Lughnasadh Lessons: The Story of Lugh & Tailtiu
“August of another summer, and once again I am drinking the sun, and the lilies again are spread across the water.”
Instead of one, this month offers us two full moons. The first blooms on August 1st and coincides with Lughnasadh, the initiatory harvest of 2023.
Cross-quarter sabbats like Lughnasadh may not receive as much attention as equinoxes and solstices, but these dates remain significant in agricultural communities. Traditionally, they mark key moments in the sowing, growing, and harvesting of plants. Lughnasadh sparks the first of three harvests, soon to be followed by Mabon and Samhain.
Serving as our midway point between Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, Lughnasadh is a Celtic fire festival. Inspired by the grain mysteries, sacred partnerships, and the recently-ripened fruits of our labor, seasonal stories like the myth of Lugh and Tailtiu mirror these sentiments.
In Celtic mythology, Lugh is best known as a master craftsman and god of heroes, but he’s also a poet, sun spirit, and descendant of fairies. As a young man, Lugh led the Tuatha de Danaan in battle and was responsible for teaching his kinfolk the strategies behind sowing and reaping their fields. Symbolically, Lugh personifies the grain harvest and mirrors the Dying God from Wheel of the Year lore.
In the famous harvest myth of Lugh and his adopted mother, Tailtiu, Tailtiu vows to teach humans about tending to the earth. She sets to work clearing the trees so people can create boundaried fields to plant their grain, but sadly, just as Tailtiu completes her work, she collapses onto the fertile field. Heartbroken about his mother’s sudden passing, Lugh declares an annual feast day to remember the Earth Mother. On Lughnasadh, Tailtiu's sacrifices are highlighted, and people make offerings for stamina, abundance, and the promise of good days to come. Traditionally, feasting, merry-making, horse racing, and athletically-inspired competitions were common on Tailtiu’s sacred day.
This year, Lugh's sabbat coincides with our 8th full moon of the year and our 2nd supermoon! Can you believe it? August's moon is commonly known as the Sturgeon Moon. Named by indigenous communities after the sturgeon that have inhabited the Great Lakes region for millions of years, historically, August was when these fish were most easily caught. Other names for this moon are the Barley Moon, Corn Moon, and Fruit Moon – reminders of the plants ready for harvest.
Full moons are especially important during harvest season. Not only are fruit and vegetables juicier when harvested beneath a full moon, but our faithful, lunar lantern ensures that we have enough light to work late into the night. So when a harvest-based sabbat aligns with a full moon, we can't help but feel giddy - has the time come to reap what we've sown?
And speaking of things ripe for the picking, have you heard that Pointy Hat Press has a new tale to tell? A new yarn to spin? A bit of whimsy to weave?
Pointy Hat Press introduces
Telling the Bees
An illustrated fairy tale about a little witch, a curious invitation, and a sticky, springtime tradition.
To receive updates for this new book, including information about our upcoming Kickstarter launch, funding goals, cover reveal, and all the ways you can support Pointy Hat Press’s latest project,
Lughnasadh Blessings, Witches!
