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Hi, everyone!<br>
<br>
Lughnassadh-tide is upon us. If you are looking for ways to bring the
spirit of the season more into your life, here are some traditional
activities and symbols that are associated with Lughnassadh:<br>
<br>
<b>Contracting marriages.</b> If wedding bells are on the horizon for
you next year, the end of July or the beginning of August are
auspicious times to plan the ceremony. For those of you already
married or in other committed relationships, this is a good time to
reaffirm that relationship.<br>
<br>
<b>Provide for your winter lodgings.</b> If your house, insulation, or
heating are in need of attention, this is the time to do it. Stock up
on firewood if you have a fireplace, or fuel if you heat with a wood
stove. Make sure you're ready to hole up and keep warm when the cold
months come! If you rent, now is a good time to begin a lease or buy a
new home, as well.<br>
<br>
<b>Oath swearing.</b> Lughnassadh begins the season which is best for
planting perennials. If you are preparing to make a major commitment,
swearing your oath at this time of year is a good way to help make that
oath strong, able to weather the hard times and come back year after
year.<br>
<br>
<b>Making of spoons.</b> One traditional observance consists of
crafting new spoons with which to eat the Lughnassadh feast. If you're
not feeling quite that crafty, this is also a good time of year to
consider the tableware in your cabinets. If you're interested in
replacing any of your dishes or flatware, doing so now is a good way to
encourage health and plenty in the coming cold times.<br>
<br>
<b>Lùnastal</b><b> bite.</b> In Scotland, farmers traditionally would
mark off a portion of their fields and let it grow wild. Shortly
before Lughnassadh, they would then move their dairy cattle into that
part of the field and let them feast on the abundant greens (the
"Lùnastal bite"), leading to a surge in milk production. This insured
an abundance of milk and cream for the celebration feast. Few of us
keep herds of cattle these days, but you can still look for those areas
of your life that you can leave fallow for a time to prepare for a
burst of activity (e.g. an investment left untouched, or a project set
out and ready but not yet begun). If you keep a vegetable garden,
consider keeping a patch of it for wild flowers or other wild plants.<br>
<br>
<b>Contracts.</b> This is a traditional time for embarking on new
business ventures.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
-- Chris and Kelley<br>
<br>
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