Lughnasadh Spread for Gratitude and Facing Fear

Lughnasadh is a Celtic festival celebrated on the 1st of August. However, as the Celts marked a new day at sunset, really it is from sunset on the 31st July, to sunset on the 1st of August. It marks the beginning of the harvest season, halfway between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox. It is celebrated in the modern day by Pagans, as are other festival days including Bealltainn, Samhuinn, and Imbolc. In fact, you can celebrate some of these days in Edinburgh with the Beltane Fire Society.

The festival is named after a famous Irish God, Lugh. He is associated with skill and mastery, and he founded the Tailteann Games as a way to mourn his foster-mother Tailtiu. They did competitions in running, wrestling, swimming, archery, and other sports that are similar to the Olympic Games. It was also a popular time to have Handfasting ceremonies. Although Lugh is a legendary figure, these games were revived in the Medieval times, and again in the modern day.

Based on some information I got from The Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, I have created a Tarot spread to be used during this season.

Lughnasadh celebrates the first harvest of the year, but there is also a darker side to such joy, as the cold winter days are coming closer, and if we are not careful, we might not have enough food for the months ahead.

This spread allows you to celebrate what you are grateful for, whilst recognising and facing any fears you may have for the future. By taking the time to reflect on and journal whatever comes up for you, it becomes easier to deal with what life throws at you.

1. Theme or context for this reading- eg work, relationships, spirituality. You can either choose this card yourself or pick one at random.
2. Something to be grateful for.
3. Something to be grateful for.
4. Something to be grateful for.
5. Fears and uncertainties about the future.
6. One way to approach these fears.
7. Another way to approach these fears.

Here are the cards that I drew, and a basic interpretation.

1. Ace of Cups: the theme or context for this reading will be emotional.
2. Page of Pentacles: I am grateful for having the emotional energy to spend on hobbies and studies, rather than being too burned out to focus on anything more than the mundane aspects of life.
3. 10 of Cups: I am grateful for the positive relationships I have, and for the support I receive from others.
4. The Sun: I am grateful for the small joys in life, like seeing flowers and bees on my walks outside.
5. 7 of Cups: I am not sure which decision to make when there are so many options in front of me, and I am afraid of making the wrong choice.
6. King of Pentacles: I can develop a resilient growth mindset and find abundance in whatever decision I make.
7. 5 of Cups: When I have setbacks, I will try not to let my emotions get the better of me, and find a way to salvage even the hardest obstacles.

Feel free to share your readings in the comments, and other ways you celebrate Lughnasadh. I hope this year’s harvest is fruitful, whether yours is a literal vegetable garden, or in other ways such as how you are developing your life or business.