~ lughnasadh marks the beginning of the harvest season; it is a festival of the first ripening berries and harvests, as well as an observance of the fruitfulness of the land ~
first crops have been harvested and the hedgerows are full of rich berries and fruit. This is a time of bounty, celebration, feasting and hopes for an abundant harvest, as well as honouring the deities of the harvest. Many Lughnasadh celebrations give thanks to the spirits and gods for the beginning of the harvest season, and to make offerings to them, in hopes that they not harm the still-ripening crops
in some pagan paths, Lughnsadh is the Celtic festival to the Irish sun god, Lugh. Lugh is frequently represented as a High King of distant, ancient times in mythological texts, and possesses myriad abilities
further reading:
~ overview of lughnasadh ~ a witchvox article summarising the history and celebrations of lughnasadh
~ lammas (lughnasadh) day ~ an introductory (wiccan) article, which also summarises similar lughnasadh or harvest festivals in other branches of paganism
~ deeper into lughnasadh ~ an article at the order of bards, ovates and druids, covering the history, deities and celebration of Lughnasadh
