my favorite sabbat...

...is fast approaching!

I am happy and sad about this at the same time.. It seems that the first part of summer goes by so slow, which is awesome when you've got the summer to yourself! But then as soon as July 4th hits- everything starts moving at a ridiculously fast pace!! I am sad for the fact that I have to return to work the second week of August, but at the same time, excited for the new school year to begin.

But, before that, we get to celebrate my most favorite sabbat- Lughnasadh. My other almost favorite sabbat is Imbolc. I think I love them so, because these are the sabbats of the "almost". For Lughnasadh is "almost" fall, and Imbolc is "almost" spring.

Lughnasadh is the very first of the three harvest sabbat celebrations. We honor the sun god "Lugh" at this sabbat and celebrate the harvesting of grains. "Lugh" is the Irish god of harvest, fire and light. Lughnasadh is sometimes referred to as "Lammas", which is the Christian name for the celebration. On this day, it was typical to bake breads with the first grains of the season and give them to your loved ones...much like the Lughnasadh tradition (.....I am thinking of trying to make bread on my own from scratch this year...everyone take cover!!!.... ) Corn is another item harvested at this time of year and is a yummy treat to bring into your Lughnasadh celebration! Many will save the corn shocks from the Lughnasadh celebration to make the corn dolly for Imbolc, in winter. This sabbat is a happy time of year, one where we are holding onto the light of summer, but are slowly inching our way into autumn. After Lughnasadh eve, the sun will be lower in sky and the days will continue to grow shorter. Fall is near, as is the second havest...

When I leave my part time summer job in the afternoons I notice how the earth is about to change once again. It is exremely hot as always in my part of the country, but now when I see a few leaves fall and blow in the wind, I am reminded that fall is in the near future. Lughnasadh is right around the corner.. and for many of you that means cool weather is too. When you get some, please send the left overs to texas :) I get excited knowing that the next seasonal decoration I get to put out in my home is the very beginnings of fall... the first harvest! Apples, Sunflowers and warm colors will soon adorn my walls.

My sister and I are planning a feast, just like last year, when I started my journey in paganism. My brother and Hubby will join us also. Last years Lughnasadh menu included, salmon, corn bread, cherry tomatoes, fire roasted corn-on-the-cob, and a dessert of a gluten free black berry crisp. We've got to get our blackberry crisp in now, because you  know it's bad luck to eat a blackberry after Mabon!! Like I said earlier, I may try and make homemade bread this sabbat... and this could be a very scary thing.  :)