What is Lammas, and how is it connected to the older Celtic festival of Lughnasadh?

In Episode 125 of The Spiritual Sanctuary, Bertena explores the history, meaning, and spiritual symbolism of the first harvest celebration traditionally observed around August 1.

Lammas is often associated with bread, grain, gratitude, and the beginning of the harvest season. Its name comes from the idea of “loaf mass,” when bread made from the first grain harvest was offered in blessing and thanksgiving.

The episode also explores Lughnasadh, the older Gaelic festival connected with Lugh, the many-skilled god associated with leadership, craftsmanship, poetry, music, knowledge, and mastery.

Although Lughnasadh carries the name of Lugh, one of the most meaningful figures connected with the celebration is his foster mother, Tailtiu.

Tailtiu is remembered as a legendary queen who cleared the land for agriculture and died from exhaustion after completing the work. Lugh is said to have established funeral games and a great gathering in her honor.

Today, many spiritual practitioners honor Tailtiu as a goddess or sacred figure connected with the earth, agriculture, harvest, land, sovereignty, sacrifice, and the unseen labor that makes abundance possible.

In this episode, Bertena discusses how the story of Tailtiu can be especially meaningful for women. Her story reminds us to honor the work that often goes unnoticed while also recognizing that women should not have to exhaust or sacrifice themselves completely to prove their worth.

Lammas and Lughnasadh invite us to celebrate what is beginning to grow and ripen in our lives, even when the full harvest has not yet arrived.

In This Episode, You Will Learn

• What Lammas means and why it is called the first harvest
• The difference between Lammas and Lughnasadh
• The history of Lughnasadh as a Gaelic seasonal festival
• Who the Celtic god Lugh was
• Why Lugh was known as the many-skilled one
• The story of Lugh’s foster mother, Tailtiu
• Why Tailtiu is associated with the land, harvest, sacrifice, and women’s labor
• How Lughnasadh was celebrated through fairs, games, markets, music, storytelling, pilgrimage, and community gatherings
• The spiritual meaning of bread and grain
• Why the first harvest represents progress rather than completion
• Simple and respectful ways to honor Lammas at home
• How to recognize your own emotional, spiritual, and personal harvest

Simple Ways to Celebrate Lammas at Home

You do not need an elaborate ceremony or expensive spiritual tools to connect with the season.

You can honor Lammas by:

• Blessing and mindfully eating a piece of bread
• Preparing a meal with seasonal or locally grown food
• Supporting a local farmer or market
• Donating food to a community pantry
• Creating a small altar with grain, fruit, flowers, or a candle
• Writing about what has grown in your life this year
• Thanking someone whose work is often overlooked
• Resting instead of pushing yourself into exhaustion
• Caring for your garden, neighborhood, or local environment
• Sharing food, time, encouragement, or wisdom with someone else

The heart of Lammas is gratitude, community, reflection, and recognizing that the first signs of growth are worthy of celebration.

Join the Lammas Women’s Circle

Bertena will be leading a special Lammas Women’s Circle this Sunday at Cosmic Connections in Nashville.

This gathering will offer women an opportunity to honor the first harvest, connect with the symbolism of Lugh and Tailtiu, reflect upon what is ripening in their lives, and gather in meaningful spiritual community.

You do not need previous experience with Celtic spirituality, Paganism, goddess traditions, or the Wheel of the Year to attend.

Come as you are and bring both the parts of your life that are flourishing and the parts that are still growing.

This Episode Is Sponsored by Cosmic Connections

Cosmic Connections is a spiritual store and gathering place in Nashville offering crystals, books, herbs, candles, divination tools, spiritual gifts, readings, healing sessions, classes, and community events.

Use the code BertenaPodcast10 to receive 10% off your purchase online or inside the Cosmic Connections store.

Receive the Wheel of the Year Monthly Mini Lessons

Sign up for Bertena’s newsletter at bertena.org and receive the Wheel of the Year Monthly Mini Lessons, a spiritual lesson collection worth more than $60.

To join:

Visit bertena.org and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the newsletter signup form.

The Wheel of the Year lessons explore the seasonal festivals and sacred turning points of the year, including:

• Samhain
• Yule
• Imbolc
• Ostara
• Beltane
• Litha
• Lammas and Lughnasadh
• Mabon

These lessons will help you create a deeper relationship with the seasons, spiritual cycles, ritual, reflection, and the rhythms of nature.

Reflection Questions

Use these questions for journaling after listening:

1. What is beginning to ripen in my life?
2. What progress have I overlooked because the journey is not complete?
3. Which of my skills deserve to be recognized and developed?
4. Whose unseen labor has helped prepare the way for me?
5. Where am I giving so much that I am becoming depleted?
6. How can I allow my harvest to nourish me too?
7. What can I share with my family, community, or spiritual circle?
8. What am I ready to gather, celebrate, or release?

Connect With Bertena

Visit bertena.org to learn more about:

• Spiritual classes and gatherings
• Divine Feminine teachings
• Priestess Academy
• Tarot and oracle readings
• Tea leaf readings
• Reiki and energy-healing sessions
• Chakra balancing and energy clearing
• Inclusive yoga and meditation
• Spiritual coaching and life coaching
• Books, downloads, podcasts, and community offerings

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If this episode speaks to you, please share it with someone who is learning to honor her own seasons, recognize her progress, and celebrate the sacred harvest within her life.