In the Orchard (1912) by Franz Dvorak.
In the Orchard (1912) by Franz Dvorak.

“Many were born for a world that is just coming to be. If you have felt lost before and been frustrated in realizing your purpose here, this is your time.” ~ Steve Nelson, Gaiastrology

Mythic astrologer Steve Nelson goes on to say, “What has been hidden now comes to light and our soul purpose is realized as the world is illuminated during the (Lughnasa) Lammas canonical period August 6-22.”

We’re at one of the year’s ‘power gateways’ or ‘thin times’ — Lughnasa, later called Lammas — traditionally a festival marking the harvest reaped from the work of Spring and Summer.

Being a power portal or thin time, it can be easier to take stock and to access insight, inspiration, courage, and divine guidance.

For those who need a bit of a feistiness infusion, whether it be authentic self-confidence or other spirited qualities, the Fire power-portal of Lughnasa is as good a time as any to invoke it.

Lughnasa also heralded the coming season of Autumn and the time of Cerridwen’s Cauldron of Renewal and Inspiration on the sacred Wheel of the Year.

Brigid's Fire at Kildare Abbey
Brigid’s Fire at Kildare Abbey

It is a festival celebrated by the Celtic ancestors, named for Lugh, the bright and shining one, the god and ancient Tuatha de Danaan king of many skills including those of both warrior and shaman.

Associated with the element of fire, including the solar principle, Lughnasa was and is aptly observed at the mid-point of the Sun’s passage through the fire sign of Leo, usually falling sometime around August 6th or 7th (and observed on the calendar in the first days of the month).

Fire, in many traditions spanning many eons, symbolizes inspiration, creativity, generosity, graciousness, revelation, illumination, transformation, heartfulness, kundalini awakening, the Phoenix, and the Divine Spark, among other qualities and mythic elements.

Sibylla Palmifera (1866–1870), by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Now in the Lady Lever Gallery. Image courtesy WikiCommons.
Sibylla Palmifera (1866–1870), by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Now in the Lady Lever Gallery. Image courtesy WikiCommons.

In the ancient story we inherit, Lugh called for the celebration of Lughnasa to honor Tailtui, Lugh’s foster mother who died bearing the gifts of the harvest.

This symbolizes the honoring of the sacred Earth, from whose generous abundance we live and prosper by, and the Sovereignty of the land, which was held sacred.

For inspiration on Lughnasa, to spark the spirit of the season and the ancestral wisdom and insight therein (and within!), read my previous musing, Making Sacred at Lughnasa.

In the meanwhile, it’s a fine portal of time during which the powers are ripe for celebrating whatever harvests we’ve reaped (this year or over many years), and opening to illumination — shedding light — on the path ahead and our purpose in and on it.

If you need an experienced guide and lantern-holder, let me know.

Big Love,

Jamie