Harvest Time Begins

The first of the 3 Harvest Festivals is Loughnasadh on July 31. 

  Loughnasadh is a Celtic festival which means 'Lough's Funeral Games' (or words to that effect). Lough is the Sun God of the Celts and the games he hosted honored the death of his foster mother Tailte. Oodles of info can be found here and here and here. The games symbolize honor, strength, sacrifice, endings, and beginnings -- cyclical ideas and effects. The Christian interpretation of this ancient celebration is 'Loaf Mass' `or Lammas` celebrating the harvesting of grains and the baking of bread.

  These days my observances are very 'homey' and low-key; I will make a meal with seasonal berries, I'll make some bread incorporating some local grains and bring in some freshly cut sunflowers for my sideboard that doubles as an altar when I set it up. When the kids were little we would host a big cookout with track and field style games and competitions -- so much fun and energy! But these days everyone has their own lives and schedules and the Harvest Observances aren't a focal point for them as they are for me. I think its an age-thing lol. 

Traditional Correspondances of Loughnadash 

Traditional Foods:Apples, Grains, Breads and Berries. 

Herbs and Flowers:All Grains, Grapes, Heather, Blackberries, Sloe, Crab Apples, Pears. 

Incense:Aloes, Rose, Sandalwood. 

Sacred Gemstone:Carnelian. 

Lughnasadh Incense  Recipe by Scott Cunningham

2 parts Frankincense 

1 part Heather 

1 part Apple blossoms 

1 pinch Blackberry leaves 

a few drops Ambergris oil

Burn Lughnasadh Incense during Wiccan rituals

 on August 1st or 2nd, or at that time to

 attune with the coming harvest.

(The above recipe for "Lughnasadh Incense" is

quoted directly from Scott Cunningham's book 

"The Complete Book of Incenses, Oils & Brews",

page 76, Llewellyn Publications, 1989/1992)

Lugh Oil

1 small piece of gold leaf (found in craft stores) 

1 dram heliotrope oil

1 dram sunflower oil

1 small citrine stone

Combine all ingredients, except for the gold

 leaf, in a small enamel saucepot and warm 

gently over low heat. Place the gold leaf in a

 pretty magic bottle and add the oils. Let it

 cool before capping the bottle. This oil can

 be used in Lughnasadh rituals or anytime you

wish to invoke Lugh or the Element of Fire.

*from ravenandcrone.com