Acknowledging Unexpected Blessings

August 1st marks the ancient Celtic festival of Lughnasadh. In Celtic mythology, the god Lugh Lámhfhada – “Lugh of the Long Arm,” is one of the chief Gods of the Tuatha Dé Danann. The Celts established the festival of Lughnasadh as a funeral feast commemorating his foster-mother, Tailtiu, who sacrificed herself and died on August 1st of exhaustion after clearing the plains of Brega for farming. This celebration doesn’t focus on her sacrifice, but instead focuses on Lugh’s role as Samildánach, “the Master of All Arts.” One of the common symbols of Lugh, who is often associated with light, skill, and the harvest, is the Sun.

To me, Lughnasadh is the Pagan equivalent of Thanksgiving —without the cultural offense to indigenous peoples of the unceded lands in what is now the US. Lughnasadh is a time to assess what you’ve planted, tended and grown—both literally and metaphorically. What seeds did you sow at Imbolc and Ostara? Have your intentions flourished? Are your spiritual practices and creative efforts bearing fruit or do they need redefining, weeding or more solar energy? 🌻

Some of you may remember that I had laparoscopic surgery on my hip early last September 2024 due to a severe fall on black ice that broke my spine in four places and damaged my hip in December of 2022. That hip surgery last September was unfortunately unsuccessful, so I underwent a total hip replacement exactly five weeks ago today. At my first post-op apppointment, my surgeon shared with me that there was diffuse cartilage damage and that the joint was bone on bone. I am so grateful for modern medical advances because if I was living 200 years ago, the pain and disability would have been infinitely unbearable! And sleep quality was quite impaired from the pain and so was my mobility. However, my physical therapist recently said to me that I’m making such excellent progress that I’m two weeks ahead of where most patients would be after a total hip replacement! Woo-hoo! 🥳

Although I am grateful to be relatively pain-free and walking better than I have in over a year, I have really missed getting my hands in the soil this planting season! Gardening is one of the many things I love to do as well as hike to find magical places to sit and contemplate in the company of the non-human beings that cross my path. So, I wasn’t able to plant the cherry tomatoes, pickling cukes and other yummy things that I enjoy growing and harvesting. I also wasn’t able to plant the lovely flowers that I love either. It was disappointing to see my dormant raised beds this spring and know that I would not be able to see the bounty that I usually appreciate during this time of year.

But early in the Spring, I noticed a particular red squirrel taking sunflower seeds near the bird feeders and planting them in the ground. She stomped her feet over each mound after, which made me chuckle. What did not notice is that she (who was clearly nursing at the time) was also planting a whole bunch of sunflower seeds in my raised beds in the back gardens. But just how did that feisty red squirrel know that sunflowers like these are my favorite? Did she know I had tried to plant sunflowers in the back field two years ago with poor results?

Now, some of you reading this may be aware that I work with the Fair Folk (particularly the Tuatha Dé Danann) and often leave Them offerings by Their outdoor shrine, which is near the raised beds. Working with the Fae can be very nuanced, and some say a bit tricksy… but for me, it’s been incredible adventure and very fulfilling. This sunflower blessing was something so profound for me, that I felt compelled to share with you. Sunflowers emanate the force of the Sun and remind me of Lugh, the God of Light. Interestingly, sunflowers blossom around Lughnasadh — standing at the gateway between Summer and Fall, holding the space between the polarities of the seasons.

As I write this, my garden is uncharacteristically overgrown and unkempt… the mint has taken over one box, the cilantro/corriander is going to seed and some strawberries are being eaten by mysterious creatures… 🍓

But instead of seeing just that, I’m taking this time to recognize and receive the beautiful gifts that I didn’t plan for. Those unexpected blessings are best when they are truly acknowledged with our full presence. This year, I’m calling my raised beds The Garden of Unexpected Blessings. It feels very fitting. Sometimes when we surrender to the twists and turns of our lives, unexpected blessings take root that manifest beauty, joy and mirth.

The Garden of Unexpected Blessings, 2025

I do take this as a sign of the Fair Folk giving back to me, especially when I needed it most.

So, if you feel called, give thanks to the spirits and deities this Lughnasadh for the beginning of the harvest season. For Lughnasadh, the offering is traditionally a rustic loaf, oatcakes, or bannock to honor the grain harvest. If you wish, you might set up an altar with objects that represent Lugh’s light (matches, candles, etc.), a bell for calling in the Fair Folk (if you wish), a wand or athame, incense, bread, and a drink for offering. For this feast, the typical drink I often hear requested by the Fair Folk is beer, as it is made from grain – but wine, mead, or water also works in its place.  If you have a garden, drop into your intuition to find a way to show your gratitude for the bounty of the Earth and these powerful spirits who reside in a dimension very close to ours.

Next year, I’m sure I’ll be working in the garden and getting my hands back into this good, green Earth. 🌿 🪏

My offering to Lugh on Lughnasadh.