LUGHNASSADH

(July 31st-August 1st)

Also Known As:

Lammas Sabbat
August Eve
First Festival of Harvest

    This  Sabbat is also named after a Deity in this case it is Lugh, the Celtic God of Sun and Fire. It represents the sun's light beginnning to fade and thus, the death and sacrifice of Lugh. But it is only with his sacrafice that we can reap the bounty. It is much like the Chrisitan crucifixion. Death and sacrifice bring new life. The cycle is eternal. The theme is played out in the Christian year, if observed as a cycle: Jesus is continually dying and being reborn, only to die again. In Paganism, it is only fitting that the death of the God must come with a harvest.
     Because of this, bread is an important symbol at Lughnassadh and baking bread is traditional at this time. It is similar to a Pagan Thanksgiving! We feast and dance however it is a little more somber than some other Sabbats.
     Some Pagans use this day soley to bake thier bread and cakes for the coming winter and so no actual rituals are performed except the blessing of thier foods. We see this as a time when the God loses his strength as the sun rises farther south each day and the nights grow longer. WIccans remember its bounty and warmth in the food we eat.    

Traditional Ritual Herbs:

Acacia Flowers
Aloes
Cornstalks
Cyclamen

Fenugreek
Frankincense
Heather
Hollyhock

Myrtle
Oak Leaves
Sunflower
Wheat

Altar Decorations:

Corn Dollies(small figures fashioned from braided straw)
and/or
Kirn Babies (corncob dolls) to symbolize the Mother Goddess of the Harvest.

Incense:

Aloes
Rose
Sandlewood

Sabbat Gemstones or Jewels:

Aventurine
Citrine

Peridot
Sardonyx

Sabbat Deities:

Lugh (Celtic Solar Deity worshipped by ancient Druids)
John Barleycorn (Personification of malt liquor)
Demeter
Ceres
The Corn Mother
Any other Deities who preside over Agriculture

Candle Colours:

Green
Light Brown

Golden Yellow
Orange

Foods:

Homemade Breads
Barley Cakes
Nuts
Ale

Roasted Lamb
Berry Pies
Elderberry Wine
Meadowsweet Tea

Wild Berries
Apples
Rice

Some Info taken from 21st Century Wicca, by Jennifer Hunter: Citadel Pub.
Everyday Wicca by Gerina Dunwhich: Citadel Pub.