Many wishes for a pleasurable, blessed, and abundant Lughnasadh to those observing this precious and divine celebration this weekend! The holiday of Lughnasadh, which is celebrated at the midpoint between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox, tends to be overlooked. I think some people may not be drawn to it because at first glimpse it is not as sensual as Beltane or mystical as Samhain. But for me, it is a bountiful day, a pleasing time of year, and just as valuable of a gateway within the Wheel of the Year calendar as any other Sabbat celebration.
Lughanasadh is honored as the first harvest holiday of they year, where we welcome a season of plentifulness. Sweet peaches, tempting tomatoes, satisfying squashes, inviting blackberries, luscious figs 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, where we can share our offerings with those we love. At Lughnasadh 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.
August is the hottest time of the year, where our desire for relief from the heat and humidity can be at the forefront of our minds. To honor the tangible passage of time at Lughnasadh, swimming feels like a fitting magical and sensual ritual. I have these deeply magical memories of swimming through the cool wooded creeks in my hometown of Glastonbury, Connecticut. And, now I live by the ocean, which I try to visit every evening to swim under the sunset alongside the dolphins. 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.
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 must savor the final few days of calendrical freedom before returning to classes. Lughnasadh offers astronomical events worth honoring as well. 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.
There is a liminality in the dog days of summer. Lughanasadh 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. For me, it is a time I am aware of a magical connection between my body and the abundance of life in the world around me. I may look ahead and understand that at this time I begin my walk towards the gates of autumn, where my focus shifts inwards again to the psychic world and the theme of "the thinning Veil." Yet, for now, I will relish in the temporal sensations I associate with Lughnasadh and the bountiful month of August.
If you are looking for activities to enjoy today or throughout the month of August, consider the following:
Spend time at or engage in ritual at a natural body of water
Watch the Perseid Meteor shower
Admire the rising of Sirius before sunrise (for 2021 this can be observed around August 11th)
Safely watch a thunderstorm
Visit a local farmer's market and make a healthy "farm to table" meal
Enjoy a picnic with friends
Watch the Olympics
Go swimming
Make preserves from handpicked fruits and berries
Perform an abundance spell in your garden or kitchen
Admire blooming August flowers like Passionflower, Cornflower, and Queen Anne's Lace
