As an observer of the eight sabbats, this week holds a special significance for me as I prepare to celebrate Lughnasadh. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas in Christian tradition, is a Gaelic agricultural festival that marks the waning of the sun as the days grow shorter. It holds a significant place as one of the four cross-quarter days, which fall halfway between a solstice and an equinox. This festival of ‘first fruits’ is named after the god Lugh, who embodies attributes associated with the sun, light, and the bountiful harvest. Traditionally celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, Lughnasadh was an integral part of the Celtic calendar.
This year, Lughnasadh coincides with the powerful Full Moon in Aquarius on 1st August in the Northern Hemisphere, creating a truly auspicious and magical moment. As we embrace this celestial alignment, it serves as a reminder to cherish abundance and celebrate individuality. For me, Lughnasadh offers a precious opportunity to reflect on the past year and to prepare myself for the journey ahead.
While our modern society may not be as directly connected to the harvest through communal practices, those of us who celebrate Lughnasadh still find meaning in the spirit of gratitude and sharing. It is a time to express heartfelt thanks for the abundance bestowed upon us and to extend that abundance to others, fostering a sense of community and interconnectedness.
As I embrace the essence of Lughnasadh, I am reminded of the importance of acknowledging the cycles of nature and the seasons of life. Through this celebration, I deepen my connection to the Earth, the sun, and the natural world, finding harmony and inspiration in their rhythms.
The Full Moon in Aquarius: Embracing Authenticity and Innovation
The Sturgeon Full Super Moon in Aquarius adds an extra layer of significance to this year’s Lughnasadh celebrations. Occurring when the Moon is in the zodiac sign of Aquarius, this alignment encourages us to embrace our unique individuality and harness the power of innovation.
Aquarius, an air sign known for its value of freedom, originality, and humanitarian ideals, exerts its influence during this Full Moon. Its cosmic energy inspires us to break free from societal norms, liberate our authentic selves, and fearlessly explore unconventional ideas. Now is the opportune moment to shed limiting beliefs, release old patterns, and open ourselves to new and exciting possibilities on our spiritual journey.
The Full Sturgeon Moon holds poetic symbolism. The name “Sturgeon,” which means ‘stirrer’, aptly reflects the fish’s role in lakes, where they disturb detritus while residing at the bottom. In August, they rise from the depths toward the surface, much like how this celestial event urges us to face the depths of our beings and bring hidden emotions, bound-up feelings, and long-forgotten memories to the forefront of our consciousness. By doing so, we can gain a clearer understanding of the underlying influences shaping our day-to-day lives.
Lughnasadh: A Time of Harvest and Gratitude
“Once upon a time, Lughnasa was a four week festival: the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August, roughly corresponding to when the sun is in Leo, the astrological sign that belongs to the sun and epitomizes its power. In modern Irish Gaelic, the month of August is Lunasa. However, the modern Wiccan sabbat of Lughnasa is almost always devoted solely to the eve of July 31st leading into Lughnasa day on August 1st.”
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Lughnasadh, the Pagan name for this festival, derives its name from the Celtic god Lugh or Lugus. Lugh, the radiant and multi-talented god, was honored as the master of all crafts and skills. He was associated with the sun, and his energy infused the earth with vitality, ensuring a bountiful harvest. The Greeks identified Lugus with the sun god Apollo. In Wales, he was called Lleu, while in Ireland, he was called Lugh or Lug. He was popularly called Lugh Lamfada – “Lugh of the Long Arms”, as well as Lugh Samildánach – “Skilled in All the Arts”.
The festival was named after him, and it served as a tribute to his prowess as the master of all crafts. Legend has it that Lugh instituted this celebration in honor of his foster mother, Tailtiu, who died while preparing the fields for agriculture. It is said that Lugh instituted an event similar to the Olympic games called the Assembly of Talti. Thus, Lughnasadh became a time to commemorate her sacrifice and the first harvest of the year.
At Lughnasadh, communities would come together to partake in various activities, including feasting, dancing, and sporting events. They would offer the first fruits of the harvest to honor the earth’s abundance and seek blessings for continued prosperity. The spirit of Lughnasadh reminds us to be grateful for the nourishment provided by the land and to recognise the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Harnessing the Energy of Lughnasadh and the Full Moon in Aquarius
Lugh’s name has been suggested by some scholars to have derived from the Proto-Indo-European root ‘lieu’ meaning to bind by oath. This meaning would be in refernce the Lugh’s role in oaths and contracts. Therefore, what better way to honour him than to combine the energies of Lughnasadh and the Full Moon in Aquarius in which we are presented with a potent cosmic force that empowers us to manifest (making a contract with ourselves):
1. Express Gratitude: Take time to appreciate the abundance in your life and express gratitude for the blessings you have received. Whether it’s the fruits of your labour, the support of loved ones, or the beauty of nature, acknowledging and being thankful for these gifts can amplify positivity and attract even more abundance.
2. Seek Your Authentic Self: Reflect on your true essence and what makes you unique. Embrace your individuality without fear of judgment. Use this time to set intentions to be more authentic in your actions, relationships, and life choices.
3. Foster Innovation: Embrace the Aquarian spirit of innovation and creativity. Think outside the box, explore new perspectives, and dare to implement fresh ideas in your personal and professional life. This is an opportune moment to embark on projects that align with your passions and values.
4. Connect with Community: Like the ancient celebrations of Lughnasadh, take this time to connect with your community. Engage in activities that promote unity, support, and collaboration. By fostering meaningful connections with others, you can create a positive ripple effect that benefits not just yourself but the collective as well.
5. Let Go and Release: Use the energy of the Full Moon to release any emotional baggage or limiting beliefs that are holding you back. Allow the transformative power of this celestial event to free you from the past and create space for new growth and possibilities.
Ritual Ideas for the Full Moon and Lughnasadh
As we embrace Lammas in contemporary times, we can reconnect with the land and the cycles of nature. Whether you have a sprawling garden or a small windowsill herb pot, take a moment to appreciate the fruits of the earth and the abundance that nature provides.
1. Embrace the Harvest Glow
If you have set an intention earlier in the year and have been working with it through the seasons, now is the time to begin to reflect on how you have grown and what this work is bringing to you. Take some time to write down the ways your seeds planted at Imbolc have become ripe and abundant. I find that during the sabbats the best way for me to focus my thoughts is through a tarot pull.
This tarot reading helps you do that in your personal life, and answers the following questions:
- What have you accomplished so far this year?
- What is a new skill or lesson you’ve learnt this year?
- Something to keep in mind when breaking Lughnasadh bread
2. Make a Corn Dolly
Ginny Metheral explores the magick of the corn dolly, symbolic figures that permeate with the spirit of the Corn King, John Barleycorn. Unfortunately, I have been experiencing some difficulty acquiring corn husks to make my own corn dolly so I will have to settle for the next best thing – POPCORN!
3. Bake Bread
Honor the harvest by baking bread and sharing it with loved ones. Although not traditional, this year I have decided to share Focaccia with friends as it is quick and easy. A good option for any observers who have limited time for proving.
4. Perform a Full Moon Ritual Bath
A full moon bath ritual is the perfect opportunity for self-care, relaxation, and rejuvenation. You can enjoy a soothing bath with scented candles or essential oils to help heal, ease your mind, manifest, release stress, increase motivation and attract abundance associated with this particular super moon.
5. Climb a hill
Embrace the Celtic tradition of mountain climbing around you to connect with nature’s energy. From the top of the hill you can observe the changing weather and make divination, money and scrying spells. Alternatively, any sporting activity will pay homage to the Assembly of Talti. Why not embrace the true competitive nature of Lugh, and make it a (careful) race to the finish line.
6. Adorn your Lughnasadh Altar
Use the flowers of the season, a bit of bread, sheaves of grain or ears of corn, and a ritual sickle or other iron tool to create your altar. See the symbiology associated with Lughnasadh and the Sturgeon Full Moon.
Symbols for 1 August
Correspondences are helpful when creating an altar, doing ritual work, meal planning, or decorating your home for the holiday.
- Colors: gold, dark green and orange
- Crystals: carnelian, pyrite, citrine, Green aventurine, tiger’s eye, obsidian, native copper with malachite
- Flowers: sunflowers, zinnia, black eyed susans, snapdragson, cone flowers, marigolds
- Animals: horses, oxen, donkeys, greyhounds
- Plants: all grains, but especially wheat, corn, heather
- Foods: homemade bread, berries, nuts
Conclusion
As we celebrate Lughnasadh amidst the glow of this extraordinary Super Moon in Aquarius, let us embrace our authentic selves, embark on a journey of self-discovery, and allow the cosmic energies to guide us toward personal transformation and collective growth. With open hearts and minds, we set forth on this profound spiritual exploration, seeking wisdom from the Moon’s luminance and Aquarius’ innovative spirit. May this powerful alignment illuminate our path and grant us the courage to evolve and create positive change in our lives and the world around us.
Happy Lughnasadh!
Resources
Videos
Embrace the Spirit of Lughnasadh: Celebrating the Wiccan Festival
The Witches’ Cookery – Lughnasadh | Witchy Summer Bucket List ✨
Lugh – Warrior, King and God – Celtic Mythology
Podcasts
The Mage’s Well : Lammas/Lughnasad/Lughnassadh – The Wheel of the Year
Articles
The Spiritual Meaning of the Full Sturgeon Moon | Spirituality+Health
Books
Legally Zen 