Occurs: August 1st
Also called Lughnasadh, Cornucopia, and Thingtide Lughnasadh
Do not expect me to pronounce any of those.

Today marks the beginning of the harvest season, the end of Summer and the descent into Winter. The Earth's cycle has just entered its next phase. Several cultures hold festivals and celebrations around this time of year to assure a good harvest, which would insure survival through the Winter. Different harvested crops can be dried at this time for later use through the rest of the year.

Today we honor Lugh, God of All Skills. He is also called the Bright One or the Shining One, because of his association with the Sun. I suspect that the title "God of All Skills" is to honor his association with fertility. (Of agriculture, of course, what were you thinking?)

Today, celebrate all you have achieved in your world, inside yourself and in your surroundings. Realize the success you have reached in your body and spirit, harvest that success and prepare it to sustain you through the Winter. The Wiccan Way is one of aid and giving, not sacrifice. Our way is to harvest, and when our supply is full, whatever is left can nurture those around us. Our Mother shared her bounty with us, we in turn, share our bounty with others. (We're like the Amway of All Things Good.)

For success is not measured in how much we have. Only in how much we need. Today, we honor the wealth and benevolence of the Universe and of Her Love for her Children.

And I, for one, am thankful for Her Love.