Happy Lughnasadh everyone!

The Celtic harvest festival on August 1st takes its name from the Irish god Lugh, one of the chief gods of the Tuatha De Danann, giving us Lughnasadh in Ireland, Lunasdál in Scotland, and Laa Luanys in the Isle of Man. (In Wales, this time is known simply as Gwl Awst, the August Feast.)                                                       

As of old, people sang and danced jigs and reels to the music of melodeons, fiddles and flutes, and held uproarious sporting contests and races. In some places, a woman—or an effigy of one—was crowned with summer flowers and seated on a throne, with garlands strewn at her feet. Dancers whirled around her, touching her garlands or pulling off a ribbon for good luck. In this way, perhaps, the ancient goddess of the harvest was still remembered with honor.

Lentencake
1/2 cup butter
3 tablespoons molasses
1 cup milk
4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
3 teaspoons ground allspice
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins
Preheat oven to 350 F. Melt butter, add molasses and milk, and cool. Sift together flour, sugar, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir raisins and mix well. Pour into buttered pan, 13X9X2, baking for 30 minutes.