Greetings & Merry Meet,
The Old Irish / Gaelic term Lughnasadh (pronounced Loo-NAHS-ah), refers to the Sun God Lugh (meaning "shining one") of Celtic mythology. The term Lammas, meaning "loaf-mass", coincides with the Medieval Christian festival of Lammas Day—this day marked the festival of the first wheat harvest of the year and it was customary to bring a loaf of bread made from the new crop to church or one’s place of worship. Traditionally, Lughnasadh / Lammas / Midsummer were celebrated on the full moon nearest the midpoint between the summer solstice and autumnal equinox since the Celtic calendar was based on the lunar, solar, and vegetation cycles. Lugnasadh is one of the four main festivals of the Medieval Irish calendar: Imbolc, Beltaine, Lughnasadh, and Samhain and is usually looked upon as the first Sabbat in the trilogy of Pagan Harvest Festivals. In early Celtic tradition, this holiday marked the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall—this festival could last in celebration for up to a month, being held between July 15th and August 15th. Today, Lughnasadh is usually celebrated on or around August 1st.
Blessed Lughnasadh,
Happy Midsummer & Merry Part
