Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh or Lughnasa (pronounced /ˈluːnəsə/, LOO-nə-sə; Irish: Lúnasa, /ˈl̪ˠuːn̪ˠəsˠə/; Scottish Gaelic: Lùnastal, [ˈl̪ˠu:nəsd̥əl̪ˠ]; Manx: Luanistyn, [ˈluanɪst̪ən]) is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season. Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Originally it was held on 1 August, or about halfway between the summer solstice and autumn equinox. However, over time the celebrations shifted to the Sundays nearest this date. Lughnasadh is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals; along with Samhain, Imbolc and Beltane. It corresponds to other European harvest festivals such as the Welsh Gwyl Awst and the English Lammas.
Lughnasadh is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and is believed to have pagan origins. The festival itself is named after the god Lugh. It involved great gatherings that included religious ceremonies, ritual athletic contests (most notably the Tailteann Games), feasting, matchmaking and trading. There were also visits to holy wells. According to folklorist Máire MacNeill, evidence shows that the religious rites included an offering of the first of the corn, a feast of the new food and of bilberries, the sacrifice of a bull and a ritual dance-play. Much of this would have taken place on top of hills and mountains.
Podcasts:
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by Damh The Bard
Lughnasadh
by: Damh The BardFeel me sleep beneath your feet
While the year is waning,
And all about you the bare fingers plead
And reach towards the sky,
A crown of thorns about my head,
When the dark is rising,
And from the shadows walks a God, a seed,
A hope for brand new life.
Can you hear the Spirits of the Earth can you?
Can you hear the Spirits of the Earth can you?
Can you hear the Spirits of the Earth?
Can you hear them call, can you hear them sing?
Lughnasadh! Is the life and the death of the Corn King,
Life and rebirth of the Corn King!
Lughnasadh! Is the life and the death of the Corn King,
Life and rebirth of the Corn King!
I turn my green face to the Sun,
As the year is waxing,
And all about animals call my name
In forest and in sky.
My horns of velvet reflect the Moon,
Silver wheel of my Lady,
She comes towards me as the May reveals
Her White and virgin skin.
I turn my gold face to the Sun
As the year is waning,
The time has come now for my life to end
As metal rubs on stone,
She comes towards me across the fields,
Chariot's wheels a-blazing,
Her hair on fire, cut me crush me, bake me,