Nature Notes:
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Hi there! Thanks for stopping by! My name is Kat Morgenstern, and I am delighted that you have found your way here!
I have created the Sacred Earth website as a forum for nature lovers of all stripes. Come and join me on a journey down the garden path, and off into the virtual woods, where we will explore, learn and discover all about the intertwining roots of nature and culture.
Lughnasadh
Celebrating Lughnasadh
Table of Contents
The time of the grain harvest
The Sun has now moved well past its zenith, yet its radiance and heat still beat relentlessly upon fields and forests, rivers shrink and the scent of dry grasses hangs in the air.
Lughnasadh, celebrated at the beginning of August. It marks the first harvest festival of the Celtic year - it’s time to gather the fruits after months of patient labour, to celebrate abundance and to remember that every harvest is both a blessing and a responsibility.
The grain has turned heavy, golden and ripe, orchards begin to bend beneath the weight of apples and pears, vineyards promise sweet grapes, and vegetable gardens overflow with beans, tomatoes, courgettes and herbs. Nature has entered a season of generosity.
For gardeners, farmers and foragers, this is one of the busiest times of the year. The work of spring is now transformed. The fruits of our labour not only provide for the season of plenty now, but need to be preserved for the coming winter. Canning, drying, fermenting and storing become as important as harvesting itself. The abundance surrounding us reminds us that every loaf of bread, every basket of fruit and every jar of herbs represents months—even years—of care, patience and the blessing of nature. One heavy thunderstorm and hail, or even just a bit too much or too little sun and rain all can ruin the harvest. Success is never been guaranteed.
The months between spring and late summer are filled with promise and uncertainty. Today, the effects of climate change have made these risks increasingly common. Lughnasadh reminds us that our prosperity ultimately depends upon nature - healthy ecosystems, fertile soils and a stable climate.
Perhaps no festival speaks more clearly of our dependence upon the living Earth.
From Lughnasadh to Lammas
The festival takes its name from the Celtic god Lugh, one of the great deities of Irish mythology. Lugh was renowned as a master of many arts—a warrior, craftsman, poet, musician and king—whose gifts brought prosperity to the land. According to tradition, he established the festival in honour of his foster mother Tailtiu, who died after clearing the forests to create fertile farmland for her people.
The festival therefore honours not only the harvest itself, but also the labour, sacrifice and stewardship that make abundance possible.
When Christianity spread across Britain and Ireland, many older seasonal customs were woven into the Christian calendar. Lughnasadh gradually became known as Lammas, derived from the Old English hlāfmæsse, meaning "Loaf Mass." The first loaf baked from the newly harvested grain was blessed in church as a symbol of gratitude for God's provision.
Bread and wine became central symbols of the Eucharist. Wheat—the staff of life—represent the body of Christ, while wine symbolises his blood. Although the religious traditions differ, both festivals share the same underlying message: gratitude for the harvest and recognition that life depends upon the gifts of a divine source and not just our own labour.
The Eternal Cycle of Seed and Harvest
Harvest is never an ending.
It is one moment within an endless cycle of growth, death and renewal. Some of the grain becomes flour. Some nourishes livestock. Some feeds wildlife. And some is carefully set aside as seed for the following year.
What we harvest today becomes tomorrow's potential.
The old saying, "We reap what we sow," carries more wisdom than it first appears. Our actions shape the future, both personally and collectively. The choices we make today—how we cultivate the land, how we treat our communities and how we care for the natural world—become the seeds from which future harvests will grow.
Lughnasadh invites us to celebrate abundance while remembering our responsibility towards those who will inherit the Earth once we have gone.
Plants of Lughnasadh
Several plants are particularly associated with the harvest season:.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
No plant symbolises Lughnasadh more completely than wheat. For thousands of years it has sustained human civilisation and shaped cultures across Europe and beyond. The golden fields of ripening grain have become an enduring symbol of prosperity, nourishment and the rewards of patient labour.
Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.)
Heavy clusters of ripening grapes have long symbolised abundance, celebration and transformation. Their sweet juice becomes wine, one of humanity's oldest and most powerful ritual drinks. In the ancient Mediterranean world, grapes belonged to Dionysos, the god of wine, ecstasy, theatre and divine madness.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Few flowers embody the joy of high summer as completely as the sunflower. Standing tall beneath the August sun, it reflects vitality, warmth and generosity. Its seeds provide food for people, birds and countless other animals, making it a fitting symbol of shared abundance.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.)
Yarrow often flowers throughout the summer and has long been valued as one of Europe's great medicinal herbs. Traditionally associated with healing, protection and courage, it reminds us that harvest is not only about gathering food, but also about collecting the medicines that will sustain us through winter. It was also one of the many herbs once used for flavouring ale.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.)
Revered since ancient times, Meadowsweet was one of the most cherished herbs of Europe, valued both for its medicinal properties and its beauty. In Celtic tradition, meadowsweet is often counted among the sacred herbs, associated with joy, hospitality and celebration and the flowers were used to sweeten the mead.
The Spiritual Meaning of Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh is a festival of gratitude.
Take a moment to look back over the year so far. What seeds did you plant—in your garden, your work, your relationships or your own personal growth? Which projects have begun to bear fruit? Which still require patience? What are you harvesting right now, and what represents the seed potential for the next growing season?
Not every seed germinates. Not every effort succeeds. Yet every season teaches us something valuable.
The harvest reminds us that success is never entirely our own achievement. However hard we work, much remains beyond our control. Health, favourable weather, supportive communities and unexpected opportunities all play their part.
Gratitude therefore sits at the heart of Lughnasadh—not passive gratitude, but an active appreciation that inspires generosity, stewardship and care for the world that nourishes us.
A Personal Reflection
This year, riding the tide of time feels rather like navigating uncertain ocean currents. The sun has already passed its highest point in the sky. Almost imperceptibly, the days are shortening, and the Wheel of the Year continues its steady turning towards autumn.
I often think of the Greek myth of Phaethon, the son of Helios, the sun god. Eager to prove himself, he persuaded his father to let him drive the solar chariot across the heavens for a single day. But the horses proved too powerful. The chariot veered wildly across the sky, scorching the Earth beneath until at the very last minute the other gods intervened to prevent total catastrophe.
Today, the story feels less like an ancient myth and more like a timeless warning. Humanity has inherited extraordinary power, yet wisdom has not always kept pace with our abilities. The consequences of our actions are becoming increasingly tangible and visible in the landscapes around us.
And yet Lughnasadh is not a festival of despair.
Standing in a field of ripe grain, we witness one of nature's oldest paradoxes. At the very moment when the grain is at its fullest, the reaper arrives to cut it down. Death becomes the condition for nourishment. The harvested seed feeds us through winter, and another portion is returned to the soil, where new life quietly waits for spring.
The same cycle embraces us all. We are sustained by the lives that came before us, and in time our own lives will nourish those who follow. Remembering this can inspire both humility and hope.
As we gather the gifts of this first harvest, may we do so with grateful hearts, mindful hands and a renewed commitment to care for the living world that continues, despite everything, to sustain us.
For every seed,
For every harvest,
For every gift the Earth bestows—
May gratitude guide our hands,
Wisdom shape our choices,
And love sustain the living world.
Current issue
What Gardening Jobs are there to do in August?
August is a fabulous time for all gardeners! The explosion of colour, scent and texture is a fiesta for the senses. But above all, allotment gardeners love this time of the year. Harvest is finally here. Finally, all the hard work from the spring is paying off.
Harvesting
Just what you will harvest now depends on what you sowed earlier. I tried to grow carrots this year (again). Alas, to no avail. I don't know what it is about me and carrots, but I have never managed to grow them - except a stray one that is volunteering among the Basil, in one of my balcony planters. If you had better luck, you are probably feasting on them right now.
Fortunately, my other crops are doing fine. There are runner beans and courgettes to pick, almost daily. Peas are over, but the tomatoes are now kicking in.
Perhaps you are picking cucumbers and early potatoes, as well as onions and shallots. The beetroots are swelling here, but yours might be ready to pick. Spinach is now past its best, but Swiss chard picks up the slack. I love the colourful varieties best, although they all make excellent and versatile summer greens.
Sowing winter vegetables
You might find that picking and processing all those fantastic summer veggies is enough of a job, and nothing could be further from your mind than winter's approach. But, beware, it’s August, and before long, summer will be over. So, now is the time to start thinking about late crops and veggies you would like to overwinter.
In milder climates, it is well possible to extend the season to the end of October. The cabbages are particularly hardy. If you started some earlier, you can now plant them out into their permanent positions. You can even still sow some: kohlrabi or turnip and some spring cabbages (check your seed package). Cabbages are particularly popular with bugs and caterpillars, so you might want to protect young seedlings with a fine-meshed cloth. Plant the seedlings out once they have developed 5-6 true leaves. Remember that they will grow big, so give them plenty of space. They also need a sunny spot and do best in a bed that had a different crop in it the previous year (no brassicas!)
I have not had much luck with cabbages. The caterpillars and whiteflies always get the better of them. I prefer growing Asian salad greens, which are easy, prolific and not as vulnerable to bugs. They are hardy, too. Alternatively, spinach and corn salad will also provide welcome winter greens when little else is available.
Salad ingredients
Some fast-maturing crops can also now be sown again, such as Rocket, Mustard greens, and Radishes. Spring onions can also be sown in late August, but won't be ready to pick until the following spring.
Watering
Make sure you water regularly and deeply. A little sprinkle does not reach the deeper roots. Instead, it encourages superficial root growth close to the surface. Mulch well to keep the moisture in the soil. Feed with compost or diluted liquid manure.
Wildlife
Don’t deadhead all the flowers just yet. The birds are looking for food! They also appreciate a source of clean water for a drink or a bath. The hedgehogs will make use of it, too. Bushes with berries, such as Cotoneaster or Hawthorn, are popular bird food. Starlings and blackbirds just love them!
For ideas as to how to preserve your harvest, check out: Preserving the harvest 1
or if you prefer a more spirited way to make the most of excess fruits and such: Preserving the harvest 2
Check out SeedsNow for your organic gardening supplies!
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
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Plant Profile:
Plant Profile: St. John’s Wort
Hypericum perforatum (Clusiaceae)
St John's Wort is the kind of herb that gladdens the heart just by looking at it. Many magical and medicinal properties have been ascribed to it and even its name alludes to certain divine connotations: it was named in honour of St. John, the Baptist, whose saints' day is on June 23rd. He presides over the Christianised version of the Midsummer Feast, the most important feast day of the ancient pastoral calendar. Yet, it is often considered a noxious weed, particularly in agricultural circles. Let's take a closer look.
Description:
St. John's Wort is a perennial herbaceous plant that can reach a height of up to 2ft. The stem bears two raised lines along their length and branches in the upper parts. Numerous translucent dots cover the ovate to linear leaves. These are oil glands that store essential oil. The margins are entire and show tiny black dots around the edges. These oil glands produce the red oil. The five-petaled, yellow flowers look like little stars or suns. Clusters of flowers bloom from June to September. The tiny seeds are borne in capsules. St John's Wort tastes balsamic, aromatic and slightly bitter. Squish the flower-buds between your fingers to verify its identity. St. John's Wort, when pressed, stains red.
Habitat:
St. John's Wort grows throughout Central Europe and the British Isles. Its habitats are verges, meadows, hedgerows, wood clearings, and waste places. It has become naturalised in many parts of the US, where it is regarded as a noxious weed.
HISTORY
The Doctrine of signatures assigns this herb to the Sun, not only because its flowers look so sunny, but also because its flowering- and gathering season coincides with the zenith of the Sun at Midsummer. At this time, its potency is at its peak. The reddish oil has been associated with blood, the sacred juice of life. Saint John's Wort has long been revered as a magical herb that was said to ward off all kinds of witches and devils, and was even often offered as a Midsummer sacrifice to ensure the continuity of life.
Some sprigs were cast on the solstice bonfires, others were blessed and hung above the doorways and into the rafters of stables and barns. This custom was believed to offer protection against the hazards of the burning power of the sun: fires, lightning, and droughts, and to ward off witches and demons.
St John's Wort enjoyed its greatest glory during the Middle Ages, when it was known as 'Fuga Daemonium' and it was deemed a protective force against all evil.
All efforts of the Church to demonise the herb had failed and so it was absorbed into Christian mythology and given to St. John, the Baptist, who's Saints Day falls on June 24th, right at the height of the herb's flowering time. The red oil was said to be a reminder of the Saint's martyrdom.
Many of the old Pagan traditions were absorbed into the new faith but reinterpreted to fit its own mythology: It was probably the only herb to have been used in the Witch trials to identify witches, using talismanic magic:
The formula:
SATOR
AREPO
TENET
OPERA
ROTAS
was written on a piece of paper and placed on a piece of leather along with some St. John's Wort that had been gathered during the first quarter of the moon. This talisman was supposed to reveal the true identity of a witch, since no witch could disguise her identity in the presence of such a forthright and radiant herb. It had the power to banish all the evil powers. (Just how it did so is not clear).
Today, St. John's Wort's magical associations have largely been forgotten. But it continues to play an important role in medical herbalism, especially as a natural anti-depressant. But not all consider it benevolent. In the US, it is considered a noxious weed that is dangerous to cattle. The allegations are that its photosensitising properties are hazardous to humans and cattle alike.
St. Johns Wort is indeed photosensitising. It is most likely to harm grazing animals that may consume large amounts of it while being exposed to intense heat without access to sheltering shade. This problem is severe in the overgrazed southwestern parts of the US. Internal use of St. John's Wort herb rarely poses this threat to humans, (although it is conceivable). It is therefore recommended to avoid St. John's Wort if one spends a lot of time in the sun or in the solarium.
Caution is also advised when using it in the treatment of depression. St. John's Wort affects the serum-levels of the Neurotransmitter Serotonin, which may produce negative effects when used with other anti-depressant drugs that also affect the metabolism of neurotransmitters. Finally, St John's Wort is a powerful liver cleanser. It cleanses the liver eliminates all kinds of toxins - including pharmaceutical drugs and birth control pills, rendering them useless. Thus, it is always advised to consult with a qualified practitioner who can advise you on any drug interactions or other ill-effects, before attempting to use St. John's Wort medicinally.
Medicinal Uses
PARTS USED: Aerial parts, collect when in flower, for the oil usually only the flowering tops are used
CONSTITUENTS: Essential oil - caryophyllene, methyl-2-octane, n-nonane, n-octanal, n-decanal, a-and b pinene, traces of limonene and myrcene, hypericin (photosensitizing), hyperforin, Glycosides (rutin), tannin, resin, pectin
ACTIONS: Antidepressant, sedative, nervine, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, astringent, vulnerary, diuretic
MEDICINAL USES:
Internal Use:
St. John's Wort is a tonic for the whole body: a gentle cleansing remedy that improves overall function and tones the vital organ systems. It improves and regulates the metabolism and tones the stomach, liver, and kidneys, thus helping the body to clear out toxins. Internally, a small amount of the oil or, better still, the expressed juice, taken on an empty stomach, has been used for treating stomach ulcers and gastritis. Freshly pressed St. John's Wort juice also has a history of use as an astringent to stop internal bleeding, spitting of blood, and (bloody) diarrhoea.
St John's Wort is also an excellent nervine. Its calming and sedative properties soothe the nerves, headaches and migraines and alleviate anxiety, melancholy, and irritability, especially during menopause, or PMT. Old herbals also recommend it for 'shaking and twitching' (Parkinson? Epilepsy?). It is considered a specific for curing bed-wetting in children, especially when caused by anxiety. For this purpose, 1 tablespoon of the infusion, given at bedtime, is said to suffice. As a diuretic, St. John's Wort assists the kidneys to flush waste materials and toxins from the body. The tea is effective for indigestion, stomach catarrh, and as a vermifuge. For therapeutic purposes, it is best to use the fresh herb or tincture, as the dried herb has lost much of its potency.
External Use:
In the past, the external use of St. John's Wort was much more common. It was cherished as an excellent wound healer that could cleanse the wound and 'knit the skin together'. It was applied to wounds and cuts, bruises, varicose veins, and burns. For this purpose, the expressed juice, or a compress made from the fresh, bruised herb was used. Modern herbalists prefer a diluted tincture. Tabernaemontana reports that the powdered dried herb can be strewn directly into 'foul' wounds to clean and heal them. In his days, midwives also used the herb as a fumigant to help women who encountered severe problems with their pregnancies or during childbirth.
St. John's Wort Oil
Traditionally, the flowers were steeped in Poppy seed oil to produce a bright red oil. However, since Poppy Seed oil has become very hard to find, Olive oil can be substituted. After gathering the fresh tops, spread them out on a baking sheet and let them wilt for a few days. This will evaporate most of their water content. Fill a jar with the wilted flowering tops and cover with oil. Macerate for 4 weeks in full sun. Strain the oil, repeat the process using the same oil but adding fresh flowers. This oil is used for treating sunburn, other mild burns, neuralgia, sciatica, and rheumatic pain, as well as sprains and strains, cuts, wounds, as well as muscle aches and nerve pains. It is also said to reduce scarring. Tabernaemontana mentions an elaborate recipe for a compound oil, which, among other things, includes various gums and resins, such as frankincense, myrrh, mastic and other herbs, including Plantain leaves, Yarrow and Tormentil, which he claims, will be a superior oil, effective for treating just about any kind wound.
CAUTION:
Since St. John's Wort contains the photosensitising agent hypericin, avoid direct sunlight after either internal and external use of St. John's Wort. If you are taking pharmaceutical drugs, especially anti-depressants, consult with a knowledgeable doctor regarding the possibility of negative drug interactions. The efficacy of birth control pills can not be taken for granted if St. John's Wort is used orally at the same time.
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