It would seem remiss to be walking a spiritual path whose roots are primarily Pagan without making a post about Hallowe'en.
All Hallow's Eve, Samhain, Harvest Home, Shadowfest, Ancestor Night... the Wheel of the Year turns, and the day after Hallowe'en, we celebrate Dia de los Muertos, All Soul's Day, Day of the Dead... It is the time of year where The Wild Hunt races across the sky, and the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at it's thinnest. In the Wiccan and Celtic religions, November 1st marks New Year's Day. Clearly there are many cultures across the globe who observe this seasonal shift into winter with similar reverence. As most of the northern hemisphere experiences an energetic shift with the drawing-in of resources and life, it makes sense that we reflect back and take time to honour those who have slipped from this realm. While this post won't be delving into the ways and whys of these traditions - there are books and websites aplenty that already do that - I will caution folks that Samhain (which translates as "summer's end") is actually pronounced "Sau-in", since mispronouncing that when conversing with others can sometimes be a little humbling.
All Hallow's Eve, Samhain, Harvest Home, Shadowfest, Ancestor Night... the Wheel of the Year turns, and the day after Hallowe'en, we celebrate Dia de los Muertos, All Soul's Day, Day of the Dead... It is the time of year where The Wild Hunt races across the sky, and the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at it's thinnest. In the Wiccan and Celtic religions, November 1st marks New Year's Day. Clearly there are many cultures across the globe who observe this seasonal shift into winter with similar reverence. As most of the northern hemisphere experiences an energetic shift with the drawing-in of resources and life, it makes sense that we reflect back and take time to honour those who have slipped from this realm. While this post won't be delving into the ways and whys of these traditions - there are books and websites aplenty that already do that - I will caution folks that Samhain (which translates as "summer's end") is actually pronounced "Sau-in", since mispronouncing that when conversing with others can sometimes be a little humbling.
Personally, I avoid using the word Samhain for the most part, and just stick to Hallowe'en, or All Hallow's Eve.
While I admit to using Samhain when corresponding with others in the Pagan community, I don't use it in my spoken vocabulary all that much. Part of this is cultural - I'm not of Celtic descent (altho my Norse heritage pre-dates all of the Celtic tradition) and Hallowe'en and/or All Hallow's Eve has been what the festivities of October 31st has always fallen under in terms of a name amongst my family members and friends. Although Hallowe'en may be one of the more common - and perhaps even commercialized - names for this cross-quarter sabbat, it is as valid a moniker as Samhain, and for my own purposes, rings true.
That said, I am reassessing my relationship to this particular sabbat.
There are always ways to do things better, and as my spiritual awareness and understanding grows, so my appreciation for what makes this time of year sacred evolves along with it. In the past few years, I have grown tired of the costumed gathering, and have been searching for a deeper connection to the energies of Hallowe'en. It is in my search for how to make this holy day a more meaningful event that I have come to appreciate the idea of honouring our ancestors at this time of year, and remembering those who have already slipped from the path in this realm to travel the next. Although my own form of observing and celebrating in this manner has not yet been fully shaped, I very much appreciate what Z Budapest has to say on the subject:
Allow your candles burn down to the stub, open the door slightly after sundown for ten minutes or so.
Put your milk and honey on the table and lay out the pictures of your ancestors.
Meditate on their faces.
Feel their presence.
Then eat something they loved, and invite them to taste with your tastebuds, and drink deeply from a chalice of red wine.
Mediate and channel.
Say aloud thoughts that pop into your mind.
After your ritual, pour the rest of the wine out on the holy dirt.
Give the food left overs to your animals.
Light white candles anew for gratitude.
Blessed be the night, and blessed be the new year.
May we enjoy our bodies without illness,
May we be protected against natural calamities,
And against the rage of men.
Rest your eyes on this image, The Tree of Life twisting, dancing.
Blessed be.
-- Z Budapest
Put your milk and honey on the table and lay out the pictures of your ancestors.
Meditate on their faces.
Feel their presence.
Then eat something they loved, and invite them to taste with your tastebuds, and drink deeply from a chalice of red wine.
Mediate and channel.
Say aloud thoughts that pop into your mind.
After your ritual, pour the rest of the wine out on the holy dirt.
Give the food left overs to your animals.
Light white candles anew for gratitude.
Blessed be the night, and blessed be the new year.
May we enjoy our bodies without illness,
May we be protected against natural calamities,
And against the rage of men.
Rest your eyes on this image, The Tree of Life twisting, dancing.
Blessed be.
-- Z Budapest
Although I do not celebrate November 1st as New Year's Day, I am moved by this simple and honourable ritual. While it is a bit late in the day to fully incorporate all of the aspects that resonate with me here into tonight's festivities, I do intend to take inspiration from it, and allow that to help shape next year's celebrations. Don't get me wrong - there will still be room in my life for costumes, pumpkins, hi-jinx, and candy, but I think carving out the space to connect with those who inhabit the spirit world will greatly enhance this holiday that I have grown a little bit jaded on... Like my ever-evolving spiritual journey, I may even end up addressing October 31st by one of its more ancient monikers... Ancestor Night seems has a nice ring to it.
I wish you all the joy and reverence you seek, however you may choose to celebrate this Hallowe'ekend!
I wish you all the joy and reverence you seek, however you may choose to celebrate this Hallowe'ekend!