Lúnasa / Lughnasadh is the Irish Gaelic fire festival and cross-quarter day celebrating the beginning of harvest season. It marks the halfway point between Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox. For the ancient Irish Celts, cross quarter days signaled the beginning of a season. In this case, Lúnasa is the gateway to early Autumn.
In this blog post you will find:
Introduction
Can you sense the subtle shift taking place it? How the days are shortening as we edge toward the dark time? It's almost imperceptible, but for those of us with keen senses, the signs are all around. Here the plant kingdom is pregnant with fruits, the first leaves are yellowing and some are already falling to the ground. At this point in the season, most fledglings have left their nests. The descending time is here.
It's incredible how quickly the landscape changes once the fruits of Summer are here. The great buildup of energy that's gone into tending and growing is finally manifesting into plentiful harvest. dreams embodWe are all gifts from and of this land dee gifts of expression from the land. Here in our own garden the peppers, squash and tomatoes are well on their way, and we can't seem to keep up with canning our cucumbers. Although it seems like summer stretches on - which in terms of the heat and humidity it does - the Sun's light and the creative yang energy is already waning. Every day there are small signs that indicate colder days ahead.
Lúnasa: Share collective wisdom
If the message of Summer Solstice is all about celebrating the loving radiance of creation and nurturing relational abundance, then Lúnasa can be understood in terms of harvest. We give Lúnasa the theme Share collective wisdom with the understanding that the work of liberation calls us to give generously, share our learnings with one another, and trust that what we are growing relationally is necessary and needed. Collective wisdom is knowledge that is shared through collaboration between individuals and groups. This kind of co-intelligence is the goodness and nourishment that will feed our communities. The inner and outer work we do to cultivate soul and soil are reflections of each other. We journey through the seasons both within and without for the purpose of expansion and generating abundance to nourish and benefit all.
We arrive at Lúnasa both humbled and triumphant. We remember the joys as well as the struggles. We can laugh now and let go a little as we look back and reap the rewards of living and learning. We give thanks for the abundance of what has been gained. The energy of Lúnasa provides us with an initial sense of respite as the completion of a cycle is now within sight yet still there is work to do. Nevertheless, it is a time for community, camaraderie and coming together, for it is connection and togetherness that ultimately feeds our spirits and gives us the energy to continue on.
Lúnasa is a time to bring your friends, family, and community together, to share the abundance from your gardens and/or the learnings you've harvested from life. It's an important reminder that we are not alone and that the practice of coming together to share, commune and give thanks will provide us with what we need to embrace the descent into darkness as we look toward the promise of cooler days and longer nights.
What is Lúnasa?
Lúnasa (pronounced loo-nuh-suh) , known in Ireland as "the assembly of Lugh," is the third great fire festival of the Celtic year following Bealtaine. In Old Irish the name was Lugnasad, a combination of Lug (the god Lugh) and násad (a gathering or assembly that is festive or commemorative in nature).
It was during this time that farmers reaped the first ears of wheat, barley, and in later centuries, dug up the first of the potatoes! It was also a time when soft fruits ripened. Of course, depending on where you are the harvest seasons may be different, so forming traditions around the seasonal cycles where you live is encouraged! Here in our own landscape we have been enjoying the juicy delights of wild foraged blackberries, bright red and orange tomatoes, and the cantaloupe is soon to be ready.
In the Christian era the festival on August 1 became Lammas (pronounced laa-muhz), the name derived from hlaf-maesse, the Old English name for the feast, when a loaf made from the first ripe grain was taken to church to be blessed upon the altar. There are many other names for this festival which Morgan Daimler captures beautifully in her blog post:
"Lughnasa is also called Lughnasadh, Lunasa, Brón Trogain, Lunsadal, Laa Luanys, Calan Awst, and Gouel an Eost, and Alexei Kondratiev conjectures that the Celts of Gaul may have called this celebration Aedrinia (Kondratiev, 1998). The many names of the holiday show it's pan-Celtic character, and demonstrate that it could be found across the Celtic world. Several of the names for the holiday are references to the beginning of autumn or of the harvest." [1]
Lúnasa Mythology & Traditions
Lúnasa is named after one of the most famous and beloved gods in Celtic mythology, Lugh (pronounced loo), who is a member of the magical Tuatha Dé Danann tribe. He is the god of light and son of the Sun and is portrayed as a warrior, a king, a master craftsman and a savior. He is associated with skill and mastery in myriad disciplines, including the arts.
It is during late Summer and early Autumn, when the land is abundant with fruit and grain, when Lugh is most potent. He transfers his power into the grain, creating the bounty of the harvest, and this is honored through rituals that involve blessing the first harvest or baking the first bread of the season. As the bounty of Lugh is celebrated, a shift in energy and activity is acknowledged as active growth begins to slow as the darker days beckon.
The great Lúnasa assemblies in early Celtic culture varied across locales though they shared in common a celebration of both the first fruits of the land and the "ripened" talents of human society, which is why these great gatherings featured races, games, athletics and were also festivals of the arts.
In Celtic tradition, it was recognized that a plentiful harvest could not be won without the cooperation of the Earth Goddess. According to author and storyteller Mara Freeman...
"Before a new king could be inaugurated, he had to undergo a ritual marriage with the goddess of the land in her role as Sovereignty, for only she could confer upon him the authority to rule... In early Ireland a good harvest depended upon the king being a just and worthy ruler, for he was a representative of the people. Under such a monarch, the weather was mild sheep and cattle multiplied, granaries overflowed, and orchards hung heavy with fruit. if he was... morally reprehensible, the land would not be fertile and the people would fail to thrive." [2]
The spirit behind these words ring true and strong today like never before. They serve as a reminder to never take for granted the gifts of the earth and that we are not as powerful as we think we are. There are dire consequences to our collective actions and the severed relationship we have with earth which we are bearing witness to today. And yet there is much to celebrate in our human culture as we witness the growing movement of Indigenous rematriation and the reclamation of earth-honoring traditions and cultural lifeways around the world.
When is Lúnasa?
Lúnasa can be celebrated on August 1st, or on the ‘eve’ (last Sunday in July). We celebrate astronomical Lúnasa whose date aligns with the Sun in Leo at 15°. This usually falls somewhere between August 6-8. But really, any time in August. What matters most is that you are listening to the land where you are and looking for the cues of of this time.
Lúnasa marks the midpoint of sam, the light half of the year (May-November), and traditionally marked the beginning of Autumn, harvest season, and a time of fruit in northwestern Europe lasting until the time of Samhain (pronounced sow-win) around Nov. 1. By the time Lúnasa rolls around, the daytime interval is getting noticeably shorter each day, and the nighttimes are lengthening, informing us of colder days ahead.
Pagan writer Morgan Daimler points out, "in modern practice Lughnasa is celebrated on August 1st, however there is evidence that the date of Lughnasa would actually have represented the starting date of a series of festivals and fairs, rather than a single one day celebration..." [3]
Nature's Arc of Change
Nature's Arc of Change is a map that combines Indo-European (Irish Celtic), Taoist and Astrological wisdom to illustrate the patterns observed over the course of seasons in a given year. The year is divided into eight equal sections, demarcated by the following seasonal thresholds:
Quarter Days
Winter Solstice: Dec. 21
Spring Equinox: Mar. 19
Summer Solstice: Jun. 20
Fall Equinox: Sep. 22
Cross-Quarter Days:
Early spring / Imbolc: Feb 4-6
Early summer / Bealtaine: May 4-6
Early autumn / Lunasa: Aug. 6-8
Early winter / Samhain: Nob. 6-8
Orienting to Cyclical Time
It's important to note that Indigenous and folk cultures from around the world share very similar earth-based, cyclical orientations to time that are shaped and informed by their own unique bioregional cosmologies. Obviously it's important to recognize the limitations of this particular map (which is applicable to only certain regions) since we aren't all having the same experiences. Take this illustrative map as a starting point and adapt it to where you are by paying attention to the subtle changes you observe in the natural world over the course of the seasons.
If you are in the beginning stages of disentangling yourself from the death-grip of colonial capitalism, shifting from linear time to cyclical time can seem quite foreign and unfamiliar at first. As part of our colonial conditioning, many of us have have become used to perceiving time as a never-ending accumulation of events. Disorientation, dislocation and disassociation are all manifestations of the trauma of separation from nature (aka. colonial fragmentation). Beginning to make the shift toward nature's cycles will take time. That is why we came up with the concept of Nature's Arc of Change to support you on your journey.
Learn more about Irish Celtic Cultural Traditions:
Sadly much of the details of what took place in ancient Celtic cultures has been lost, but what still remains IS available to us from the source culture's of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Here are some great places to start for those interested in learning from Irish Source Culture:
Lúnasa Journal Prompts
As we round another seasonal bend, now is a great time to think back to Imbolc and the early stirrings of Spring. As you'll see depicted in Nature's Arc of Change, Lúnasa and Imbolc are the cross-quarter days that sit across from one another on the seasonal map. This means they are each others polarity and compliment. They correspond to Leo and Aquarius respectively when the Sun is sitting in these signs at 15 degrees.
The following journal prompts relate to themes of abundance, harvest, sharing, community, and being the medicine. Explore your relationship to this seasonal energy by reflecting on these questions:
What yearnings were stirring in your soul at the time of early Spring / Imbolc?
How have those yearnings shaped / informed these past 6 months?
What wisdom and/or wealth are you harvesting now?
What is abundant in your life right now?
What skills or knowledge have you been developing? How can you share them with others?
What plants are fruiting and ripening in the landscape where you live?
How can you give back to your community?
Ways to Celebrate Lúnasa
1. Experience your own personal Lúnasa Ritual
We've put together a Lúnasa Ritual that welcomes you into the maturation phase of the seasonal cycle which invites you to embody the gifts of your spirit and share what overflows within you out into the world. The energy of Lúnasa takes us beyond individual notions of self and reveals to us our ecological belonging in an interconnected world, where who we are and what we become is for the benefit of all kin and kind.
2. Bake bread...and some Jam to go along with it
There is nothing quite like the wafting aroma of homemade bread fresh out of the oven. Baking your own bread is its own kind of prayer. You might shudder at the thought of turning on the oven in the heat of summer, but make an exception to honor the abundance in your life and treat yourself.
Come to think of it... let's take it one step further and imagine a sweet, warm blueberry jam to go with it!
Traditionally, collecting, eating and sharing berries was a favorite activity during this jovial time of the year since berries were bursting forth from the heatherly slopes of the hills in which people gathered. Full baskets were taken home to be made into cakes, pies and jams.
Here's a simple recipe (from Kindling the Celtic Spirit) to try for yourself:
Ingredients:
8 cups blueberries, bilberries or huckleberries
4 cups rhubarb, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon lemon rind, grated
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup water
4 cups granulated sugar
Directions
In a large heavy saucepan. combine blueberries, rhubarb, lemon rind and juice, and water.
Bring to a boil, stirring frequently; reduce heat and simmer, very gently, for 10 minutes.
Add sugar; increase heat to high and boil vigorously, stirring often.
After about 20 minutes, test jam for setting by putting a small amount on a cold plate and pushing it gently with your thumb. If it wrinkles, it's ready.
Remove from the heat, skim off foam, and stir for 3-5 minutes to suspend fruit evenly throughout the jam.
Fill sterilized jars and seal.
3. Feast with your community
Start a family or neighborhood tradition by organizing your own Lúnasa event, like a potluck picnic in the park, by a river or stream, at the beach, or on a nearby hill. Alternatively, you can hold it in your own backyard, where you can pay more attention to decorating the table with flowers, ears of grain, fruit, and other seasonal produce.
More than anything, Lúnasa is a celebration of the bounty of the harvest, and celebrations just aren’t as fun on your own. In an age where many of us feel all too disconnected from one another, the high days of August are an ideal time to come together with friends and neighbors to foster a sense of community.
Ask people to bring food and drink made from the new harvest of fruits, vegetables, and grains, such as fruit drinks and salads, homemade bread, cakes and scones. Pluck some tomatoes from your garden, make a big pot of squash soup, forage for wild berries, and try to sweet-talk your favorite baker into whipping up a loaf of bread. Oh, and don't forget the sweet blueberry jam to go with it!
Before you get down to the feast, give thanks for the blessings of the first fruits with a grace, such as this modern Irish one:
In the presence of my people
back to the beginning of life,
In the witness of the gods and the ungods,
In homage to the immense generosity if the universe,
We give thank before this food.
Let's feast!
- Dennis King
4. Dance, move and have some fun!
It’s just not a celebration if there isn’t a little bit of fun and dancing! Traditionally, our Celtic ancestors would gather on top of a hill where they would sing and dance barefoot to music of melodeons, fiddles, and flutes; played leapfrog and rounders; wrestled and raced, and competed in other contests of skill; and listened to the stories from the elders.
If you have a large group, organize team games such as volleyball, tug of war, swimming races, or whatever is appropriate to the space. Make crafts together like harvest knots or corn dollies (see below). Encourage folks to bring musical instruments, songs, and stories to share.
5. Enjoy a Forest Walk
If you're not able to plan a get together, consider taking some personal time to spend a few hours with Mama Earth to honor this shift in the season.
Take a meandering walk through the woods. Go slowly, and with great curiosity, stop to observe things that you would otherwise overlook. Notice the subtle movement of leaves as the breeze slips through the canopy above. Trace the cracks in a tree. Follow an insect. See if you can find a fairy or two while you soak all the goodness nature has to offer.
The point is to awaken all of your senses as you come into deep presence with the natural world. Presence fosters gratitude for what is, and this is a time to reflect upon all you have been given. Taking a slow and mindful forest walk is a great way to do this.
6. Practice craftsmanship
As mentioned earlier, Lugh is also a god of craftsmanship and skill so practicing your craft is a great way to honor and celebrate this holiday. It could be as simple as making corn dollies (see below), painting, singing, woodworking, baking, knitting, or anything really. You could also take up a new hobby or craft, or revisit an old one. I’m going to try to pick up crocheting again myself, see if I can make a scarf or two for this cool weather around the corner.
When I was a kid, I remember making corn dollies in school, usually around November as part of all the Thanksgiving crafting. As I got older and read a little more about the history of corn dollies, I started making them for myself in early August, honoring the midpoint between summer and fall.
You can also check out this guide from Earth Witchery to make your own corn dollies at home. We'd love to see your photos on Instagram - tag @wayofbelonging in all your Lúnasa celebrations!
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There are many ways to honor Lúnasa and to celebrate the harvests of the season. Choose what resonates with you. Whatever you choose, take a moment to send Mama Earth a little thank-you for the abundance she shares with all of us.
Closing
As we round another seasonal bend, it serves us well to consider what was present for us 6 months ago. Everything is shifting and changing as old versions of self get composted and digested into the greater wholeness of who we are becoming.
As I witness the lusciousness of harvest season, I celebrate the fruits of my own inner harvest: new dimensions of self-awareness and ways of relating that are coming into form, ways of being that honor my truth and nourish who I am becoming. Thus, Lúnasa provides us with an opportunity to give thanks and to celebrate the wholeness of who we are and all that has been given and gained in this current cycle. So what are you celebrating?
Through the seasonal journey, nature teaches us that the basic pattern of life is one of oscillation and contrast; a pulsating dance and tension between polarities. The rhythm of creation throbs with erotic life force energy and when we arrive at Lúnasa we experience the fullness and bounty that comes with maturation, toiling and persevering through the growing pains of spring and summer.
Embracing the seasonal energy of Lúnasa is a powerful way to reclaim your ancestral connection to radical acceptance and embodied aliveness. Leaning into the invitations that nature brings will help you to THRIVE during this time.
References
[1] Daimler, Morgan. "Lughnasa – Festival of the Harvest." Living Liminally Blog. 2014
[2] Freeman, Mara. Rekindling the Celtic Spirit. 2000
[3] Daimler, Morgan. "Lughnasa – Festival of the Harvest." Living Liminally Blog. 2014
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