A Festival of Transition

Thursday's inspirational thoughts for a happy and fulfilling day.   [View Online]( INSPIRATION [A Festival of Transition]( To ancient peoples, the yearly harvest was a reflection of the human cycle of birth and death. The reaping of food crops was associated with the spiritual abundance that sustained the soul. Yet harvest times were also a sign of autumn’s chill and winter’s imminent harsh frosts. The Celtic peoples of centuries past acknowledged the season’s first harvest with the festival of Lughnasa, the feast of the first fruits. Celebrated on August 1, it symbolized a turning point in the life cycle of Mother Earth. It was both a joyous celebration of plenty and a solemn wake for the decline of the potency of the sun god Lugh, from which the festival takes its name. What we know of Lughnasa, known also as Lammas or the celebration of loaves, has survived in the rituals that are still practiced today. It is associated with grain, fruit, flowers, water, and soil. Grand fairs and feasts were held, during which a portion of the newly picked grains were baked into man-shaped loaves commemorating the coming demise of Lugh. The descendants of those who first celebrated the summer harvest keep the traditions of Lughnasa alive in the fairs and sporting events that take place on August 1 throughout Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. Lughnasa is primarily a festival of transition, and thus presents a wonderful opportunity to consider how our lives have changed in the recent past. If you choose to celebrate the harvest by baking bread, adding ingredients you have reaped from your own garden will reinforce your connection to the Earth. Eat your bread with loved ones while openly sharing stories of the new beginnings you are celebrating and the endings you are mourning. As you honor the cyclical nature of existence, reflect upon the fact that just as there is joy to be found in the sowing and reaping, each of life’s phases is worthy of celebration too. ❁ Did you miss yesterday's inspiration? Click [here]( to view them all.   DailyOM Companion Course [The Fiber Effect to Heal the Body]( Balance your hormones, support your metabolism, sleep better, and enhance your mood. Join dietitian, yoga instructor, and plant-based expert Nichole Dandrea-Russert in this immersive program to help you seamlessly add more fiber to your diet, setting the foundation for better gut health. Get ready for a fun, colorful, and tasty journey toward a vibrant body and happy mind — all through fiber- and phytonutrient-rich, plant-based foods. [Learn More]( New Courses - [Quitting Self-Created Loneliness]( - [The 4-Minute Fat-Burning Tabata Workout]( - [Feng Shui to Release Unhealthy Emotions]( - [Bone Health: Holistic Exercises to Increase Balance, Flexibility, and Strength]( Recommended For You [10 Days of Plant-Based Eating]( [Learn More]( [10 Days of Morning Stretches]( [Learn More]( [The Power of Quantum Physics for Self-Healing]( [Learn More]( [Yoga Stretches for Beginners]( [Learn More]( [Ayurveda for Immunity]( [Learn More]( [Therapeutic Yoga For Mobility]( [Learn More]( Top 10 Courses 1. [Heal Yourself With Polyvagal Therapy]( 2. [The Vagus Nerve Miracle]( 3. [10-Minute Exercises for Cortisol Control]( 4. [A Year of Writing to Uncover the Authentic Self]( 5. [Fit and Fierce Over 40]( 6. [Go Sleeveless in 14 Days]( 7. [Moving On From Destructive Relationships]( 8. [Meditative Painting to Heal Your Life]( 9. [Somatic Exercises to Relax and Release]( 10. [Quitting Self-Created Loneliness]( Explore 350+ Courses There's something for everyone. What do you want to learn today? [Browse by Topic]( [DailyOM Logo](   [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( [Twitter]( You are receiving this email because you're subscribed to DailyOM. You are registered with {EMAIL}. [Inspirations]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( [Remove me from this list]( | [Help/FAQ]( Copyright © 2024 [Everyday Health, Inc.]( All rights reserved. DailyOM is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. 114 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10011 Subject to our [terms of service]( and [privacy policy](.