Lughnasadh (pronounced "loo-NAH-sah"), also called Lammas (pronounced "Law-mas"), August 1, is the Wiccan sabbat celebrating the first harvest of grain and a time for thanksgiving and fun and games.
Lughnasadh stems from the ancient Celtic festival honoring the Celtic solar god, Lugh.
Lughnasadh is the last Wiccan sabbat of the summer. The following Wiccan sabbat, Mabon, celebrates the arrival of Autumn.
The practices associated with Lughnasadh include the building of bonfires, dancing, games, and feasting on the products of grain, such as bread and beer, as well as the fruits and berries that also ripen at this time. Special significance is placed on the "Corn Mother" (The word "corn" actually means grain), for her life-giving blessings. In honor of the Corn Mother, corn dollies and corn wreathes are made and hung up in the house or kept in a secret hidden place. These dollies represent fertility and will be kept until the next Lughnasadh.
As the name suggests, emphasis is also placed on the solar god whose strength will soon wane as we head into Autumn.
Lammas (Lughnasadh), August 1
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