Praying to Lugh Made Easy
Note: This guide repeats information found in other guides on devotional practice. I repeat so that these can function as stand-alone guides, but if you are already familiar with the background, feel free to skip to the sections on Lugh and the liturgy practice.
Worship moves the gods from abstract stories read about in books or admired from afar as art to living presences that offer guidance, inspiration, and blessings. Worship transforms gods from beings that live aloof in the heavens into fathers and mothers, teachers and friends, beings that live amidst and shape our days.
Despite worships centrality, there’s little extant information on how our ancestors worshipped. For guidance, I draw on my own background in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Hellenic paganism to create a simple form of devotional practice that beginner pagans can follow with ease.
Three Principles of Prayer: Symbol, Concentration, and Power
There are three basic elements to keep in mind for the practice: symbol, concentration, and power. Symbols are the language of the psyche, and on one level, the gods are potent symbols of the divine. Focusing on a symbol molds the psyche in its image. Focus on a wrathful image of Taranis, and we will become more fiery. Focus on a motherly image of Danu, and we become more caring. Visualization, mantra, and the environment supply the symbols for the practice.
Concentration is the force that animates and empowers those symbols. The more concentrated we are during our prayers, the more power the symbols hold and the more deeply they imprint themselves in our consciousness. A hundred sloppy, half-hearted prayers will have little effect, whereas a single session of utter attention could change a devotee’s life forever.
The combined force of symbol and concentration equals power. The more potent the symbols and concentrated the mind, the more efficacious the prayer.
Lugh
Lugh is a god composed of many different, competing elements. He is linked to sovereignty as the leader of the Tuatha De Danann and as a king in the Welsh myths, but he is also linked to the otherworld via his associations with ravens and dogs. Lugh is a capable warrior, slaying the Fomorian champion Balor and driving back their foes from the land, but he also has a mercantile nature, with oaths, contracts, and trade under his purview. The epithet of Samildánach, or being equally skilled in all arts, is fitting.
Of all these qualities, Lugh stands out as king. He replaced the maimed Nuada and served ably on the throne for 40 years. As king, he led the Tautha De Danann to victory and ably ruled after the war. Lugh acted justly, honoring his mother with funerary rites and slaying the man who slept with his wife. He brought prosperity by sharing agricultural knowledge that mastered the wilderness and produced abundance. As a king, he had to excel in all areas, knowing enough to rule prudently.
Lugh is the ideal god for leadership, business, crafts, wealth, and justice. Given his diverse nature, he can comfortably respond to all requests.
Liturgical Instruction
1. Set Up the Space
Before you worship, set up your space. The environment should create a contemplative atmosphere and provide symbols for the practice. Find a quiet place and clear it of any clutter.
When the space is ready, light two candles and three sticks of incense. Pay your respects to the four directions as follows:
Facing East, strike the bell and repeat:
O Lugh, the lustrous ruler of the air,
Do bless this space with luminosity.
Facing South, strike the bell and repeat:
O Taranis, the wielder of the flame,
Do bless this space with terrifying force.
Facing West, strike the bell and repeat:
O Brigit, maiden of the verdant springs,
Do bless this space with purity and peace.
Facing North, strike the bell and repeat:
O Danu, mother of this fertile land,
Do bless this space with thy fecundity.
Bow three times to the altar (once for the land, the ancestors, and the gods). If you don’t have an altar with Lugh's image, you can visualize Lugh before you and bow to him.
Note: If it’s not possible to include these materials, you can omit or modify them as circumstances demand.
2. Chant
While seated, chant the following:
O King of Kings, show us your shining form
With curls of gold and eyes of ocean blue.
A scarlet brat of wool hangs ‘round thy back.
A red and gold tunic touches thy knees.
A bear skin belt wraps ‘round gilded bracae.
In thy right hand, thou holds the Slaughterer.
And in thy left, a stave of oak and gold.
Upon thy shoulder sits the lord of birds.
We praise thee, Lugh, unequalled king of all,
Master of every art, ruler of gods,
Bestower of these lands of milk and wheat,
Encompasser of them with thy just law.
We praise thee, Lugh, unmatched in shining deeds,
The righteous successor of Nuada,
The bane of Balor and Fomorian hosts,
Avenger of thy father’s murderers.
O Lugh, thy names honey our lips and throats.
We ask thy wisdom to alight our way,
Thy prudence to restrain our excesses,
Thy plentitude to grant our every wish.
You can chant this as many times as you would like. You may also pause and focus on the image of Lugh described in the opening verses. For those who dislike archaic English, you can replace thee / thy with you / your.
3. Mantra
Using a mala or the digits on your hand to keep track, repeat the following mantra 9, 18, 36, or 108 times:
O Lugh, the Shining Lord, the Righteous King of Tuath De
4. Prayer
Pray to Lugh for whatever you desire. If it is a simple prayer, like “May I find a new job,” you can repeat the prayer multiple times and focus your attention on it. You can also offer a prayer in a more conversational, spontaneous style.
5. Offering
Offer something to Lugh in exchange for his support by placing it before his image. Then, recite the following prayer:
O Lugh, accept these offerings we lay.
With reverence, we honor thee this day.
May thy favor upon us rightly shine;
Bless us with wealth, and guide us with thy light.
A standard offering is food and drink, such as a small glass of water and a piece of bread. Offerings specifically suitable for Lugh include alcohol, crafted goods, weapons, and money. The offerings should be fresh and the plates clean. You can read how to dispose of offerings here.
6. Closing
Facing East, strike the bell and repeat:
O Lugh, the lustrous ruler of the air,
Our gratitude for thy blessings of light.
Facing South, strike the bell and repeat:
O Taranis, the wielder of the flame,
Our gratitude for thy blessings of might.
Facing West, strike the bell and repeat:
O Brigit, maiden of the verdant springs,
Our gratitude for thy blessings of peace.
Facing North, strike the bell and repeat:
O Danu, mother of this fertile land,
Our gratitude for thy blessings of wealth.
Bow three times to the altar.
Note: Regarding how to delegate time to different sections of the liturgy, you can read more here.
You can also find a simplified version of this liturgy as a PDF form to use in your daily practice here.