Lughnasadh or Lughnasa takes place the night of July 31 through August 1 and is representative of the harvest, skills, sacrifice and perseverance.
The word Lughnasadh can be translated to "an assembly" and of course the beginning of the word referring to "Lugh" the god. It could also mean "commemoration of Lugh"
History:
There are two descriptions in early Irish literature of Lughnasadh. One took place at Teltown, modern County Meath and the other was at Carman near County Kildare. The story of Lughnasadh begins with a goddess by the name of Tailtiu. According to the Irish Book of Invasions, Tailtiu was the daughter of the king of Spain and the wife of Eochaid mac Eric, last Fir Bolg High King of Ireland. When the Tuatha De Danann invaded Ireland, she managed to survive and became the foster mother of Lugh and someone he cared for deeply. Tailtiu is said to have died from exhaustion after clearing and readying the plains of Ireland for agriculture. Lugh established a harvest festival and funeral games, Aenach Tailteann, in her honor or what would become the festival of Lughnasadh. In these accounts, the festival was a time of playing games or exhibiting skills, dancing and religious ritual, trading, arranging trial marriages, telling old tales and having mock battles. Lugh himself was very skilled in many areas of craft and these competitive games or battles could have been representative of testing out skills in general as well as reenactments of the famous mythological battle in which Lugh puts out the eye of his grandfather Balor and kills him.
One favored activity at this time was to climb to the top of a hill or mountain and the festivals themselves were said to have taken place on top of designated hills or mountains. This festival also signified the time to harvest crops and start preparing for winter. It marked the beginning of the sun's descent and a time to celebrate the summer's fruits of labor. Bonfires were undoubtedly lit as in the other festivals but likely not as much because it was still bright outside well into the day. Holy wells would have been frequented and coins or clooties left for offerings asking for favors from the gods in the coming winter season. The essence of Lughnasadh is perseverance and the continued joy of life under the knowledge that darker times lay ahead.
The custom of climbing hills or mountains has survived into modern times as Christian pilgrimages. The best known example of this is the "Reek Sunday" pilgrimage to the top of Croagh Patrick on the last Sunday in July.
Ways to Celebrate:
Go on a journey: The religious term for this would be a pilgrimage. Go on a journey or adventure of sorts whether it's a weekend getaway or just something local that's unique and challenging or something you've always wanted to do but hadn't yet carved out the time. Maybe try a rock wall climb, a challenging hike or even skydiving? Traditionally, one would climb up a tall hill or mountain in bare feet. Some people will choose a place that has meaning for them and visit the same landform annually and traditionally the last weekend of July no matter where the exact date of Lughnasadh happens to fall.
Test your talent and skills: Lughnasadh is about the masculine, while Imbolc is about the feminine. Focus on your physical prowess, talents or skills at this time. Think about things that you are very good at and be proud of yourself! Take this as a time to practice your skills, whether it's chess, running, woodworking, bowling... it could be anything! You could create a craft such as a wreath to hang on your door. Take pride in all that makes you unique! Everyone has something they are good at and could be great in with enough practice!
Nature walk and meditation: Take a relaxing and meditative walk through nature enjoying the late summer energy. Many plants are still full and blooming while others are starting to die off. If so desired, collect natural objects to build crafts at home, add to a summer inspired altar or make a temporary nature mandala during your outing.
Decorate: Decorate your home or space with seasonal symbols and colors of nature. Common decorations are symbols of the harvest, baked goods (grains), baskets, fruits and vegetables and the colors gold, brown and blue. Seek out and find unique items that have a strong meaning for you. Set up your altar accordingly.
Connect: Connect with others. Prepare a Lughnasadh dinner. Listen to appropriate seasonal music. Light candles. Some common dishes are roasted chicken or fish, garlic corn, homemade bread and berry cobbler. Enjoy your family and friends. Cook something different you've never tried before or try a new wine! Go out to a restaurant you’ve never been too. Call up and meet friends or family you haven't seen in a while to encourage meaningful and new conversation. Attend a social event.
Offering: Prepare a basket of seasonal items or a small seasonal gift to give to someone in need. Buy someone's coffee or meal behind you at the drive in. Give back to nature by donating to a charity or participating in a community, park or coastal clean up program. Put out bird seed or a basket of fruit, berries or nuts for local wildlife. Be creative in your offering and method of giving back.
Bonfire: Kindle a bonfire! A drum circle would be a fun activity if possible with family or friends! Many people write a list of their goals or wishes for the coming season, then ceremoniously burn it in the fire sending those wishes into the otherworld.
More on the god Lugh:
He was Irish member of the Tuatha De Danann. His father was Cian (son of Danu) a member of the Tuatha De Danann while his mother was Ethniu the daughter of Balor, member of their enemy the Fomorians. He is associated with skills, crafts, arts and war. His name means "many skilled" or "the shining or flashing one" and was thought to be a sun god of sorts. As a young man, Lugh traveled to Tara to join the court of Nuada, high king of the Tuatha De Danann who at the time were oppressed and at war with the Fomorians, rulers of the underworld (the ground and the sea). The doorkeeper would not let him in unless he had a skill with which to serve the king. He offered him many services but each time was rejected because the king already had someone skilled in those areas. Lugh then asked if they had anyone with not one, but all of those skills and the doorkeeper finally let him in. He proved himself time and time again to Nuada and was eventually appointed Chief Ollam of Ireland as well as given command over the Tuatha De Danann’s army. Around this time, Lugh’s father Cian was killed by the sons of Tuireann, Briaan, Luchar and Lucharba. Cian was their father’s enemy at the time. They tried to cover up their crime by dismembering and burying Cian but were discovered. While King Nuada gives Lugh permission to kill them, instead Lugh sets them on a series of seemingly impossible quests for items that could help the Danann army in the upcoming battle with the Fomorians as recompense. They achieve all of them but are fatally wounded in completing the last one. Despite their father Tuireann’s pleas, Lugh denies them use of one of the last items they retrieved, a magic pigskin which heals all wounds and they all die.
He had a famous fiery spear named areadbhar or “the slaughterer” that had to be immersed in a pot of water or it would become engulfed in flames that never missed its target and would return to him. He also had a sword called fragarach or “the answerer” as well as a self-sailing boat named Scuabtuinne or “wave sweeper” and a horse named Enbarr that fared over both, the land and sea. In the famous Second Battle of Mag Tuired, Nuada, Lugh’s great king was beheaded by Balor, but Lugh takes his revenge by killing him (his grandfather) with a sling shot to his terrible evil eye. Lugh, The Dagda and Ogma rescue the Dagda’s famous harp called Uaitne and the Fomorians retreat into the underworld. Lugh becomes high king of Ireland and rules for many years. He had many wives and was said to have been Cu Chulainn’s father or rather became incarnate through him somehow. Cermait, a son of the Dagda seduces and slept with one of Lugh’s wives. Lugh kills him in revenge however their son’s avenge their father’s death by drowning and killing Lugh in a local loch. He was buried in a cairn near the shore and the loch became known as Loch Lugborta named after him. Other parallel deities exist in other Celtic or nearby cultures such as the British Lleu, Welsh Llew, Gaulish Lugus, German Wotan, English Woden and Norse Odin.
One additional famous folktale that was passed down through the ages regarding Lugh was recorded and written by John O'Donovan told to him by Shane O'Dugan of Tory Island in 1835. He recounds the birth of a grandson of Balor who grows up to kill his grandfather. The grandson is unnamed, his father is called Mac Cinnfhaelaidh (Cian) and the manner of his killing of Balor is different but it has been taken as a version of the birth of Lugh, and was adapted as such by Lady Gregory, one of the more famous Irish folklorists. In this tale, Balor hears a druid's prophecy that he will be killed by his own grandson. To prevent this he imprisons his only daughter in the Tor Mor (great tower) of Tory Island, cared for by twelve women, who are to prevent her ever meeting or even learning of the existence of men. On the mainland, Mac Cinnfhaelaidh owns a magic cow who gives such abundant milk that everyone, including Balor, wants to possess her. While the cow is in the care of Mac Cinnfhaelaidh's brother Mac Samthainn, Balor appears in the form of a little red-haired boy and tricks him into giving him the cow. Looking for revenge, Mac Cinnfhaelaidh calls on a Druidess named Birog, who transports him by magic to the top of Balor's tower, where he seduces Eithniu. In time she gives birth to triplets, which Balor gathers up in a sheet and sends to be drowned in a whirlpool. The messenger drowns two of the babies, but unwittingly drops one child into the harbor. He is then rescued by Birog and she takes him to his father who then gives him to his other brother, Gavida the blacksmith in fosterage.
One additional famous folktale that was passed down through the ages regarding Lugh was recorded and written by John O'Donovan told to him by Shane O'Dugan of Tory Island in 1835. He recounds the birth of a grandson of Balor who grows up to kill his grandfather. The grandson is unnamed, his father is called Mac Cinnfhaelaidh (Cian) and the manner of his killing of Balor is different but it has been taken as a version of the birth of Lugh, and was adapted as such by Lady Gregory, one of the more famous Irish folklorists. In this tale, Balor hears a druid's prophecy that he will be killed by his own grandson. To prevent this he imprisons his only daughter in the Tor Mor (great tower) of Tory Island, cared for by twelve women, who are to prevent her ever meeting or even learning of the existence of men. On the mainland, Mac Cinnfhaelaidh owns a magic cow who gives such abundant milk that everyone, including Balor, wants to possess her. While the cow is in the care of Mac Cinnfhaelaidh's brother Mac Samthainn, Balor appears in the form of a little red-haired boy and tricks him into giving him the cow. Looking for revenge, Mac Cinnfhaelaidh calls on a Druidess named Birog, who transports him by magic to the top of Balor's tower, where he seduces Eithniu. In time she gives birth to triplets, which Balor gathers up in a sheet and sends to be drowned in a whirlpool. The messenger drowns two of the babies, but unwittingly drops one child into the harbor. He is then rescued by Birog and she takes him to his father who then gives him to his other brother, Gavida the blacksmith in fosterage.
