I have always loved Autumn and her glorious colours as the season softens the brightness of the sun, and shifts down into a more introspective time of the year.
I think its reasonable to assume that all human cultures worldwide recognise the natural cycle of the year and mark it in some way with their own traditions and ceremonies .. some passed down over the millennia as verbal folk lore or in the form of art and script. Many rituals have been adopted by the religions which followed, overlaying former practices, absorbing them and claiming the dates as their own. It intrigues me that so many of our observances remain remarkably similar, given the hundreds of migration journeys of people from their roots and all the different influences that have been brought to bear as different cultures and belief systems have held power, intermingled, shared ideas and come and gone over thousands of years.
It seems to suit the way our human brains function to represent information using symbols and metaphors to help preserve and tell stories, creating a common understanding of the morals and messages being passed on.
So it comes as no surprise that Samhain has become popularised as Halloween in the modern day with reference to portals, trickstery entities coming through from other worlds and the use of protection rituals and treats to appease them. I like to see families with children out and about having fun but wish that today's celebrations contained less plastic, wasteful practices and blatant commercialism
For me Samhain has a deeper meaning more congruent with following nature's annual cycle. In pre Christian eras it is a festival period thought to represent 'Celtic' New Year for our spiritually animistic ancestors. Exact dates are uncertain .. October 31st is commonly used if following the Gregorian Calendar (which didn't exist until 1542) or if using the partial remains of the Coligny Calendar unearthed in the CE second century, the date of Samhain would be calculated as the 2nd New Moon following the previous (autumn) equinox. Others may work with other lunar, solar or other astrological calculations and none can claim to be wholly right or wrong. I think there is room for all viewpoints simply because natural change in the seasons doesn't just 'happen' on one single day of the year. Seasons flow in and out depending on so many varying factors and for our forebears, considering when to celebrate must have depended on taking into account what other circumstances were at play. Whether the preceding weather had produced plentiful harvests, how well it had been gathered and stored to provide over winter, how secure homes and lands were from invaders, how healthy and able were the members of community groups. Perhaps signs were read each year to decide the most auspicious times to celebrate .. perhaps celebrations were spread over several days and locations to allow communities to travel and enjoys each others hospitality.
I now tend to spread my actions over several days depending on my intentions and how I feel. This year I have felt the need to effect some clear endings and let go of social media connections and a couple of group memberships that no longer meet my needs. While grateful for everything that those situations have taught me it has become time to let them go, rest, reflect and make space for new things to germinate and possibly bear fruit in the future. As the days shorten I anticipate spending more time indoors and cosy-ing down for the winter. In days gone by it might have been time spent crafting and story telling, nurturing family and neighbourly relationships. Exchanging tales and honouring the memory of ancestors recently or long departed. For me it is a good time to reflect on where I come from and those that went before .. the veil between us and other places definitely feels thinner to me at this time of year. Remembering and venerating the 4 significant others - a dear friend and family members who all signed off this earthly adventure within the same fortnight 11 years ago.
I have actively harvested and stored fruits and herbs from late summer so that I can keep herbal teas and cough remedies going over the dreary months ahead. I made my next batch of jellies ..apples, quince and nasturtuims in the preserving pan this week, and had fun at a small group meeting making 'protective talismans ' to hang on our doors should there be unwelcome spirits walking our way. As our predecessors likely would have done.
New ventures include continuing to build this website and our zero waste shop site to compensate for leaving social media. I have written my first post for Substack .. not at all on a topic I would have anticipated! And I am delighted to have received my copy of Sam MacLaren's long awaited book .. auspiciously available to purchase since October 31st. Hooked from page one it is living up to expectations.
I intend to walk more with others during the next few months and write more stories about whatever comes forward asking to be told. Season acknowledged, appreciated and intentions set.
However you choose to spend your time .. Love and the Blessings of the Season to you all
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