Wishing you all a wonderful Lughnasadh

[canetoad]

Or, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere as I am, Imbolc.

I learned accidentally what a 'Cross Quarter Day' was several years ago. Walking on the beach in early August I sensed the antarctic chill of winter was gone from the air and a breath of warmth was carried in the wind. I idly wondered exactly where in the calendar we were - in relation to the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

A search showed it was actually one of the four cross quarter days - these fall halfway between the solstices and equinoxes and were important days in ancient pagan calendars.

Today - August 8 is Imbolc in the Southern Hemisphere, Lughnasadh in the northern. Check all the dates here:
https://www.archaeoastronomy.com/2019.html

[cilla4progress]

1. Thank you!

I love the pagan holidays!

[canetoad]

2. Strange thing is

I don't adhere to any religion but have a scientific interest in climate and weather. Ya gotta give it to the ancients, they knew their seasons.

[cilla4progress]

3. Yes!

Well, we "co-evolved" with out current ecosystems, so no wonder they are in our blood!

[OnDoutside]

4. There's a nice description about the Celtic view on it here

https://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/celtic-holidays.html

Celtic holidays – Lá Lúnasa, 1st of August

The month of August earned its name in English from Roman Emperor Augustus. But the character of August is better epitomised by its Irish name: Lúnasa.

It was one of the major Celtic holidays, sometimes heralding up to 15 days of fairs, markets, wrestling contests and matchmaking.

Lúnasa – Lughnasa or Lughnasagh in Old Irish – is mistakenly thought to be a harvest festival, but it’s far too early for that, with the crops still swaying and ripening in the fields. Like most Celtic festivals, it anticipates an event.

Lá Lúnasa, the ‘official’ day of the festival, was a time when Celts turned their attention to appeasing Lugh so that he would allow them a good harvest in five or six weeks time.

Celtic gods were a rather fiery bunch, much given to unpredicatable temper tantrums. Lugh was no exception and was known to show his anger in violent late summer storms that could wreck delicate crops just before they were gathered.

Lá is Day in Irish

Lúnasa - pronounced Loon-ass-ah, but said quickly !

[canetoad]

5. Thank you for the link

Very interesting. I see you're in Ireland - I was born in Scotland, though I've been in Aus. since I was 11. Plenty of Irish in the family background.

[redgreenandblue]

6. Indeed!

[Silver Gaia]

7. Thank you!

And same to you!

[babylonsister]

8. And the same to you!

And I did not know about this, so once again, better informed!!

[Hekate]

9. What a lovely reminder

Blessings, all.