At Lughnasadh, we’ve come midway between summer and autumn. Sharing in the solar God’s glory, basked upon the land. He makes up in intensity of heat in what he’s given up of light- now waning since the Summer Solstice. Symbolically, he stands at the threshold of poignant projective power feeding the Goddess his yang to her yin while also embracing his receptive nature by allowing the wisdom of elder hood to take hold slowly. Still one with our Mother, but glimpsing over to the companionship of the Crone Goddess aspect- patiently waiting her turn to come later in the year and lead him though death at Samhain, so he may be reborn at Yule. Personifying the beginning of the end of a cycle, with the full manifestation of the earth element risen across the land in the form of our grains, at Lughnasadh we give thanks to the first harvest- the cereal harvest, celebrated on August 1st.

The name Lughnasadh is connected to the modern Gaelic word for the month of August- Lughnasa, which, in turn holds its origin to the name of the Irish solar God named Lugh.

An often intensely hot time of year, the folks whose sweat went into helping produce the first of the main harvests, rejoiced at its maturation. It was during this time that a small patch of grains would be set aside during the harvesting process to honor and protect the spirit of the corn (the term corn used to describe all grains, not literally just corn). These stalks of grain were often fashioned into a bodily effigy or other design, then decorated, and adorned with water and other offerings. Inviting the spirit of the corn a place to reside until the naked fields were turned over the following year in preparation of the next season of growth.

In honor of Lugh’s foster mother -Tailtiu, who in Celtic mythology was said to have died from exhaustion in prepping the peoples land for agriculture. Great athletic contests, similar to the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece, were held in her name. Called the Tailteann Games, those that wished to honor her and the fire within, had their place to show their skills and talent. In athleticism, the courage of courtship and the salesmanship of trade, all had their place amongst the season’s solar festivities.

So it is during this time that we may combine our inner flame with the suns strength to greatly affirm our dreams and challenge our accountability as co-creators of their manifestation. By aligning with the intense power of fire, personified in the deeds and character of your patron solar God or Goddess. We can find the courage and passion within to keep us on track with that in which our highest excitement is presently aligned with. Be cautious however, to balance your findings and pursuits by not forgetting the other elements, who can keep you from becoming burnt out or too rigidly or aggressively focused, which can bring an aloofness to the impact your actions may have on others around you.

The Sabbat of Lughnasadh gives us a timely opportunity to connect with our inner flames desire by courageously acting on our inspirations and facing our fears that hold us back. Use the power of the sun to grow as our Mother’s fields do and to burn away all that which is unuseful at this time. Share in your triumphs thus far with family and friends over a feast of traditional foods such as fresh baked breads, lamb and seasonal berries. Weave Corn Dollies from stalks of grain or husks of corn to capture the spirits blessings for your home. Bask for even a moment under his rays. Palms on ground to feel the vibrant energy tingling from Gaia’s form- taking in all that’s been given. Thus, we may choose to connect with the  warm embrace between Earth and Sky, given to sustain, enlighten, encourage and behold.

Have a Blissful Lughnasadh

Copyright: 2015 Author: H.P Chrystal Raven Rowanwood