All Souls Night
When moving countries, I managed to lose some of my original country traditions. For some disappearances I’m grateful (for example. spanking children), some I miss from day one (my language and many puns you can easily do with it). Some customs and traditions I began to miss with time.
So as I’m coming into my fifth year living in the UK I would like to reintroduce some back into my life. Today, I will share about Dusicky (Samhain, All souls day, Rememberance day) and what is my own take on it. I’m no expert, so as always - I’m inviting you to take what is useful and spit the rest.
All Souls' Day from the Christian tradition is observed on 2 November - it follows after All Saints' Day (1 November) and All Hallows' Eve (31 October). Through prayer, intercessions, alms and visits to cemeteries, people commemorate the poor souls in purgatory and give the departed their favorite indulgences.
Samhain from the Celtic pagan tradition is a festival marking the end of the harvest season and begining of winter or the “darker half of the year“ celebrated from 31st October to 1st November (Celtic day begin and end at sunset.) This day is about halfway between the autumnal equinox (21st September) and winter solstice (21st December). More on this here.
Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos - is a Mexican holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. Family and friends gather to pay respects and remember friends and family members who have died. These celebrations often take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember amusing events and anecdotes about the departed.
For me, Dusicky has always been a time to notice the change of seasons, dying amber leaves, cold reaching under my coat into my bones, some melancholy and a visit of a cemetery, where I would light a candle and remember those who are not with us any more.
This year, I’m offering this 3 questions activity below.
You might not want to think about it at all, you might want to look into it by yourself, you might want to reflect in a small group of friends. Feel free to use this prompt as you like.
Questions to ponder:
Who are the people who you have said goodbye (or not said goodbye properly?) within the last 12 months? (You can extend the timeframe if you like.)
What is your memory of them? One or two stories, moments… Might be a highlight, but you might have a memory of low point as well.
What are the qualities this person held you want to integrate into your life?
I hope you will create a space for yourself to pause, reflect, think, feel, grief, share, rejoice…
I’ll leave you with one of my favourite Loreena’s song.
Standing on the bridge that crosses
The river that goes out to the sea
The wind is full of a thousand voices
They pass by the bridge and meI can see the lights in the distance
Trembling in the dark cloak of night
Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing
A waltz on All Souls NightLoreena Mckennitt