Lughnassadh 2007
Reflections on a High Rite
Jack Green
One should always write about a High Rite shortly after it
occurs. Otherwise it is far too easy to forget key
details. Hindsight is always 20/20, but the memory part
isn't quite as good. Alas, it is
almost Mabon, and I am finally getting to write about Lughnassadh,
which
occurred over a month ago. And my memory isn't what it once was,
and it never was what it should be. So please forgive the fog
inherent in this description. I will try to be more prompt with
my Mabon description.
At Lughnassadh, we called Lugh and Tailtui. This is most appropriate because the High Rite of Lughnassadh focuses on the love and commitment between Lugh and his foster mother. The Gate Keeper of this rite was Mannanan. He is the Celtic Walker between Worlds. It makes good sense to have him as our Gate Keeper.
The purpose and intention of this High Rite was that the participants might find greater harmony and balance in their lives. One of my roles in this rite was to state clearly the intention in our magic and ceremony. I struggled with this just a bit, because I was unsure what the difference was between balance and harmony. Are they just two words for the same thing? Or are they two completely different things? My conclusion, and it is far from conclusive, is that balance is more of an internal thing. It involves finding a peace between one's different elements, personas, or aspects. Harmony on the other hand, is more external. It involves living in peace and tolerance with those around us. In my limited vision, balance and harmony involved peace, both internal and external. This theme was stated initially in the opening prayer. It was revisted in the Prayer of Sacrifice. Will spoke on the Lore of the Season. His interpretation is one that I deeply buy into. That Tailtui's clearning of the land, a work that cost her very life, was done in the seeking of peace. She was demonstrating that there was indeed enough land for the various ethnic groups to live in peace and in harmony. Hers was an act that did lead to a form of peace, for Lugh after her death held a yearly festival in honor of his mother, a festival that came to be called Lughnassadh. The various tribes would lay down their weapons, if only temporarily, and compete in sports, contests, and games. The wish of Tailtui had, in the long run, been fulfilled.
The omen was read in a most unique way. Three seers were called to watch and interpret water, earth, and fire. The Well, the Fire, and the Tree were called upon to give us a message. The seers listened and then shared what they heard. My memory is vague as to what exactly the message was. But I do remember that it was both positive and propitious.
I have to be honest in one criticism or bias that I have. I sort of feel that such an omen is perhaps too subjective. It is maybe too easy to let one's imagination get in the way of Spirit when there is no concrete medium for communication outside of one's own mind. I would feel far more comfortable if we were to use runes, or ogham, or even natural omens. To just use one's imagination and thoughts is putting an incredible amount of both trust and responsibility on the seer. Maybe that's okay, but I would rather also have a physical tool as an aid for the seer. Just my two cents on this approach. I clearly show my bias.
A final observation. We began the rite, very serious and somber, for whatever reasons. Perhaps so that the seers could clearly hear what the Druidic Trine had to say. But as the rite went on, we were reminded that both Tailtiu and Lugh valued greatly the creative mind, the innovative spirit. A bit of silliness entered in. There was laughter, Monty Python allustions and odd songs. The laughter lightened to mood and blessed the atmosphere of the ritual. I do think that was good. And just maybe the deities were pleased with the innovativeness of our seers. If creativity and thinking outside of the box are what truly appeals to the Lady Tailtui and her most talented Son, then maybe our innovative approach to the omen was just what they wanted. In which case, I might just be wrong with my bias and my critique.
A copy of our ritual
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At Lughnassadh, we called Lugh and Tailtui. This is most appropriate because the High Rite of Lughnassadh focuses on the love and commitment between Lugh and his foster mother. The Gate Keeper of this rite was Mannanan. He is the Celtic Walker between Worlds. It makes good sense to have him as our Gate Keeper.
The purpose and intention of this High Rite was that the participants might find greater harmony and balance in their lives. One of my roles in this rite was to state clearly the intention in our magic and ceremony. I struggled with this just a bit, because I was unsure what the difference was between balance and harmony. Are they just two words for the same thing? Or are they two completely different things? My conclusion, and it is far from conclusive, is that balance is more of an internal thing. It involves finding a peace between one's different elements, personas, or aspects. Harmony on the other hand, is more external. It involves living in peace and tolerance with those around us. In my limited vision, balance and harmony involved peace, both internal and external. This theme was stated initially in the opening prayer. It was revisted in the Prayer of Sacrifice. Will spoke on the Lore of the Season. His interpretation is one that I deeply buy into. That Tailtui's clearning of the land, a work that cost her very life, was done in the seeking of peace. She was demonstrating that there was indeed enough land for the various ethnic groups to live in peace and in harmony. Hers was an act that did lead to a form of peace, for Lugh after her death held a yearly festival in honor of his mother, a festival that came to be called Lughnassadh. The various tribes would lay down their weapons, if only temporarily, and compete in sports, contests, and games. The wish of Tailtui had, in the long run, been fulfilled.
The omen was read in a most unique way. Three seers were called to watch and interpret water, earth, and fire. The Well, the Fire, and the Tree were called upon to give us a message. The seers listened and then shared what they heard. My memory is vague as to what exactly the message was. But I do remember that it was both positive and propitious.
I have to be honest in one criticism or bias that I have. I sort of feel that such an omen is perhaps too subjective. It is maybe too easy to let one's imagination get in the way of Spirit when there is no concrete medium for communication outside of one's own mind. I would feel far more comfortable if we were to use runes, or ogham, or even natural omens. To just use one's imagination and thoughts is putting an incredible amount of both trust and responsibility on the seer. Maybe that's okay, but I would rather also have a physical tool as an aid for the seer. Just my two cents on this approach. I clearly show my bias.
A final observation. We began the rite, very serious and somber, for whatever reasons. Perhaps so that the seers could clearly hear what the Druidic Trine had to say. But as the rite went on, we were reminded that both Tailtiu and Lugh valued greatly the creative mind, the innovative spirit. A bit of silliness entered in. There was laughter, Monty Python allustions and odd songs. The laughter lightened to mood and blessed the atmosphere of the ritual. I do think that was good. And just maybe the deities were pleased with the innovativeness of our seers. If creativity and thinking outside of the box are what truly appeals to the Lady Tailtui and her most talented Son, then maybe our innovative approach to the omen was just what they wanted. In which case, I might just be wrong with my bias and my critique.
A copy of our ritual
Return to the homepage