Aug 8, 2023 | by Daniel Giamario |
The Lughnasadh (Lammas) Cross-Quarter
The astronomical and astrological cross-quarter, at 15 Leo, exactly between the June Solstice and the September equinox, occurs on August 7 or 8, depending on which time zone you are in.
Many parts of Northern Europe, especially in the Gaelic world including Ireland and Scotland, placed as much importance to the cross-quarters as to the solstices and equinoxes. These cross-quarter times have been incorporated into secular calendars in many ways. For example, Beltane gave way to May Day in its many forms, Samhain became Halloween and All Soul’s Day, and Imbolc inspired Ground Hog Day and Candlemas. Lughnasadh, or Lammas in England, was a harvest festival, with many other connotations, such as athletic competitions, horse races, and feasting. Another feature was sacred pilgrimage to a mountain which even the Christians continued. TOTAMS connects with this through our celebration of the Aquarius Vision Quest Full Moon.
TOTAMS has always recognized the cross-quarters as much as the Solstices and Equinoxes, and presents seminars of the Four Branches of the school at these times. If you missed the latest Esoteric Circle: The Fire Branch seminar, you can watch the recording. (You will be redirected after creating your account on our free, private and secure TOTAMS Community Forum.)
I found another great resource on the Gaelic cross-quarter in the recent email newsletter from Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in Ireland which I will quote here in part:
“The month of August marks the celebration of the Harvest Festival of ‘Lughnasadh’, the Irish name for the month of August and one of the four major pre-Christian, Gaelic Festivals alongside Imbolc, Beltaine and Samhain. As Rathcroghan / Crúachan Aí was traditionally a site for great Aénaige or Seasonal Assemblies it can be postulated that this would have been a very important festival here. The name of the festival is derived from the god Lugh (pronounced Lew), of the Tuatha Dé Danann. In his conquest of Gaul, Caesar noted among the native people that ‘of the gods they worship Mercury most of all’ and that they regarded him as the inventor of all the arts. Even though the Gaulish name for Mercury was not recorded by Caesar, it seems likely that he and ‘Lugh’ are one and the same, as Lugh is also noted as being samildánach – a master of all the arts. He is also referred to as Lugh Lámfada – of the ‘long arm’, which may refer to his skill with a slingshot and spear, but could also possibly refer to the stretching out of the hand to ‘rule and protect’, ie with kingship.”
Venus Enters The Interior Underworld
Using a standard “textbook” 10degree orb, Venus entered the interior underworld, between the Earth and Sun, on Sunday, August 6.
In practice, based on geographical location, how good / low your horizon is, and which Venus cycle is happening, the evening of last visibility can vary. Between now, and August 19, when Venus will have her heliacal rise in Leo, she is in her most powerful and esoteric metamorphic phase of death and rebirth – transforming from the Capricorn Overstory into the Leo one.
TOTAMS is offering a free preview for our upcoming 19-months immersive virtual group journey where participants will convene over a time-frame of 584 days (the length of the Venus cycle) to learn about and ceremonialize the Leo Venus Overstory. Uniquely, for the first time, the ongoing Mars Gemini Overstory will also be woven in. This is because in the times we live in, it is more important than ever to recognize that Venus is not just for women and Mars is not just for men!
These planets are archetypal feminine and masculine, and equally apply for women and men in important and unique ways. More info and enrollment link for the preview event following asap!