Beyond
the fun of candy, crafts and costume parties, October is a time to
honor Death. The last of this year's harvest is collected and by month's
end, whatever remains is left to die. Death and its role in our journey
through time is visible in October: seasonal flowers are spent, the
leaves drop off of trees and the green grasses of Summer shift to a
dormant brown. Nature is preparing for the "death" of Winter...
In modern times we celebrate a lighthearted Halloween but more traditionally, October 31st and November 1st are known as days when the veil between this world and the next are thin and the Souls of the departed wander the Earth. During this time, the breath of Death is believed to be close at hand and steps are taken to either trick Death away or treat Death with spoils to soften Her gaze or gentle Her grip.
This month, we take time to honor Death as both friend and foe - friend for claiming the bones of that which is spent, and foe for the same reason. We gratefully gather the third and final harvest of our year - the richest lessons we can reap in terms of our journey. This Third Harvest sustains us through the Winter. Then we gratefully hand the remains over to Death, to cycle out of our lives and become fertilizer for whatever we choose to bring in to our lives next. Without appreciating and harvesting the year's gifts that escaped Death's grip, there will be no room for next year's dreams.
To take advantage of October's reminder of Death's gifts and to set up a future of prosperity, unity, protection and blessings in your life:
In modern times we celebrate a lighthearted Halloween but more traditionally, October 31st and November 1st are known as days when the veil between this world and the next are thin and the Souls of the departed wander the Earth. During this time, the breath of Death is believed to be close at hand and steps are taken to either trick Death away or treat Death with spoils to soften Her gaze or gentle Her grip.
This month, we take time to honor Death as both friend and foe - friend for claiming the bones of that which is spent, and foe for the same reason. We gratefully gather the third and final harvest of our year - the richest lessons we can reap in terms of our journey. This Third Harvest sustains us through the Winter. Then we gratefully hand the remains over to Death, to cycle out of our lives and become fertilizer for whatever we choose to bring in to our lives next. Without appreciating and harvesting the year's gifts that escaped Death's grip, there will be no room for next year's dreams.
To take advantage of October's reminder of Death's gifts and to set up a future of prosperity, unity, protection and blessings in your life:
- Make time to honor your elderly, your ancestors and your beloved departed, for they commune in the Shadows. Consider setting up a special "Day of the Dead" altar or shrine in your home to show respect, appreciation and love to them. Some believe that during Halloween, those who dwell in the Shadows can see or influence your future and support you in achieving your dreams. Take advantage of this "window of opportunity" when the veils are thin and communication between you and those in the Shadows is more clear, to ask for support and offer gratitude.
- Collect your personal Third Harvest and make note of your prosperity from the year, perhaps financial but also in terms of your growth as a person. Recognize and appreciate that this harvest is Death's gift to you, for all things ultimately belong to Her.
- Build a fire and ceremonially throw into it the bones of all the things from your life that are spent and "dead." Write them on paper or burn some symbol of them so space can be made for what you choose to plant into your life come Spring. While you burn them, hold gratitude in your heart for all they gifted to your life.
