By Lady Althaea
My background is mainly Celtic Reconstructionist, but last year, I began following an Ásatrú path. At first I thought perhaps I would just celebrate the Celtic Feast days (Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasadh) as purely Celtic, and have the Equinoxes and Solstices be Norse. As I’ve gone along, I have found it has been much more complicated than that. Combining two different (but related) traditions has been an intricate dance. I often find myself drawn to incorporating both into the same ritual. This ritual is a result of such combinations I’ve made.
Lughnasadh / Loaf Fest Blót
It is best that this ritual be held on a hilltop or near a stream or river. Bring bannock with berries baked in. Bring flowers to either bury (in which case, you’ll also need a small shovel) or float on the water. If you opt to have the ritual by water, the flower floating symbolism acquires a second meaning, especially if the flowers are sun-colored; as symbolic of the hot summer sun being quenched/subdued by water.
What’s been said…