Page 21 - Kallima Newsletter - July/August 2020

God of: Sun, harvest, grain, arts and crafts. Symbols: Spear, Slingshot, Harp Parents: Father ‐ Cian, was the son of Dian Cedh, healer of the Tuatha Dé Danann Mother ‐ Ethniu, was the daughter of King Balor of the dreaded Fomorians Tailte ‐ Goddess of Harvest & Earth (Foster Mother) Manannán mac Lir ‐ God of the sea (Foster Father)
Children: Ibic, Ebliu, Cúchulainn Consorts: Búi and her sister Nas. Echtach and Englic. Blodeuwydd Siblings: Ogma, Roman name: Mercury
Although not specifically a war god, Lugh was known as a skilled warrior. His weapons included a mighty magic spear, which was so bloodthirsty that it often tried to fight without its owner. According to Irish myth, in battle, the spear flashed fire and tore through the enemy ranks unchecked. In parts of Ireland, when a thunderstorm rolls in, the locals say that Lugh and Balor are sparring - thus giving Lugh one more role, as a god of storms.
Lugh is the great Celtic God of the Sun, and was greatly skilled at many things. His name translates as "Shining One". As a Divine Jack- of-all-trades, he was patron God to all manner of crafts people; musicians, magicians, healers, and warriors. In looks, he is youthful, fair and handsome. Lugh is a master builder, harper, poet, warrior, sorcerer, metal worker, cup bearer and physician. It's hard to envision anything at which Lugh does not excel. He was venerated throughout the ancient Celtic world.
His festival day is Lughnasadh on August 1. Later, in Christian England the date was called, ‘Lammas’ after the Saxon phrase half maesse, or ‘loaf mass.’
As Lugh is the ‘Sun King’ his earthly mother Tailte is the ‘Great Mother’. Tailte gave her people the gift of cultivation, she cleared the land and taught her people how to sow and reap the crops. It was such a tremendous effort that Tailte weakened and began to wither and die. Before she succumbed she told her people that her son Lugh the Sun King would pour his spirit into the grain which would sustain them over the long winter. She asked that they honour Lugh's sacrifice at the harvest of the grains (Lammas - Lughnasadh)
Lugh greatly mourned the death of his mother and asked that the people honour her and their own crops with a day of merriment and thanksgiving for the bounty of the harvest. At Lughnasadh Lugh is honoured for his give of life poured into the grains.
After coming of age, Lugh arrived at Tara, the hall of Nuada, who was the king of the Tuatha Dé Danann.The Tuatha Dé Danann (‘People of the Goddess Danu’) were one of the mythical races who settled in Ireland before the arrival of the Milesians, the ancestors of modern Gaels. The Dananns were descendants of the goddess Danu. Her son Dagda was their most powerful leader of the Dananns.
The Tuatha Dé Dananns were a race of deities as well as race of heroes. They were skilled in art and science, poetry and magic.
Court policy required all who entered the hall
of Nuada, to offer a skill in service of the king. Though Lugh offered many skills, the doorkeeper told him that each role he sought had already been filled. Thinking quickly, Lugh asked if the court had a master of every skill,
to which the doorkeeper replied they did not. Thus, Lugh was allowed to join the court of Nuada as Chief Ollam, master of all skills. 21