Blessed Lughnasadh (Lammas)

Some background of the Contest Holiday:

Lughnasadh is the first in the trilogy of harvest festivals. It marks the beginning of the harvest season, and the decline of Summer into Winter.

Lughnasadh, also called Lammas, is the Celebration of Harvest and begins what is called "the chase of Lugh". Lugh is the Celtic Sun God and He rains down upon the crops, living within the golden fields. This is the time of the first harvests. At this celebration we give thanks to the Earth for its bounty and beauty. It is from these harvests that we eat through the upcoming winter. Honoring the God Lugh, games and sports are played to celebrate strength and good health. The grain Goddesses Demeter and Ceres are also honored. This is a time to harvest the dreams planted earlier in the year.

For we as members of the Universe and children of the Mother expect to share in the benevolence of Her Love. For ours is the Mother, who nurtures and loves Her children, sharing Her bounty. Prosperity is not amassing and hoarding a great profusion of assets. Prosperity is having more than what is essential and never having less than we desire. We understand the abundance and magnanimity of the Universe and celebrate, recognize, and honor this.

sources: http://www.geocities.com/lavenderwater37/holidays/lammas.htm

The above listed site is an excellent place for research or

http://dragonbluespoetry.com/Mystikal%20References/Lammas.htm

or you may have your own resources for research.

The Contest Options:

I want great visuals. I want to see, hear, taste, smell, feel all parts of the options you choose listed below with your writing, in poetry, short story or essay form.

Please place in Author's Note: which option(s) you are using.

Write a poem, essay or short story about this holiday or meditation in celebration of Lughnasadh.

OR

Use one of the following titles as your title and content essence:

First of the Three Harvests
Sheaves of Grain
One of the Tuath De Danaan
Gaulish Thunder God
The Barley Mother
Fencing and Sword Play
Hand Fasting

OR

Use one or several of the following gems, herbs, or incense/oils in any combination as the essence of your writing:

Gemstones
Aventurine
Citrine
Peridot
Sardonyx
Yellow Diamond Sand
Citrine

Herbs
Grain
Acacia
Heather
Ginseng
Sloe
Cornstalks
Cyclamen
Fenugreek
Aloes
Frankincense
Sunflower
Hollyhock
Oak Leaf
Wheat
Myrtle

Incense/Oils
Wood Aloes
Rose
Rose Hips
Rosemary
Chamomile
Eucalyptus
Safflower
Corn
Passion Flower
Frankincense
Sandalwood

The Rules:

Your options are many, you can enter pre-writes or new in this contest as long as it stays with the spirit of the holiday.

No limit on entries each author may submit.

No restrictions on form or length.

Your work MUST be titled.

Obvious Spelling and Grammar errors will be noted. Please use spellcheck as it really is your friend.

I will not hesitate to remove entries that contain:
Denigrating or insults to other belief systems
or Proselytizing

Honorable Mentions will be determined at time of judging and will be at my discretion for award amounts.

Have fun and enjoy the learning experience or sharing of your own experiences with us during this Blessed Holiday in the Wheel of the Year. If you have any questions, please ask.

I look forward to reading your entries!