Celebrating Lughnasadh As Part Of The Celtic Wheel Of The Year - Gathering The Harvest
Your Guide
Celtic spirituality, compassion and the wisdom of the seasons for 21st century living.
Journey Description
Preparing for our Lughnasadh gathering, I invite you to create a small Lughnasadh altar or seasonal space somewhere close to where you will sit for the retreat. Nothing elaborate is needed — simply gather a few things that connect you with the season and the land around you. You might like to bring: A candle, to light as we open our circle. Something that represents the late-summer harvest — a few stalks of grain or grasses, wildflowers, herbs, berries, an apple, or something gathered from your garden or local landscape. A small piece of bread or oatcake, which we will use in our harvest ritual. A small bowl of water, representing the waters that nourish and sustain all life. A stone, seed, leaf or other natural object that you feel drawn to. Your journal and a pen for our time of quiet reflection. A small piece of paper on which you can write a word or intention during our ritual. And perhaps a cup of tea, a blanket, or anything else that will help you feel comfortable and settled. Your altar doesn't need to look a particular way. Let it be a simple expression of your relationship with this moment in the turning year — a little place of beauty, gratitude and attention. If you can, give yourself a few minutes before we begin to settle into your space, silence your phone, and allow the ordinary busyness of the day to fall away. Then simply come as you are. Together we will pause at Lughnasagh to notice what has ripened, honour what has sustained us, and receive the gifts of this first harvest.
Questions For Reflection
1)What has ripened in me since the beginning of this year?
2)What did this harvest ask of me — and what helped me along the way?
3)What has not ripened, and can I allow that to be unfinished?
4)How might something I have received become nourishment — for myself, another person, or the wider world?
Music with thanks from Ceile De:
- Eist Le Mo Chroi (Listen to my heart, listen to Your heart)
- A Thighearna …dean trocaire oirnn (O Lord have/ give mercy, compassion, grace)
- Siochan Dia Dhuit ( Peace of God Be Upon You)
Music with thanks from Jan Novotka :
‘One’ and Earth Community from Melodies of the Universe
Journey Tracks
The Story Of Lughnasadh
So a little about Lughnasa – its roots in the celtic wheel of the year and its association with the beginning of the harvest season, in early August.
It is one of the great seasonal gatherings of the old Irish year.
Its name Lughnasagh is connected with Lugh, the many-skilled figure of Irish mythology, and the festival traditions associated with this time included gatherings, games, trading, matchmaking, feasting and journeys to high or holy places.
But there is another figure whose story belongs here too.
Tailtiu
Tailtiu the mythological earth goddess and foster-mother of Lugh is an very special earth and sovereignty goddess in Irish mythology. She was the last queen of the Fir Bolg and she was the foster mother of the god Lugh. She died from exhaustion after clearing Ireland's forests to prepare the land for agriculture, so she is the inspiration for the harvest festival of Lughnasadh. I want to go back to this real root of Lughnasadh, Tailtiu in this gathering as we remember her story.
Lughnasadh A Meditation And Reflection
Entering the quiet now through a simple guided meditation to gather the harvest from your own field this season and to notice and give thanks for what has been received is enough, that you are enough. followed by some questions for reflection or journaling:
1)What has ripened in me since the beginning of this year?
2)What did this harvest ask of me — and what helped me along the way?
3)What has not ripened, and can I allow that to be unfinished?
4)How might something I have received become nourishment — for myself, another person, or the wider world?
Lughnasadh Ritual And Blessing
A ritual to gather your own harvest - nourishment for yourself as you continue to nourish others.
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