Also called Lug, Lugh Lámhfhada, Samildánach, Lleu, Lugus.
Their story
When Lugh came to Tara he was refused entry until he showed he was master of every art, and so he was called Samildánach. He led the Tuatha Dé Danann at the Second Battle of Mag Tuired and killed his grandfather Balor with a sling-stone to his baleful eye. He is said to have founded the Lughnasadh assembly as funeral games for his foster-mother Tailtiu.
Their day
Wednesday. In modern practice, Wednesday suits him because Caesar described the chief god of the Gauls, often taken to be Lugus, as a Mercury who invented all the arts.
Best times to give to them
- Lughnasadh
- the first harvest
- noon
What they like being given
- bread baked from new grain
- the first fruits or berries of the season
- a new skill practised in his honour
- ale or cider, or apple juice
How to honour them
- Bake a loaf at Lughnasadh and give him the first slice.
- Learn or practise a skill and dedicate your effort to him.
- Keep your word carefully, since he is a witness to oaths.
- Hold a small game or contest with friends at harvest time.
How they can help you
- learning new skills
- many-sided talents
- fair dealing and oaths
- leadership
- bringing in the harvest of your work
Symbols
- the spear
- the sling
- the first sheaf of grain
He is widely called a sun god, but most scholars now see him as a god of skill and kingship.
Festivals
- Lughnasadh 1 August, or the nearest Sunday in many Irish folk customs
More Celtic gods
- The Dagda The good god, father of all
- Cernunnos The antlered one of the wild
- Manannán mac Lir Lord of the sea and the Otherworld
- Aengus The young god of love
- Nuada The king with the silver hand
- Dian Cécht Physician of the Tuatha Dé Danann
- Goibniu Smith of the gods and brewer of the feast
- Credne The bronze-worker of the Tuatha Dé