The first of August is the holy day of Lugh, the Lightbringer, the Warrior, the Master of all crafts, High King of Ireland, member of the Tuatha De, and father of the mighty Irish hero Cu Chulainn. (Cu Chulainn was born to a mortal princess whom Lugh impregnated by supernatural, not sexual, means). This day is a national holiday in Ireland, although as far as celebrations of the Wheel of the Year go, it's not as popular as many others. Possibly because there's no worldwide party going on at the same time, such as with Samhain (Halloween) and Yule (Christmas). Or maybe it's because most of us aren't farmers anymore.
Lughnasadh (Lugh's Feast) is the first of three holy days which mark the season of harvest. The other two being Mabon (autumn equinox) and Samhain. This holy day coincides with the Christian holiday of Lammas (from a Saxon word meaning "loaf mass"). For some Christians it is a celebration of the bread of communion. Bread and the grain from which it's made are central to both pagan and Christian celebrations.
As this is the first Harvest celebration, offerings of the first produce which is harvested at this time are traditional. These can take the form of fruits and vegetables, grains, and of course baked goods. In my household that will include some of the green apples which were picked in an orchard near us, and a bit of the blackberry liqueur I'm making with wild blackberries that my kids gathered near a creek that runs more or less parallel to the Verde river.
Many old Irish customs come together in the celebration of Lughnasadh; bonfires on hilltops, music and dancing, visits to ancient sacred sites like Newgrange, outdoor contests of strength and rowdy games, team sports, and horse racing. Another custom common to both pagan and Christian celebrations is that of visiting holy wells to decorate them, pray, and leave offerings. It's also a popular time for couples to be joined by handfasting, an ancient commitment ceremony which is still performed in lieu of conventional marriage.
A bit about the connection between Lugh and harvest time-
One old legend of Lugh tells how the god defeated Crom Dubh, a dark and malignant being who was bent on destroying the people's grain harvest. By overpowering Crom Dubh, Lugh saved mortals from famine. (A later Christian version of this story has Saint Patrick defeating Crom Dubh). Lughnasadh is a day for remembering how interwoven human life is with that of the natural world, and expressing gratitude for all that Nature provides for us. As the hours of daylight grow noticeably shorter and summer draws ever nearer to giving way to autumn, it's a good time to meditate on that essential bond between Humanity and Nature. And to consider ways to cherish, protect, and honor the Nature which sustains all that lives, including us.
Side note- I've only barely touched on the traditions and mythology of Lugh. There's very much more to him, Lugh is a central figure in Irish myth. The more I learn about the traditions and religious beliefs of my Irish ancestors, the more I find that my search for knowledge of them will easily continue as long as I live.
In ancient agricultural societies late summer could be a stressful and dangerous time. The stores of grain from the harvests of the previous year would have been greatly depleted or even used up entirely. The successful first harvest of the current growing season was essential, highly anticipated and greeted with gratitude and joy. In our time most of us don't need to worry about food security quite so much. We even take it for granted, which is in my opinion a mistake.
We should take nothing for granted.
For those who celebrate it, I wish you a happy and peaceful Lughnasadh.
Thank you for reading. This is an open thread, all topics are welcome.