Have never been a huge fan of the commercial side of Halloween myself however do love this time of year is, the origins and traditions of the Celtic Festival of Samhain (pronounced ‘sow’eine’) – The Festival of the Years End and New Beginnings.
We’re now mid-way between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice, autumn has reached its peak and Mother Nature’s energy is disappearing, dying, going within. Toby (our Tortoise) has settled in for his hibernation and with the sun getting lower in the sky the nights are longer it’s getting darker and colder. This doesn’t mean we have to dread the upcoming winter, if we’re able to align our systems with the season, take our cues from nature we can embrace the dark, use this is a time to drift, to dream, to vision and to remember. It’s a time for meditation, welcoming an inner stillness and dreaming of longer term plans. It’s time to start slowing down, and while we can’t all be Toby the Tortoise and sleep until the spring our whole being will appreciate a reduced pace.
Samhain has always been a time of magic where the veil between our seen/external world and the unseen world of spirit becomes thin – especially at dawn and dusk which is a great time to meditate, and gain some wisdom from within. Also a great time to remember, honour and celebrate our lost loved ones and ancestors, lighting a candle in their name can be simple way of doing this.
Samhain and nature has shown me how to look at death differently. Death is an ending of something, be that a physical death, the death of our old self or an old way of looking at things. In each death there is new beginnings, new hope, new future, an opportunity for transformation. Nature shows us that sometimes things need to end (or die) before the new can begin. This has taught me to not be so afraid or resistant of the emotion and pain any loss or death can bring and brings me hope (I hope!) for when my time comes to leave this human body.
However you acknowledge this time of year sending you (and your Ancestors)
Samhain Blessings
