Rejoicing in the Sovereign Splendor of Creation

The Song of Lughnasadh

I am the sovereign splendor of creation,
I am the fountain in the courts of bliss,
I am the bright surrender of the willpower,
I am the watchful guardian and the kiss.

I am the many-colored landscape,
I am the transmigration of the geese,
I am the burnished glory of the breastplate,
I am the harbor where all strivings cease.
Caitlín Matthews,
from The Celtic Devotional: Daily Prayers and Blessings

Blessed Lughnasadh!

Now the Wheel of the Year has turned once more, and above the equator, the season of planting and growing gives way to the first harvest, and the first taste of Fall.

Blessings on this Lughnasadh!

Sometimes spelled with two S’s, and pronounced “LOO-nahs-ah” or “Loo-NAH-sah,” this is an Irish Gaelic word. It is also known by the Anglo-Saxon, Christianized name of “Lammas” which translates “Loaf Mass,” the mass in which the first loaves of bread of the harvest season were blessed.

Lughnasadh is one of the Cross-Quarter Sabbats (the Quarters refer to the Equinoxes and Solstices). Since very ancient times, across the northern European traditions, it has been a merry celebration of the First Harvest, featuring dancing, music, matchmaking, and country fair festivities.

Although some of the hottest days of Summer may still be on the way, here in the Northern Hemisphere, we can already notice the diminishing hours of daylight, and feel the shifting towards Autumn.

At this time, for our many friends in the lands of the Southern Hemisphere, we also send blessings of Imbolc, when Winter’s grip begins to noticeably slip. May you be blessed by dearest Brigid this day!

For all of us, the Equinox is now only six weeks away. After that, in the Northern Hemisphere, night’s hours overtake the daylight for six months, while Spring begins to blossom below the Equator.

First Harvest

In agricultural traditions throughout the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the start of the harvest cycle, when grains and corn are the first to ripen. This is a day of thanksgiving for these early crops of ripening grain, as well as the fruits and vegetables that are now filling our pantries.

Although in some places, this time also begins the hunting season, Lughnasadh is primarily a grain harvest, one in which corn, wheat, barley, and other grain products such as bread are prominently featured.

At this time, many Witches give special devotion to the Harvest Gods and Goddesses, as well as observe the sacrificial Dying and Resurrection motif, by preparing magical loaves of bread.

Of course, the grain harvest does not transform into bread only but is used to make spirits. The old British folk song, John Barleycorn Must Die, which dates back at least to the 15th century, is a witty reference to this theme.

Other activities include making corn dollies, and dancing around the bonfire. Because corn on the cob, as we commonly think of it, comes from maize, which was introduced to Europe from the Western Hemisphere, traditional ballad references to “corn” (like in John Barleycorn) refer to field grains, like barley and wheat.

Lugh and Tailtiu

In her beautiful book of daily devotions, The Celtic Spirit, Caitlín Matthews writes, “This feast is often understood to be a celebration of the Irish God Lugh, but this is not the case.

“The festival is celebrated primarily in honor of Lugh’s foster-mother, Tailtiu (TAWL’too), who single-handedly cleared the plains of Ireland of trees in order that agriculture and the grazing of cattle might take place. This necessary work is remembered and honored in the myth of Tailtiu.

“The word Lughnasa … comes from the old Irish Lugh nasad, or ‘the binding promise or duty of Lugh.’ On the death of His foster-mother, Lugh caused funeral games to be held in her honor.”

So the meaning of Lughnasadh is not so much to celebrate Lugh, although naturally any honor given to this Shining God of the Many Gifts is always appropriate. Instead, it is to celebrate the promise of Lugh – the vow He gave to His mother.

The games He established were held at Telltown (named for Tailtiu) in County Meath for many centuries. Though discontinued after medieval times, they have once more been restored.

The new games celebrated their centennial last year
(photo shown is of fireworks at the commencement of the games’ 1924 revival).

These traditional harvest games and celebrations are typical of similar ones held throughout Ireland and many other parts of Europe as harvest fairs, with people gathering for bonfires, dances, harvest suppers, games, and food contests.

I can’t help but also mention that today is the birthday of polymath and someone I consider evocative of Lugh of “the many gifts,” the late Jerry Garcia. This marks the beginning of what Deadheads call “The Days Between,” which begin today and then end in the solemn observance of his death, Aug. 9.

This year is the 30th anniversary of his death and the establishment of The Days Between, so to celebrate it, I have a number of gifts I’m offering with my cookbook.

Giving Thanks and Paying It Forward

As you celebrate the First Harvest today, what vows might you feel called to make, on behalf of those you love?

In the same way that the grain now harvested from the fields contains the seed for next Spring’s planting, you are the result of your forebears’ seeds of desires and dreams. What promises are you obliged to keep, especially to the Ancestors?

You might take this day, on the waxing quarter Moon, to consider what seeds of wisdom, hope, and love you may be called to protect and pass on to those who come after you.

As I have written many times, including in this week’s Tarot card, the practice of gratitude is a life-transforming activity that is actually documented to have profound medical benefits. This could be a splendid time to begin keeping a gratitude journal and then watch how blessings pour into your life in surprising ways.

As we feast and give thanks for the bread on our table, let us remember those who are facing starvation in Gaza, Haiti, Guatemala, and other places where war, authoritarian greed, and climate disasters are bringing deadly hunger. Perhaps in honor of Lugh and Tailtiu you might wish to make a donation to courageous, vital aid organizations like the World Central Kitchen, or your own local Meals on Wheels.

And what promise and fidelity might you offer to the sacred land itself, that makes possible our very lives? In your rites this day, you might wish to vow you will cut back on using disposable plastics, stop buying items that contain glitter and microplastics, or increase your support for your local farmers’ markets.

For Goddess knows, our fierce, loving allegiance to our Mother Earth is needed now more than ever before.

On this most ancient festival of fire and feast, may you never hunger.
May you never thirst.
Blessed be.