Today is the first harvest festival, which some say is the first step towards Autumn. We reap the first fruits of our actions to date for the current cycle of the wheel of the year.
Lughnasadh vs Lammas
Lughnasadh or
Lughnasa (
LOO-nə-sə) is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season. Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. In Modern Irish it is called
Lúnasa, in Scottish Gaelic
Lùnastal, and in Manx,
Luanistyn.
Lughnasadh takes it name from Lugh, the Celtic God of light, and son of the Sun. In the mythological story of the Wheel of the Year, the Sun God transfers his power into the grain, and is sacrificed when the grain is harvested
Lammas Day (Anglo-Saxon hlaf-mas, "loaf-mass"), also known as Loaf Mass Day, is a Christian holiday celebrated in some English-speaking countries in the Northern Hemisphere.
I'm partial to calling this Sabbat Lughnasadh, but that boils down to personal preference.
In Ancient Rome, today was also a festival dedicates to Spes and Victoria - hope and victory. This year, I feel it is quite befitting to honour these two Divine Ladies, in light of the pandemic the situation is going through.
I'm off to prepare for this evening's circle now. How do you intend to celebrate the Sabbat today?
Stay safe!
Ros
