Happy Halloween. Blessed Samhain. And Radiant Full Moon Blessings.
Here we stand on the threshold of one of the most powerful, and one of my favorite times of the year, where the veil between worlds (and dimensions) is considered especially thin. And for many who mark cycles by the turning of the great wheel, this time is also considered to usher in the new year. I hold all these things to be tenable.
For me, this normally marks the turning of the more inward spiraling energy that will take me through the winter months. But I confess I am quite curious as to how this will unfold, given that so much of 2020 has been a time of withdrawal and inward working. Everything feels up for renegotiation, for reworking, and expansion into the new,
Still, over these next few days, I will be spending time celebrating, reflecting, remembering. Tonight I open the door to connecting to my ancestors, my beloveds who no longer walk this Earth path, and to those whose lineage I share more universally in other dimensions. I always put up a special ancestors altar at this time, and tonight, Samhain evening, after any trick-or-treaters who might visit have found their way back to their homes with stashes of sugary treats, I’ll spend some time in ritual remembering and honoring. It’s a time of lit candles, names written on bay leaves ready for burning, and rosemary for remembrance. There is magic in the moment of burning leaves – watching burn patterns and observing smoke. It’s a time of photographs and stories; listening for guidance and remembering what has already been offered.
I find it a really rich and satisfying time, like being at a perfect party where you get to connect and chat with those who hold you with love in their hearts. On the whole, our Western culture gives little time and space to honoring our ancestors, but for me it’s an important part of who I am. Even more so as my spiritual belief is that we choose our families and our important connections before we incarnate. We come into this life saying bring it on; help me unpack and unfold all that I am here for. And so why not take the time to acknowledge all the players in our game? Even marked with flaws and foibles and sorrows, we are all gifts to each other at the highest level.
Another part of the ritual work I do at this time is a review of the year – both incidents and people. No doubt it’s a wonderful reminder practice in itself, but it also serves the purpose of starting the conversations with my ancestors. Sort of bringing them into the loop of what I’ve experienced during the year, and helping me remember how aspects of their presence are woven in what I carry now. As we each increase our multi-dimensional awareness, I find it easier to remember not only my human lineage but my star and other-dimensional lineages as well. There is so much for each of us to acknowledge and celebrate! And there is so much to consider this year about the collective path we’re on and our own shifts.
It’s also a time of gratitude, acknowledging how things have shifted, and remembering the turning points. I tend to think this is more important than it seems many people do. I increasingly believe that in order to hold awareness of where we have placed ourselves in the now moment, we have to keep pulling ourselves current and releasing stagnant energy and patterns that are like well-worn ruts leading us nowhere new. And so I like to do another burning ceremony at this time – of those things I’m ready to release. I often use a skeleton leaf for this, as it symbolically represents releasing old structures that no longer support me. Bonus points as they’re fun to watch burn as well.
I’m well suited to this Scorpio time of deep diving and excavating in the dark places, and I’m definitely curious as to what this next turn of the Great Wheel will bring.
So there you have it. A little glimpse into how I celebrate this time. I’d love to hear about any customs you’ll observe or any special things you’ll do that bring you delight, especially as you find your way in these new times. This year has offered much with regard to shaping how we prioritize, how we journey, how we connect.
However you celebrate, or don’t, may this turn of the seasonal wheel bring you blessings, with abundantly more treats than tricks. And may the full moon help illuminate what needs to be seen and help light your way.
Do you think you’ll get many trick or treaters? I’m torn about the holiday this year. I have candy but even with a mask and BBQ tongs, I feel uncomfortable about the process. I usually wear my Star Trek shirt(uniform) to answer the door. Most of the little kids these days have no clue that it’s a costume! 🙂 I love that you do an ofrenda. It sounds like you are very attuned to Dia de los Muertos.
I really have no idea how many kids will come out – it’ll be interesting to see. Yet another “first” to navigate in these unprecedented times. Hope you have a happy holiday Margaret, even if your costume is only seen by yourself and the candy remains all yours.
Thank you Deborah, this is a profound read. May the new year bring you all the release that is needed and may new energy as you withdraw into this different season bear rich fruit. I was driving back to my sister’s home a half hour or so ago, and on the radio they were saying that our Spring has ended and tomorrow, the 1st November officially welcomes in Summer. (I’m not so sure about that).
The Great Wheel – a time for re-connection to our ancestors and all that is holy. And the full moon, illuminating what needs to be seen.
The idea of being short-changed of your Spring is not one I’d willingly endorse. It’s important to wring out every delicious moment of that precious time!
Thank you for your kind wishes Susan. May we all find ways to thrive and prosper, and bring new meaning to our new world.
Hari OM
This is indeed a time of reflection, Deborah. Last week I honoured the Goddess through Durga-Navratri, there is now a space between that and Deepavali (Divali) mid-November in which assessment (muulyanirdhaaraNa), review (punariikshaNa), atonement (prayashchitta), renewal (naviikaraNa) are all exercised… Deepavali being the Hindu New Year.
It is an unavoidable fact that we all, every one of us, cannot help but have been affected by the larger events of the year. This filters right down and raises questions about anticipating the future. As ever, we can only take account of ourselves, our choices and our deeds.
Be safe, be well, be renewed and refreshed this Samhain. With Love. YAM xx
It’s lovely to hear about your observances Yamini, and may they all be richly rewarding and deeply fulfilling. I think we all need that more than ever as we journey through these times. Take care, stay safe, and be well.
Wonderful practice, Deborah. We are preparing for trick or treaters but not sure if we’ll actually get any. I am looking forward to the full moon tonight and will be making a dreamboard to help attract my dreams. Happy Halloween to you. Love that card at the top.
I’ll be looking forward to your full moon photo, as I always do. Happy creating, and as Jamie always says, as you wish, so I wish for you as well.
Our stories don’t begin with our births. I don’t make a practice of honoring my ancestors, but I’ve wondered about all the people in my family line who came before the ones I do know about. I did a DNA ancestry thing, and I’d love to have some sort of magical device that would let me see my relatives back through the centuries. I have more Neanderthal DNA than most. But full-moon dream boarding – yes!
The DNA stuff is fascinating – I’m currently reading a thriller set in the future with lots of DNA references. It’s curious about the Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA reporting – those would be interesting relatives to be able to check back on, wouldn’t they?
Happy full-moon boarding – may your wishes unfold with ease and delight Carol!
Hi Deborah – thank you for this … I’m not deep thinking … but do wonder about life past – I have an idea of my recent ancestors back a few hundred years … it’s impossible to imagine so much – yet it’s so interesting where we’ve come from over the centuries and one just hopes we can be at peace as we move to the future. Take care and stay safe – Hilary
I would actively argue with your statement that you’re not deep thinking Hilary. Still, I share your hope we can be at peace as we move into the future. And I love the idea of reaching back and thinking about our ancestral lines, imagining what lives were like a few hundred years ago, and what we’ve carried forward.