Lugh: The Many-Gifted One

Lugh: The Many-Gifted One

"There is  a man at the door," said the doorkeeper. "His match would hard to find: every art answers to his skill."
   ___ Gofraidh Fionn O'Dalaigh, in Osborn Bergin,
     "Irish Bardic Poetry," (trans CM)


   The nickname of the Irish god Lugh (LOO'kh) is Samildanach, or "The Many-Gifted One."  He earns it when he comes to the court of King Nuada (NOO'a-ha) just as everyone is sitting down to feast. The door-keeper challenges Lugh for his name and skill, for no one without a special art or skill may enter Tara. Lugh tells him that he is a smith, a builder, a champion, a harper, a hero, a poet, a magician, a healer, a cup-bearer, and a fire-keeper. His boast is tested by everyone there, and he is ultimately admitted.
   Lugh is what we now call a :Renaissance man," one whose many skills pass beyond narrow categories of accomplishment, spilling over into many fields of artistic skill. His boast at Nuadu's court causes as much skepticism as would that of a man attempting to enter Congress or Parliament who claimed to be a great politician, a military hero, a Nobel-winning scientist, a shaman, a pop musician, a film star, and a poet of international acclaim all rolled into one.
   Lugh's many gifted nature holds sway at this time of year, reflecting the rich variety of the harvest, heralding the beginning of the many-colored autumn months. For ourselves, the month of August enables us to pass beyond the narrow confines of our daily occupation and enjoy the full range of our own skills and abilities as we take our vacation.

"On this day of festival, review your own many-gifted nature with appreciation. How does it serve your community? Which of your gifts are you hiding away? Which ones will you be enjoying this autumn?"
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]

Lughnasa - Season of Autumn

"Month of August - covered with foam is the beach;
Blithesome the bee, full the hive;
Better the work of the sickle than the bow."
  ___ anon. Welsh poem

The month of August sees the beginning of autumn, with the gathering in of harvest. This month's meditations explore the following themes: gifts, ancient wisdom, sharing and respect, changing and growth, getting to the heart of things, recognizing possibilities, spiritual ecstasy.