Wheel of the YearOn August 6, 2020 by Priestess Dawn

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August 6, 2020 6:06pm PDT
(though it has traditionally been assigned to Aug 1)

The King is Dead, Long Live the King!

Wheel of the Year
Continuing this second half of the Wheel brings us to Lughnasadh, the energetic opposite of Imbolg along the continuum of personal power.  At Imbolg, the Goddess represented the individual focus on the creative Self, and the God represented the growth of the group as the Promethean Lord of Life. 

The God at Lughnasadh
Here at Lughnasadh, the Sun is at home in Leo – the sign of nobility and Self – and the God takes on his fated role of sacrificial king.  His willing offer of Self marks the first of the harvests, as the Green Man is slain to feed the populace and gather the seeds for the next cycle. 

The Goddess at Lughnasadh
Where the God represents the king, the Goddess represents the kingdom, with the Earth in Aquarius – the sign of community and reform.  The Goddess accepts the slain king back into Herself and ensures that his sacrifice benefits the group, and the realm. 

Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh is an interesting time to consider the interplay of government and its people.  In ancient times, the role of leadership boosted the king (Self) to its highest potential and honour, but also demanded the sacrifice of that king (Self); it was both a privilege and a forfeiture.  While we may not require the true physical forfeiture of life, is there any real sacrifice required of our leaders today?  They still get the high position of honour and privilege, but what do they offer back in return?  It is here that we see the true imbalance in favour of the Leonine (masculine) energies.  With the negation, contempt, and absence of the Goddess as balance, the king offers his Self for adoration only… he feeds himself, instead of the people. 

Lughnasadh is a good time to consider the role of sacrifice in our lives.  This year, in particular, has forced us to reassess the value of the things in our lives, and asked us to sacrifice some things.  Remembering that true sacrifice is offered willingly, this would be a good time to begin to reflect on the year so far.  Acknowledge both your accomplishments and failures… and despite everything find some to celebrate!

THEODOMY
In the language of Theodomy, the 12 signs of the zodiac are further divided into 36 primordial energies of the divine feminine, called the Girdle of the Goddess. 

At the time of Lughnasadh, the sun is in the 14^th primordial energy activating Bast, the Goddess of life, vitality, health, joy, and celebration. 

See my BAST post for more information.