Lammas

Lammas, or Lughnasadh is dedicated to Lug, the Celtic god of agriculture and handicrafts. This day is celebrated by the Irish, Scots, and on the Isle of Man. The traditions of celebrating Lammas are rooted in the deep pre-Christian past.

History

Since the holiday is very ancient, no exact information is known about its origin. The legend says the god Lug installed it in honor of his mother, the goddess of fertility, who died of starvation.

Lammas is the beginning of the harvest, and all the rituals of the holiday were somehow connected with this. Community members solemnly cut the first grain ears and feasted on the top of the mountain with the harvested fruits. Sacrifices were made to the gods: in addition to offering fruits, it was imperative to slaughter a bull.

Interesting facts

• Since mountain climbing is an important part of the holiday, many mountain peaks were conquered for the first time on this day.
• Bull sacrifices continued into the 18th century.
• Heavy rains often fell on Lammas, which is reflected in many folk sayings.
• The Irish community in the northeastern United States often picks blueberries at Lammas, as blueberries begin ripening here in early August.

How to take part

Currently, many historical traditions associated with this holiday have been lost, but it remains an important event. In honor of it, folk culture festivals are held, which allow modern Irish and Scottish people to learn more about the traditions of their country. Some families still gather on this day with relatives and friends. This holiday is very important for neo-pagans, who now try to follow ancient traditions with maximum historical accuracy.

When is Lammas celebrated in 2024?

Lammas day is observed on August 1 each year.

Observations