Back in anglo-saxon times, when pagans and christians were amalgamating their beliefs and traditions, it became customary to bring a loaf made from the new crop to church, which began to be harvested at Lammastide. The loaf was blessed, and may have been used afterwards to work magic in the protection of next year's grains, of fields, farms and barns that stored this year's harvest. Usually the loaf was broken into four pieces which was placed at the corners of the barn to protect the harvest from destruction.

Lughnasadh is associated with the Pagan Celtic deity Lugh (Irish) or Llew (Welsh) and the harvest celebration is his funeral feast for the sun god and games to honour his foster mother Tailtu who died after transforming the fields in Ireland for the use of agriculture by its people. Rituals still exist today, walking atop a sacred hill, the cutting of the first corn (sacrified to Lugh), gathering and eating of bilberries, games and contests of skill.

May your life lessons be merciful, may your harvest be bountiful and may your year ahead be gentle and fruitful!