Lughnasadh (pronounced Loo-na-sa), means “gathered of Lugh” and celebrates the first day of the harvest season. Lugh is one of the most important Celtic gods. He embodies light, knowledge and the arts. The birth of Lugh is symbolic of the union between the sun and the earth. Legend has it that this god created Lughnasadh in honor of his adoptive mother Tailtiu, who died of exhaustion on August 1st after transforming the Irish forests into arable land. This festival allows us to thank the mother earth for its fertility and to harvest our seeds.
It is a perfect opportunity to make peace over a feast. Music, games, poems and painting are all part of the celebration. Some perform prosperity rituals such as walking around a fountain in the direction of the sun (counterclockwise) reciting wishes for health and prosperity. Wheat is at the centre of the celebration, and bread, beer and fruit are consumed. Thematic colours are yellow, orange and green. Basil, mint, rosemary and several other herbs are incorporated into the recipes. People make offerings of grain and bread and pick lavender, daisies and sunflowers. Pollinating insects as well as butterflies and birds of the fields are celebrated. Lughnasadh is the festival that falls perfectly between Litha , the summer solstice (20-22 June) and Mabon , the autumn equinox (20-22 September).
How to celebrate Lughnasadh at home:
- Buy or make herb bread
- Take the time to recognize the abundance of nature and thank it for what it has offered us this year.
- Making peace with the people we love and resolving our conflicts
- Prepare a good meal and drink a beer (or fruit juice) with our friends
- Go for a walk in the forest or in a field to surround yourself with nature
- Write, draw, dance, sing, do an artistic activity
- Have a board game night with our loved ones
- Tan
IN
Lughnasadh (pronounced Loo-na-sa) means “Assembly of Lugh” and celebrates the first day of the harvest season. Lugh is one of the most important Celtic gods, embodying light, knowledge, and arts. The birth of Lugh symbolizes the union between the sun and the earth. According to legends, Lugh created Lughnasadh in honor of his foster mother, Tailtiu, who died of exhaustion on August 1st after transforming Ireland's forests into fertile plains. This festival is an opportunity to thank the nourishing earth for its fertility and to gather the fruits of our labor.
Lughnasadh is the perfect opportunity to make peace while sharing a feast. Music, games, poetry, and painting are key elements of the celebration. Some people perform prosperity rituals, such as walking sunwise (clockwise) around a fountain while reciting wishes for health and abundance. Wheat is at the center of the celebration. Bread, beer, and fruits are also often consumed. The thematic colors are yellow, orange, and green. Basil, mint, rosemary, and other herbs are included in recipes. People make offerings of grains and bread and gather lavender, daisies, and sunflowers. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and field birds are also honored. Lughnasadh falls perfectly between Litha , the summer solstice (June 20–22), and Mabon , the autumn equinox (September 20–22).
How to Celebrate Lughnasadh at Home:
- Buy or bake herb bread
- Take time to recognize the abundance of nature and express gratitude for its gifts this year
- Make peace with loved ones and resolve any conflicts
- Prepare a delicious meal and share it with friends over a beer (or fruit juice)
- Take a walk in the forest or fields to connect with nature
- Engage in an artistic activity: write, draw, dance, or sing
- Host a game night with your friends or family
Source: https://mysticsmoons.com/2019/07/26/lughnasadh-histoire-symboles-et-correspondances/