Lughnasadh Ritual
2008
Grove of Gaia
by Tammy
Needed:Loaf of bread, dried corn husks, gold candle, bowl, felt tip pens, corn dolly supplies, 2 pieces of yarn, 24 inches long
Purpose: To celebrate the first summer harvest. To give thanks for all gifts and opportunities bestowed on us. To praise the Lord of the grain and Lady for her sacifices that make this harvest possible.
Background:
Today we celebrate the sabbat known as Lughnasadh (LOO-nus-uh), also known by its medieval Christian name of Lammas. Lughnasadh is named in honor of the Celtic god Lugh, a name which means “light” or “shining.” Although somewhat confusing, we are not celebrating the death of Lugh (the God of light does not mythically die until the autumn equinox), but rather the funeral games that Lugh hosted to commemorate the death of his foster mother, Taillte, who died of exhaustion after clearing a vast forest for planting grain. In Ireland, Lugnasadh is often called the "Tailltean Games". The display of talent in the games is reflective of the multi-talented, multi-accomplished reputation of Lugh, who is known as a sort of “renaissance man” of the gods.
At the same time, as we acknowledge Taillte’s sacrifice, we acknowledge that the Earth’s tilt, the cause of our seasonal wheel, is taking us back away from the Sun. We realize that we are about to sacrifice our long sunny days for more and more time in the darkness - still distant, but steadfastly approaching. This sabbat is the time of ending, when the grainand fruit, began at Imbolg, is harvested. We can look at the whole year as one long breath of the Goddess, the in-breath begun at Imbolg and the out-breath begun now at Lughnasadh.
For us, it is a time to celebrate our own accomplishments and to acknowledge the sacrifices that we have made as well as those that were made for us in the name of love. Elaborate on how everything worth while doing is because of love – love for ourselves, love for family, friends, lovers, and many varied others. When we unabashedly love others and ourselves we are in fact loving and honoring the Goddess herself.
Circle Casting, Quarters called, God & Goddess invoked
East –
South –
West –
North –
Goddess –
God –
Making Corn Dollies
Corn dollies are a Lughnasadh tradition as they represent your personal harvests. Bridget will lead the making of the dollies.
Circle dance #1
We will chant “Hoof and horn” while dancing around circle.
Hoof and horn. Hoof and horn
All that dies shall be reborn
Corn and grain. Corn and grain
All that falls shall rise again
Game: Knot Tying Race
Objective: Relay race to see who can tie knots the fastest
Needed: 2 pieces of rope 24 inches long
Rules: Divide into two teams and have them line up. Tell each team the rules and give them each 2 minutes to create a strategy. Give the first player on each team a 24-inch length of rope. At the signal, the first players tie a knot (any kind) in one end of the rope, the second player on each team ties one near the first, and so on down the line. There should be one knot for each player on the team. After all the knots are tied and the number checked, it goes down the line again with each player untying a knot. First team to finish wins.
Meditation to Contemplate Accomplishments, Triumphs, and Sacrifices
Light gold candle.
TBA: Lugh, as we remember your many talents and honor you for your honor of your stepmother and her sacrifice, help us to remember and contemplate the sacrifices and efforts that we have made and the sacrifices that others have made for us. Help us to remember the accomplishments and triumphs we have experienced as a result of those efforts and sacrifices.
Pass bag of corn husks to everyone in the circle.
Tammy: Close your eyes and hold the person’s hand on both sides of you. Take 3 slow, deep breaths to focus your mind. Then let go. Gaze at the gold candle, think of your accomplishments and triumphs, and write down on a husk a few that you feel particularly thankful for.
After sufficient meditating/writing time:
Tammy: When the bread comes to you, you will break off two pieces. When you break off the first piece, thank the Lord and Lady for the things you are thankful for, and eat the piece of bread. Say your thanks out loud if you are inclined to share them, or if you prefer, say them silently. When you break off the second piece, think of what you are further ready to sacrifice for your love of someone else or for your highest self. Take a deep breath and visualize that energy flowing out through your arms, through your hands, into this piece of bread, and place the piece of bread in the bowl in the middle of the circle.
Person TBA walks around the circle offering the loaf of bread.
Once complete, we all chant the following:
We remember that when each tree dies
a new acorn has already been planted
and will soon begin to sprout through to the Sun.
We remember that we harvest
the tears as well as the laughter,
the pain along with the joy.
We remember that in the end, we harvest more, sometimes,
from our supposed losses
than we do from what we once thought gains.
We remember that our lives on this plane
are like flames;
each flame flickers in its cycles.
We remember that whatever this life throws our way
we are humble enough to know our weaknesses,
but confident enough to know our strengths.
We remember to rejoice
for it is only here and now within every moment that
our fire burns brightly enough to warm the heart of another.
Bread is placed before Goddess on alter to symbolize sacrifice to her.