7 Ways to Celebrate Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh celebrates the first harvest of the Wheel of the Year. Taking place on August 1….
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In the Wheel of the Year, August 1st is the celebration of Lughnasadh (pronounced loo-NAS-ah). Modern celebrations of Lughnasadh represents a blending of Celtic myth and the Anglo-Saxon celebration of Lammas. There are many easy and affordable ways to celebrate the first harvest of the Wheel of the Year, taking pause to enjoy the full bloom of summertime.
1. Bake Bread
In ancient times Lughnasadh marked the beginning of the grain harvest. Grains like wheat, barley, oats and corn were vital for surviving the long cold winters of the Northern Hemisphere. So it makes sense that the first harvest of grain was a cause for celebration. On August 1, grain would be harvested in the dawn hours and by evening it was baked into a loaf of bread to be shared by the community. Like Yule, Imbolc and Ostara, in certain parts of Europe this ancient custom was melded with Christianity during the early middle ages, as the influence of the Christian church spread. During this time, the first loaf of bread to be baked would be taken to the local church and be blessed by a priest, leading to the Old English term Haef Mas, which translates to Loaf Mass, which is where the term Lammas comes from. Though Lammas was an early Christian tradition among Anglo-Saxons, it’s roots go back to the earliest agrarian cultures, including the Celts and Druids.
Save this recipe for old fashion Lammas bread.
2. Gather Flowers
This simple activity is one of my favorites. Nothing makes an ordinary day feel special like having a bouquet of fresh seasonal flowers on my dining table or desk. Of course flowers vary from place to place, but the most common blooms available in the Northern Hemisphere during Lughnasadh include sunflowers, black-eyed susan’s, poppies and gladiolas. if you don’t have access to your own fresh flowers, consider picking up an inexpensive bouquet at the grocery store.
3. Make Some Arts & Crafts
Lughnasadh is named for the Celtic Sun God, Lugh, who was the patron god of skilled craftsman and blacksmiths, along with several other areas. Lughnasadh is a good time to make something special or try out a whole new skill, such as painting, weaving, pottery or woodworking. Last year I took up painting landscapes, because it was something I always wanted to try. Even if the end results aren’t the best thing you’ve ever seen (none of my paintings will ever hang on my walls) the process of creativity is good for the mind and soul. I’ve curated several fun nature based projects HERE.
4. Make a Corn Dolly
Along the lines of arts and crafts, Corn Dollies are a fun activity to do with or without kids. A corn dolly is made from corn stalks and were a popular ancient traditions. Corn dollies were thought to embodied the spirit of the harvest and give it a home during the long winter months. They would also be used as a harvest decorations. Here is a video tutorial on how to make a Corn Dolly.
5. Set Intentions
Lughnasadh in the midway point of the growing season (Beltane to Samhain) and midway between summer (Litha) and autumn (Mabon). It’s a good time to take a break and think about how your year has been and what you would like to accomplish through the rest of summer/the growing season. This could be literal (plants, crops, flowers) or more figurative such as new skills, habits or projects.
6. Celebrate the Grain Moon
In keeping with the season of Lughnasadh, you can celebrate the full moon of August, known as the Grain Moon, Barley Moon, Sturgeon Moon and Dispute Moon. August was the time of the first harvest of the year the Celtic and to celebrate the occasion with feasts and festivals. Today the Grain Moon is a time to celebrate all your work and progress during the year, knowing that you are also prepared for the months ahead. Check out the Free Celtic Moon Printables in the Members Library.
7. Host a Lughnasadh Party or Potluck
Enjoy the late summer weather with a gathering of friends and family. Make some seasonal summer dishes and spend time with the people you care about. You can grab the Free Mabon House Lughnasadh Celebration planner in the Members Library.
How Are You Celebrating Imbolc?
Can you believe it’s already the middle of January? While I usually don’t mind the cold weather, this year I find myself longing for spring and sunshine and flowers more than usual.
That said, I’m determined to make the best of the winter and take some time to celebrate Imbolc, which is arguably one of the least known Pagan holidays. #yulegetsallthelove
After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I’m planning on a pretty low-key Imbolc celebration. In fact, I think it’s just going to be me, some candles, my journal and quiet corner of my house. And maybe (which means I definitely will have) some sweet baked treats to mark the occasion.
One of the best parts of following an Pagan spiritual path, in my humble opinion, is that there are so many different ways to celebrate. You can do it up with a fully decorated altar and rituals or keep it simple with some candlelight and quiet meditation on the year ahead.
I want to use Imbolc as a opportunity to really slooowww dooowwwn and think about what I want to accomplish, and more importantly, how I want to feel in 2020.
How about you? What are you planning for Imbolc? How will you celebrate? I’d love to hear about it!
Give me a shout out on Instagram and share how you’re celebrating Imbolc in 2020!
