A B U N D A N C E

Sophia Howard
Aug 1
4 min read

Today marks Lammas or Lughnasadh, the sacred festival of the first harvest.

On the Celtic Wheel of the year, Lughnasadh marks the midpoint between Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, the moment we begin to tip slowly toward the dark whilst still in an abundance of golden light.

It marks the point of the year when we begin to gather the fruits of our labour, not just physically from our gardens and the land, but in our lives and our souls.

It’s a time to pause, to acknowledge how much has grown, how much abundance there is in our lives, to celebrate with gratitude and to share our harvest, celebrating community.

Abundance - plentifulness of the good thing of life.

Observing that your growth may be small, still tender even, but pausing to acknowledge the work, seeing what we can harvest and what will see us through the coming season. What to store, what to compost, what to enjoy in the fleeting moments before they pass. Summer is often a busy season, so it's important to make time to really enjoy and experience the abundance with gratitude as we honour this time of year.

I have a natural affinity for this particular festival as it lands a matter of days after my birthday. Birthdays and these seasonal festivals are thresholds, marking a moment in time to reflect on what was, before stepping into what is to become.

Celebrating my 50th birthday a few days ago, I feel an abundance of love, friendship and joy. I have been reflecting on how much I have grown, where I have channelled my time and energy over the years and am excited for how that will be channelled next.

It can be challenging to reflect on where we are when we reach milestone birthdays, marking our growth by that of others journeys, however as I sat for a practice this morning I was reminded of the sacredness of our own journeys, our own blossoming.

It helps to see ourselves as flowers, for the flower is fully open at each step of its blossoming. If a flower were to push itself open faster, which it can’t, it would tear. Yet we as humans can and often do push ourselves. Often we tear in places no one can see. When we push ourselves to unfold faster or more deeply than is natural, we thwart ourselves. For nature takes time, and most of our problems will stem from impatience.” - Mark Nepo

You are playing a sacred role that was created just for you - Mary Davis

I am so grateful for my family, my friends and for the opportunities that I've had for joy and connection as I’ve celebrated over the last week or so….and will continue to do over the next weeks and months even!

I have spent four days in abundance of joy, music, dancing, laughter, relaxation, food and good company at Latitude for my birthday - however with this abundance comes a sense of uneasiness, guilt even, as I witness the horrors unfolding in the world. Finding community, sharing our abundance, using our voice and our privilege, is a powerful way to honour the energy of Lammas/Lughnasadh.

Today and tomorrow I’ve gathered and will gather with likeminded individuals protesting and standing in activism: to end the enforced starvation of the people of Palestine, for a ceasefire and for aid to enter Gaza.

Humanity is our community.

My yoga practice has, and always will be an opportunity to explore how to live yoga off my mat as well as on it.

Now that I am back from my week off I am looking forward to gathering with you again to share a practice on our mats.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share what I have learned from teachers before me in the classes I offer, I am grateful too for the abundance of light and warmth this time of year and the beautiful outdoor spaces we have the privilege to practice in.

Below is this summer’s schedule of outdoor classes if you would like to join me before we resume indoor classes in September.

Tuesdays 6.30-7.30pm

Gt Cornard Country Park (nr Dynamos football field)

What3words: pose.gentlemen.walks

5th 12th & 26th Aug.

2nd Sept.

Wednesdays 9.30-10.30am

Newton Green

30th July,

13th & 20th Aug.

3rd & 10th Sept.

Thursdays 6.30-7.30pm (Thursday class Students only)