Lughnasadh Festival
Foundation Centre - Ireland
August 2, 2025
By: Noeleen Watson
All one could see today was the wave of colour within the walls of the courtyard of Huntington Castle. Oranges, gold, terracotta, yellows, reds and green dazzled everyone's eyes. There was a good crowd of new and returning faces, plenty of laughs and chats echoed around the courtyard. Cait called us together to talk to us about today's festival, and it was so funny as every time Cait talked the resident peacocks were answering her.
We made our way in a gentle chant as we followed the path towards the Rose Garden. On the way we passed by apple trees, an abundance of apples there waiting to the picked. Underneath were a couple of chubby piglets munching their way through all of the apples that had fallen onto the ground. One of our Priestesses invited us to hold each other's hands as she invoked the Goddess Rosa Mundi. As we all looked at the weather-beaten roses; we were guided to imagine the rose as each of us and how the petals are our community. A truly loving and beautiful blessing.
As we walked in procession towards the Sacred Grove of Danu, all that you saw and smelt were the many flowers along our path. We gathered in a circle amongst the trees. Another priestess invoked the Goddess Danu. Eimear spoke a little of the history of the planting of the trees and the young birch that was planted for Olivia. We were all invited to chant three 'Imbas' and bring the divine inspiration into our beings; hearing all the different tones as we all sang together in perfect harmony in community and fellowship.
The walk from the Sacred Grove towards the Abbey was beautiful! So many shades of green; various varieties of roses gave us all plenty to bring us into the present moment. Approaching the Abbey, we walked by a recently planted tree for Olivia's anniversary. The Abbey was her favourite place, and it is the seat of the Noble Order of Tara, an order dedicated to environmental issues. One of priestesses invoked the Goddess Eriu, the invocation was sung and was truly amazing.
We made our way towards the Goddess Persephone and our Temple. An invocation was made to the Goddess Persephone followed by our Fellowship Priest knocking on the Temple door. We all entered the Temple in reverence and gathered around the sacred Bridget's Well. As is the tradition now, Cait read one of Olivia's Oracles from the Oracle of the Goddess. The Goddess of Terra of Rome was read. One line that stayed with me was “Bring with you the Lamp of Truth, and in your hearts love for even those of My children who appear terrible of aspect.” Deities were invoked by the different priestesses and priest. Blessings were shared to anyone who wanted one. A priestess was waiting to deliver her oracle; we all took our seats in anticipation. The Goddess Demeter came through to remind us to make sure we plant our seeds, our dreams so we will have something to harvest. It was a powerful oracle to remind us of our own harvest. As we sat in contemplation we were treated to heavenly harp music, I have missed hearing the harp. There were plenty of creative offerings to keep us all inspired. Tom our Priest brought us on a magical journey to meet the Goddess Tailtiu, she was the foster mother of the God Lugh. Healing was sent out to all who needed it. As our ceremony ended, everyone was thanked for being there and reminded how everyone makes our ceremonies special.
Healing was offered to anyone who would like to receive healing. Everyone went off for tea, coffee and cake. The sea of colour filled the courtyard as everyone had a chance to catch up.
Our next ceremony the Autumn Equinox will be Saturday 20th September at 11am 2025. (Please note: Festivals are accessible by invitation only - to request one, please see this page: Events)
