Lammas and Lughnassadh

Lammas and Lughnassadh are actually two different holidays, observed in two different European locations. In modern times they have been amalgamated into one holiday, celebrated on August 1st by modern Pagans. This joyful occasion commemorates the grain harvest.

The word Lammas is a shortening of the Old English words hlaef masse which means "Loaf Mass", a Christian tradition that likely derived from older Pagan holidays celebrating the harvest of grain.

Lughnassadh came from the Irish Gaelic language and was named for the demigod/ hero called Lugh. He's Llew in Cymraeg / Welsh and Lugas on the European continent.

Lugh has been associated with amazing skills, trickery, the sun, and his prowess as a bowman, smith, warrior, craftsman, hunter, and storyteller. Llew Llaw Gyffes in Cymraeg, and Lugh Lamfada in Gaelic, means Lugh of the Long Hands, and may signify the rays of the sun. 

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In Europe, people create beautiful wheat-weavings from the last sheaf of grain harvested, and / or make "corn dollies" to represent the spirit of the corn (grain). These are often portrayed as female. Here in America, we make rather clumsy looking dollies out of sweet corn husks. Both are used as talismans for good luck and abundance.

People also traditionally play harvest games, eat a feast, toast one another with barley ale, and celebrate the bounty of our Earth. ​