New Harvest Moon and Lughnasad

The Chinese call the eighth new moon the Harvest Moon. I found one source that suggests that Lughnasad, the Celtic first harvest festival, may have been held at the August new moon. Today it's usually observed on August 1st, but since I was unable to celebrate it earlier, I'm going to do it now.

Lughnasad (loo-na-sa) is the time to share the products of the first grains- corn, bread and ale- and give thanks and honor to gods and goddesses of the grain harvest- Adonis, Tamuz, Demeter, Ceres, Freyja, Odin, and Lugh (Loo). They are sometimes generous, sometimes not; they are always aware that they will die, and be reborn to another lush summer next year, in the circle of life.

This is a hot, lazy, delicious time of the year; the air is still, and the force of the sun is strong. I have the week off from teaching, so I will spend my days in harvesting tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, beans, peppers, and the first fall kale.

The new moon is my monthly time for “seeding” intentions. I write down what I hope to focus on in the next 30 days or so, and then give my ideas a period of gestation, like seeds in the soil, before I take action. Having this regular time each month to focus my goals has helped to give me clarity of purpose.

Agenda for today: 

1. Altar: Add dried corn, red and yellow flowers, straw figures, fruits, vegetables, herbs.

2. Journal:
How can I be more openhearted and generous?What might give my life more wholeness?What am I hungry for?What are my next steps in life?

Self, Friends and Family, Teaching, Artwork, Writing, Home and Garden, Work/Business, and Volunteer work.

List my intentions for the month of September in these areas-

Today my focus is on harvest, sacrifice, and thanksgiving. This is the time of year I like to begin to keep a Gratitude Journal, to list my daily joys, my bounties, what I have to be thankful for this season, and what nourishes me.
What have I sacrificed this year and what fruits have I gathered? 

3. New Moon Meditation:
Light a small white candle. Center, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.

4. Plan:
As the moon waxes, I expand-- plant seeds, make connections, and begin new projects. Today I will plan my first small steps.

5. Make bread:

Make bread- biscuits, muffins, corn bread, a gingerbread man, or popcorn... In ancient tradition, the grains of the Earth are the body of the God, sacrificed at the harvest, ground to flour, baked into bread and then consumed to keep the tides of life flowing. Sometimes the first loaf is made into the shape of a man to represent the God. 

6. Make a new cornhusk doll:

Make a cornhusk doll from fresh husks, thinking about this year’s harvest. Put her on the altar to bring plenty and luck throughout the rest of the year (burn the corn doll at Imbalc). 

Supplies: Corn husks, tub of water, liquid bleach, towels, string, scissors, clipboards, fabric, yarn, clothespins

1- Bleach mildewy husks in a tub of water with 1/4 c. liquid bleach, for 1/2 hour. Rinse and dry on newspaper.

2- To make the head & body: Pick out 6 nice pieces of husk, and dip them in warm water to make them pliable. 

Arrange the 2 biggest pieces with narrow tops together and back-to-back (curving to outside). Add other 4 more pieces in the same way. Tie them tightly 2” from the top.

Wrap the top part with strips of husk until it is round like a head. Fold husks down over it making the face smooth and pretty. Tie at neck. 

3- Make arms: Dip 3 long, thin pieces of husk in water, tie together at one end, and braid. Insert under neck.

4- Chest: Pad the chest with husks and tie at the waist with string, raffia, or yarn.

5- Legs: Braid 3 long pieces and tie at both ends (use a clip board to hold). Insert the leg pieces then wrap with raffia to form hips. 

6- Clothing: Shape, trim, and pin. Dress with scraps of cloth.

7. Harvest Meal:

I plan to celebrate with my family and friends, with homemade bread, corn, potatoes, apples, berry pies, hard cider and beer.

Full Red Moon

Tonight is the full moon, my monthly time for action and release: I look again at the “seeds of intention” I planted 2 weeks ago at the new moon and decide on my next steps to take, I take those steps, then I release my expectations in order to clear space for new ideas and new intentions.

This full moon is called the Red Moon, because as it rises it often appears reddish through any sultry haze - and in our valley, a sultry haze is the norm!

This is a time of lush abundance. My garden is producing at its fullest, and I am bursting with love and good intentions. I am challenged to gather the fruits of the season and share them. I am challenged to take action on the work that I have been called to do, and to move forward with integrity, toward my soul's purpose.

Agenda for today:

1. Altar:

Each month at the full moon I put a motto or quote on my altar, to ponder. This month:

“If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

I also add new candles, in colors that symbolize what I want to focus on. I add a red candle, for action and integrity.

2. Journal:

Review the intentions I set 2 weeks ago, at the new moon. Review also the goals I set at the beginning of the year.

Do these aims all still seem vital? What are my next steps? How can I best bring some of my goals to completion?

3. Practice at my theme:

My theme this month is integrity, the quality of being whole and undivided, and acting promptly on my principles. My integrity builds my reputation with others and also cultivates my self-respect and self-esteem.

Do I keep my word, follow through with my responsibilities, speak truth, and show loyalty? What can I improve?

My intentions:

• Continue the discipline of healthy diet and exercise I have begun.
• Study non-violent communication skills.
• Practice being less judgemental.
• Choose to be unruffled and calm.
• Show more care for my home and garden
• Train Sadie to come when called (at least some of the time!)

4. Take Action:

The full moon is a time to celebrate life, stay up late, see friends, exercise harder, and be more creative and outgoing. The crazy full moon energy builds and builds; it’s best to acknowledge it so it doesn’t throw me off balance. This surge of energy allows me to take action on intentions I set two weeks ago.