Lughnasadh ~ My Harvest Festival

"Today We honor Lugh, the Shining Young Hero, the Sacred King. He is the Master of All Skills, the Holy Champion who turns aside drought and storm, protecting the earth." ~ Randall @ http://www.ecauldron.com/

Traditionally celebrated on August 1st or 2nd, Lughnasadh (Loo-na-sa) or Lammas (Anglo Saxon), is just around the corner. The actual date of this Celtic harvest festival is variable and meant to coincide with the first harvest. Also known as Loaf Mass, Lughnasadh is a time to share and express that jubilant light within each of us; dance, sing, create poetry, share family tales, reunite with loved ones, celebrate the union of marriage and remember with pride and fondness those who are no longer here to share in the dance. The wheel of the year rolls from a time of growth to a time of joyous harvest as the first fruits of the field fill to bursting with Life and are gathered. Ripening like the fruits and grains, our lives are there to be savored and shared to feed the souls of others.

In modern Gaelic, the name for the month of August is Lunasa with this feast often being referred to as La Lunasa, or The Day of Lunasa. Lugh Lamfada is the diety associated with this feast, and he was known by many names. To the Celts of Ireland he was the All Crafted, Lugh of the Long Arm, the Son of the Sun... but traces of him can also be found in the god Mercury, Cernunnos, Apollo, Odin, Lleu Llaw Gyffes, Green Man, Osiris, and a much older Indo-European Deity known as Lug or Lugus is most likely the origins for many of these figures. A god of harvest, weather, fertility, the majesty and tremendous life-giving energy of the Sun, Lugh was a protector and champion of the People, a descendant of the Tuatha De Danann, the epitome of radiant youth coupled with wisdom and abundant skill. The most well known tale says that Lugh came to the High King's dun (fort/home) seeking admittance. The door warden would only let him in if he had a skill useful to the King. Lugh begins naming all the things he is skilled at; blacksmith, harper, champion, poet, etc., but the King already has someone filling each of these positions. "Ah!" says young Lugh, "but does he have one many who is master of them all?"

King to Brighid's Queen, Lugh inspires poets and warriors alike. His importance and origins to the ancient world is debatable, of course, as many things have been lost over time. Yet, his influence is still felt today in images of the Green Man, and by many Neo-Pagans. Ravens, crows, wolves, twin snakes entwined, the lynx, the bee, the hare/rabbit, the stag and the wren have all been used to represent this diety at one time or another. All are excellent Teachers in their own rights, and any Creature or Nature Teacher devoted to the Sun could also be used to represent or honor this Deity. My view of most of these Teachers can be found in my "Who Sings Now?" series, which can be found currently, in it's entirety, at www.entwife.gather.com for those interested.

"I am the Wind that troubles the Water,

I am the Water and the Waves,

I am the Shore where the Waves break in Rainbows;

I am the Sunlight that shines the Spray~

I am the Trees that drink the Light;

I am the Air of Green Things' breathing;

I am the Stone that the Trees break asunder;

I am the molten Heart of the World!" ~ Diane Duane, a passage from The Book of Light with Moon

Traditionally, a feast featuring the rewards of the first harvest is held at this time. Bonfires, games, singing, dancing, marriage contracts begun (or finalized after a trial period of a year and a day), and other lawful judgments were rendered while friends and family gathered to celebrate and express gratitude for life, light, and the food and drink that sustain us. Apple blackberry pies symbolizing the union of Lugh and Brighid, fresh breads of any kind (often shaped into the form of a man), mushrooms, leeks and onions, cider, elderberry or dandelion wine, the first of the fruits grains, meats, and vegetables from this year's harvest, and foods expressive of solar energy, like lemons, hot peppers, or even corn, are all highly appropriate for this celebration.

Entwife's Earthy Goodness Casserole

Prepare (peel/core where necessary and chop) and Combine in a greased roasting pan according to number of feasters and personal taste of the cook: sweet potatoes, acorn squash (or other favorite), onions or leeks, rose hips, honey or raw sugar, lemon balm or lemon/orange juice, young fresh dandelion leaves, cherries (other other berry), cinnamon (or a little pumpkin pie spice blend) and pecans (sunflower seeds or other nuts). Dot with butter. Cover and bake at 350 until tender. Enjoy!

Entwife's Harvest Rolls

proof 1 pkg of yeast in 1 c lukewarm milk (or buttermilk if you prefer) with 1 tbsp sugar

After proofing, combine with 2 tbsp soft butter and 1 tsp salt

Gradually add 2 1/2 c flour (preferably bread flour but all purpose works just fine)

Add:

1 cup grated cheese ( I prefer a sharp cheddar for taste and color)

minced onion (green or leek is especially nice) and garlic

fresh herbs according to your tastes and supplies. I prefer parsley, basil, rosemary, thyme, and sage

1-2 tbsp of flaxseed meal also makes a nice addition, but you might want to reduce your butter amount as flaxseed is a high oil meal. Good for those omega 3's though, and very flavorful!

Cover and let rise for 1 hour. Once the dough is workable, shape your rolls. For those who like mushrooms (Yes, please!), tuck a mushroom (or piece of mushroom when working with larger specimens) into the center of each. A second rising makes rolls of finer grain, especially if you are using bread flour (another hour and they will double in size) Bake at 425 for approximately 12-20 minutes, until nicely browned. Brush with butter immediately, or minutes before removing from the oven. Serve hot, and look out for the stampede!

"I live to adore the Day star!
Herald of good health,
loyalty, hope and cheer.
My smiling face turns with the
wheel of passing Time.
Banish fear!
For long days shall follow those
gifted with my healing warmth." ~ Quinn Blackburn, "Who Sings Now?" Xxii 5th Teacher

Birth and Death are eternally a part of Life, no one aspect is complete without the other. Lughnasadh is the time we celebrate the many facets of Life, and express our joy and gratitude at the truly awesome power and ever unfolding beauty of Life. Lugh is the embodiment of the terrible beauty and majesty of the Sun, yet he is also the darkness of the oncoming storm; the creative masculine force that brings to fruition the fertility of the bounteous Earth, and the Reaper who harvests all life in due time.

Like the ever changing form of the Divine Feminine, in this case Brighid, Lugh moves through and embodies each stage of Life, changing his mask with the Seasons. While this celebration has been named after the Masculine Divinity, it is important to remember the Divine Feminine as well. In Life, neither gender is more important, powerful, or "right" than the other. Yet neither is complete without the other! We must have a proper Balance between both aspects of our selves to achieve our spiritual goals. The body is just a temporary house for the spark of life, and our souls are not fixed to a gender. Once we can get beyond such surface difference, we will truly begin to evolve.

"In Life's name and for Life's sake, I say that I will use the Art for nothing but the service of that Life. I will guard growth and ease pain. I will fight to preserve what grows and lives well in its own way; and I will change no object or creature unless its growth and life, or that of the system of which it is part, are threatened. To these ends, in the practice of my Art, I will put aside fear for courage, and death for life, when it is right to do so ... till Universe's end." ~ Diane Duane "The Wizard's Oath"

Through my mother, I am a descendant of the Eoghanachta clan, the lawmakers and keepers of ancient Celtic tradition. My father was a Kabbalist who encouraged me to look for Truth in all spiritual paths, for which I am always grateful. The sentiments of this Celtic Harvest festival are not so very different from those of other cultures that have celebrated this season over time. August is also the traditional time of Sundance for the Lakota, for example, and these same themes of reverence for Life and Beauty can be found just as easily there as in the very American tradition of Thanksgiving, the Homowo Festival of Africa, or the August Moon Festival of China.

Through a long wandering path, many ancient traditions have made their way into my life and heart with little instruction. Even before I was consciously and actively seeking out information and learning about them, many of my personal seasonal activities were already echoing these spiritual ways... must be written in my blood! I have always been more fascinated by the many similarities found when examining cultures around the world than the inevitable differences. Remembering and honoring both Masculine and Feminine Divinity, their union, and their sacred overflowing harvest... Lughnasadh is a time of great inspiration, healing, creativity, and gratitude. Surrendering yourself to such joyous expression through any medium (music, dance, poetry, art, etc), refocusing our eyes upon our worthiest goals, striving for an exemplary and well-rounded life, and becoming a willing vessel of Light and Life brings many gifts into our lives, and a sustaining joy that can help see you through the darkest and most ferocious Winter.

The Raven tattooed upon my right shoulder is my reminder to myself that all men are my brothers. Not just the ones that I love or admire, like my father, husband and son.... but all men; Even those I don't like, don't understand or agree with, am ashamed of, those that inspire hatred or fear. The unseen Wolf who sits upon my left side reminds me that all women are, likewise, my sisters, my aunts, my daughters. I have had generosity, patience, understanding, and kindness returned with greed, impatience, ignorance, and cruelty from my brothers and sisters as I walk my path... but I have been given all the brightest and best gifts too, usually when needed the most and least expected. I trust that all of these experiences were necessary for me to awaken, learn and grow.

Life is a dance, and we celebrate it together with each day of our lives. No matter what spiritual path you may follow, no matter what culture or race you spring from, whether you have no legs, two or more... I will honor you all as I dance beneath the Sun this year. I will eat for those whose bellies are empty, and savor sweet Water, the first Medicine, for those who wander in thirst. I will cry for those who can no longer shed tears for themselves. I will laugh for those who have forgotten how, sing for the voiceless, and glory in the sounds of Life around me for those who cannot hear. I will show gratitude for the many gifts and moments of enlightenment I have experienced. I will hope for that same spiritually Illuminating spark to ignite in every heart, and I will revel in every amazing life-filled cell of my being for all those who have gone before us... for you are my Family and I love you. I love the World and everything in it, warts and all, for you inspire me and help me to recreate myself over and over again. Walk in Beauty, my dear friends, for you dance always within my heart.