| Lughnasadh - Aug. 2nd |
| Lughnasadh (pronuonced lu-naw-sa), also known as Lammas (the medieval Christian Name), First Harvest, Feast of Cardenas is celebrated on August 2nd. It is the first harvest festival, that of the grain and vegatables. The word Lammas is Anglo-Saxon in origin, meaning "Loaf-Mass" and coming from the word " hlaef-mass" The word Lughnasadh is Gaelic in origin and translates as "the games or assembly." The name lughnasadh comes from the Irish God Lugh, the "Bright or Shining One." He is the God of the Sun and agriculture. In myth, he learns the mysteries of agriculture when he saves a prisoners life. "In Irish Gaelic, the feast was referred to as 'Lugnasadh', a feast to commemorate the funeral games of the Irish sun-god Lugh. However, there is some confusion on this point. Although at first glance, it may seem that we are celebrating the death of the Lugh, the god of light does not really die (mythically) until the autumnal equinox. And indeed, if we read the Irish myths closer, we discover that it is not Lugh's death that is being celebrated, but the funeral games which Lugh hosted to commemorate the death of his foster- mother, Taillte. That is why the Lugnasadh celebrations in Ireland are often called the 'Tailltean Games'." -Mike Nichols In British/Welsh myth he is known as Lleu, the son of Arianhod, the god of the sun and grain. In later times he is known as John Barleycorn. At this time in the year, the God is beginning his downward journey. This is the time when he sacrifices himself so the people and earth can continue living. He is cut down in the fields to go into the earth so life may be renewed. In ancient times kings, symbolized as the God, were sacrificed for the good of the land and his people. Sometime s mock king was used instead of the real king, in which case this person was made to feel like a king for a whole year. He was given whatever he wanted and treated just like a king. "The last recorded sacrifice of a king of England may have occurred at Lammas, in the year 1100. King William II (Rufus the Red, or William Rufus) rejected the relatively new Christian beliefs, and openly declared himself Pagan. His death in a "hunting accident" on August 2, 1100 c.e., is believed by many historians to have been a case of the traditional sacrifice being disguised for the sake of the Christian priests." - www.cyberwitch.com The Goddess however, never dies. She just changes phases and appearance. She can also be seen as the Corn Mother who gives birth to the harvest. It is a time of great happiness and abundance. The grain, vegatables and herbs are ready to be harvested and all on the earth are nourished and happy. The garden is bursting with ripe, red tomatoes and green cucumbers. The herb garden is at its full height. Breads are being made from the wheat, rye and barley that is ready for hervest. Road-side vegatable stands are packed full of ripe, yellow corn and big bright sunflowers dot the fields. The days are progressivly growing shorter and we can almost feel the change in the air. While the days are still hot and sunny, we can prepare ourselves for the changing season about to come in the next month or so. This is a time when pagans thank the God and Goddess for everything they have been given. We see all the greatness and abundance that has been in our lives and give thanks. Its a time to do magic involving health, financial gain, abundance, protection and happiness. its a tiem to concentrate on your goals and which ones should be thrown out and which should be kept. Symbols of Lughnasadh Grain - wheat, rye, barley, corn Vegatables The Sun Activities -Make a corn dolly. After peeling corn husks from corn, take them and instead of throwing them out, set them out to dry. They will turn yellow and you can use them to make a dolly. It is thought that the spirit of the corn is preserved in the corn dolly, waiting to return the next year. Go here to find out how to make one. -Harvest vegatables or herbs from your garden. Give thanks to the God who has sacrificed himself your the earth and you. Thank the Goddess for giving life to the vegatbales so that you may live. -Make an equal armed cross out of wheat. You can buy wheat at any craft store or craft department. -Dry herbs, seeds and flowers. -Make Corn Bread in the shape of a man -Sacrifice old habits by burning symbols or pictures of them in a fire. The Altar On the altar you can put: Corn Dolly Wheat, Rye or Barley Sunflowers Marigolds Dried corn Orange, Yellow or Red candles Herbs Goldenrod, Nasturium, Clover, Yarrow, Boneset, Varvain, Queen Anne's Lace, Rose, Sunflower, Poppy, Milkweed, Mushroom, Wheat, Corn, Rye, Oat, Barley, Garlic, Onion, Basil, Mint, Raspberry leaf, Mugwort, Hops, Comfrey, Marigold, Elder, Blackthorn (From Celebrate the Earth by Laurie Cabot) Goddesses of Lughnasadh Demeter, Ceres, Corn Mother, and other agricultural Goddesses Gods of Lughnasadh The God manifests as Lugh, John Barleycorn, Tammuz, Osiris and Adonis It was on a Lammas night, When corn rigs are bonie, Beneath the moon's unclouded light, I held away to Annie: The time flew by, wi tentless heed, Till 'tween the late and early; Wi' sma' persuasion she agreed To see me thro' the barley. The sky was blue, the wind was still, The moon was shining clearly; I set her down, wi' right good will, Amang the rigs o'barley I ken't her heart was a' my ain; I lov'd her most sincerely; I kissed her owre and owre again, Among the rig o' barley. I locked her in my fond embrace; Her heart was beating rarely: My blessings on that happy place, Amang the rigs o'barley. But by the moon and stars so bright, That shone that hour so clearly! She ay shall bless that happy night, Amang the rigs o'barley. I hae been blythe wi' Comrades dear; I hae been merry drinking; I hae been joyfu' gath'rin gear; I hae been happy thinking: But a' the pleasures e'er I saw, Tho three times doubl'd fairley That happy night was worth then a'. Among the rig's o' barley. CHORUS Corn rigs, an' barley rigs, An' corn rigs are bonie: I'll ne'er forget that happy night, Among the rigs wi' Annie. -by Robert Burns |
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