Today we celebrate Lughnasadh and feats of strength ...

There are eight holidays on the Pagan Wheel of the Year. And today we celebrate Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas. It is a celebration of the first harvest. Wheat was the harvest that was highlighted in days of old, and that meant bread and beer! Hurrah!!

Lughnasadh is the only celebration on the Wheel of the Year that hasn't been usurped by the Christian church and other religions. However, after doing a little research, I did found churches in the early 20th century did in fact have celebrations associated with this day. It is considered a "cross-quarter day," one that falls halfway between a solstice and an equinox. Lughnasadh is halfway between the Summer Solstice and the Autumnal Equinox. Hard to believe, isn't it? Soon we will be at that balancing point, after which fall, early sunsets and then winter are upon us. Wherever does the time go?

So what were the Christians doing with this holiday in the early 1900's? Well, they did a couple of things, one being to climb a hill (notice they didn't say mountain, but I suppose if you had one handy, that would count). The other was to have contests displaying feats of strength. And there was always water involved in the festivities. So who could carry the heaviest pail of water up the hill? Sounds like a plan to me!

We're all set this afternoon. The river provides the water, there is a hill between the river bank and my house, and I'm going to get out my free weights for some feats of strength for the kids.

Well, I have to get back to work. I'm just finishing a lovely pork roast and hoping that someone will bring some buns (bread being so appropriate today). There is always a lovely spread here. We do love to cook - and to eat!

Happy Lughnasadh to you and yours. May life give you many harvests.

Blessed Be.

Happy harvest!