3 practices to celebrate Lughnasa and honor goddess Tailtiú
Lughnasa, celebrated on July 31st - August 1st, is an Irish festival that marks the start of the harvest season. This festival honors Goddess Tailtiú, the gentle mother, and Lugh, the radiant sun god. Tailtiú, a revered goddess presiding over Tara, is said to have introduced agriculture to the land, nurturing the first seeds and cultivating the first harvest. Her laborious efforts in clearing the plains and tending to the land were relentless, earning her renown for her kindness and gentleness.
Lugh, the son of the Dagda and Anu, was lovingly fostered by Tailtiú, bringing harmony between the Tuath Dé and the Firbolgs, an ancient giant race that predated the Tuath Dé in Ireland. In honor of the cherished goddess, Lugh initiated grand games held at Teltown in County Meath, a historic event that predated Greece's Olympic Games by centuries.
Today, archaeological discoveries at Teltown continue to validate the ancient stories of these celebrated games, where people from near and far gathered to compete in tests of speed, strength, and skill. Lughnasa remains a time of deep reverence and connection to the land, celebrating the nurturing spirit of Tailtiú and the transformative power of the harvest season.
3 Ways to Celebrate and Honor the Energy of Lughnasa:
1. Bake bread and share it with friends!
Traditionally, Lughnasa is a time for the first bread to be cooked from newly harvested barley, rye, and wheat and then shared with the community. So bring out that bread maker or muffin tin and make yourself (and your friends) a special treat! This would be the perfect day to plan a picnic with some friends or bring some fresh baked goods to work!
2. Gratitude for Nourishment - Mindful Meal:
Much of the energy around Lughnasa is honoring the nutrients from the earth that keeps us alive. This is the perfect day to have a mindful meal (and if you want to really go for it, eat it outside…BONUS POINTS if it’s food you grew yourself)!
What is a mindful meal? Before you pick up your utensils, take a minute to think about each step that happened between the earth growing your food to it being on your plate. Bringing some awareness to just how many steps and wonderful things had to come together to nourish your body today. Then as you enjoy your meal, allow yourself to really taste all of the flavors and feel all of the textures.
3. Connect with Goddess Tailtiú:
Goddess Tailtiú holds a special place as the gentle mother and cultivator of the land. She is a symbol of abundance and nurturing energy. Tailtiú's kindness and gentleness were renowned, but her unwavering dedication to the cultivation and harvesting of the land led to her demise.
Take some time to think about your own relationship to nurturing others and being nurtured.
In what ways do you nurture others?
Are you nurturing beyond your capacity? Are there boundaries that need to be put in place or new supports that need to be added?
In what ways do you allow others to nurture you?
And if you would like to go deeper, do a journey to visit Tailtiú (A Guided Journey to Connect with Tailtiú is available in our TES MEMBERSHIP) Ask her to show you which of your tendencies could be leading to your demise. Ask her to show you how to accept more nurturing. And allow her to share some of her abundant nurturing energy with you to help you refuel as we move into the harvest season.
As Lughnasa approaches, we invite you to embrace the spirit of this sacred festival. Bake bread with love, savor each bite mindfully, and offer gratitude for the nourishment it provides, connecting with the wisdom of Goddess Tailtiú through a guided journey. May this season be a time of abundance, appreciation, and profound connection to the land and its bountiful gifts.
