Here we are, rolling into the sabbat which marks the beginning of the harvest season. Can you believe we are this close to fall already? I won’t complain…sure, I will miss my weekends floating around in the pool with a good book, but fall is my favorite time of the year.
I do have a busy fall planned with the Hannah House Paranormal Festival on 8/10, Romantic Galena Reads on 9/7, Flaming Cauldron on 9/28, Smash/Slash Author Bash on 10/5, a girl’s weekend at Lake Geneva on 10/17, and Books in the Desert on 11/2 with an extended stay at my brother and sister in law’s house with hopefully a day trip to Tombstone. I’m also considering a return trip to Ireland at the end of November if everything works out. Fingers crossed.
So, let’s talk about Lughnasadh or Lunasa. The name Lughnasadh comes from the god Lugh and nasad is a gathering or celebration. In Irish, Lunasa is the word for August. So, we celebrate this sabbat starting on the first day of August.
In Irish mythology, Lughnasadh was founded by the god Lugh as a funeral feast and athletic games in honor of the death of an earth goddess. The earth goddess is said to have been Lugh’s foster mother Tailtiu, who perished from exhaustion after clearing the land of Ireland for agriculture. Tailtiu is also the goddess who was representative of the dying vegetation. Which is what happens as the autumn months roll in and crops are harvested and the land is put to rest for the winter season.
So, what are some ways to celebrate Lughnasadh/Lunasa? Take some time to recognize and honor the land for what it has provided during the growing season. Start planning for winter. Take stock in your life and look at ways to seek balance. Go within and see what you need, what you are hungry for, and start making plans to provide for yourself. Or perhaps you make a traditional corn dolly to represent and honor the god Lugh.
No matter what you are doing today and in the days that follow, I send many blessings of prosperity, hope, and balance. Have a wonderful Lughnasadh/Lunasa!!
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