Lughnasadh or Lammas: The First Harvest Festival
As the summer draws into its final stretch, the time has come to celebrate one of the oldest harvest festivals, Lughnasadh, sometimes called Lammas. This festival holds a significant place in the Celtic, Pagan and Wiccan traditions and marks the beginning of the harvest season. The celebration is a time to honour the earth's bounty and the sun's goodness and recognize the transitional period from summer to Autumn. We will delve into the history, customs, and practices associated with Lughnasadh and how it is celebrated today.
Lughnasadh, or Lammas, is a name that comes from two ancient languages, Celtic and Anglo-Saxon. Lughnasadh was an ancient Celtic festival named after the god Lugh. It was held in honour of the first harvest, which included gathering fruits, berries, and grains. Meanwhile, in old English, Lammas, meaning 'loaf-mass', was linked with Christian traditions and celebrated the first wheat harvest. In both festivals, people paid tribute to the gods and goddesses of fertility and agriculture.
The celebrations for Lughnasadh and Lammas revolved around gratitude, community, and the earth's fertility. People held gatherings, feasts, games, and fairs during this festival. One of the key traditions associated with Lughnasadh and Lammas was baking bread from the newly harvested grain. Wheat or other grains were used to make loaves of bread that were shaped like the sun, representing the sun's life-giving power and the earth's fertility.
Another custom associated with Lughnasadh and Lammas was the ritual of 'cutting the grain.' This involved cutting the first wheat or barley to signify the beginning of the harvest season. It was also when people would begin to prepare their land for the next planting season.
Today, Lughnasadh, or Lammas, is celebrated by many Pagans and Wiccans worldwide. Modern-day celebrations include offerings of thanks to the Gods and Goddesses, feasts, and gatherings with family and friends. Some people create an altar dedicated to the harvest season by incorporating freshly harvested fruits, vegetables, candles, and bread. This is also a time for people to reflect on their harvest and the success and abundance they have achieved through their hard work and dedication.
In conclusion, Lughnasadh, or Lammas, is a significant harvest festival celebrated for thousands of years. It serves as a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration of the earth's bounty. While the traditions and customs may have evolved, the core values of community, fertility, and gratitude have remained significant.
Traditional Dates: Northern Hemisphere 1 August and Southern Hemisphere 1 February.
