This weekend we celebrated Halloween, also known as All Hallow’s Eve, or Samhain. For my children, it was very exciting to dress up, and go from house to house collecting candy and goodies. We didn’t see many trick or treaters at our house this year…it was windy and rainy.
For me, though, the highlight of the celebrations was remembering the dead, the loved ones who have past this year. My favorite grandmother graduated last spring. In meditation at one celebration that I went to, we visited with loved ones who had passed on. I saw my grandmother as a young woman, on the arm of my grandfather, who passed many years before her. Both were smiling and laughing, and clearly very happy to be reunited.
After the trick or treating, we went to a bonfire at a local park. We offered sticks tied with scraps of cloth to the fire in honor of our ancestors and in memory of those who passed this year.
It’s no coincidence that we honor veterans at this time of the year, with Veteran’s Day in the US and Remembrance Day in Canada. Many cultures around the world honor their dead at this time of year, when the Earth around us seems to be dying as well. This is the time of year when the veil between the worlds is thinnest, and we are most likely to be able to reach our loved ones with our thoughts and memories.
Remember them. Honor them. Then let them go in peace with love. I love you, Grandma!
Blessings,
Mary