"About the Calends of August Taltiu died on a Monday, on the feast of Lughnasad of Lug; around her grave from that Monday forth is held the chief fair of noble Erin."
____ The Metrical Dindshenchas, ed. Edward Gwynn (trans. CM)
This feast is often understood to be a celebration of the Irish god Lugh (LOO'kh), but this is not the case. The festival is celebrated primarily in honor of Lugh's foster mother, Taltiu (TAWL'too), who single-handedly cleared the plains of Ireland of trees in order that agriculture and the grazing of cattle might take place. The necessary work is remembered and honored in the myth of Taltiu. The word Lughnasa (LOO'nas-ah) comes from the old Irish Lugh nasad, or 'the binding promise or duty of Lugh.' On the death of his foster-mother, Lugh caused funeral games to be held in her honor. Over time, these games devolved into a fair, held annually at Telltown in County Meath. On this eve, the sacred time of harvest is celebrated - a time for harvest suppers and for enjoying all the varieties of food that have been in short supply.
At another level, Lugh's honoring of Taltiu acknowledges the bounty of harvest and the contract that exists between all living beings and the earth. It is in that acknowledgment that the last sheaf of grain is harvested and honored to be bound about the churn-dash in the form of a woman of sprouting hair and spreading stalks, or to be woven into complex shapes as a corn dolly.
"Make your own promise to the land this evening, as the sun strikes the harvesting earth with the last rays. Meditate upon how you can keep this time sacred to your spiritual practice."
[From: The Celtic Spirit by Caitlin Matthews]
Farewell to the Season of Beltane
(to be said at the back door/window of the house on the last morning of Beltane, July 31st)
Go with thanks and go with blessing,
Season of vitality.
Souls with life are deeply freighted
Hearts are full of energy.
Under bud and blossom traveling,
You have come to Summer's growth.
Soul-Smith, who has forged this brightness,
Flower-Maid, whose lips have kissed,
Touch the hidden fruit within us,
Bring us into Autumn's bliss.
[From: Celtic Devotional by Caitlin Matthews]
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