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Lughnasadh: The First Harvest Festival
Article Contents
Lughnasadh is celebrated on 1st -2nd of August and marks the first of three harvest festivals in the Wheel of the Year (followed by Mabon and Samhain). It is a time to honour the grain harvest, celebrate abundance and give thanks for the bounty of the land.
Origins of Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh is one of the most eagerly anticipated sabbats in the Wheel of the Year. The festival is named after the Celtic god Lugh, a sun deity and master of many skills. It is a time for harvesting the first grain crops and for baking and offering bread in gratitude for the hard work of farmers and artisans. The festival held continued importance even in later Christian tradition, which knew Lughnasadh as Lammas (from the Old English hlaf-mas, meaning “loaf mass”).
In both pagan and Christian tradition, Lughnasadh is a time for great gatherings, which included feasting, fairs and trading. Trial marriages were also popular at this time, wherein couples committed to each other for a year and a day by joining hands through a hole in a stone or wooden door. After this trial period, they were free to continue their relationship or part company.
Creating a Lughnasadh altar
A Lughnasadh altar should be rich, warm, and filled with the symbols of the harvest. Some ideas include wheat, barley, oats or corn to symbolise abundance and gratitude. A loaf of homemade bread to honour the spirit of the grain and candles in gold, orange, or deep red to represent the Sun’s fading power are also good. Add crystals, such as citrine for abundance, carnelian for strength and tiger’s eye for confidence, along with seasonal foods, such as apples, blackberries, honey and nuts to celebrate nature’s gifts.
Themes and symbols of Lughnasadh
🌾 The First Harvest – A time to reap the rewards of hard work and celebrate the earth’s abundance.
🍞 Bread and Grains – Baking bread is a traditional way to honour the season and express gratitude.
☀️ The Waning Sun – The Sun is still strong, but its power begins to wane, symbolising the transition towards autumn.
🔨 Work and Skill – A time to honour craftsmanship, dedication, and the fruits of our labour, both physically and spiritually.
🔥 Sacrifice and Gratitude – The cutting of the first grain represents the sacrifice of the Corn King (a metaphor for the cycle of life, death, and rebirth).
How to celebrate Lughnasadh
🍞 Bake bread – One of the most traditional ways to celebrate is by baking a loaf from scratch and sharing it with loved ones or offering it in gratitude.
🌾 Harvest food – If you have a garden or allotment, take time to gather your first harvest, whether it’s wheat, berries or herbs.
🔥 Light a fire or candle – Fire is a symbol of transformation and sacrifice, representing the waning Sun and the warmth of the season.
🧑🌾 Honour hard work and skills – This is a perfect time to reflect on your personal growth and recognise your achievements—whether it’s a skill you’ve mastered, a goal you’ve reached or a creative project completed.
🎭 Celebrate with Games and Feasting – Traditionally, Lughnasadh included competitions, storytelling, and community celebrations. Gather with friends, play games or enjoy a feast with seasonal foods like corn, blackberries, apples, and mead.
📜 Set Intentions for the Rest of the Year – Just as farmers begin storing grain for the colder months, you can reflect on what you have achieved so far and what you wish to cultivate before the year’s end.
Final thoughts
Lughnasadh reminds us that hard work leads to rewards and it’s important to pause, reflect and express gratitude before moving forward. It is a time of celebration, preparation and honouring both the land’s bounty and our own achievements. Whether you bake bread, gather with friends or simply take a moment to give thanks, Lughnasadh is an opportunity to connect with the rhythms of the earth and embrace the changing seasons.
