Happy, uh...

[Chad]

Everyone have a happy: Festival of Lugus, Calan Awst, Lughnasadh, August Eve, or whatever you wish to call it! I've heard a lot of names for this day. Regardless, warm wishes from me to you this seasonal festival!

[redraven]

We were talking about this festival last night and how the main thrust of it being harvest now isn't really appropriate with harvesting starting as early as may and going through sometimes to October. Here in Scotland, it was never a major festival anyway because of the lack of arable land compared to more southern areas of England and Wales. In fact, it was the fishermen who would mark it as the time of the end of the fishing season for white fish by beaching the boats at this time of the year. So as far as we can see, the festival is probably more to do with Lugh nowadays up here.

[potia]

There were also some traditions surrounding cattle at this time of year too and some fairs that people would attend (this is information gleaned from the Silver Bough: Scottish folklore and folk belief volume 2 by F.Marian McNeill by the way).

Anyway we raised a toast to Lugus as our celebration.

Happy whatever you call it too

[Chad]

I made an offering to Lugus as well. Also made one to Taranis. I'm not a big festival person. I do things for them, don't get me wrong, however, since I celebrate them alone, I don't do anything too elaborate. It's more an affirmation of my beliefs, than anything else.

[lorna]

I also find this festival one of the most difficult to connect with. Lammas doesn't quite work for me because I don't have a great connection with cereal crops or bread. Neither does Lughnasadh as I've never met Lugh.

Gwyl Awst or the Feast of the August fits best with me.

For me this year it was bound up with first fruits such as strawberries and raspberries which have just ended in my garden. The crops haven't been harvested yet. I shared a lovely ritual with the Oak and Feather grove yesterday discussing the beginnings of harvest and singing the Awen before bread, mead, strawberries, raspberries, and champagne for a member leaving for Ireland.

Hope everybody had a good... whatever!

[Chad]

There are a couple of festivals, in which I have some connection issues. The Midwinter one is one I don't get too deep into, as well. Really, any of them in winter, because going outside becomes rather uncomfortable. It gets pretty cold in my area in winter. All of the seasons are very distinct here.