The Celtic year traditionally begins with Samhain (SOW-in) or Hallomas on November 1 (in the northern hemisphere). Those in the Catholic and numerous Protestant traditions are observing All Saints and All Souls Days.
Other cultures around the world celebrate similarly: Mexico’s Dio de las Muertas, Phillipines’ Undas, Haiti’s Fet Gede and India’s Pitru Paksha, to name a few of the many celebrations and observances throughout Latin American, Europe and Asia.
This is a sacred time for honoring our ancestors and departed dear ones, when altars are made and adorned with offerings for those who have crossed over, when special prayers and rituals offer us a moment to pause, sink into communal silence, and remember.
This is the time when the veils between the worlds are thinnest, thus it is a fertile time to pray for our departed loved ones. Our prayers are more likely to be heard and received. We are more likely to be open to accessing the sense of our dear ones’ presence.
When we were more in tune with the natural turning of the year, this was a moment to sense a fullness of the end of the harvest, to rest before we gear up for a big gathering to share the harvest: our barns were as full as they would be until our next growing season. Hopefully they were full enough to take us though a long winter, or else hopefully we had a community to hold us if we were more in need. And, today, we have a blessed reminder to remember this natural pause, this slowing and resting time. We may take time in the darker days to sense the fullness of love in our hearts as we begin to settle after the work of harvest. Just rest in this, and remember.
Our remembrance matters: Ancestors are our connection to our past, and their presence can support and encourage us. This remembrance can help us to see that we, too, are future ancestors. May this remembrance allow us to cultivate wisdom and skills so that we too may serve generations to come.
This celebration at this time of year serves to remind us to give thanks for those who have come before us.
(If you do not have cultural, religious or spiritual practices you follow, just listen to your heart and make up your own mantras, affirmations, prayers or rituals — don’t feel left out! Everyone is invited to remembrance.)
Suggestions for your ancestor altar:
- Gather photos of those loved ones who have crossed over: grandparents, parents, a spouse, dear friends, and other loved ones.
- If you don’t have printed photos, write their names or place a beloved object that they gave you or that reminds you of them. Be creative.
- Candles, flowers or evergreen boughs or leaves, an offering of food are all appropriate.
- What else do you feel called to place on your ancestor altar?
- Allow yourself some time to sit with your beloveds in remembrance.
If you can’t do this today, do it when you can. This is a season of remembrance; the particular day matters less.
Here is a photo of my ancestor altar this year: — see, very simple.
In terms of energy medicine and your chakras or energy centers, this practice generally supports balance through your whole energy system — particularly your Crown Chakra (opening to Source/God/ Spirit/LIGHT), your Root Chakra (family of origin, connection, DNA and your physical being), and your Heart Chakra (center of Love and Balance). If your spouse has crossed over, your Sacral Chakra (emotions, our closest partnerships, intimacy, creativity) may be more touched by this practice.
I send this note to you with gratitude and remembrance for our connection through and across time and space. Remember we are all more supported and loved than we usually know.
May you and everyone you love live at ease of heart with whatever comes to you in life.
LOVE
Elizabeth