October, Stars and Bonfires
October, a time of mist and magic, silvery shrouds of spiderwebs shivering and sparkling in the sweet sun. Sun sinks and shadows stretch. The balance has tipped from day to night, to bonfires and stars. Now is the time to gather close, keep warm, swap stories and sit in front of the fire.
October Trees
So often we think that the light slipping away is a time for mourning and yet there is great beauty at this time of year with leaves in russets, pinks, golds, orange, red yellow trees shimmering before their leaves finally shake free spiralling to earth.
Seed Fall
The Celts called this time of year 'Seed Fall' so it is a time of abundance of planting seeds that sleep in the sweet Earth until Springtime. Halloween derives from Hallows Eve the night before All Saints Day in the Christian Calendar. The evening before the day being a blessed time, like Christmas Eve. This originates from pre Christian times. Hallows Eve originates from Samhain the celebration of The Ancestors and the Spirits. It is a time when the veil between the worlds, the Victorians believed, was at its thinest when offerings were made with blessings for the dearly departed as well as in thanks to the Spirit World and the Gods. It is a festival of light.
Day of the Dead
Across the other side of the World the Mexicans celebrate the Day Of The Dead on 1st November, which of course starts the previous evening. They honour their ancestors and go to the cemeteries where loved ones are laid to rest bringing picnics to share with the deceased.
Samhain
Samhain is a Blessed time, not as so often promoted as a time for evil and fright. Here at Jack-In-The Green we built a Crow, he carries some bones as a reminder we will all go back to the Earth. Crow to me is a bird of wisdom and transformation.
I also made a living shrine dedicated to Samhain that you can see in the photo above. If you are inspired to make your own miniature or fairy garden or living shrine there are lots of treasures in the shop.
We celebrate the Light.