The Promise of Lammas

We're only a few days shy of Lughnasad, or Lammas. In the Celtic year, where half is the domain of the Goddess and half that of the God, it is the yang in the yin, the celebration of the male force in the season of the Goddess. (The opposite is also true. Imbolc – Feb 2^nd – is the celebration of Brigit in the season of the God – the yin in the yang, as it were).

How appropriate that the Olympics are being held in Brittan at this time, for part of the observance where games of strength. Lughnasad was a time of truce, so that even warring clans could meet together to make agreements, trade goods, and hold handfastings (or marriage rituals).

Lugh (pronounced “Loo” not “Lug”..he's a God, not a bolt) dedicated this day to his foster-mother Tailtiu, who died on August 1^st. Her final wish was that games be held in her honor. Talantiu is the older version of her name, which means “Great one of the earth”. In all likelihood, Tailtiu was another manifestation of the sacred earth itself, a mother who labored to bring forth life. So to, at this time of year, the earth labors to bring forth the grain crops that will sustain her people through the final harvest in the Fall, and throughout the Winter. Strength, courage and endurance is required to believe in the continuance of life and to perform the labor necessary to sustain it. Thus, the games which promote these qualities. The Greek Olympics are old, but the Celtic games are even older. May the Goddess bless the victors, and let the games commence!

These are the official mascots of the London games. What the freak....!?

This time of year is also called Lammas” or “Loaf Mass”. The green wheat was baked into an almost indigestible loaf of bread and taken to the church to be blessed. Later, each member of the family would eat a small piece of the loaf. Again, as with the games, the bartering, the vending and the weddings, it was a show of faith in the crops, a belief that the seeds we plant would sprout, sprouts would become mature plants, and plants would be healthy and strong for the harvest.

At this time of year, it would be wise to contemplate what dreams and goals you set forth in the beginning of the season, what bore fruit (or is in the process of maturing) and what you believe will be brought to harvest in the end. May all your endeavors be successful!

On other fronts... Rufus is back with his groomer and her family for a few weeks while my shoes and brace are being made. They came on Friday (Debbie and her girls). Rufus took one look at them, ran into their arms, and that was it for Mummy. He barked at my door as if to say, “Come on, let's blow this joint”...he would not kiss me good-bye, and the last I saw of my baby was his fuzzy, purple tailed butt as it skipped out the door. Thanks a lot, Rufus. Love you, too.

This week, I will be writing my Fate Magazine piece on Glastonbury. It's time I sat my own butt in my chair and got on with business. Claude and I also came up with an awesome idea for a new project, but I have to run it past a few people first to see if we can pull it off. More on that later.

My readers for “Journeys End” are starting to report back with interesting comments. Chief among the complaints? I can't spell. Well...duh, do you know me? That's why the manuscript for the book on Irish Gods and Goddesses is called “Myth Spelling”. It's not just because we look at the magic associated with each deity, but also as an inside joke.

Anyway...

A final note for the Sherlock Fans.. Martin Freeman confirmed at Comic-Con that the next season will be filming between January and April. Also, Sherlock BBC has been nominated for 13 Emmys. I think that calls for...a little caramelldansen!

(Hey, aren't you all shocked I figured out how to embed something? Moi? The one who's technology runs to hansom cabs and quill pens? Let's hear some kudos, people!)

A Happy and Safe Lughnasad to you all.