Does anyone else struggle to connect with the festival Lughnasadh?
I used to — it can feel strange and isolating seeing the greater pagan community celebrating the “early signs of autumn” on what is traditionally one of the hottest days of the year where you live!
Here in Central Texas, autumn weather really doesn’t make its appearance until the end of September (if we’re lucky) or early October. I’m currently looking ahead to a 100 degree day on Lughnasadh ☀️
I try my best to keep my spiritual and magical practices rooted in the lands where I live, and the reality is that my local geography, climate, weather, and growing seasons are much different than those of Ireland, where Lughnasadh originates.
It simply doesn’t make sense for me to begin my autumn spiritual and magical practices on this day, and in fact, I find doing so a bit disrespectful to the spirits and ancestors of this land.
Instead, I have tried to find ways to celebrate Lughnasadh that are seasonally appropriate for my hot weather climate, while still honoring the Irish origins and lore of the festival.
In doing so, I have actually come to cherish this ancient pagan festival. August / the late summer season have so much magic to offer!
1. Honor the Journey of the Sun
Even if the weather is scorching hot where you live, Lughnasadh is still the midway point between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox.
During this time of year, the amount of daylight is decreasing by around 1.5 to 2 minutes every day.
Take note of how it’s a bit darker when your alarm goes off in the morning, or how you can see the stars earlier in the evening compared to Midsummer.
2. Honor the Irish God Lugh
Lugh is the Irish god of nobility, the arts, the harvest, storms, and athletic competitions. Among his numerous titles are Lámfada (“Of the Long Arm,” in reference to his unbeatable spear) and Samildánach (“Skilled in All Arts”).
Artists, musicians, and other craftspeople may invoke Lugh when they need assistance with creativity or creative skill. According to Irish myth, Lugh’s spear was said to be to be impossible to overcome and so bloodthirsty that it would attempt to fight of its own accord.
Lugh later came to be associated with the sun, and is venerated as a sun god by many modern pagans.
Consider giving Lugh an offering of gratitude on Lughnasadh, and praying to him for aid in your creative or athletic endeavors.
3. Visit a Spring or Swimming Hole
In ancient times, people would visit holy wells on Lughnasadh. Tradition dictates that one should walk clockwise around the well while praying for health, and leave offerings of coins or tied strips of cloth known as “clooties.” (Note: Please do not leave offerings that are not compostable in nature!)
Lughnasadh is a wonderful day to visit any natural body of water in your region, such as a lake, spring, river, or swimming hole. Consider paying tribute to Irish tradition by walking clockwise around or through the body of water, then enjoy an afternoon of swimming and relaxing.
4. Play Sports
According to Irish mythology, the god Lugh established the funeral games (similar to the Olympic Games) known as the Assembly of Talti in honor of his foster-mother, Tailtiu. The last day of the event was Lughnasadh.
Traditional athletic competitions during the Assembly of Talti / Lughnasadh included horse racing, running, hurling, spear throwing, archery, swimming, wrestling, boxing, the high jump, and the long jump.
This is a great day to spend time outdoors, get active, and enjoy watching or playing your favorite sports.
5. Create Something
As previously mentioned, Lugh is a god of craftsmanship and artistic skill. In addition to athletic competitions, the Assembly of Talti / Lughnasadh traditionally included artistic performances and rituals such as singing, story-telling, jewelry-making, weaving, and dancing.
Celebrate Lughnasadh by doing something creative or beginning a new craft project. I will be setting aside some time to work on my pagan prayer beads.
6. Eat Seasonally for Your Region
What fruits and vegetables are in season where you live right now? In many regions of the United States, peaches, plums, apples, grapes, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, and corn are ripe for the harvest in August.
This Lughnasadh, I will be picking up fresh produce from my local farmer’s market and creating some sort of seasonally-inspired treat. I’m thinking peaches!
7. Visit a Pick-Your-Own Farm
Farmers markets are a great place to find fresh in-season produce, but nothing beats going straight to the source. See if there are any pick-your-own farms or orchards in your area.
It may require a bit of a drive out of the city into the countryside, but it’s a fun and authentic way to celebrate Lughnasadh with the whole family.
Wishing everyone a blessed and beautiful Lughnasadh!
Leave a Reply