Below is the video of the Lughnasadh/Lunasa Celtic Ceremony by Dr. Karen Ward and John Cantwell, originally aired live on August 7th, 2023.
THE CELTIC FESTIVAL OF LUGHNASADH (LUNASA)
When the birdsong calms as the crops grow towards harvest, the earlier sunsets and the soothing personality of late Summer breathes about us. Lughnasadh (pronounced Loo-nah-sah) in our seasonal journey, one of the great quarterly feast celebrations that heralds the beginning of Autumn. Midpoint between Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox, the festival is commonly celebrated on August 1st or the three days of the first weekend of August. Named after the Sun God Lugh, our ancestors celebrated this time with a passion. Lughnasadh, like all our native festivals is a call for pause and alignment and that alignment will be easily visible in the joy of the often wild harvest festivals this time of year. Whether we celebrate alone or in community, whether our domain is urban or rural, it is harvest season in all meanings of that phrase. While there is outdoor feasting, dancing and merrymaking after or before the hard labour of cutting crops, there are also ceremonies of gratitude.
Lughnasadh is synonymous with wild and fancy dancing where our endurance and strength is given wholeheartedly to celebrating the bounty in our lives in these still warm and sunny days. We are delighted to offer you a unique opportunity to join us live online from your home for ceremony to lift you into harmony with the autumn season with some of the many wonderful rituals associated with Celtic Sun God Lugh, Lughnasadh and the arrival of Autumntime.
HOW TO PREPARE
Create sacred ceremonial space in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed by other people or loud noises. Make a small altar, light a candle and have your drum, and rattle available if you would like, as well as paper and pen. Darken your room if possible and allow yourself to be fully present.