As summer draws to a close, we can mirror nature by harvesting what we need to bring into the darker months.
Gathering
As the summer season shifts passed the Solstice and heads towards Lughnasa, we can see nature changing after that burst of life and colour of midsummer. The grass gets dryer, plants are becoming more wilted and are going to seed and we start to see the onset of the harvest season as August approaches.
This wonderful transitional period is the perfect time to reflect on the year so far, remind ourselves what we have learned and experienced and decide what we are going to take with us into the darker months. By mirroring nature and living with the seasons, we can lean into what's happening around us.
Ancient Rituals
Lughnasa marks the end of summer and the beginning of the harvest, which continues until Samhain, at the end of October/beginning of November. The sun god, Lugh, is celebrated at this time of year. In ancient times, the festival would be celebrated with games and sports, as well has people gathering together to harvest. Fires are also lit to protect people, crops and livestock during the harvest season.
One of the most famous Lughnasa festivals is the Puck Fair in Killorglan, Co Kerry, where the locals gather for music, dancing and food and celebrate the King Goat, or the Puck.
In rural Ireland, people come together during the harvest for a "work party" or meitheal, as it is known in Irish. This community-led gathering has been disappearing but is now slowly making a comeback.
Lugh: The God of the Sun
Lugh is a member of the Tuatha de Dannan, a group of supernatural beings that arrived in Ireland a long time ago. Also known as Lugh Lámfada or Lugh with the Long Arm, he was known for his strength and skills with a spear. Lugh's grandfather is the much feared Balor with the Evil Eye, who Lugh eventually kills, fulfilling a prophecy that was made many years previously, before Lugh was born. His son is Cúchullainn, the famous warrior formerly known as Setanta.
Tree Wisdom
At this time of year, we celebrate the Hazel tree. This is a highly magical tree. One of the most famous stories of the Hazel tree is the story of the Salmon of Knowledge, who ate 9 hazelnuts that fell into the river from an ancient Hazel tree.
The Hazel tree is striking because of its distinct male and female catkins; the male ones being long and yellow, and the female being tiny, bright red buds.
Add comment
Comments