Blessed Lughnasadh - 1st August 2025

Happy Lammas one and all,

How quickly has the first harvest come around this year? Is it just me, or does time seem to be flying past in 2025?

Well John Barleycorn is heading towards his death yet again. In Celtic tradition we call this festival Lughnasadh and it is a celebration of the God Lugh and his mother who he loved immensely. Lugh was know for his association to craftsmanship, light and ability to build the harvest.

When Christianity became a thing, the name was changed to Lammas, a word that comes from the Old English "hlafmæsse," meaning "loaf mass," and this refers to the practice of blessing the first loaves of bread made from that year’s new grain. It's a time to give thanks for the bounty of the earth and to reflect on what we have. Traditionally the first loaves would be taken to the local church to be blessed.

The symbolism around the first harvest is the abundance of earth, the ever moving circle of the seasons and life, seen in birth, life, death and rebirth and the ripening of the harvest.

Traditional we celebrate by baking our own bread, sharing food with others and giving thanks for what we have. Colours associated are yellows, oranges and browns, really any colour that suggests harvest time to you.

Grain dolls and grain protection amulets were hung on doors too.

If you like a little jig around the garden, then play the fabulous uplifting song called Lughnasadh Dance by Dahm the Bard.