Black Hat Society New England

Similar to Lammas is Lughnasadh a Celtic tradition named after the Sun God “Lugh”, which incorporates many of the old English Lammas practices.  Lugh is known as the “Lord of Light” and the “God of all Skills”, who in mythology due to his skill and ability with a spear and sling, becomes a hero and high chieftain of the Tuatha de Danaan.  After the death of his foster-mother Tailtiu, he dedicated his festival “Lughnasadh” to her memory.  Lugh was also honored as the deity of Storms and Lightning, especially those occurring in late summer, during which if it rained gently on the day of his festival it was taken as his presence bestowing blessings on the event.

In Celtic mythology Tailtiu was a revered Goddess of the Land, the last Queen or chieftain of the Fir Bolg who had been defeated during the invasion of the Tuatha de Danaan.  After the invasion Tailtiu was placed in bondage and became the surrogate foster-mother of Lugh.  But shortly after the invasion her people suffered a bad harvest, and famine spread quickly throughout the lands.  Seeing her people suffering Tailtiu took up an axe and began to clear a great forest, by doing so she enabled the land to be re-cultivated and planted with grain, the harvest of which saved the people from starvation.  However the effort put too great a strain on Tailtiu’s heart and she died from exhaustion.  Lugh then instituted the “Óenach Tailtenn“ or “Tailtiu Games” in her honour at the festival of Lughnasadh in August.

As a favoured chieftain of the Tuatha de Danaan, Lugh’s festival quickly evolved into an annual gathering of the clans and tribes, and attended by all their major chieftains.  Peace reigned over the games while assembles were held and differences discussed, laws passed and marriages arranged in efforts to strengthen alliances.  A feature of the festival was sporting prowess, and competitions were held to test the courage, strength and skill in battle of the competitors.

Held on the 1^st of August the date of his foster-mothers death after her battle with the land and the first harvest.  The common people ascended on the games to trade and display their wares, to sell food, animals, crafts and clothing.  Actor’s re-enacted the Tailtiu drama and Bards told their stories, musicians played music while singers sang and dancers danced, and everyone else joined in and made merry.

The old town of Tailtiu (now Teltown, between Navan and Kells) in County Meath was named in her honour, and is where the festival of Lughnassadh was traditionally held in early times.  The Lughnasadh games continue to be celebrated in Ireland, but more today in recognition of the skills needed to raise livestock and farm a successful harvest.