A child standing atop a dolmen

Between the Fires: verses of earth and moon

poems by Zephyra

Lughnasadh

first harvest, first grief

Poems written between Lughnasadh and Mabon (1 August – 21 September)

Background

Lughnasadh / Lammas: August 1-2.

Lughnasadh (pronounced Loo na sa – a as in apple) marks the beginning of the harvest season — the first gathering of grain. We celebrate high summer, when the union of sun and earth brings forth abundance. The fields are golden, and the first loaves are baked from the new crop. This is a festival of gratitude for the gifts of the earth and a reminder of the balance between giving and receiving, labour and reward.

The name “Lammas” comes from “loaf mass,” reflecting the importance of the first grain and the sacredness of bread as nourishment. In the cycle of the year, Lughnasadh is the first harvest, followed by Mabon (the harvest of fruit) and Samhain (the harvest of nuts and berries). Each marks a step deeper into autumn’s rhythm of reaping, sharing, and letting go.

Ways to Celebrate Lughnasadh

  • Bake bread from scratch, honouring the first loaf of the harvest.
  • Share food with others — a picnic, feast, or simple meal made with summer produce.
  • Offer gratitude for abundance, writing down blessings or naming them aloud before eating.
  • Spend time outdoors, walking through fields, gardens, or wild places, and noticing the ripening of the earth.
  • Harvest herbs, fruits, or vegetables to dry, store, or preserve, preparing for the months ahead.
  • Craft with grain or flowers — make a corn doll, wreath, or decoration as a symbol of the season.

Lughnasadh invites us to celebrate abundance while also recognising the work, care, and cycles that make it possible. It is a time to gather, to give thanks, and to share the fruits of the earth.

Poems