Lughnasadh Celebrations

	The circle of life and a bounteous harvest.
	Lammas or Lughnasadh is once again, almost upon us. This immovable Sabbat, is celebrated in one form or another throughout the world. It is a time that brings great celebration and always pause for thought. Here at Your Dressmaker we have the ability to make the occasion that little bit special. “Hey John Barleycorn, Ho, John Barleycorn, old and young thy praise have sung, John Barleycorn”. So go the words to one of the most well known, traditional folk songs in England. At harvest time, the Celtic festival of Lammas is celebrated. In Medieval Ireland it was known by the name Lughnasadh, in deference to the Irish God, Lugh. In Irish Gaelic, the month of August is Lúnasa. This is the first of three Pagan harvest festivals and celebrates the early harvest. Lammas itself means ‘loaf bread’ and traditionally at this time, people would eat bread and drink beer to celebrate the harvest and offer thanks as the circle turns to autumn, when all things must die in order to be reborn, the following year. The “Harvest Bride” was, throughout Europe, the last sheaf harvested. Dances and processions would honour her, as the Celts held tribal gatherings. This is a time of year in Wiccan belief, when stories tell of many heroic and godlike figures meeting their deaths. The Mother Goddess slays the corn God. Lugh is slain by his wife’s lover, having been betrayed. Native American tribes welcome their corn Goddess also. The festival has a fixed date, unlike the solstice and equinox celebrations. In the Northern Hemisphere it is August 1st in the Southern, February 1st. Pagans and followers of other earth religions enjoy this time of year in different ways. Traditionally the celebrations were held on hilltops. They would almost, always include feasting, the lighting of bonfires and visiting Holy springs or wells. In all celebrations the focus was and still is on the circle of life and the earth’s bounteous gifts. Contemporary Pagan rituals are centred around the death of the Corn God, slain as stated previously by the Goddess. Often these festivities are small simple affairs, where a group of like minded people simply attend a picnic, break bread and drink ale, possibly fashion corn dollies and make prayer to encourage a good harvest. Larger gatherings can be in the form of a booked party or an outdoor event including feasting and music. Games will be played and merry will be made. Festival goers take part in archery, arm wrestling, horseshoe pitching and many more traditional games. Gentlemen, if you are lucky enough to get an invite to one of these events, why not dress accordingly in something both of the period and of superb quality. You will be the envy of all as you escort your lady, also correctly attired. Harvest is a time of great happiness as we offer thanks for nature’s bounty. It is also a time for reflection as the cycle of life is completed. Of all the Sabbats it is perhaps the one, that provides the most solace and indeed the most to think about. For all adherents to the earth religions this is an important time of year. Throughout the world, from Pagans and Wiccan in Europe, to Native tribes people in America and the Animists of Asian culture, people will be offering thanks to the earth mother for another year fulfilled.