August 1st Pagan tradition August 1st is an important date in Pagan tradition, marking the celebration of the holiday known as Lammas or Lughnasadh. Lammas, which means "loaf mass," is a harvest festival that is observed in various Pagan and Wiccan traditions. The holiday is rooted in ancient agricultural practices and is associated with the first harvest of grains, such as wheat and barley. During Lammas, Pagans give thanks for the abundance of the Earth and celebrate the cycle of life and death. It is a time to honor the hard work and effort put into the cultivation of crops and to recognize the interconnectedness of all living beings. The tradition also includes making bread from the freshly harvested grains as a way of expressing gratitude for the sustenance provided by the Earth.
Lammas is one of the four “Greater Sabbats,” making it one of the most important days on the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. It is the cross-quarter day between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, and it marks the beginning of the harvest season. Though it’s often the hottest part of the Summer, this is also the moment when the first hints of Autumn are perceptible—the first grains are ready to be harvested, the trees begin dropping their fruits, and the ever-shortening daylight becomes more apparent with each sunset. At this time we give thanks for the abundance of the past growing season and look forward to the remaining weeks of light and warmth as we continue reaping what we have sown.
Irish legend has it that the festival originated with Lugh himself, when he held a funeral feast and sporting competition to honor his foster mother, Tailtiu. Lammas rituals are related to harvest and gratitude, and recognizing the manifestations of our intentions that have unfolded so far during the course of the year.
The tradition also includes making bread from the freshly harvested grains as a way of expressing gratitude for the sustenance provided by the Earth. Lammas is often celebrated with feasting, dancing, and communal gatherings. Many Pagans also engage in rituals and ceremonies to honor the deities and spirits associated with the harvest.
Lughnasa - How to celebrate the ancient Celtic festival
As the exact Lughnasadh date may fall anytime between August 1 and August 12, IrishCentral has your definitive guide for all the best ways to celebrate the Lughnasadh festival.
Lughnasadh date
Lughnasa marks the beginning of autumn (fall). It is the beginning of the harvest season and celebrates the decline of summer into winter. The old Celtic pagan festival lasted a month, with August 1 at its midpoint, but is currently most often celebrated on the Sunday closest to that date.
Celtic festivals and rituals typically center around the assurance of a bountiful harvest and the celebration of the harvest cycle.
There is often much confusion surrounding Lammas/Lughnasa because of the variety of names and the differing dates on which it is celebrated.
When the Gregorian system was adopted in Ireland in 1782, 11 days had to be dropped to make the calendar astronomically correct. This led to the festival being celebrated on either the 1st or the 12th of August, called respectively New Style and Old Style Lughnasa.
To further complicate matters, many Lammas/Lughnasa festivities became appropriated to Christian saints’ days or the nearest Sunday.
Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish!
Lughnasadh festival traditions
Folklore survivals of Lughnasa are celebrated under a wide variety of names, such as Bilberry Sunday, Garland Sunday, and Domhnach Crom Dubh (‘Crom Dubh Sunday’), depending on the locality, at various dates between mid-July and mid-August.
The name Bilberry Sunday comes from a tradition of gathering bilberries (blueberries) at this time. If the bilberries were bountiful, the crops would be also. This is also the feast of the first grain harvest. Though the exact date of the festival varies, in the old days it was held anywhere from August 1 to August 14. Often, it began at sundown of the previous evening, or July 31, since the Celts measure their days from sundown to sundown.
Garland Sunday is so-called because garlands of flowers and greenery are usually placed around most of the Holy Wells. These wells are found throughout Ireland and are most often dedicated to the patron saint of the parish. This day also marked the end of the ‘hungry season' as people were now confident there’d be plenty of new potatoes, freshly baked bread, and baskets brimming with berries.
Read more
- The eight sacred Celtic holidays of the year
Lughnasadh recipe
Nothing reminds us more of summer than a freshly baked blueberry pie full of big and plump, sweet and juicy berries. The important thing to remember when making any fruit pie is to start with good-quality fruit. If using cultivated blueberries make sure they are firm, plump, fragrant, and dark blue with a dusty white bloom. The white bloom is the blueberry’s natural protection against the sun and is a sign of freshness.
Blueberry pie recipe for Lughnasadh
Ingredients:
- 5 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 (15 ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Method:
Sprinkle berries with lemon juice; set aside.
Fit half of pastry in a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions.
Combine 1 cup sugar and next 3 ingredients; add to berries, stirring well.
Pour into pastry shell, and dot with butter.
Unfold remaining pastry on a lightly floured surface; roll gently with rolling pin to remove creases in pastry.
Place pastry over filling; seal and crimp edges.
Cut slits in top of crust to allow steam to escape.
Brush top of pastry with beaten egg, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar
Bake at 400° for 35 minutes or until golden.
Cover edges with aluminum foil to prevent over browning, if necessary.
Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
* Originally published in 2015. Updated in 2023.
Wiccan mythology holds that the God’s power begins to wane at this time, as the days grow shorter and the crops are ready to be cut down. In some traditions, the Sun God actually infuses the grain with his power, and so is sacrificed, in a sense, when the grain is harvested. This grain is then used to bake the first bread from the year’s crop, which in earlier times would then be taken to a church and laid on the altar to be blessed. This custom is a good example of how pagan religions and Christianity were able to coexist and even commingle for a time. The name “Lammas” actually comes from this tradition, taken from an old Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning “loaf mass.”
These rituals may involve offerings of food, libations, and prayers. It is believed that by honoring these deities and spirits, the community ensures a bountiful harvest for the coming year. In addition to Lammas, August 1st is associated with another Pagan holiday called Lughnasadh. Named after the Celtic god Lugh, this holiday celebrates his godly attributes, including healing, craftsmanship, and the arts. Lughnasadh is often marked by athletic contests, music, and theatrical performances, as well as offerings and ceremonies to honor Lugh. Overall, August 1st is a significant day in Pagan tradition, representing a time of gratitude, celebration, and connection with the natural world. Through the observance of Lammas and Lughnasadh, Pagans pay homage to the cycles of nature and the importance of the harvest, while also expressing their spiritual beliefs and practices..
Reviews for "August 1st and the Pagan Celebration of Lughnasadh: Traditions and Beliefs"
1. Samantha - 1/5: I attended the August 1st pagan tradition ceremony out of curiosity, but I was extremely disappointed. The whole event felt disorganized and lacked any structure or purpose. The organizers seemed more focused on their own enjoyment rather than creating a meaningful experience for everyone involved. It was just a chaotic gathering of people dancing and chanting incoherently. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a genuine pagan tradition experience.
2. Connor - 2/5: While I appreciate the idea of celebrating pagan traditions on August 1st, the execution of this event was lacking. The location chosen for the gathering was not suitable and provided little ambiance or connection to nature, which is an essential aspect of pagan celebrations. Additionally, there was very little guidance or explanation of the rituals and traditions being performed, leaving many attendees feeling confused and disconnected. I believe this event has the potential to be better with more thoughtful planning and organization.
3. Rachel - 2/5: I attended the August 1st pagan tradition event with high hopes, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The rituals performed seemed like a haphazard mix of different pagan practices, lacking a cohesive theme or intention. The lack of skilled facilitators and knowledgeable individuals made the whole affair feel shallow and lacking in depth. Overall, I left feeling unsatisfied and in search of a more authentic pagan tradition experience.