August 1st begins the harvest season. And so, the Celtic lands celebrate Lughnasadh (loo-NAS-sah). Older crops having withered away, the newly planted ones are now ripe; ready for reaping and in-gathering. A telling sign that Fall is on the horizon. For we are now half-way between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox. Nature’s cycle slowly turns, maintaining the balance necessary to sustain life.
Lughnasadh is a festive time, still actively practiced today. Celebrating the marriage of Lugh (father of prosperity) with Eire (the grain mother). Some say it also commemorates Lugh’s foster mother. There is feasting, games, dancing and athletic contests. Trading of goods and live-stock.
Food of all kinds are served, especially those made with grain like breads and cakes. Filled with joy and a vibrancy of life; it is an expression of gratitude for the harvest that will see the community through the winter months.
In later times, Lughnasadh became ‘Christianized’ into Lammastide, or Loaf Mass Day. Bread baked from flour of the newly harvested grains are lifted up to Christ, and placed on the altar. The Eucharist is then celebrated with this, the first-fruit offering.
Cultures and people universally acknowledge this season as a time of thanks for abundance given. The Celtic world celebrates the grain and corn crops. Here in the Northeast, blueberries are harvested.
The Pacific Northwest is gathering in their blackberries. All are gifts from the earth, recognized towards the sustenance of life they generously bestow.
The customs may differ over time or across cultures, but the foundation remains constant. We are grateful for what the earth has provided, appreciating the bounty reaped. And in so doing, offer our thanks for the fullness of life which defines the month of August.
For summer has now passed its zenith, and is in decline. A concept difficult to fathom given the present weather conditions. It has been a brutal season thus far. The whole world is on fire.
Blazing out of control, once green forests and landscapes are scorched to ashes. Soaring temperatures leave too many people struggling in life-threatening heat; day in and out – with no relief in sight.
Flooding unprecedented, washes away roads, homes, and vulnerable crops. Storms of such magnitude, they whip a frenzy of damaging winds and dangerous lightening. It seems as if Nature is no longer able to maintain the balance needed to sustain the life of which we are accustomed. This is of great concern, and one can’t help but feel threatened to a certain degree.
So many opposing extremes in Nature… and in popular opinion, as to cause and effect. Progress and accord are reached in one area, only to be lost elsewhere. Tossed on a sea of turbulence and indecision, we are unable to take concrete action towards reversing or mitigating the damage done to our world… and hence to ourselves.
In the book of Genesis, God creates in His own likeness both man and woman...
“And God blessed them, and said unto them be fruitful, and multiply,
replenish the earth…
and have dominion over all living things.” (Gen. 1:26)
Dominion does not mean dominate here. It has purposely and consistently been misread as ownership or control. When in fact, it can translate to stewardship and care-taking. God never meant for His Creation to be exploited or misused… to the detriment of all. Rather, it was His gift to us… for all.
Over time, we have become so far removed from this – His original intent. How? When along the way did the green of currency take precedence over the green of forest, of woodland, and rolling hills? The colours of meadows teeming with the brilliancy of wild-flowers now lost amidst the grey of pavement and concrete? Fields of life-sustaining crops ripening and waving in the sunshine, mean no more than control of commodity?
Summer is teaching a lesson. Revealing in a harsh way the damage done to His Creation… to our home. Mother Nature has been speaking for many years now, and we have not been listening close enough. Trees burn, and rivers are run dry… with no tears left to quench the fires.
Yet, it can be helped. God has granted us the ability and knowledge to heal that which has been harmed or destroyed. Scripture says He gave us free-will. Therefore, it is on us to call up the discipline and determination to work in renewal and replenishment of the earth. We can do this. Nature, as well as people, have an innate desire for healing… for stretching out and eagerly seeking wholeness and well-being. And this is the Way, the road we must seek going forward.
Even today God remains active and present within His Creation. He promised …
“While the earth remaineth,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Summer and winter,
Day and night shall not cease.”
(Gen. 8:22)
This is indeed a comforting thought.
However, we would do well to remember that even an omnipotent God has need of a little cooperation from those whom He charged with the stewardship of His Creation.
And so, we celebrate Lughnasadh, or Lammastide if you will. What better way to recognize and appreciate the abundance still before us? Giving thanks for what we do have… and seeking how we might make it better, so all may partake and enjoy in the time to come.
That our children and grandchildren, on to future generations may continue to know the earth’s abundance… able to rely on His promise, because we listened – and acted as called.
