Lughnasadh is one of four festivals celebrated by ancient European Celts. It was found in the famed Coligony calendar discovered in France in 1897 that dates back to the second century AD and divides the year into 4 parts.
It begins with Samhain on November 1st, marking the new year, three months later we have Imbolc which finishes the “dark” or “not good” seasons of the year. May 1st brings Bealtaine which is a “light” festival that welcomes summer. Lastly, on August 1st, we have Lugnasadh which honors the God/King/Warrior Lugh of the Long Hand.
Lugh is a major solar deity known for his multiple skills and competencies. Lugh is descended from two of the oldest tribes of Ireland, the Tuatha de Danann and the Fomarians. As a lover of justice, he decides to help the Tuatha escape the oppression of harsh laws and unfair taxation by the Fomarians.
According to tradition he travels to see the Dagda.. Lugh recites his skills before Nuada, High King of Tara as he asks to join the court. The guard rejects each of the arts Lugh has mastered, saying Tara has craftsman, healers, warriors, singers, harpists and magicians aplenty. Finally Lugh asked if they have any one person who possesses all these skills simultaneously. The guard concedes that the court does not have such person, and Lugh is admitted to join the Tuatha de Danann, an ancient race of supernatural Druidic beings.
Lugh, as a defender of justice, then decides to liberate his folk from their oppressors, the Fomarians, another supernatural tribe.
In John Duncan’s painting Riders of the Sidhe (Pronounced as Shee) the unimaginably beautiful faery folk protect Lugh as the battle begins.
Armed with his famous spear, Lugh of the Long Hand wages war against the Fomarians. The spear, called the Slaughterer, never fails to hit its target. It burned with such unquenchable fire that it had to be put into a jar of water. It was so bloodthirsty that it thrust at unseen enemies.
Another gift of the Tuatha de Danann was a jeweled helmet that flashed a blinding light against Lugh’s enemies. With these supernatural gifts and Lugh’s battle prowess, the Fomarians are defeated. For this heroic deed, Lugh is named High King of Ireland.
There is a saying in Hawaii that “Good is good enough.” This belief runs counter to everything that Lugh represents. He pursues personal excellence or arete as the Greeks called it. He believed that the perfect warrior should master many skills and Lughnasadh celebrates that ideal.
Lugh establishes the Tailteann Games named after his foster mother. These games were hugely popular athletic contests which persisted until 1924 when they were cancelled by counter-culturists for lack of profitability. Lughnasadh featured foot races, long/high jumps, boxing, swimming, horse racing, spear throwing and hurling to name a few of the competitions.
With weapons down for the duration of the festival there was a coming together of the tribes to celebrate with feasting, singing, dancing and storytelling. More serious matters like horse/cattle trading, contracts, judgments and handfasting ceremonies were also a part of the festival.
Handfasting was a trial marriage that would last for a year and a day which could be broken without question should the couple decide to part, presuming no child had been conceived.
Celebrants would drink from the areas holy wells to ensure good health and render thanks for blessings. The wells were decorated with garlands and flowers and strips of cloth called clooties.
Actors would perform plays on hillsides featuring Lughs triumphs over evil forces and harpists would sing of his brave and heroic deeds.
We are now faced with those who wish to counter and destroy our culture. A far left Towson University professor recently said that the use of standard proper English in the schools writing courses is racist and perpetuates “whiteness.”
Perpetuating your folks’ magnificent culture and ethos is NOT a bad thing. Since Charlemagne fulfilled his vow to tear down every irminsul in what is now known as Europe. Our eternal enemies have never relented in their efforts to separate us from our culture and religion. They seek to obliterate the white race with indoctrination centers and such atrocities as critical race theory. Odinist families may wish to celebrate this wonderful festival on August 1st this year to honor Lugh, the warrior god of many skills and arts who inspires us to be all that you can be as the recruiters of our modern day defenders say.
Love your people, encourage them to know and preserve their heritage and European culture. Materially help each other to openly confront our enemies who dare to speak such enmity. Be happy for we will prevail. Never be afraid to tell the truth and celebrate the accomplishments of our heroes like Lugh, who fought for justice. Have a blessed Lughnasadh.
Waes Hael
Jamie.
