Happy Lughnasadh
a reflection during first harvest
August 1st is Lughnasadh (pronounced loo-nah-sah). It is the midpoint between the summer solstice and the fall equinox and the celebration of the first harvest. It originated in ancient Ireland named after the Celtic deity Lugh who was a sun deity and harvest god. In the fifth century, Germanic tribes from south of Denmark and Germany began to migrate into Great Britain and the Anglo-Saxon culture began. Lughnasadh was blended with Llamas and meshed into a first-harvest celebration that reflected the two. As a result celebrations throughout the world tend to have influences of both. The idea of the first fruits of the harvest is sacred in religions throughout the world.
Lughnasadh is the first of three harvest festivals ending with Samhain (saa-wn) which marks the end of the growing season. The themes are around reaping what we sow, gratitude, abundance, and community. This time of year as summer enters its final days we celebrate our time with family and friends by enjoying the outdoors, the first of the vegetable harvest, preserving food, cutting and drying herbs for the winter months, and basking in summer’s last glow.
Here are some of the ways that I am celebrating, and a few fun things that you may want to try too!
🌻 Bake a loaf of bread for your family meal; here’s the link to what I am trying today
🌻 Make a creamy soup with corn and cheese; I know, I know, it’s hot outside, but what a great way to utilize the summer sweet corn! Recipe Here
🌻Pick a bouquet of wildflowers and put them in the kitchen. Many of the ‘weeds’ in our yards are native flowers that can make a sweet arrangement. I have a cutting garden this year that I’ll be picking from that and supplementing with some Queen Annes lace. As an alternative go to your local farmers market and pick up some sunflowers to place in your home.
🌻Share some of your bounty with others.
Until Next Time!
