Lughnassadh blessing !

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AelinLaerFineArt's avatar
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I wish you all blessed and inspiring Lughnassadh !

For those who are interested and have not read some of my previous informative blogs, here is shortly about this festival, and why it is so important to us :)

Blessings by AelinLaerFineArt



"

The sun is beginning to weaken, and soon the leaves will start to change into an array of autumnal colors. The fields are golden with crops ready for harvesting, the trees and bushes sigh and droop under the weight of their fruits.

Lúnasa marks the start of the harvest, and so historically heralded not just the autumn, but the season of sweat and toil in the fields. It was also the time of assemblies—óenig (óenach, singular)—which every member of the túatha was obliged to attend. Here, legal matters were discussed, and displays of loyalty were made to the king. Lúnasa was considered to be a time of sacred peace, and any fighting was considered to be a grave offence at these assemblies. Races and games—shows of strength and athleticism—were held as well, merchants sold their wares at fairs, and everyone enjoyed the festivities that setting aside enmities could bring.

Lúnasa is named after the god Lugh, who is said to have instituted the festival in honor of his foster-mother’s death. Lugh’s foster-mother, Tailtiu, died from her exertions after performing an amazing feat to clear several plains, making Lúnasa not just a harvest festival, but, at its roots, a funeral games. The many different assembly sites in Ireland and Scotland tend to be on hillsides or lochsides that are associated with certain tutelary goddesses and offer prime views of the surrounding land. The assemblies and games reinforced the social and politcal bonds of a people, as well as the ties that bound the túatha to the land, and deities, that sustained them.

This is the festival of the first fruits, and so these are the foods that are set on the table for the festive feasting. Today there may not be the opportunity to attend assemblies in the same way as there was in the old days (though there are still some surviving in Ireland today), but games and good-natured competitions can form a part of group or family celebrations at least. Offerings of the first fruits are given to Lugh—in particular, bilberries (or blueberries, or blackberries as may be available, depending on location), as was traditional to collect at the assemblies and the harvest fairs that grew out of them.

Cheese-making is particularly appropriate in preparation for the feasting, with soft cheeses like crowdie being especially apt. As with the other festivals, rites of saining and warding are performed, and offerings and devotions made. This is a time to honour Lugh and his foster-mother, the spirits of the land, and to give thanks for the harvest. It is also a good time to explore the legends of Crom Dubh. "


for informations about other festivals check Gaol Naofa official page :)

Blessings !

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MariaEnzianiaKober's avatar
I thank you for the good blessing wishes - and return them to you - have a blessed harvest-season!

I read through the description that you added - thank you for that! It was a joy to read it, and increased my knowledge. Just one thing - could you add a link to Gaol Naofa's official page?