Celebrating the August Super Moon
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The August full moon, also known as the Barley Moon and Sturgeon Moon, is happening on Thursday, August 11th at 9:36 pm (EST). It’s also a super moon, which means that the moon will appear bigger and brighter than normal. The full moon offers a time to reconnect with the earth and your inner self through your own spiritual path.
Early Moon Worship
Moon worship goes back to the earliest humankind. Every ancient civilization celebrated the moon in some form. Ancient Greeks celebrated Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, while ancient Romans called her Luna. Native American tribes looked to the moon to guide their planting and hunting. Even the Christian celebration of Easter is linked to the moon. Easter Sunday always falls on the first Sunday, after the first full moon of the Spring Equinox. Today the moon is a central part of paganism, Wicca, Witchcraft and other Nature -Based spiritual paths.
The Moon & The Divine Feminine
The moon is considered by many as a divine feminine energy. The Moon rules below, while the sun rules above. The sun gives life and the moon gives a rhythm to that life. The ocean tides, female menstruation, and the natural rhythm of the planting season are all governed by the moon.
The moon is associated with goddesses of many different cultures including the Chinese goddess Chang’e, the Greek goddess Selene, the Roman goddess Luna, and the Zulu goddess Inyanga.
The idea of the Triple Goddess is also centered around the Waxing, Full and Waning Moons.
While the sun is constant in its appearance from day to day, the moon changes, shrinks and grows over the course of a month, offering different levels of energy and support to those who look toward it for guidance.
Full Moon Magick
The full moon represents abundance and progress. If you set intentions during the new moon, the full moon is when you may start to feel or see the results of your efforts.
The power of the moon is at its strongest when it is full and it’s a good time to cast spells, practice meditation and focus energy on achieving your goals. It’s also a time to seek clarity about your path forward. If there is an area in your life that is troubling you, sitting with the full moon and meditating can help you forge a path forward.
Did you know the best time to see the moon at its fullest is during the Moonrise? You can use this moonrise and moonset calculator to see exactly when the moon will be rising in your area.
The August Full Moon
The August full moon is known as the Barley Moon, Corn Moon or Sturgeon Moon. In ancient times, the first harvest of Lughnasadh was celebrated in August, making it a time to celebrate all the work and toil of the spring and early summer, while still planning ahead for winter.
Today, the Barley Moon offers a chance to pause and reflect on what is working in your life and what you would like to change. As autumn approaches with the start of school, holidays and general hustle and bustle of modern life, now is a good time to take stock and make a plan of how you want to spend your time. What do you want to be, do and have in life?
Are you celebrating the August Super Moon? Share in the comments!
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Tree Magick and The Wheel of the Year
Disclaimer: This website uses affiliate links, meaning: at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate or other affiliate program participant, I earn from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I believe in and use myself. Thank you!
Tip: If you’d prefer to support local retailers in your area, independent booksellers can often order specific books for you and have them delivered to the store for pick up, for the same price as ordering online.
Trees have long been a sacred symbol in many cultures. Ancient people all over the world celebrated the kinship of nature with humans, with trees representing creation tales and specific deities, as well as growth and knowledge. Trees symbolize many different things in religion and folklore, from the Tree of Life to the ancient Celtic calendar. Incorporating tree magick into your own spiritual practice is an easy way to connect with nature on a personal level.
Wheel of the Year and Tree Magick
If you follow the Wheel of the Year, you may opt to pay homage to certain trees during certain sabbats. Oak is associated with the bonfires of Litha during midsummer, while evergreen trees are popular at Yule. Rowan trees are associated with the Goddess Brigid who is celebrated at Imbolc, while Hawthorn trees are celebrated during Beltane. Apple trees bear fruit during the season of Mabon and Samhain. Both Ostara and Birch trees symbolize renewal. And as Lughnasdh represents the start of the abundant harvest season, it seems fitting to associate that sabbat with Pine and Maple, both of which are associated with abundance and prosperity.
In her book The Modern Witchcraft Spell Book, author Skye Alexander notes that as part of practicing tree magick, it’s important to ask the tree’s permission before cutting off a branch or twig. And afterwards you should thank the tree and leave an offering, such as composted fertilizer to help it renew.
The Meanings & Associations of Different Trees
Every tree is tethered to different beliefs and associations. Oaks are associated with strength and longevity, often used in ceremonial fires for the Wheel of the Year. While Elder trees are believed by some to be sacred and should never be burned. According to Judy Ann Nock in her book The Modern Witchcraft Book of Natural Magick Rowan trees are thought to hold all the secrets of the world, except the name of God.
Here are some common tree names and their associations:
Ash - associated with sacrifice, protection, strength and harmony
Apple - associated with immortality, beauty, happiness and security
Birch - associated with renewal, celasing, purification and protection
Cedar - associated with healing, protection and creativity
Elder - associated with birth, death and fairy folk
Fir - associated with birth, resurrection and honesty
Hazel - associated with divination, wisdom, luck, fertility and protection
Maple - associated with balance, practicality, love and abundance
Oak - associated with strength, power and longevity
Pine - associated with creativity, longevity, cleaning and prosperity
Rowan - associated with spirituality, protection and fairy folk
Willow - associated with healing, dreams and the underworld
Yew - associated with immortality, protection and death
Tree magick is still practiced today as part of spell work, sacred circles, religious rituals and individual spiritual paths. Trees can be used as an anchor for meditation, community celebrations, as ingredients in spell work, and as part of herbal remedies. Always remember to ask permission before cutting any part of tree and give thanks afterwards.
Do you have a favorite type of tree? Do you practice tree magic as part of your spiritual path? Share in the comments!
References & Recommended Reading
The Modern Witchcraft Book of Natural Magick by Judy Ann Nock
The Modern Guide to Witchcraft by Skye Alexander
The Modern Witchcraft Spell Book by Skye Alexander
Celtic Tree Months Article: https://www.learnreligions.com/celtic-tree-months-2562403
Trees & Paganism Article: https://arboriculture.wordpress.com/2016/10/16/trees-and-religion-paganism/
Trees & World Religions Article: https://arboriculture.wordpress.com/2016/12/17/trees-and-religion-worldwide-indigenous-religions/
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A History of Lughnasadh
Disclaimer: This website uses affiliate links, meaning: at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate or other affiliate program participant, I earn from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I believe in and use myself. Thank you!
Tip: If you’d prefer to support local retailers in your area, independent booksellers can often order specific books for you and have them delivered to the store for pick up, for the same price as ordering online.
Lughnasadh is the first of three autumn celebrations in the Wheel of the Year. A cross-quarter day, Lughnasadh is celebrated on August 1 (though some celebrate on August 5th when the sun reaches 15 degrees Leo). Named for the Celtic God Lugh, Lughnasadh was later known as Lammas by early Christians. Many modern Lughnasadh traditions are rooted in the ancient customs associated with the first harvest of grain. Marking the midpoint of summer, Lughnasadh is a good time to slow down, reflect and think about the last turn in the Wheel of the Year.
Early Celtic Traditions
Lughnasadh is named for the ancient Celtic God Lugh, who is thought to be an older personification of the Celtic god Bel / Baal (for whom Beltane is named for). Both deities are associated with fire and the sun. In ancient Celtic culture Lughnasadh was a time to start preparing for winter, when the first harvest of grain was cut and vegetables and fruits preserved. Harvest festivals were popular during the period between Lughnasadh and Mabon. People would gather for celebration, games and to trade their produce and wares. In her book Modern Guide to Witchcraft, author Skye Alexander points out that the tradition of harvest festivals lives on through the many rural state and county agricultural fairs throughout the United States.
As Christianity spread into the British Isles beginning around the sixth century, Lughnasadh eventually became known as Lammas, which means loaf mass. This name referred to the first baking of bread of the new harvest, which would be brought to the local parish church to be blessed by the priest. Read more about the history of Lughnasadh & Lammas
Cross-Quarter Days
Lughnasadh is one of the cross-quarter days in the Celtic calendar. A cross-quarter day marks the mid-point between the summer and winter solstices and the spring and autumn equinoxes (also called Quarter Days). Lughnasadh falls on August 1, which is the midpoint between the summer solstice (Litha) and the Autumn Equinox (Mabon). While there is historical debate about whether the Celtic calendar included both quarter and cross-quarter days, the cross-quarter days mark the Celtic beginning of Spring (Imbolc), Summer (Beltane), Autumn (Lughnasadh) and Winter (Samhain). These dates reflect the agrarian cycle of the northern hemisphere, when daily life revolved largey around the harvesting and preserving of food ahead of the long winter months.
Modern Lughnasadh Traditions
Today Lughnasadh is celebrated by pagans and wiccans as one of the eight Wheel of the Year sabbats. Common celebrations include baking bread, making beer, hosting bonfires and decorating your home with seasonal flowers and cornstalks and early gourds.
Lughnasadh as a Time for Reflection
Lughnasadh marks the seventh turn of the Wheel of the Year. The year is 3/4th over and it’s a good time to pause and reflect on how your year has been so far. What are you happy about? What disappointments did you experience? What do you want to focus on between now and Samhain? If you journal, write down what you would like to be, do and have in the coming months. See my favorite journals
Summer days are half over, and so now is a good time to slow down and savor the beautiful weather, if you haven’t done so already. Make a date with friends to go on a picnic or a hike; host a potluck dinner followed by a bonfire; or celebrate solo with a glass of seasonal blackberry wine and some fresh bread.
How are you celebrating Lughnasadh this year? Share in the comments below!
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More About Lughnasadh
