Late Summer Greetings!

The third fire festival in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, Lughnasadh (pronounced loo NAS ah) is on August 1st. It occurs at the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox. In the northern hemisphere, this is a time to express gratitude for the early harvest. It is traditionally celebrated on July 31st and August 1st. Astronomical Lughnasadh is August 7th when the sun is at the exact midpoint in the astrological sign of Leo. These are the early days of summer’s transition to autumn. Dawn and dusk become closer companions as the sun journeys southward and the days grow shorter. We can think of the time between July 31st and August 7th as a window for reflection, gathering, planning, and giving thanks. It is a time for joy.

Seasonal Themes and Nuances

Early Harvest – In Celtic lands, the ancients harvested wheat, oats, and other grains from July to September, with most of the harvest taking place in August. Early harvest grains were baked into bread and shared in community during the Lughnasadh festival. This joyful celebration featured dancing, feasting, bonfires, and storytelling. It was a time for romance and wedding ceremonies, some ritualized by handfasting. This beautiful time of the year is the beginning of summer’s end; a time for reflection on what has come to pass, and to think about what lies ahead that may need planning and tender care.

Thinking back to the seeds planted at the Spring Equinox, we can now see what the early harvest is bringing to bear. Was there a project, trend, relationship, hobby, or career that has grown into something more tangible? If so, what does that look and feel like? Is there more to do to bring forth the ultimate harvest, or is it time to celebrate and give thanks for its current expression? If those seedlings have not brought forth the intended result, what is needed to nurture them?

Bread – As noted above, baking bread is an important Lughnasadh tradition. It is one of the oldest points of contact between agrarian cultures and the church, because early Christians also celebrated first fruits of the fields through baking and sharing bread. As the church established itself in Celtic lands, the Lughnasadh celebration comingled with Hlaf Maesse (Loaf Mass), today known as Lammas. In the Lammas tradition, early wheat was baked into loaves that were taken to the church to be blessed during mass before sharing with the community. This is a delicious recipe for a gluten-free, vegan loaf to share at your first harvest celebration alongside Wayne’s Cream of Red Pepper Soup (recipe below).

Gratitude – Another theme of Lughnasadh is giving thanks for abundance. A helpful journaling exercise during Lughnasadh is to list things that are abundant in life. Do you have a supportive social network, trustworthy healthcare providers, meaningful work, enjoyable hobbies? Is there food in the fridge or a food pantry nearby to assist if you need that? Are you able to move freely in your community, visit a museum or library, choose who to love? We often take freedoms such as these for granted. Gratefully writing about things that are abundant, or at least present, can provide solace for the things that have been lost or are out of reach. This can also be a time to give thanks to others. Cards, notes, baked goods, flowers, or other gestures of gratitude will bring a smile to those you appreciate.

The Seasonal Soup Kitchen

This year one of my goals is to celebrate Wayne’s legacy. Sharing a hearty bowl of soup, a crusty loaf of bread, and good conversation was Wayne’s way to celebrate. Making and sharing soup with others is an act of kindness, and while I can’t make soup for you all, I can share soup recipes from the Food Doctor and Friends cookbook. Red bell peppers and fresh basil offer delectable goodness in summertime. Using this dreamy combo, Cream of Red Pepper Soup will warm your heart!

2 T. olive oil
2 cups minced onions
2 T. crushed garlic freshly ground black pepper
½ tsp. cumin powder
4 large red bell peppers, roasted & sliced
1 T. flour
1 cup water
2½ cups plain soy milk
fresh basil thinly sliced to taste

To roast red peppers: place on sheet pan under broiler. Use tongs to turn them so they are evenly blackened on all sides. Remove from oven, place inside a brown paper bag; let sit for 20 minutes. When cool, peel blackened skin, remove seeds, and slice. Sauté oil, onion, garlic, black pepper, and cumin. Add half the red peppers. Cook for 10 minutes; add flour and water; cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Puree mixture in blender with soy milk. Add the remaining red pepper and garnish with basil. Yield 4-6 servings

To Serve or Not to Serve? We all find ourselves in service to others at some point in life. This section of the newsletter will invite you to reflect on the many surprising ways we live a life of service (whether we are aware of it or not). Let’s remember that one meaning of the noun “service” is to provide an act of help. Grab your journal or sit down with your partner or friend to talk about these prompts. Our fourth installment was featured in the Welcome Summer Newsletter and focused on being in service to children. Our topic this season is service to elders. Aging into elderhood is not simple or easy. My elder friend, Ernie says it’s not for the faint of heart. The process of physically aging presents its own challenges. Loss of mobility or agency may result in a need for assistance that is hard to accept after a lifetime of independence. These prompts are about service to parents, grandparents, friends, or others who are chronologically older than we are. The elders! They are often not only older, but also wiser and full of life experience. Yes, we may find ourselves in service to them. They, in turn, also serve us. Don’t forget that we are also elders to those who are younger! Explore and enjoy these reflections about service and elders.

• What does “being in service to” (or helping) elders really mean? What form does my service take? Is it a practical, grounded activity, providing physical structure, transportation services, protection or safety, direction, or guidance; is it energetic, emotional, legal, financial, or medical support; providing sustenance or nourishment, kindness, companionship, physical caregiving; engaging in social activities; listening to life review; holding space? What?

• Do the elders serve me in some way; is there an appreciable exchange? If so, what form does their service take; what do I receive? How do I express my appreciation or gratitude for that? If not, what keeps me engaged in the relationship? Is there a sense of adherence to an allegiance, duty, obligation, family ties, guilt; what?

• Am I comfortable asking elders for advice or guidance? If not, why not? If so, when was the last time I did that? What was their response?

• Are the elders comfortable receiving the service or help I offer?  If I am not sure, what is a good way to ask them about that? Similarly, am I comfortable receiving help they offer? If not, why not?

• What are the best ways to connect and communicate with the elders? If communication needs improvement, what are some creative ways to do that?

• Is serving the elder(s) draining my physical or emotional energy? Am I in over my head with providing service to the elder(s)? Is it time to enlist professional (or other kinds of) help? Is it time to let go of some aspect of that service? How do I do that with grace?

• Has the way I show up in service for the elder(s) changed over time? Are the changes working for both of us? If not, how can we move forward in a positive way to refresh or reinvigorate the relationship? If so, are there other ways to serve/help each other now and into the future?

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On the Blog: The latest post in the Long Covid Series is LC, MCAS, and Measles, Oh My! “X” is for Crossing parts 1,2, and 3 are available in the ABC’s for Living Well.

Quotes for Season: “Summer has always been good to me, even the bittersweet end, with the slanted yellow light.” ~ Paul Monette, Author and Poet

“On the shore of nature’s magic, I dreamed summer knew no end.” ~ Angie Weiland-Crosby, Author

May all beings be safe, well, happy, and content.