Happy Lughnasadh or Lammas friends!
Perhaps this is your first year celebrating Lughnasadh, or maybe your just curious what it is, the following is my personal breakdown of what the Sabbat is a dash of its history and ways to celebrate. Lets go!
Lughnasadh is a celebration of the first harvest. Originating from the Celts it is actually named after the the God Lugh. Lugh is a warrior king, whom represents sun and light. This day was turned into a Funeral Feast in honor of his mother who is believed to have died from exhaustion after clearing the plains for farming. The holiday is also commonly referred to as Lammas which references the English holiday "Loaf mass".
Celebrated on August 1st ( or Feb 1st if you live in the southern hemisphere) this day is halfway between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox. The days are getting shorter, the nights are growing longer and thus we celebrate and "capture" the suns warmth and abundance.
CORRESPONDENCES
Crystals:
Citrine, Tigers Eye, Obsidian, Moss agate, Yellow Aventurine, Lodestone
Foods/Herbs:
Barley, Bread, Corn, Gourds, Sunflower oil, Wheat, Vervain, Basil, Grapes, Wine, Beer, Goat Cheese
Plants/ Flowers:
Sunflowers, Goldenrod, Poppy, Peony, Queen Anns Lace, Comfrey
Intentions/Energies
Accomplishment, Challenges, Death , Endings, Release, Transformation
WHATS WITH ALL THE BREAD ?
A common correspondence for this sabbat is Grain it can be seen as a tip of the hat to the life and death cycle as the grain is harvested (dies) and turned into nutrients for us to consume and keep us alive. The timing of this Sabbat also perfectly coincides with the beginning/ first harvest of grains for the year. Christians would often bring the first loaf from harvest to mass to be blessed, hence the name "loaf mass".
Below is my personal Dutch Oven bread recipe, I love the thick artisan crust it creates making it perfect for etching your personal sigils into … but also extra yummy!
Personally I love baking bread specifically by hand, as much fun and how much faster using mixers and bread making machines can be, I try my best to make a loaf of bread by hand for celebrations like Lughnasadh especially when I want to infuse it with my Magick. It becomes meditative and thus easier for me to focus my energy into the task at hand.
But Celebrating this Sabbat can be hard, especially if you live in an area that the summer heat is still in full swing, not everyone wants to bake bread in 90 degree weather.
HOW ELSE CAN YOU CELEBRATE?
Harvest.. anything really; if you have a garden get out there and start collecting veggies, or clipping flowers to decorate your space.
Harvest seeds.
Harvest ideas through manifestation! What intentions do you want to solidify, and create?
Decorate your altar or home space with corresponding colors, crystals, or fall decorations.
Feast! Invite friends over, chow down on all the grains, gourds, cheeses and more!
Make a corn husk dolls. You can find easy to follow instructions online as well as other dolly designs.
Make Jam/ Jelly preserving fruit from this season.
Go Sunflower picking
Cleanse and Clean Your space
Write a gratitude list
Gather with friends
Make a donation
Make a Sunshine spell jar to hold on to a little bit of that light as the days begin to grow darker.
Lughnasadh is a time of abundance and giving thanks.
Celebrating the Sabbats was overwhelming and confusing to me at first, I conflicted with celebrating modern American holidays and on top of my personal and pagan Sabbats, I personally found my connection to these celebrations through food as it was an easy way for me to incorporate the day into my family life while also being somewhat discreet if need be. Perhaps you will feel more connected to the color aspect of the celebration and spend the day cleaning your space and shifting into the upcoming seasonal change.
Whatever you choose I hope it fills your cup and perhaps your belly!
I could easily go on and on and get deeper into celebrating Lughnasadh and its history but I think this is a good starting point to get you started and see what it is YOU create from the day.
Let me know in the below how you celebrate or hope to celebrate Lughnasdh, id love to hear your thoughts and traditions!
Happy Lughnasadh!
References
Year of the Witch Connecting with Nature's Seasons through Intuitive Magick - By Temperance Alden
Llwellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences A comprehensive and cross-referenced resource for Pagans & Wiccans - By Sandra Kynes
https://www.mabonhouse.co/new-blog/the-history-of-lughnasadh-amp-lammas
My personal BOS
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