Samhain (Halloween) has often been a time of change for me, to face hard truths and to let go of what needs to be released. In previous Octobers, I've ended relationships, moved house, changed jobs. And this year again, I have faced a difficult personal decision. Perhaps it's because the darker evenings invite more introspection, because Summer is simply too busy, too heady and frenetic to reflect. Summer is for doing, Autumn and Winter are for being.
In slowing down, I am still long enough to hear a call to sweep clean with a metaphorical broom, to make space and let die what no longer serves or supports me. Easy to say and type, often heart breaking and uprooting in reality. Right now both grief and gossamer threads of relief are dancing in and out like swirling leaves caught by the wind, winding around each other touching and parting. Lonely as this path feels, I trust that I am walking in the right direction finally, after many switch backs and what has felt like walking aimlessly in circles for too long. One day, one step at a time.
All Souls Day - traditionally a time to remember those who have passed. I am holding close to my heart, my loved ones who are no longer in their earthly form. October is Molly's (my soul dog) birthday, now her heavenly birthday. And I feel her presence always, little reminders and signs appear on our woodland walks in the form of tiny white feathers, velvety soft like her ears. I sense curled up body behind me as I cook, and in those moments when I’m completely absorbed in handling a hot baking tray I still step back tentatively careful not to step on her white bushy tail. There are other places where I feel her presence so strongly I my hand reaches out reflexively to touch her.
These places are thin places to me - where the boundary or veil between our world and the other world are more permeable. According to Kerri Ní Dochartaigh author of Thin Places (a memoir), “Heaven and earth, the Celtic saying goes, are only three feet apart, but in thin places that distance is even shorter. They are places that make us feel something larger than ourselves, as though we are held in a place between worlds, beyond experience”. Thin places are defined in this book as being “both hollowed and hallowed all in one.” She continues, “The places watch as we lose our way, as we are sent away, as we run away; they wait in stillness for us to find our way back.”
I plan on visiting our favourite coastal walk and lighting a candle on 31st October for each soul I miss dearly and the evening gazing into a fire, under stars thinking of them, leaning into their presence at my back - loving, supportive.
In the ancient Celtic World, Samhain was the end of the year and with that, a new beginning unfolds. I prefer this to the jarring “fresh start” heralded by January when I am deep in hibernation mode. I will set my new year’s intentions on 1st November too, it feels more gentle than January. It feels good to shrug off the pressure of doing “all the things” in January, when I prefer to adopt a fallow approach.
How would you like to honour Samhain this year? I invite you to spend a little time mulling this over and do one thing to mark the occasion and connect to natural endings and new beginnings.
Here’s to the journey as we go inward… Oíche Shamhna shíochánta duit,
Maeve x
PS. Here is a few resources I’ve created and curated over the years that you might also enjoy:
Samhain Celebrations -a blog about the traditions of the season and some ways that might inspire you to honour the festival
Samhain Rituals - a blog with a few more ideas you might like to try
The origins of Hallowe'en - Playback podcast with Kevin C. Olohan, absolutely fascinating!
My Homemade Lemsip Recipe (perfect for sipping by the fire)
