Lughnasadh
August 2
Pronunciation: LOO-na-suh
Aka:
Symbolism and Legend
Lughnasadh is the first of the three harvest sabbats. As you may have guessed from its name, this sabbat honors the god Lugh. It is common to tell stories of his exploits to honor him. His queen, Dana is also honored.
Lugh, also called the "Shining One" is a god of Technology. In one myth it is said that he spares the life of Bres, a enemy capture in exchange for agricultural advice.
Dieties & Mythical Beings
Prayers
Prayer for Lughnasadh
Scott Cunningham
Now is the time of the First Harvest,
when the bounties of nature give of themselves so that we may survive.
O God of the ripening fields,
Lord of the Grain,
grant me the understanding of sacrifice as You prepare to deliver Yourself under the sickle of the Goddess and journey to the lands of eternal summer.
O Goddess of the Dark Moon,
teach me the secrets of rebirth as the Sun loses its strength and the nights grow cold.
Prayer to the warrior spirit
Patti Wigington- About.com
Prayer for the Warrior Soul The warrior soul, fighting in spirit, follows a code of honor and wisdom. Strength is found not in the arms, not in the knife, the gun or the sword, but in the mind and soul. I call upon the warriors of the past, those who would stand up and fight, those who would do what is needed, those who would make sacrifices on behalf of others, those who would die that others may live. I call upon them this night, to give me strength of heart, soul and spirit.
Prayer to Lugh
Patti Wigington- About.com
Great Lugh! Master of artisans, leader of craftsmen, patron of smiths, I call upon you and honor you this day. You of the many skills and talents, I ask you to shine upon me and bless me with your gifts. Give me strength in skill, make my hands and mind deft, shine light upon my talents. O mighty Lugh, I thank you for your blessings.
Lughnasadh Chant
PaganDad.com
Horned One, Lover, Son Leaper in the Corn Deep in the Mother Die and be Reborn
Rituals & Traditions
The Goddess (usually either Dana or Brigid) is given thanks for the first fruits of the harvest and implored to protect the crops not yet harvested.
Grain ales used throughout the year were made at Lughnasadh and dedicated to Dana or Brigid. Other grain beverages such as whiskey were also sacred to this sabbat.
Traditional time for games, races, musical or poetry contests.
Tailtean marriages (which last for a year and a day) were often performed on this day.
Share your harvest with others who are less fortunate.
Save and plant the seeds from the fruits consumed during the feast or ritual.
Traditonally the largest feast of the year.
Personal Focus
Decide which events, goals or relationships no longer serve your highest and best, make preparations to remove them from your life. Throw symbols of them into the sabbat fire.
Do Magick to help you finish long-standing projects by the fall.
Bless the tools of your trade in order to bring a richer harvest next year.
Colors
- Golden Yellow
- Green
- Light Brown
- Orange
- Red
Decorations
- Corn dollies
- Ears of corn
- Shafts of grain
- Wheat Weavings
- Local fruit
- Fresh baked bread
Food & Drink
- Apples
- Barley Cakes
- Berry/ Berry Pies
- Blackberry/bilberry or blueberry pies/jelly
- Breads
- Calcannon
- Cider
- Cookies shaped and decorated to looks like suns
- Corn
- Elderberry wine
- Grains
- Grapes
- Honey
- Lamb
- Nuts
- Potatoes
- Rice
- Wild Berries
Oils
- Corn
- Eucalyptus
- Safflower
Incense
- Aloes
- Rose
- Sandalwood
Herbs & Teas
|
|
Gemstones
- Aventurine
- Citrine
- Diamond (yellow)
- Peridot
- Sardonyx