LUGHNASADH

August 1

Symbolism

Harvest and thanksgiving

Turning point in Mother Earth's year

Honor the weakening Sun God and give thanks for the seeds and the plants that went through the death process (harvest) in order to be reborn next season.

It is the first of three harvest festivals and is usually associated with ripening grain.

It is time to celebrate the fruits of the harvest but also to be aware that summer is passing and winter is on its way.

Symbols

Colors are red and orange

Corn Dollies

Grain, sheaves of grain (wheat, barley, oats)

Special loafs of bread, God figures made of bread, baskets of bread or cookie dough

Corn

Cornucopias

red, yellow flowers

first fruits/vegetables of garden labor

spear, cauldron, sickle, scythe, threshing tools

harvested herbs

bonfires

Foods

Bread

Blackberries and all berries

Crab apples

All grains, barley cakes, nuts, rice

Ripe produce

Lamb

Elderberry wine, ale, cider, beer, meadowsweet tea

Ritual Actions

Bread eaten and thrown into the fire

Grains woven into Goddess and God symbols

Last herbs are gathered

Spellwork for good fortune and abundance

Making of corn husk dolls

Rituals

Wheat weaving

Visits to fields, orchards, lakes and wells

Make a figure of the God from bread and use it for a simple feast

Baking of bread is a common act of reverance

Fashion corn husk dolls from the first harvested corn. Remove the kernels from the cob and place in a vessel of water. Place the vessel so that the moon will shine it's light upon it from waxing to full. Then take the corn husk doll and suspend it on the inside of the front door of the (your) house. Give the vessel of corn a place of honor in your home. This is believed to protect the household and ensure good fortune throughout the year. At the time of the following years harvest, the corn dolls are burned and the corn kernels are buried in the fields(garden), returning the seed to the earth.

Reference::
Personal Experience
Pagan Ways by Gwydion O'Hara
Celtic Magic by DJ Conway
Wicca:Guide For Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham
Wheel Of The Year by Pauline Campanelli