Set up an altar as usual on a raised area or mound if possible. A space will be designated and prepared earlier in the day (hopefully with the help of some augury or observance of signs from the natural world though its going to be limited by the need for the bonfire and the placing of the fire pit). Add additional tokens of Lugh: a fidchell board, a spear, smithing tools, a cup, a harp, a bit of poetry, anything representing knowledge or tools of a skilled craft.
Those who arrive earlier in the day or who have been camping can work on making items for the altar to represent Lugh. A whittled stick could represent a spear, a bit of poetry or knowledge written on a piece of paper, anything that can be found among your camping gear or created with the materials at hand.
Special Offerings
Along with the usual offerings there will be offerings of blueberries, items harvested by the celebrants, and a sheaf of grain. The harvested goods and the sheaf will be specifically offered to the Old Gods of the Land—the otherworld masters of plowing, sowing and reaping who brought us agriculture (a nod to Bres/Crom and Tailtiu here in addition to local land spirits and deities). In addition during this offering the celebrants may take a few moments to ask for a blessing upon other things in their lives that they would like to be fruitful other than their garden.
The Origins of Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh began as the funeral feast and games of Lugh’s foster mother Tailtiu who died of exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland for agriculture. Though Lugh began the festival in honor of his mother we also honor him, at this time of year when the most significant harvesting of crops begins, because of the role he played in bringing a fair and generous harvest to the People.
A long time ago a selfish king ruled the People. He oppressed and enslaved those under his rule and he was selfish and stingy with the distribution of the harvest. This king was known as Bres, but also sometimes overlaps with an even older God named Crom. Lugh saw how the People were being treated and wanted to do something about it. Lugh leads the people in a great battle against Bres and his Fomorian allies. After the battle, when Bres and the Fomorians had been overthrown, Lugh showed Bres mercy. In exchange Bres agreed to teach the People his knowledge of plowing, sowing and reaping as well as oversee and ensure good harvests ever after. Even though Bres remained in charge of the harvest, Lugh was in charge of distribution and made sure Bres was no longer selfish or stingy. Therefore at this time we celebrate Lugh’s victory and his generosity.
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Ritual
All tokens of Lugh have been placed on the altar, each participant carries an item they harvested and/or a stalk of the grain or other item being offered. One person is chosen to be the “gatekeeper” of the sacred space and the rest of the participants must each name their skill(s) to enter the space.
Leader: <stands btwn participants & alt>Who seeks entry into this place?
Particpnt: I am <says name>
Leader: What skills do you bring?
Particpnt: <Names Skill(s)>
Leader: Fàilte!
Particpnt: <passes the leader and enters the space>
Repeat until all participants have entered.
Once all have gathered all participants face the altar, including the leader. The fire tender lights the fire. Then the leader begins.
Leader: We gather to praise Lugh of the Long Arm
Lugh of the many skills, Warrior and leader.
Mighty victor over the Fomorians.
Generous King, bringer of plenty and prosperity.
We gather to commemorate the sacrifice of Tailtiu,
Ancient Queen, foster mother of Lugh
who cleared the plains for the plow.
We gather to honor Brighid, Corn Mother
In your womb the seeds were sown.
We gather to pay our respects to the bent and defeated one.
Lord of the Harvest, once ruler, wise in the ways of reaping.
Each year he ensures fruitfulness and success,
Each Year Lugh, hero and champion,
Master of the Harvest Ensures that abundance,
Is shared with all.
<holds up the offering dish for Lugh>
To Lugh Lamfada!
Particpnts: We honor you!
Leader: Samildanach!
Particpnts: We offer you our hospitality!
Leader: The voice of Thunder
Particpnts: We give thanks for your blessing and protection.
The offering plate is placed on the altar.
The Brighid Rep holds up the offering dish for Brighid.
Brighid Rep: To Brighid!
Particpnts: We honor you!
Brighid Rep: Great Lady of Poetry, Smithcraft and Leechcraft!
Particpnts: We offer you our hospitality!
Brighid Rep: Lady of the Harvest
Particpnts: We give thanks for your blessing and protection.
The offering plate is placed on the altar.
The Ancestor Rep holds up the offering dish for the ancestors.
Ancstr Rep: To the Ancestors of our Spirit!
Particpnts: We honor you!
Ancstr Rep: To the Ancestors of our Flesh!
Particpnts: We remember you!
Ancstr Rep: To all those Ancestors who are forgotten to us by name
Particpnts: Be with us, guide us and protect us!
The offering plate is placed on the altar.
The Land Spirit Rep holds up the offering dish for the Land Spirits.
LS Rep: To the Spirits of this Land!
Particpnts: We honor you!
LS Rep: To all spirits of Rocks, Springs and Mounds!
Particpnts: We offer our respect!
LS Rep: To all Spirits of the Green World and its denizens!
Particpnts: We strive to be good neighbors!
The offering plate is placed on the altar.
Each participant now carries forward their special offering (harvested goods and/or grain stalk or other) one at a time, places the offering in the designated spot and asks for blessings to ensure success and bounty in whatever they would like (garden, business, job hunting, some kind of creative endeavor—anything that they would like to see greater results produced). You may ask for as many things to be blessed as you like, you can say it out loud or silently. This is your time to commune with the gods/spirits/ancestors, take your time.
Then the Leader speaks once again:
Leader: We gather in peace,
For the blessings of Gods, Mothers and Ancient Ones
Let the feast begin!
Break for feast. Bury any food offerings before bed!