Lughnasadh 2008

LUGHNASADH: TIME OF MEETINGS AND CELEBRATIONS ©
by Lady Raven Ariana

At this time, we gather and celebrate. We share stories around the fires with much drumming and laughter, In Old Ireland Lughnasadh was celebrated with horse racing, feasts, and tales told…each one taller than the last. The bards told tales of old gods like Finn McCool and others, other stories were embroidered just like modern fish stories. They always claimed to catch the biggest catch of salmon.

Stories and lore are just as important to our culture. Many of us come from a mix of Cultures (perhaps Celt, Creole, Welsh, Norse etc.), which might lead to confusion. Which blood do we follow? At this point we must consult the spirits. What better time than at Lughnasadh when we mix and mate.

What we are left with is the advice of the gods/goddesses. They can tell us who we truly are. How then do we go about obtaining their aid?

Here are some hopefully helpful suggestions:

1 )You must learn how to get into a relaxed state. This could be through breathing. If you use this method you can learn to count your breaths. First you might examine your own breath rhythms. Next you will learn to time your breaths. This may best be studied with the help of a yoga teacher or manual.

2 )The next consideration is proper nutrition. I recommend local and organic but these are decisions that you must research for yourself and come to your own personal conclusions. This takes time and effort to accomplish.

3 )Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Again, this is something which must be determined on an individual basis.

4 )Do something you love to do. This can be nourishing to your soul, just as other things can be nourishing to your body.

5 )Learn how to be still and listen. You cannot properly hear the voices of the spirits if your mind or environment is too busy or distracting.

6 ) Research your cultural traditions to determine which methods your forebears used to contact the spiritual realms.

I wish for each of you an enjoyable and fruitful journey of discovery.