The holiday of Lughnasadh, also known as Lughnasa or Lammas, marks the midpoint between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox. This may be categorized as one of the “lesser known” sabbats, and much like its Wheel of the Year counterpart Imbolc, it is sometimes overlooked. Maybe it’s because people are already getting geared up for autumn and looking ahead to Mabon and Samhain. Maybe because it’s hard for people today to see how Lughnasadh traditions fits into the modern cycle of celebrations. Or maybe it’s because the name is challenging to read and say Lughnasadh (LOO-nuh-suh or LOO-nah-sah). But for me, it is a bountiful day, a pleasing time of year, and just as valuable of a magical gateway within the Wheel of the Year as any other sabbat celebration.
Lughnasadh is commonly celebrated on August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere or February 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. Some will celebrate it when the Sun is at 15 degrees in Leo. August signifies the waning weeks of summer, a finale to a season of bright and long days often enjoyed outdoors. For those who are in school, August could feel like a countdown, where students savor the final days of calendrical freedom before returning to classes. Lughnasadh is honored as the first harvest holiday of the year, where we welcome the earth’s maturation and a season of plentifulness. Sweet peaches, tempting tomatoes, satisfying squashes, inviting blackberries, and luscious plums are just some of the fruits and vegetables that are abundant in our August gardens and orchards. The decadence and variety in flavors available at Lughnasadh make for a feast that is a delectable experience, with plenty to share with those we love. Lughnasadh is a time in which we also reflect with graciousness and gratitude for the sacrifices made by the land and seasons for our continued wellness and strength. The crops must be cut for our sustenance and the sun's strength weakens as we advance towards the cooler and darker seasons. But the cold is not with us quite yet.
Image from Unsplash by Miss MV
Harvest Traditions and Celebrations in the Dog Days of Summer
At this time of the year many festivals were held to celebrate sports, compete in games, and enjoy contests. In some places these harvest celebrations started in mid-July and went through mid-August. In Ireland, bonfires would be lit, and outdoor feasts would take place. Rituals and sacrifices would be held to ensure bountiful harvest. The retelling of Lugh’s tales would be shared, and sporting competitions would be held. In the Scottish Highlands, rites were performed to bring protection to animals and homes. Races were held and sports were played. Wells were visited on the Isle of Man because they were said to have increased healing powers at this time of year. British Lammas was an important holiday through medieval times when festivals were held, elections took place, and bills were paid. Robert Burns translated and published a poetic translation in 1782 of a famous ballad that features the character John Barleycorn and the well-known line “John Barleycorn must die.” John Barleycorn, a spirit of barley crops, was honored and sacrificed. His sacrifice was not only valuable for the cycle of life to continue, but also to transform the grains into whiskey and ale.
Lughnasadh offers astronomical events worth spending an evening outside to observe and honor. The Perseid Meteor Shower is visible for many in the Northern Hemisphere between mid-July and mid-August. The star Sirius, located in the constellation Canis Major, also reappears in the heavens as it rises in the pre-dawn sky in late summer. The reappearance of Sirius, the brightest star in our sky, is where the expression "dog days of summer" emerged. Ancient Greeks believed the heat generated by Sirius aided in the sweltering heat at this time of the year. Ancient Egyptians celebrated the rising of Sirius, as it marked the season of the flooding Nile. The Ancient Egyptians believed that the flooded waters of the Nile were connected to Isis' tears, who mourned the loss of her husband Osiris. In this way, we see the sacrifice of the land and the perpetual motion of life, death, and rebirth in season of Lughnasadh.
Lugh and Lughnasadh’s Namesake
Lughnasadh is named after the Celtic God Lugh, who has taken on the role of a Sun King, though he is known as a master of all human skills. His name means “the Shining One,” and he is said to be a clever magician, wise poet, masterful warrior, skilled blacksmith, and king of the Tuatha de Danann. This holiday is as much about Lugh’s adoptive mother Tailtiu, who in legend, clears the plains that will serve as agricultural land in Ireland. She dies from exhaustion due to her challenging chores, but her sacrifice allows for others to sustain. Lugh was said to have introduced the celebrations of Lughnasadh in honor of Tailtiu.
Modern Magic to Honor the Spirit of Lughnasadh
There are plenty of ways, simple or extensive, to celebrate the spirit of Lughnasadh:
Image from Unsplash by Monika Grabkow
Kitchen Magic: One powerful way to honor the spirit of Lughnasadh is to spend time cooking and/or doing magic in the kitchen. Lughnasadh marks a time of plenty. Gardens and farms are lush and producing, giving modern day pagans and witches the opportunity to visit and celebrate seasonal foods at local farmer’s markets. Use this time of year to reflect on the cycle of food and the wonderful options in a grown-in garden. Since this is a holiday that honors grain, you may want to try your hand at making bread at home. If you are anything like me and not the best baker, a simple peasant bread or Irish Soda bread would be a great beginner bread to attempt. You can also try your hand at preserving fruit in jams and jellies that can be kept on hand for months while there is an abundance of berries ripe and ready at Lughnasadh, .
Domestic Magic and Protection of the Home: This is an excellent time to perform purification and protection magic in your home. Many people are used to “Spring Cleaning,” but I like to think a good deep clean is beneficial before the “‘ber months” (September, October, November, December) arrive, thus making deep cleans a bi-annual activity. A practical activity at this time is to go through the home and see if there are any un-used items that can be donated or recycled. A more magical activity for cleaning could include wiping down surfaces with a purification rinse. A recipe I use includes 2 cups water, ¼ cup white vinegar, and a handful of fresh herbs (I like mint, rosemary, basil, hyssop, and/or lavender). Warm the water in a saucepan over low-medium heat. Add the herbs and steep on a low heat, uncovered, for 30 to 60 minutes (now this works as a purifying simmering potpourri as well). Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow it to cool and put in a spray bottle. If you are looking to bring more protection into the home, consider creating a cross with two pieces of collected wood (try ash, oak, or rowan) and tying together with red string. You can also place protective crystals in the corners of your home – in addition to traditionally protective crystals (such as smoky quartz, hematite or selenite), ones associated with the season that may be beneficial are tiger’s eye and carnelian.
Empowerment and Courage Magic: Empowerment, strength, vitality, and courage are all magical workings that blend into the competitive and gaming naturing of Lughnasadh. In honor of the season of Leo, you may want to consider working with the goddess Ancient Egyptian goddess Sekhmet. She is an ancient goddess whose name means “She Who Is Powerful,” and should be approached with respect and care. Sekhmet is a goddess of war, power, healing, and the sun. Depicted as a woman with a lioness head with a solar disk above her, Sekhmet has both fiercely aggressive and healing sides. While she could be a powerful goddess of battle and empowerment, she was also a protector of Pharaohs and healing patron of physicians. Priests would give her daily offerings in temples with life sized statues of her to appease her and keep her calm. Modern magical practitioners and witches can look to Sekhmet to conjure courage, face your fears, offer protection, and awaken your inner power and build unshakeable confidence. If you would like to connect with Sekhmet during the Lughnasadh season, consider having her image on your altar alongside offerings of pomegranate juice, bread (here’s a recipe for Ancient Egyptian bread if you’re an adventurous baker), red candles, and red sandalwood or Ancient Egyptian Kyphi incense. If you are looking for a simple spell associated with Sekhmet, consider Denise Dumars’ Let Sekhmet Roar Spell. If you are ready to dive deeper into her mysteries, read Sekhmet: Transformation in the Belly of the Goddess by Nicki Scully, who will walk you through facing your fears in order to re-establish inner strength and connect with Sekhmet for courage and transformation.
Water Magic: August is the hottest time of the year, where our desire for relief from heat and humidity can be at the forefront of our minds. To honor the tangible passage of time at Lughnasadh, swimming feels can be fitting magical and sensual ritual. I have these deeply magical memories of swimming through the cool wooded creeks in my Connecticut hometown or swimming in the ocean on Tybee Island at sunset. For me, the experience of the warm waters at Lughnasadh bring me comfort and offer healing on a spiritual level. The power of nature is also clearly expressed at Lughnasadh, as is apparent in the abrupt emergence of thunderstorms and brewing hurricanes. The energy is literally electric at times. One simple magical activity you can do during this season is to collect rainwater from a thunderstorm. This is sometimes known as “thunder water,” and is used for a variety of spell work, depending on your preferences and beliefs. I personally like to add thunder water to spells that require an extra “jolt” of energy. Thunder water can also be used for banishment and purification spells. If you are ready to take a deeper dive (pun intended) into exploring water magic, consider how you associate with the element of water as you read Lilith Dorsey’s Water Magic.
Liminal Lughnasadh
One of my favorite observations of Lughnasadh energy and magic comes from author Melanie Marquis in her book Lughnasadh: Rituals, Recipes, and Love for Lammas:
The August Sabbat is both an opening and a closing, a culmination and commencement. It’s the in-between time just after the heat of the day and right before sunset; it’s the crossroads where seemingly contrasting and contradictory forces join together to form an open path extending in all directions. Magickally, it’s a great time for highly transformative workings, as the energy flow can be used as a sort of doorway or portal into dimensions you might not be able to access regularly. The Lughnasadh Sabbat provides an opportunity to go down the rabbit hole, through the key hole, or through the looking glass; you’ll be able to work more extreme magick on a grander scale if you take advantage of the in-between, undefined and therefore limitless nature of the season.
There is a liminality in the dog days of summer. Lughnasadh is drenched in the magic of water, the magic of the shifting heavens, the desire for release and relief, the celebration of bounty and sacrifice, and the opportunity to enjoy the many earthly delights that are so prevalent this time of year. It is a time when you may feel aware of a magical connection between my body and the abundance of life in the world around me. We might be looking ahead and notice that we are walking towards the gates walk of autumn, where the magical focus shifts inwards again to the psychic world and the theme of "the thinning Veil." Yet, for now, relish in the temporal sensations and robust energy associated with Lughnasadh and the bountiful month of August.
Here are some questions to contemplate and write about at Lughnasadh:
What have you successfully grown in your life over the past few months?
What situation in your life would benefit from courage? What does courage look like in this situation?
What are you thankful for in your life?
What can you do in your home and kitchen to create a comfortable and safe space for the autumn and winter months ahead?
What in your life needs to be “sacrificed,” or cut out, for the sake of growth and momentum forward?
Did you have any goals or projects during the growing season? How have they progressed and panned out so far?
Think back to childhood or your teenage years. How did August feel back then, and what August memories or sensations stir up nostalgic feelings and return you to that time?
Image from Unsplash by Ellie Ellien
Correspondences for Magic and Celebrations at Lughnasadh
Names:
Lughnasadh
Lammas
Lughnasa
Date of Celebration:
August 1st
August 12th
When the sun is at 15 degrees in Leo
“Sensing Lughnasadh” (moments when it feels like the Lughnasadh season):
Advertisements are focused on “Back to School.”
Agricultural Fairs are beginning in counties and towns.
American football ramps up with training and pre-season
Depending on the year, the Summer Olympics are hosted.
Farmer’s Markets are fully stocked with tomatoes, squash, plums, and peaches.
The weather remains hot and humid, with pop up thunderstorms and overcast days acting as a welcoming break from the heat.
You begin to feel eager for the cool, crisp days approaching in September and October. “Summerween” begins for Halloween fans who enjoy seeing Halloween decorations return to stores, knowing Halloween is just around the corner.
You fall asleep to the sound of katydids and crickets singing outside.
You notice the sun is setting earlier in the evening.
Deities Honored:
Artemis
Athena
Bastet
Bran
Ceres
Cernunnos
Corn Maiden
Demeter
Diana
Epona
Hathor
Hecate
Isis
Loki
Lugh
Odin
Osiris
Sekhmet
Tailtiu
Thor
Lughnasadh Animal Allies:
Butterfly
Cow
Dolphin
Eagle
Field Mouse
Fox
Horse
Lady Bug
Lion
Otter
Owl
Pig
Sea Turtle
Sheep
Stag
Whale
Magical Focuses:
Abundance magic
Cleansing and purification magic
Kitchen and cooking magic
Pleasure and playfulness magic
Protection magic for home and pets
Reflection and gratitude magic
Strength and confidence magic
Success and achievement magic
Transformation magic
Suggested Activities:
Admire the rising of Sirius before sunrise.
Attend a drum circle.
Bake bread.
Do volunteer work at a soup kitchen or food pantry.
Enjoy a picnic or outdoor potluck feast.
Go swimming at a nearby lake, creek, or beach.
Forage wild berries (safely).
Host a Lughnasadh ritual on a hilltop.
Make preserves with handpicked berries or garden vegetables.
Perform an abundance spell in your garden or kitchen.
Play boardgames in a park.
Play outdoor games like Badminton, Croquet, Capture the Flag, Kickball, Horseshoe, Bocce, or Cornhole.
Safely watch a thunderstorm and collect “Thunder Water.”
Spend time at or engage in ritual at a natural body of water.
Visit a local farmer’s market and make a healthy “farm to table” meal.
Watch the Olympics or other sporting matches.
Watch the Perseid Meteor shower.
Altar Decorations:
Cornucopia
Grain Stalks
Image of Strength tarot card
Loaf of Bread
Staff or Wand
Statue of Lugh
Strength tarot card
Yellow and Gold Candles
Food and Beverages:
Apricots
Barley
Bilberries
Blackberries
Bread
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Crab
Cucumbers
Corn
Eggplant
Farro
Figs
Fruit Pies
Grapes
Green Beans
Jams and Jellies
Oats
Okra
Oysters
Peaches
Plums
Potatoes
Quinoa
Salmon
Summer Squash
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Plants, Herbs, Incense:
Aster
Basil
Black-Eyed Susans
Borage
Cinquefoil
Coneflower
Cornflower
Fennel
Goldenrod
Grains
Hazel
Heather
Holly
Ironweed
Jewelweed
Jimsonweed
Lavender
Oak
Passionflower
Pokeweed
Poppy
Queen Anne’s Lace
Ragweed
Rosemary
Rowan
Russian Sage
Sunflowers
Sweet Joe Pye Weed
Thistle
Tiger Lily
Vervain
Vines
Crystals:
Amber
Carnelian
Citrine
Heliodor
Moss Agate
Peridot
Sardonyx
Tiger’s Eye
Topaz
Yellow Tourmaline
Colors:
Brown
Deep Green
Gold
Orange
Yellow
For complete list of works cited in this blog, please click on this link.