How to Celebrate Lughnasadh

Lughnasadh is a traditional name for the first harvest feast, observed in Europe around the beginning of August. This feast, also known as Lammas, celebrates the long, hot days of late summer and the ripening of the first grains. Taking place about half way between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox, Lughnasadh is one of the four secondary pagan holidays called cross quarter days.

Instructions

1. Do some baking. Possibly the most important way to celebrate Lughnasadh is by participating in the grain harvest and making your own bread. Sure, there are lots of ways to cheat and get through this easily, but it only comes around once a year. Why not start from scratch and go through the whole kneading and rising process? The results are worth it.

2. Make decorations out of grains. Dried stalks of wheat, corn husks and late summer grasses have traditionally been used in crafts to celebrate Lughnasadh. These projects include brooms, braided wreaths and small dolls commemorating the gods of the season. For an easier decoration, just make a seasonal flower and grain arrangement in a vase.

3. Have a barbecue, a proper way to celebrate a harvest festival that takes place in the summer. Besides the usual burgers and hot dogs, try grilling corn on the cob, another important seasonal food. Don't forget the watermelon and ice cream if the weather is still scorching.

4. Go to a fair or festival. Since ancient times, the early harvest has been a common time for fairs, markets and other festivities. These traditions continue today in many forms, so chances are you can find something like this in your area if you are so inclined.

5. Burn something. Large ceremonial fires are a major theme of many pagan holidays, including Lughnasadh. It is certainly a great time to have a bonfire if you've got the space. If you're feeling even more adventurous, consider recreating the traditional ritual of rolling a burning wagon wheel down a hill to symbolize the setting sun.

Tips & Warnings

• August is a hot and dry time in many parts of the world. Although fires are traditional, be even more careful than usual with your fire and especially with burning wheels, because fire could spread very easily.