the last few years, since realizing my own lineage, I’ve become more interested in the traditions and celebrations of the places where my ancestors lived - mainly Ireland and the United Kingdom. The Celtic Irish traditions felt like things I already knew deep down in my soul and the more I learned and embraced them, the more I felt at home. It’s feels a bit weird to verbalize, as I’m not sure that words ever do feelings justice, but the celebrations, rituals and beliefs of ancient Celts feel like I’m connecting with my ancestors and lineage in a way I never have before.

Lughnasdah (or Lammas) is one of those celebrations… celebrating of the midway point between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox.

Celebrated each year on August 1st (and the days surrounding it), Lughnasdah is the first of three harvest festivals. Historically this day would fall around the time of the wheat harvest and it was a time for agricultural communities to come together and celebrate the abundance of the land and the promise of having food during the cold winter months on the horizon. GIven that wheat (and other grains) were being harvested, it also resulted in many communities baking fresh bread which would be blessed later during the day (which is where the term “Lammas” comes from as it literally means “loaf mass”). 

Additionally, Lughnasadh ties itself to the Celtic god Lugh, who was god of light, skill and craftsmanship. The days of celebration were a time for games, play, skillful competitions and for showcasing talents. If you notice, these themes are all synchronistic to the themes of Leo season, which is the astrological season when Lughnasadh takes place. 

While our modern society doesn’t operate the same way as ancient farming communities, these celebrations still feel so relevant, for at their very core they give us a moment to pause and connect with the land around us. And there is a noticeable difference between July and August when we stop to pay attention.

These celebrations give us a chance to feel gratitude for the abundance growing around us.

They give us a chance to feel gratitude for the sun’s warmth and the life it gives us.

They give us a chance to feel gratitude for our unique skills and creativity. 

They give us a chance to feel gratitude for the people closest to us with whom we can celebrate.

While we might not all have access to fields of grains like years past, there are a number of ways we can still acknowledge this time of year and connect with the natural world as it shifts through the seasons.

Common Themes of Lughnasadh Celebration

Gratitude and Abundance:

Lughnasadh is a time to express gratitude for the abundance of the earth. It’s a celebration of the fruits of our labor, acknowledging the efforts put into planting, growing, and harvesting.

Skill and Craftsmanship:

Reflecting on the god Lugh's association with skills and crafts, this festival also honors human creativity and skill. It's a time to celebrate our talents, whether in baking, crafting, or any other form of creative expression.

Transition and Reflection:

As the first harvest, Lughnasadh is a time of transition, signaling the approaching end of summer and the beginning of autumn. This shift invites reflection on the year's progress and preparation for the coming changes.

Rituals and Activities

Simple Rituals:

• Bread Baking: Celebrate Lughnasadh by baking bread. Use fresh grains or herbs from your garden if possible. As you knead the dough, infuse it with gratitude for the earth's abundance. If you can’t bake bread, a loaf from the store will work just fine as it’s more about the intention behind it.

• Harvest Altar: Create a harvest altar or small space in your home with symbols of the season, such as wheat sheaves, corn, sunflowers, and freshly baked bread. This space can be used for meditation and giving thanks.

Outdoor Activities:

• Nature Walks: Take a walk in nature to observe the first signs of the harvest season. Collect natural items like leaves, flowers, or seeds to decorate your home or altar.

• Bonfires and Feasting: Gather with friends and family for a bonfire and feast. Share stories, sing songs, and enjoy the bounty of the season together.

Creative Expression:

• Crafts and Skills: Honor the spirit of Lugh by engaging in creative activities like painting, weaving, or woodworking. This is a great time to start a new project or finish an existing one.

• Storytelling: Share myths and stories associated with Lugh or other harvest deities. This can be a fun and educational way to connect with the themes of the festival.

Personal Reflection:

• Journaling: Reflect on your personal achievements and the goals you’ve harvested this year. Consider what you want to cultivate for the remainder of the year.

• Gratitude Lists: Write a list of things you're grateful for, focusing on the abundance in your life. This simple practice can help shift your perspective and invite more blessings.

No matter how you choose to recognize this seasonal celebration, Lughnasadh, or Lammas, is a rich and meaningful festival that celebrates the abundance of the earth and is a time to give thanks, honor our skills and creativity, and prepare for the changes ahead. As we take time to honor its themes and symbolism, and by participating in rituals, activities, and reflections, we can deepen our connection to the cycles of nature and express gratitude for the blessings we receive.

Happy harvest to you!

photo ©Arlyn Flower Farm, 2024