In Pagan traditions, Halloween (also called Samhain) is the beginning of the Celtic new year – October 31. Traditionally, the night of All Hallow’s Eve is associated with celebrating the Ancestors and the night when the veils between our world and the Astral Plane are considered to be at their thinnest. Even in non-Pagan traditions, celebrations for All Soul’s Day, All Saint’s Day, and Dia de los Muertos are occurring at the same time. Going back to ancient times, the graves and final resting places of the dead would be decorated, including the favorite foods and objects of those who had passed, and families would spend a night (or several nights) in vigil at the burial place. Part of this was to honor the Ancestors and part of this was to appease the spirits of the dead so that they would not create negative energy, or even physical illnesses, in the living.
On these nights of worship and communion, we seek connection to our roots, our Ancestors – a remembrance, a glimpse, a whisper from those who have passed on. We honor their lives and gather in community to share and remember. We call out to the Goddesses of the Dead to grant us safe passage on these wild, magical nights and to perhaps allow messages through the veils. Our offerings recognize the Goddesses and our loved ones who have passed into the embrace of the Dark Mothers.
We will be gathering on the evening of 10/30/19 at 8pm eastern. How to join the call is in the online space when you register for free.
Join me for a magickal online Samhain celebration! We will offer up our prayers to the Ancestors, set intentions for the year coming, and sync with the Dark Mothers that reign over Autumn and Winter. If you cannot join the live call, there will be an archive available.
BLESSINGS OF THE ANCESTORS AND SAMHAIN!
xo Kimberly
The MotherHouse Samhain Altar:
