Lughnasadh (loo-nas-ah)/ Lammas- Aug 1/ Feb 1 (Southern Hemisphere)Greater Sabbat/Cross Qtr day

 Colors are yellows, reds, bronze, brown, orange, yellow

 Scents & Herbs include frankincense, hollyhock, rose, sandalwood, fenugreek, berries, heather, oak, oat, and sunflower 

Sacred Stones Include red or orange stones, carnelian, citrine, amber 

Food: blackberry wine or other dark, fruity beverage, wheat or multi-grain bread, corn, fresh veggies from your garden, chicken or bbq meats. 

Decorations: summer flowers, grains, Indian corn, corn dollies, acorns, berries 

Deities: Lugh, the Green Man, Danu 

The  Celtic Sun God Lugh presides over this Sabbat and it is from his name comes the word Lughnasadh. This word is old, Irish Gaelic which also translates into shining or light. This celebration was also adopted by the Church as Lammas, which in rough translation means loaf mass.

This Sabbat is also known as the Feast of Bread and is a time of transformation. It is the first of the 3 harvest celebrations and was seen by our ancestors as the beginning of Autumn. It honors the first fruits of the season and expresses gratitude for the coming harvest season.

 The celebration of Lughnasadh marks the time when the strength of the God of the Harvest (Green Man/ John Barleycorn) is in noticeable decline. The days are getting shorter and the sun’s energy is not as intense. It is the time of the “sacrificial god”. He knows his time is short and offers himself and his blood to ensure that the harvest will be successful. The song John Barleycorn originates from these ancient rites. The Goddess however is at her peak as Mother as she offers mankind the bounty of the harvest.

 Lughnasadh is a time for traditional activities like baking bread to honor the first grain harvest of the year.  Harvesting vegetables that you have grown in your garden, dedicating it to the gods, and then asking Lugh to bless your garden to ensure continuing good crops is also appropriate for this holiday. You can also bless your garden tools for next year. Blueberry picking is also traditional as is taking nature walks to find goodies to decorate your altar. You can also include rituals of sacrifice. “Sacrificing” old bad habits and other kinds of negativity can be done by baking a small bread person and transferring your bad habits etc into it. Toss the bread person into your ritual fire to complete the spell.

Lughnasadh is also a great time to showcase something new that you’ve learned or re-commit yourself to something that you already do and love. Celebrate reaping the rewards of your skills or new ventures.

 Written by Cat, from the following sources: Grimoire for the Green Witch by Ann Moura, A Druid Herbal by Ellen Evert Hopman,