Our Fabled Nest

Today we are celebrating Lughnasadh! I know it is a mouthful, but it is pronounced loo-nuh-suh. Also called Lammas (Lah -mas). Typically, this is celebrated on August 1st or the halfway mark between Midsummer and Mabon. On my path, I celebrate Sabbats along with moon cycles and a garden variety of other things. On our wheel of the year, there are 8 to be exact. The wheel begins with Yule (Winter Solstice), then we have the three fertility sabbats of Imbolc, Ostara (Easter) and Beltane (May Day). Next would be Litha (Midsummer). Now we get to enjoy the best part! Harvest time! These start with Lughnasadh, Mabon (Autumn Equinox) and finally Samhain (Halloween). Whether it is physically, mentally or spiritually, what we planted during the fertility season is now or almost ready to be harvested!

Celebrate that progress and your achievements over the past few months! It’s a beautiful sentiment to look back and see how far you’ve come. What goals did you set and how are they coming… was there anything you have been manifesting or physically planting. Harvest any and all of those and be proud of how far you’ve come! August is on the threshold of the traditional autumn. We still have that delightful summery air, but day by day the night draws quicker. There is something in the air that speaks to the coming seasonal changes. It is so beautiful being in sync with mama earth following the ebbs and flows and watching nature come alive, shed their leaves and then have the winter’s rest. It’s how I try to live, and I am hoping with our little homestead we, too, can be in sync.

As an ancient Gaelic holiday, Lughnasadh began when the Celtic Sun God Lugh (Loo) wanted to honor his foster mother for her sacrifice. In Irish mythology, the tale goes that Tailtiu died of exhaustion from clearing the plains of Ireland for grain harvesting. To honor her sacrifice, Lugh held Lughnasadh. Other stories go that Lugh wanted to celebrate himself since he was an excellent craftsman, and skilled warrior. If you are celebrating Lammas- it is the Christian version and that translates to Loaf mass.

Like most Sabbats, communities gathered round a bonfire. Bonfires are protective and the smoke thought to be cleansing. Some folks would jump through the fires believing it would bring good luck for the coming season. As a community event, there were games and competitions. It almost reminds me of a county fair. The merriment, games and a full day of enjoying the company of friends and family – literally the perfect day! Corn dollies were made – make sure you hold onto yours until the Spring, so the Winter won’t be as harsh! There were plenty of bread being baked since we are celebrating the first grain harvest. Deeply rooted in the cycles of nature and community, Lughnasadh makes me think of how we are all connected.

Modern times are quite similar but vastly different. With the hustle and bustle we see nowadays and everyone being so busy, folks don’t make time to celebrate the little things. While I would love to sit by a cozy fire, it is not a possibility. Ya’ll it’s 90 degrees out! No thanks! I am however reflecting on the interconnectedness of it all. I am reflecting on my life since Imbolc and those first seeds that were planted. Now I gratefully acknowledge my achievements, growth and the lessons that I’ve learned. We are making a loaf of bread to celebrate our abundance. I specifically chose Adamana Bread. Crafted with cornmeal and molasses. But remember, abundance is not always about material possessions or monetary gains. Instead of corn dollies, my tribe is painting bird houses and little rocks to hide all over our three wooded acres. We chose to celebrate our simple life. The little things!

We can’t have a sabbat without a feast! Kept grains in mind when curating our menu. I chose corn to be the star of the meal. From its sunny hues to the grounding aspect – it’s a perfect choice! We started with a lovely corn basil salad. Strange sounding but it is delicious combination! Full of summery vibes with the fresh basil, blueberries, feta and corn tossed in a lime honey vinaigrette. Add some organic corn chips -so good! Bringing some of the autumn harvest into our feast, I decided on autumn chicken enchiladas. Mildly spiced chicken enchiladas tucked under a pumpkin red sauce all covered with Mexican Cheese then baked until bubbly! Apples also made an appearance. While not typically harvested until September, it seems fitting to celebrate these beauties too! Quite impressive but simple to make: Apple Torte. We added a bit of fresh whip cream, and it couldn’t have been more delicious! This meal was probably my favorite; beautiful, delicious and a gentle grateful reminder of abundance of the season.

In this season, I know we all have something to be grateful for. Life is not about the destination but the journey along the way.

Cheers to our next adventure!