Samhain

11th Oct 2007

This is the first year since observing the holy days along the Wheel of the Year that the festival of Samhain will have real personal meaning for me. In past years, having never experienced the grief that comes from a close loved one dying, I found it difficult to truly connect with this holiday. Having a general fear of my darker side, I would often gloss over its deep significance until it was passed and then regret not engaging that powerful energy more. This year is different for several reasons. First, I’ve come to realize that death, whether it happens to someone we know or not, is ever present in all our lives all the time. Things are always ending. Relationships, friendships, jobs, etc. Things are constantly changing and wherever there is a beginning, there is also an ending. It’s natural. Secondly, I have actively engaged and confronted many of my own shadows this year, making the dark seem much less scary and much more familiar. I am deep into the process of owning all those repressed and denied parts of myself that I’ve kept hidden in the closet, bringing each aspect to the light one by one and integrating them into the big picture of “who I am”. And finally, the main reason this year is different for me is I have been personally affected by the passing of family members to the Other Side. Just before Thanksgiving last year, my husband’s mother passed away. She was a wonderful, loving wife and mother, and deeply beloved by her family. Helping my husband through this gave me a first hand experience into what the grief process looks like. Not even a month later, my Great-Grandfather also passed away. Watching my Great-Granny and my Grandmother each confront their feelings taught me much about how each of us goes through our own process in our own way, and everything is in perfect order. The most important lesson I learned from all of this is that no matter what, life goes on. Nothing stops. Everything is always in a constant state of motion. Ending, Beginning, Transformation…..Being face to face with the reality of death for the first time in my life has left its mark, changing my perspective on life forever.

Personal Samhain Ritual – Compost!!

This is a ritual that recognizes the power of the Earth to take something that is dead and recycle it into something that can nurture and sustain new life. On a piece of paper, write down a list of anything you are ready to let go of. Old negative thought patterns and beliefs, relationships that are no longer working in your life, jobs, friends, struggles…. Write them all down and put as much emotion and energy into it as you can, literally infusing the paper with these things that you are choosing to now let go of. Then, choose a spot outside – this can either be a pre-built compost bin or if you don’t have that, any pile of grass clippings, leaves or other plant material will do. Put your paper on the pile (you may even want to burn or shred the paper first) with the intention that these things are now gone from you and are back in the arms of Mother Earth, to be broken down and re-used. You can take this concept a step further and actually clear out your physical space, donating or giving away items that you’ve outgrown.

Family Samhain Ritual – Ancestor Night

This is something you can do either on your own or with family. Gather together old photos of your loved ones who have passed on and create an “ancestor altar”. Spend time in this space remembering and telling stories of those who have come before you. In my family, we are fortunate to have five living generations in the same city, so we have many many years of combined wisdom and stories to share at our gatherings. This is a wonderful time to do something thoughtful for the elders in your life. Honor them by allowing them to share their stories with you. Recognize the opportunity you have to get a first hand account of your family’s history and give it your full attention.

For more information about Samhain, including ways to celebrate, click here.