Lughnasa (Lammas) – festival of transitions. To ancient people, yearly harvests replicated human cycles of birth, death. Reaping of food crops associated with abundance of spirit. Yet, harvest times were also a portent of autumn’s chill, winter’s harsh frosts. Celtic people in centuries past recognised season’s 1st harvest with festival of Lughnasa – ‘feast of 1st fruits’.
Celebrated on 1st August in Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales. Marks the mid-point between Beltane in May, Samhain in November. A turning point in Earth’s life-cycle. Both a joyous celebration of plenty and a solemn decline of Sun God’s energy, ‘Lugh’.
Lammas – ‘celebration of loaves’, is still practiced. Associated with grains, fruits, flowers. Traditionally, people assemble on hill-tops to pick berries, fruits. Many visit ancient wells with healing abilities. Grand fairs, feasts happen with newly picked grains. .
A festival of transition, reinforcing our connection with ground. Bake breads with loved ones, share stories of learnings, transitions, evolutions, fresh beginnings. Each phase of life is worthy of celebrations.