The veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. With the Sun in Scorpio and the Moon transiting there soon as well, this is one of the most potent spiritual times of the year.
The Day of the Dead, also known as All Souls Day, is celebrated across cultures with varying traditions honored by Roman Catholics and Pagans alike. From Ireland to Mexico to the islands of the Philippines, this window of time is celebrated with feasting, altars, and revelry.
The Day of the Dead isn’t a day of mourning but of remembrance. Many view it as a family reunion as our ninuno’s are able to travel back through the veil and sit with us again. Their presence on our altars is like a lighthouse, inviting them to join us and this is why ancestral altars or offrendas are a central element to the Day of the Dead. Wanting to join the fun but not sure how to create your own traditions? Here are a few ideas to help!
Create an Ancestor Altar: Cleanse and set aside a sacred space. You can mark this space with the elements, crystals, or an altar cloth. Add photos of your ancestors or other totems to represent their time on earth. In Filipino culture, we believe our ninuño carry influence in the Spirit World and can make requests on our behalf. They can interfere with human life and help usher our soul home when it takes to the Spirit world in dreams or illness.
Dancing and Music Making: The invitation for Spirit to join us is meant to be a joyous one! One recollection from the Filipino All Souls Day told the story of the authors father-in-law who traveled 10 hours to their families graves where they would stay all night. After cleaning their graves, they’d put out candles and a picnic, staying all night with music and laughter in the air.
Bonfire: Just as music and an altar space are meant to invite your ancestors to the party, so too are bonfires! Their light is a signal to those on the Spirit side while the flames offer protection to those who gather around it. Celtic tradition has the Druids and Witches lighting the village's communal fire, while all the other hearth fires were to be extinguished. This was an act of community, meant to draw people from mourning in their homes and to instead join in the remembrance with their people.
Costumes and Masks: With the veil thin, the worlds between the living and the dead become one. Celts would often don masks and costumes meant to disguise them as Evil Spirits. This would allow them safe passage through the night, as they believed the other Spirits wouldn’t harm them if they were one of them.
Nature Walks: Today is a wonderful day to connect with earths energy as it shared with Spirit in a different, more potent way. Walking amongst the trees is a beautiful way to walk with your ancestors. Take note of the changing seasons and the beauty in the turning of cycles. We all have our own seasons in life that must give way to the next and taking this time in meditation and gratitude is a wonderful way to the honor this magical time.
Simmer Pots, Spells, and Readings.. OH MY!: Connect with your practices in ways that feel good to you. Whether that’s adorning spell candles, creating a simmer pot on your stove, or doing a reading for yourself to connect to your ancestors guidance. Today, magic is milling about in everything we do. Take advantage of it!
From us on the Swamp, we are wishing you a Blessed Samhain! Check out our TikTok as we built our first official offrenda to call in our ancestors!
Comments