Lughnasadh: The Mythology of Lugh, Tailtiu, & the First Harvest
“Help me search for a fairy cave on an August Moon and a low, low tide.”
Inspired by the grain mysteries, sacred partnerships, and the recently-ripened fruits of our labor, Lughnasadh breezes in around August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. Lughnasadh is a Gaelic fire festival, and with it comes a season of reaping. Although cross-quarter sabbats may not receive as much attention as equinoxes or solstices, these dates remain significant in agricultural communities, marking key moments in the sowing, growing, and harvesting of plants. As the midway point between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, Lughnasadh begins the initiatory first harvest, soon to be followed by Mabon and Samhain.
From Ella Young’s The Coming of Lugh, illustrated by Maud Gonne
When tending to the mythical roots of this sabbat (also known as Lúnasa, Lughnasa, or Llamas in the Anglo-Saxon world), we encounter the god Lugh. In days past, Lugh presided over the harvest season. When the fields turned gold and the gardens teemed with abundance, people shared their bounty with the god. In exchange for the first ear of corn or a handful of berries, Lugh offered his blessing in the shape of an old story, a story about his fairy origins, sacred month, and adopted mother, Tailtiu.
The Legend of Lugh: The Shining One
Legends from Welsh, Irish, and Scottish lore show Lugh as a master craftsman and a god of heroes.
