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Lughnasadh and the Radiant Sun
As the wheel of the year turns, pagans and those who follow the old ways prepare to celebrate Lughnasadh, a festival deeply rooted in the rhythms of nature and the cycles of the sun. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, marks the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated on August 1st. It is a time to honor the sun's life-giving force, which plays a central role in this Celtic holiday and in the broader practices of pagans and witchy folk.
In the northern hemisphere, the sun governs the natural cycles that shape our environment and daily lives. As the Earth orbits the sun, we experience the changing seasons, each bringing unique energies and opportunities. Lughnasadh falls midway between the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and the autumn equinox, when day and night are equal. This period, often referred to as the "cross-quarter," signifies a shift from the height of summer towards the cooler, introspective time of autumn.
The sun's journey throughout the year is a powerful metaphor for the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. At Lughnasadh, the sun begins its gradual descent, mirroring the waning energy as the days grow shorter. This time is crucial for the final ripening and harvesting of crops, a testament to the sun's nourishing rays. The festival is thus a celebration of abundance and a reminder of the sun’s vital role in sustaining life.
Lughnasadh is named after the Celtic god Lugh, a deity associated with light, sun, and craftsmanship. According to tradition, Lugh instituted this festival to honor his mother, Tailtiu, who died from exhaustion after clearing the fields of Ireland for agriculture. In modern pagan practice, Lughnasadh is a time to give thanks for the bounty of the land, reflecting on the efforts of sowing and reaping that sustain communities.
The sun’s influence on Lughnasadh is profound. The festival is often celebrated with feasts featuring the first fruits of the harvest, particularly grains such as wheat, barley, and corn. Bread-making is a common ritual, symbolizing the transformation of raw ingredients into sustenance, mirroring the sun's transformation of seeds into ripe crops. This act of baking and sharing bread is a way of honoring the Earth and the sun for their combined gifts.
Pagans and witches often align their spiritual practices with the solar cycles, recognizing the sun as a source of energy and a guide for living in harmony with nature. The solstices and equinoxes, along with the cross-quarter days like Lughnasadh, are key points in the year for ritual and celebration.
At Lughnasadh, rituals may include lighting bonfires, symbolizing the sun’s power and warmth. These fires represent both a farewell to the peak of summer and a call for protection and strength as the community moves towards the darker half of the year. Offerings of bread, fruits, and vegetables are made to honor the deities and spirits of the land, acknowledging the interconnectedness of all life.
Crafting and creation are also emphasized, reflecting Lugh’s association with skills and artistry. This could involve weaving, small toy making, or engaging in other forms of handiwork, as a way of channeling the creative energies fostered by the sun’s light.
Lughnasadh teaches pagans and witches to honor the cycles of growth and decline, abundance and preparation. It is a time to celebrate achievements, acknowledge the fruits of one’s labor, and begin to prepare for the leaner months ahead. The sun, in its journey, offers a lesson in balance: to give thanks for the warmth and light of summer, while also preparing for the introspection and rest of winter.
As we gather to celebrate Lughnasadh, we not only honor a rich cultural tradition but also reconnect with the natural rhythms that guide our lives. The sun, ever present and powerful, reminds us of the cycles that sustain us, encouraging gratitude, mindfulness, and a deep respect for the world around us.
The Magic of Nature Mandalas
Nature mandalas, intricate designs made from natural materials, have roots that intertwine with the earliest rituals and spiritual practices. With some of the earliest uses within Hinduism and Buddhism, similar practices have been adopted into a variety of spiritual paths. These representations of fractal beauty mirror patterns within nature. Pagans who adopt these practices understand that by creating mandalas, they can honor the sacred geometry that exists in all living things and use them to connect with nature, meditate, and honor natural patterns..
Creating a nature mandala is often a meditative act, a spell woven with intention and respect for the Earth. Traditionally, a witch might venture into the wild, gathering materials with care and gratitude. Leaves, flowers, seeds, stones, and even feathers would be collected, each carrying its own unique energy and symbolism.
With these materials in hand, the witch would find a quiet, sacred space—a clearing in the forest, a secluded beach, or a sunlit meadow. There, they begin the ritual, arranging the natural elements in circular patterns, spirals, and other geometric shapes. Each placement deliberate, each piece a part of a larger cosmic puzzle. As the mandala takes form, it becomes a living petition to the universe,, a manifestation of the witch's connection to the Earth and the divine.
Serving multiple purposes within our magical practice. They are tools of meditation, helping to center the mind and align the spirit with the natural world. The act of creating a mandala is itself a spell, a way to channel energy and intention into the Earth, seeking harmony and balance.
Mandalas can also be used in rituals of gratitude and celebration, marking the turning of the seasons and the cycles of life. During Lughnasadh, for example, a mandala might be created to honor the first harvest. Each element of the mandala represents a different aspect of the harvest—wheat for sustenance, flowers for beauty, stones for stability, and so on.
Today, we continue the tradition of crafting nature mandalas, blending the old ways with our modern practices. In doing so, we keep the wisdom of our ancestors alive, honoring their knowledge and deepening our own connection to the Earth. As a Pagan, I find solace and strength in this practice, knowing that each mandala I create is a step along the ancient path, a link in the unbroken chain of our magical heritage.
In the ever-turning wheel of the year, the creation of nature mandalas reminds us that we are part of something greater, a vast and intricate web of life. Through these sacred patterns, we celebrate the beauty of the world around us and our place within it, weaving our intentions into the very fabric of the universe.
As we approach Lughnasadh, the first harvest festival, I invite you to join in this ancient practice and create your own nature mandala. Gather materials that speak to you—wheat, flowers, seeds, stones—and find a peaceful outdoor space to arrange them in a pattern that reflects the abundance and gratitude of the season. Let this be a time of meditation and connection, honoring the cycles of nature and the bountiful gifts of the Earth.
May your mandala bring you closer to the rhythms of the natural world and fill your heart with the magic of Lughnasadh. Blessed be.
Shadow Work: Reaping and Sowing
Lughnasadh marks the beginning of the harvest season, a time to reap what we have sown and reflect on the fruits of our labor. The sun, while still strong, begins its descent, signaling a shift from abundance to preparation for the coming darker months. Reflect on the role of the sun in your personal growth and achievements over the past season.
What have you cultivated and brought to fruition in your life?
Consider the efforts and intentions you planted earlier in the year. Write about the successes and the challenges you faced. How can you honor the sun's influence in your journey while preparing for the changes ahead?
What inner resources or strengths can you harvest and carry forward as the days begin to shorten?
Coven Coloring Club
This turn of the wheel, we have another two printable coloring sheets. Lughnasadh’s connection to the sun, combined with the harvest inspired both the sunflower sheet and the wheat and flowers. Color your sheets and show them off by tagging us on social media @midwestcovencast or use the hashtag #midwestcovencoloringclub.
You can download the printable PDF files below.
Southern Hemisphere Shout Out: Imbolc
Blessed Imbolc, Southern Hemisphere friends! May spring bring you many bright blessings! For information and activities related to Imbolc, you can check out our Imbolc newsletter from when it passed in the Northern Hemisphere. We hope you find useful information and activities to help you celebrate.
A letter from Marilyn
Hello newsletter besties! Marilyn here!
I know many of you are fans of my music, and several of you found Midwest Coven Cast as a result of my pandemic-era “Witch Shany” making its way to you through TikTok and other online witchy communities and spaces.
My music has always been a deeply personal artistic form for me and I have been hesitant to release music that I wasn’t 100% confident about. I’ve talked on the podcast before how I am more confident in my lyric and vocal talent than I am with instruments or mixing. However, over the last few months, I have been stepping out of my comfort zone and been working/collaborating with an incredible producer (Alyssa Wilkens). I cannot begin to express the quality that Alyssa has brought to the composition. I am excited to announce that the first of these collaborations is a song called “Unholy” and will be released on August 19th on all major music streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music) under my artist name, Marilyn Marinn. I hope you will consider following me on your favorite streaming service and give it a listen when it is released.
In short order, I will also be releasing a read-along version of the “Witch Shanty.” Witch Shanty Read-Along will be available in both physical and on-line form via Amazon on September 16th. I hope you will check it out and get a copy for a little witch in your life who might enjoy it (or maybe even for yourself)!
Thank you so much for the continued support from all of you in the MCC witchy/pagan community. It has truly been incredible to know that my music and artistry has reached as many people as it has around the globe. What an amazing journey it has been!
Blessed be!
Marilyn
Patreon Contributor Thanks
As always, many thanks are owed to our Patreon contributors Steve D. and Anonymous for their continued support of our podcast and other witchy media endeavors. You help make all of this possible!
CALENDAR
01 August Lughnasadh
04 August NEW Moon (6:13am CST)
19 August FULL Sturgeon Moon (1:25pm CST)
Marilyn’s song “Unholy” drops on streaming services
02 September NEW Moon (8:55 pm)
16 September The Witch Shanty Read-Along drops on Amazon*
17 September FULL Harvest Moon (9:34pm CST)
22 September Mabon
*The original publication of this post mistakenly listed The Witch Shanty read-along date as September 6th. This was a typo and should have been 9/16/2024. Apologies for any inconvenience.
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