Ten Ways to Celebrate Lughnassadh, a Pagan Harvest Festival

Lughnassadh (sometimes spelled Lughnasadh), also called Lammas, is the first Pagan harvest festival of the year. It is usually celebrated on August first and is a great time to take a break from our labors and celebrate what we have produced this season. Here are some ideas for celebrating Lughnassadh with your family.

1. Feast on local fruits! Whether you have blackberries ripe for picking in your woods or you make a trip to your local pick-your-own for blueberries, there are sure to be local fruits available to be the centerpiece of your feast. Try a new recipe or make a family favorite or just eat the sweet berries right out of the baskets. There is no better way to celebrate the fruits of your labor than with fresh picked fruit.

2. Bless your fields. Whether you have an actual garden or you are blessing the metaphorical fields that are the other areas of your life, Lughnassadh is an excellent time for blessing. This is only the first of the harvest festivals, and you don't want to stop producing yet. As you take a break from labor, make sure you take time to make a blessing for further abundance as the fall approaches.

3. Celebrate family. Whether you organize an extended family reunion or just enjoy the company of your nuclear family, Lughnassadh is a wonderful time to recognize and celebrate the abundance that is your family. If your blood family is not available, this is the perfect time for celebrating your self created family of friends. Pagan friends in particular will be happy to play along side you for your Lammas feast!

4. Decorate your space. Traditional Lughnassadh decorations include cornstalks, corn, wheat, and other grains, heather, local flowers, and leaves. Make leaf garlands to festoon porches. Top tables with baskets of corn. Stalks of wheat and other grains can be braided and then formed into shapes like stars and spirals. Flowers add color. Corn husks can be formed into dolls for display.

5. Get creative with grains. In addition to fruit, grains are the other food associated with Lammas. Pick up some less familiar grains like quinoa or millet and give them a try. Try a new grain based recipe. Find out what grains grow in your area and create a recipe to honor local fruits and grains made with only local products. Muffins and pancakes are great ways to try out new fruits and grains.

6. Have a contest. Traditional Lughnassadh celebrations usually included contests of strength. How about getting everyone involved in a tug-of-war? Try something with a little humor involved like a frying pan throwing contest or log throwing. Contests involving mental skills make sure that everyone has a place to excel. How about a chess or checker tournament, and maybe have everyone guess how many wheat berries are in a jar.

7. Celebrate love. Lughnassadh is also the traditional time for handfastings. How about having a renewal of vows? Give your loved ones presents. Of course, if there is someone that you are ready to commit to, this is the perfect time to propose!

8. Listen to some Celtic music. Check out your local alternative book store and see what they recommend. Lughnassadh was originally a Celtic holiday, and some appropriate Celtic music will set the tone for your celebration!

9. Watch the movie Dancing at Lughnasa. This 1998 Irish film tells the story of a family in Ireland in the 1930's. A family viewing would be a great way to spend a hot Lughnassadh afternoon.

10. Have a bonfire! It seems that no Pagan festival is complete without a bonfire. When the sun sets, light up a fire, and spend some quality time with family and friends enjoying the glow.