Reaping at Lughnasadh

Reflections on the Wheel of the Year: Lugnhasadh/Lammas ~ July 31st
	Reaping at Lughnasadh by Ananaia O'Leary

When's the last time you paused to take stock of your skills? Can you claim the things you're good at or are you always focusing on the things you wish you could do better? Have you patted yourself on the back lately for a job well done? No? Well, here is your big chance. It's Lughnasadh (pronounced Loo-nas-ah)! An ancient Celtic holiday named in honor of the god Lugh, Lord of Light & All Skills. On this day we have an opportunity to ... take stock of our skills & abilities celebrate the success of our labors boast (a little) about our legitimate talents take time to honor those who have helped us develop our skills (a parent, teacher, mentor perhaps) acknowledge the skills & talents of others revel in our accomplishments commit to nurturing our talents Traditionally, Lughnasadh is a harvest holiday, celebrating the first fruits & grains of the harvest. What are you harvesting in your life? What have you sown & reaped? Take stock, honor & celebrate your achievements! Have a boasting party with your friends & take turns touting your own achievements; Send a letter or email to a friend to let them know how proud you are of something they've accomplished; Make a collage to commemorate your successes this year! Write a list of all the things you're good at & post it up on your refrigerator; Ask your friends to add things to the list that you might have forgotten or been to modest to claim (Do the same for them!) Been wanting to develop a new or latent skill ~ maybe painting, writing, fishing, public speaking, hang gliding, _____________ (fill in the blank)? What are you waiting for? Make a commitment to create time in your life for that activity. Go out under the golden sun and declare your intention LOUDLY! Then take a definite action to make it a reality (call about classes, start doing research, join an email list about your topic, buy some paints, schedule 15 minutes a day to just write!) Go for it! We are on this Earth to manifest our skills & abilities! Let them shine!