Hello Coven, me again, what can I say, I am NEEDY for your love and most likely in the middle of a hyper fixation….You’re welcome! Anyhow, further to my earlier post on Lughnasadh and Lammas I wanted to share a post I wrote for an upcoming project I am working on (around Celtic Heritage….eiiii) about the variance between the two festivals. The British Isles has a fascinating history featuring a mix of cultures including Celtic, Anglo Saxon, Norse (Yip, they get around everywhere, bless ‘em),Norman and even blooming the fabulous cultures that the Roman army brought over, we certainly have a multi-cultural vibe going on. So I just wanted to add a bit more nuance to variance between the festivals historically.
Firstly, what are the celtic nations?
“File:Map of Celtic Nations-flag shades.svg” by QuartierLatin1968 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
The Celtic Nations
The Celtic nations are regions in Western Europe where Celtic languages and cultural traditions have endured. There are six recognised Celtic nations:
- Ireland (Éire) [Green] Aka Emma’s Mother Land ❤
- Language: Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge)
- Highlights: Rich traditions in music, dance, and folklore. Historical sites like the Hill of Tara reflect its ancient Celtic roots.
- Scotland (Alba) [Blue] Aka Ajs Mother Land
- Language: Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)
- Highlights: Famous for wild haggis, bagpipes, kilts, and Highland games. The language is spoken in the Highlands and the Western Isles, with historical sites like the Callanish Stones.
- Wales (Cymru) [Red]
- Language: Welsh (Cymraeg)
- Highlights: Known for male voice choirs and the Eisteddfod festival. The beautiful Welsh language is NOW widely spoken and taught especially in the north and west but this is only recently but let’s talk about colonisation in another post….
- Brittany (Breizh) [Black]
- Language: Breton (Brezhoneg)
- Highlights: Located in northwest France, it features traditional music and dance (fest-noz). The Breton language is spoken by a minority, with megalithic sites like Carnac.
- Cornwall (Kernow) [Yellow]
- Language: Cornish (Kernewek)
- Highlights: Situated in southwestern England, known for mining, fishing, and folklore. The language, like Welsh is experiencing a revival, with cultural sites like Tintagel Castle.
- Isle of Man (Mannin) [Mustard]
- Language: Manx Gaelic (Gaelg)
- Highlights: The island has a unique Celtic and Norse heritage, with traditional music and the annual Tynwald Day ceremony. Manx Gaelic is being revived through education.
Other Regions with Celtic Influence
- Galicia and Asturias (Spain): These regions have significant Celtic cultural elements, especially in music and dance.
And finally England [White]:
Why England Isn’t a Celtic Nation (Explained Politely)
While certain regions of England, such as Cornwall, have Celtic roots, England as a whole is not considered a Celtic nation. This is due to the significant Anglo-Saxon and Norman influences that have shaped its cultural and linguistic identity, overshadowing the earlier Celtic heritage. The predominant language and cultural practices in England evolved separately from the distinct Celtic traditions maintained in the recognised Celtic nations.
“Combined flag of the Celtic nations” by BzhSamTheRipper is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Ok, phew – let’s get to the festival variances between the festival and a detailed comparison of the two:
Lughnasadh:
Origins and Etymology
- Celtic Festival: Lughnasadh is rooted in ancient Celtic tradition. The name Lughnasadh (pronounced “Loo-nah-sah”) is derived from the god Lugh, a prominent deity in Celtic mythology, and “nasadh,” which means assembly.
- Mythological Significance: Lughnasadh was established by Lugh to honor his foster mother, Tailtiu, who died from exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland for agriculture. It is a celebration of the harvest and a commemoration of Tailtiu’s sacrifice. Thanks Tailtiu!
Celebrations and Traditions
- Feasting and Games: Central to Lughnasadh are communal feasts and athletic games, reflecting Lugh’s associations with skill and competition. These games included horse racing, wrestling, and various contests of strength and agility.
- Religious Rituals: Offerings of the first fruits of the harvest were made to the gods, particularly to Lugh, to ensure continued fertility and abundance. Rituals often took place at sacred sites such as hilltops and stone circles.
- Craftsmanship: As Lugh was a god of many talents, craftsmanship and artistic skills were celebrated. Exhibitions and competitions in various crafts were held, showcasing the community’s talents.
- Fire Festivals: Bonfires were lit as part of the festivities, symbolising purification and the power of the sun. The Celts love a fire festival, and celebrate 4 year. Nice.
Cultural Context
- Irish and Scottish Heritage: Lughnasadh is primarily celebrated in regions with strong Celtic heritage, such as Ireland and Scotland. It has deep roots in the agricultural calendar and the Celtic mythology of these areas.
“Lúgh Láimh Fada == Lu of the Long Hands” by Liamfm . is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Lammas
Origins and Etymology
- Anglo-Saxon Festival: Lammas, from the Old English “hlafmaesse,” translates to “loaf mass.” It was a Christian festival that marked the blessing of the first loaf of bread made from the new wheat crop.
- Christian Integration: As Christianity spread through the British Isles, Lammas became integrated into the Christian liturgical calendar. It was a time to give thanks to God for the first fruits of the harvest and to bless the bread made from the new grain.
“332 Lammas Festival” by Trinity Trees is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Celebrations and Traditions
- Blessing of Bread: The primary ritual of Lammas involved baking a loaf of bread from the first harvested grain and taking it to church to be blessed. This act symbolized gratitude for the harvest and the provision of daily bread.
- Feasting and Community Gatherings: Similar to Lughnasadh, Lammas involved communal feasting and sharing of the harvest’s bounty. It was a time for communities to come together and celebrate the season’s abundance.
- Agricultural Customs: In addition to the religious aspects, Lammas was also marked by various agricultural customs, such as the reaping of the first wheat and the preparation of fields for the next planting season.
Cultural Context
- Medieval and Early Modern England: Lammas was widely celebrated in medieval and early modern England. It reflects the integration of pagan harvest festivals into the Christian tradition, demonstrating the adaptability and syncretism of religious practices during this period.
Comparison and Modern Celebrations
Common Themes
- Harvest Celebration: Both Lughnasadh and Lammas celebrate the beginning of the harvest season, giving thanks for the first fruits and acknowledging the hard work of the agricultural cycle.
- Community and Feasting: Communal meals and gatherings are central to both festivals, fostering a sense of community and shared gratitude.
“Barley-Harvest. [Suffolk.] Peter Henry Emerson” by J. Paul Getty Museum is marked with CC0 1.0.
Differences in Focus
- Deity vs. Christian Context: Lughnasadh is specifically tied to the Celtic god Lugh and his mythological significance, whereas Lammas is a Christianized festival focusing on the blessing of bread and the harvest.
- Cultural Origins: Lughnasadh has its roots in Celtic traditions and is primarily associated with Ireland and Scotland. Lammas, on the other hand, is an Anglo-Saxon festival that became integrated into Christian practices in England.
Modern Celebrations
- Neo-Pagan Practices: Many modern Neo-Pagans celebrate Lughnasadh by incorporating traditional Celtic rituals, such as crafting corn dollies, baking bread, and holding feasts and games. These practices honor the historical roots and the god Lugh.
- Wiccan Sabbats: In Wiccan tradition, both Lughnasadh and Lammas are celebrated as one of the eight Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year. Wiccans might blend elements of both traditions, focusing on harvest themes, gratitude, and community.
- Mordern Witches: Many witches follow the wheel of the year but don’t have associations with any deities and in some cases are antheist but include elements of the celebrations in their practices (Again, hello fwends!)
- Contemporary Christian Observance: Some Christian communities continue to observe Lammas with the blessing of bread and thanksgiving services, maintaining the festival’s historical Christian elements.
“Harvest Altar” by allynfolksjr is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
So there you have it! While Lughnasadh and Lammas share common themes of harvest and gratitude, they originate from distinct cultural and religious traditions. Lughnasadh is deeply rooted in Celtic mythology and the veneration of the god Lugh, while Lammas has its origins in Anglo-Saxon Christian practices centered around the blessing of the first bread. Both festivals, however, offer rich traditions and practices that celebrate the abundance of the earth and the importance of community.
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Ems xX
References
Featured image: “The grass bends, the oak breaks (harvest series)” by Rising Damp is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press, 1996.
Pennick, Nigel. The Pagan Book of Days: A Guide to the Festivals, Traditions, and Sacred Days of the Year. Destiny Books, 1992.
Farrar, Janet and Stewart. Eight Sabbats for Witches. Robert Hale, 1981.
Grimm, Jacob. Teutonic Mythology. George Bell and Sons, 1883.
MacNeill, Máire. The Festival of Lughnasa: A Study of the Survival of the Celtic Festival of the Beginning of Harvest. Oxford University Press, 1962.
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