Meditation Week 6 Recap

I really didn’t think I was going to have a problem maintaining this… but I did. It also points out how badly I need physical exercise right now, and how easy it is for me to overdo it. I really struggled; in fact, I’m having to visit the chiropractor this week, because I DID overdo it. I’m used to being younger, and in much better physical condition, something I’ve always taken for granted… until now. I need to learn a lot more GENTLENESS with myself.

Notes on Lunasduinn

Some other names for this High Day are Aedrinia (Gaulish), Laa Luanistyn or Laa Luanys (Manx), Lughnasadh or Lúnasa (Modern Irish), Lúnasdain, Lúnasdal or Lunasduinn (Scottish Gaelic), Calan Awst (Welsh). Also Lammas and Michaelmas (Christian, in Scotland on September 29).

In Celtic culture, Lughnasadh (“Loo-nahs-ahg”) is the feast of the god Lugh. Celebrated on August 1, Lughnasadh was sometimes referred to as the nasad, or games, of Lugh, son of Ethle in the Scottish Highlands. An early Irish tradition has it that Lugh established the festival in honor of his foster-mother Tailtiu, a close relationship in the Celtic custom. In Ireland, Lugh also is referred to as Lugh of the Long Hand. An Irish myth tells of the greedy Fomorian Earth-spirits that must be persuaded to relinquish the fruits of the soil to humans. In some Germanic folk traditions in England, the “Corn King” dies, to be later reborn, so that the tribe may go into the winter months with sustenance plenty.

Customs

  • English folk tradition, a mix of Celtic and Germanic influences, tells of farmers cutting down the first stalks of corn with sickles and calling these stalks John Barleycorn. This first grain is used to produce the first beer of the season, for consumption at the Autumnal Equinox six weeks later.
  • In Wicca, the Horned One is thought to be the consort of the Earth Goddess.
  • Some harvest festivals usually included a Stag Dance in which men wore antlers on their heads.

Source:
http://www.applewarrior.com/celticworld/celticyear/lughnasa.html

Lunasduinn

It’s official; I’ve chosen a nice ritual pre-written, one referenced in the WotY, for my ritual today that takes place at sunset. I had many lovely ones to choose from, and it was a hard choice. As an aside, I did note that it’s the waxing moon (just barely), and that we’re in a severe drought still, and the crops, the land, and the animals are suffering. We’ve been in voluntary water rationing for over a month. This ritual is First Harvest, and the Earth has so valiantly attempted to provide.

Meditation Week 6 Begins – Free Weights (Repetitive Motion)

For this week’s work, I’m going to start exploring repetitive motion. I like repetitive motion… I have always loved exercise, and never missed a workout for many, many years, until I fell very ill and had trouble with exercise. It’s been the bane of my existence ever since. Well, now that my health is finally getting better after nearly a decade!, I think I’m ready to add consistent motion. I intend, over the next couple of weeks, to explore walking on a treadmill, free weights and Tai Chi. I’ve done all of these things over the years, but, I need to bring them back.

Specifically for week 6, it’s free weights. I’m going to do a series of gentle lifts, focusing on upper body strength and movement, with very light weights, with a duration of about 15 minutes. As today is my first day, I will work through the sets I think will be best, and document them as I work them out.