I had this thought today, and it had not quite crossed my mind before. It seems like a mass number of people are really embracing Halloween. Maybe this has always been the case and I am just now seeing it on social media and the like, but it certainly has permeated the social media platforms. And why not? Halloween is fun, it’s spooky, it gives us joy, but also frightens and entices. No other holiday is quite like it, and it is very unique.
For that reason, I was thinking more about this holiday and the implications behind it. Originally, celebrated as Samhain (pronounced Sow-when) many things that we decorate our houses with (pumpkins, witch brooms, skeletons, and the like) are directly taken from this Celt/neo-Pagan tradition. As someone who celebrates this to its fullest extent, I find this time of year to be very reflective. It is a time of harvest, at time of getting prepared for the ‘darker half’ of the year, and we certainly feel this leading up to October 31st both in the weather, and in other ways as well.
The thinning of the veil is supposed to occur at this time, and The Day of the Dead is also celebrated on these days as well, but with different implications. Originally a Mexican holiday/tradition they focus more on the dead and your ancestors. Often praising them, and visiting with them they take time out of their day between October 31st and November 1st to honor those that have passed and say hello.
Before this year, I looked at the thinning of the veil as an energy charged time. I am after all a Scorpio so this time of year, even though it is getting cold, usually makes me want to adventure and energizes me to get things done. And usually my mom and I go on the 31st to a seance held in a neighboring town to maybe connect with those that have passed on. This year however, we are taking the party down south to New Orleans to celebrate Halloween for the whole week. And what better place to do it then an area rife with voodoo mysticism and those that absolutely believe in the thinning of the veil.
I am not sure what my trip holds for me this Halloween, but I am of the mind set that while Halloween is fun, that we need to be more mindful of traditions that long predate all of us. In other words, I encourage you to say hello to those that have passed on, because this might be the time of the year that they can hear you. Is this true? I’m not sure, but it never hurts to honor those that came before you and be humble in an experience that is full of energy, tradition, and history. I think we need more reminders of where we have come from, so we know the best footsteps going forward.
Shay's Place 