Gratitude Ritual
As we honor the turning of the Wheel of the Year and the energies of Lughnasadh, may we embrace the spirit of giving, receiving, and celebrating the bountiful gifts of the Earth.
Lughnasadh Gratitude Ritual
Gather Supplies:
Harvest offerings: bread, berries, apples, and nuts.
Foods to share with each other
Items for games: a ball, a ring toss, or materials for simple crafting.
Storybook or prepared stories about Lugh and the harvest.
Candles (LED or real)
Pre-Ritual
Organize simple games that symbolize the skills and talents Lugh represents. Ideas include:
Ring Toss: Symbolizes aiming for goals and achieving them.
Crafting: Create simple harvest-themed crafts or decorations.
Lugh's Harvest Hunt: where children search for hidden treasures (such as small crystals or trinkets) in the garden or yard.
Racing Games: Where kids can race around a designated course.
Ritual
Light the candles and invite everyone to take a moment to reflect on the intentions set during Yule.
Invite each participant to share a Yule intention they set and how it has manifested or grown since then. Place symbols or written intentions on the altar as they are shared.
Pass around a basket of harvested fruits or nuts and ask each participant to take one or two depending on size of group. As each person takes a item, they express something they are grateful for in their lives. After everyone has shared, place the fruits back on the altar as offerings.
Gather everyone around and share stories about Lugh, the harvest, and the importance of community and gratitude. Encourage participants to share their own stories or reflections on the harvest season.
Share a meal together featuring harvest foods: fresh bread, berries, apples, nuts, and any other seasonal treats. Offer a toast to the abundance of the earth and the fulfillment of intentions.
End the celebration with a moment of silence to reflect on the abundance in your lives and the intentions set during Yule. Encourage everyone to take a piece of the celebration with them, whether it's a crafted item, a piece of fruit, or a sense of renewed gratitude and connection to the earth and each other.
