Lugh

Lugh

Master of All Skills; The Shining One

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Lug; Luc

ORIGIN:

Celtic

Feast: 1 August

Lugh, Lord of Craftsmanship, Light, Victory and War, is a master builder, harper, poet, warrior, sorcerer, metalworker, cupbearer and physician. It’s hard to envision anything at which Lugh does not excel.

Lugh was venerated throughout the ancient Celtic world. Modern scholars perceive him as especially significant because his veneration indicates the existence of pan-Celtic spiritual traditions. (Celts once ruled a huge swathe of continental Europe before being forced to the very edges of the continent.)

At least fourteen European cities are named for Lugh including Laon, Leyden, Loudon and Lyon. Lyon’s old name was Lugdunum, meaning “Lugh’s Fort.” That city is believed to have been his cult center. Its coins bore the images of ravens,which may be a reference to Lugh. Carlisle in England, the former Lugubalium, is also named in Lugh’s honor. Some theorize that Lugh’s name is reflected in an older name for Paris: Lutetia. The Romans identified Lugh with Mercury. Many European churches dedicated to Michael the Archangel are believed to have been built over sites once dedicated to Lugh. Post-Christianity many of Lugh’s sacred functions were reassigned to saints like Patrick and Luke.

Lugh apparently traveled westward through Europe. Irish and Welsh myths describe his first appearance in their pantheon. He is greeted with resistance from women in Wales. His first public act in Ireland is to join battle with the Tuatha Dé Danaan (his father’s people) against the Fomorian, his mother’s people. Lugh chooses allegiance with the paternal line; the myth may be interpreted as indicating the beginnings of patriarchy in Ireland.

Lugh’s name is spelled variously depending on location. Lugh is the Irish spelling; in Wales he is Lleu Llaw Gyffes, the “Bright One of the Skillful Hand.” In Europe, he was called Lugos, meaning “raven.”

FAVOURED PEOPLE:

Lugh is the patron of artisans, crafts people, poets and artists. He also protects and guides physicians, soldiers and warriors of all kinds.

MANIFESTATION:

Lugh is described as shining, handsome, charming and witty. He has a silver tongue to match his skillful hands.

ATTRIBUTES:

Magical spear, harp

Bird:

Raven

Animal: Lion; horse

Consorts: Lugh has different consorts in different locations but he was frequently linked to Rosmerta.

Spirit allies:

Lugh shared the city of Lyon with Kybele and Paris with Isis. In battle, Lugh used his own weapons but also those belonging to Manannan.

Festival:

1 August, the festival of Lughnasa. Lughnasa means “the marriage of Lugh.” Lugh the sun and the Earth Mother renew their wedding vows annually during the full moon in August and invite all to gather and revel with them. Lughnasa celebrates the consummation of their sacred relationship.

Once upon a time, Lughnasa was a four week festival: the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August, roughly corresponding to when the sun is in Leo, the astrological sign that belongs to the sun and epitomizes its power. In modern Irish Gaelic, the month of August is Lunasa. However, the modern Wiccan sabbat of Lughnasa is almost always devoted solely to the eve of July 31st leading into Lughnasa Day on August 1st.

PLANET:

Sun

Plant: Red corn cockles

SEE ALSO:

• Aine;
• Arianrhod;
• Blodeuwedd;
• Isis;
• Kybele;
• Lleu Llaw Gyffes;
• Loucetius;
• Manannan;
• Mercury;
• Michael;
• Rosmerta;
• Tuatha Dé Danaan

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.