Lughnasadh

Pronounced "Loo-Na-Sa" this holiday is often called "Lammas" as well. This is the first of the three Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year that celebrate the harvest. The importance of grain to our lives is evident in nearly every nature based religion. The first harvest of the year is the event that marked the end of summer time with all of the usual warring and hard labor that marred the lives of our ancestors. A successful harvest meant that the magicks of the year had been done correctly, that the people would survive the cold winter months, and the community could begin to relax, laugh, and celebrate before winter descended on the Land. The grains that are gathered at this time are associated with the Earth Goddesses, such as Ceres, and it is remembered that She gives of Herself to sustain our lives. Corn Dollies made at this time of the year from corn husks and wheat sheaves are kept until the celebration of the return of Spring, at Imbolc.

Lughnasadh means "the commemoration of Lugh." Lugh was a Celtic Fire God, identified with the summer sun. As the Oak King or Sun King, Lugh sacrifices Himself at the height of His power, to give His strength to the land and the coming harvest, and to guide the way for human kind into the Summerland or across the Western Waters to the Isles of the Dead. In spring time, Lugh is reborn again through the pregnant Goddess, even as the new seeds and crops begin to grow, proving that the cycle of life within death repeats itself again. It is remembered at this time that the God dies and is reborn, while the Goddess simply changes Her appearance with the seasons.

Some traditional pagan altars are decorated with white or gold cloth in honor of the dying Sun, and baskets of bread and sheaves of wheat to honor the grain given by the Goddess. Herbs used to decorate the altar, and in magic spells, at this time are yarrow, vervain, Queen Anne's Lace, and goldenrod. These are heavily associated with women's medicine and magicks. Stones sacred to this time are citrine, moss agate, and cat's eye, which are associated with either the powers of fire or earth. Sunflowers, yellow daisies, and marigolds are used for decoration, along with the first cuttings from herb gardens.

Modern day Witches cast spells connected to career paths, health issues, and financial gain around this time of the Wheel, seeking to "harvest" what they have worked for, or "planted," earlier in the year.

Suggestions for ritual feasts to be shared among brothers and sisters in the Craft are elderberry or raspberry wines, cornbread, corn on the cob, seven grain breads, and berries and cream.