This day of giving thanks denotes the high point of the year; the
crops are in their fullness, weather is warm and the countryside is bursting
forth with the beauty of life. Pagans know we have the heavens above to thank
for this and the gods of nature must be acknowledged for their generosity with
a gathering of the tribe and a feast, ideally in the great outdoors. Ask invitees to bring harvest-themed offerings for
the altar: gourds, pumpkins, bundles of wheat stalks and corn, fresh pickings
from their garden and food to share in thanksgiving made from the same- pies,
tomato salads, cucumber pickles, green beans, corn pudding, watermelon, lemon
cakes, berry cucumber, apple cider and beer brewed from wheat, hops and barley.
This celebration of the reapings from the summer season should reflect what you
grown with your own hands. Fill your cauldron or a big beautiful colored glass
bowl half-full with freshly-drawn water. Get packets of tiny votive candles for
floating in the water. At the feast table, make sure to have a place-setting for
the godly guest Lugh who watched over the plantings to ensure this bounty.
Place loaves of home baked bread by his plate.
When all guests have arrived, everyone should add a food
offering to the plate of the god and light a candle to float in the cauldron. Cut a slice of the loaf of bread for Lugh and begin
the ceremony with this prayer of thanks:
Oh, ancient Lugh of the
fields and farms,
We invite you here
with open arms,
In this place between
worlds, in flowering fields of hay.
You have brought the
blessings we receive this ThanksgivingDay.
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