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We have just celebrated the Autumn Equinox (Mabon) which marked the equal of day and night. A perfect balance when light and dark is equal when the divine masculine and divine feminine are in perfect balance. The last of the light evenings before the darkness becomes longer.
This isn’t a time to fear though it is a time to reflect as we move towards the next wheels turn on the 31st of October. For me it is marks the New Year, the new beginnings and is called Samhain (Sah-wen) you may better know it as Halloween.
Samhain
Samhain marks the final summers end, when Autumn moves away from warm reminders of summer evenings and into the colder winter nights. It is the time of the final harvest and when the darker evenings grow. It signals the entering into times of darkness.
This isn’t a time of endings though; it is time where all life begins. In the stillness, in the darkness, nestled in protective warmth. It is when the year’s work has been reaped and attention turns to preparing the soil for the time of birth in spring. When we find completion of work done and turn to contemplation as life retreats within. The page has been wiped clean and a blank one awaits to scribe upon for the year to come. It is a time of conception, a time to create, a time to prepare. A time when we celebrate our ancestors and those we have lost. A time of stories and celebration. A time to listen and learn so that the wisdom can be passed down and the lessons learnt.
Samhain is an important turn in the wheel of the year; a time when the veil between the past, the now and the yet to come thins. A time to honour our ancestors and our place upon the continual thread of heritage. We sit here and now with ancestors behind and descendants in front.
As old shares the wisdom with young spend a few moments contemplate that which lies hidden amongst the smoke and mirrors of the ancestral stories layered upon and carried through us. You are invited to be guided by the light of the future to connect with the wisdom of the past. Spiralling in and journeying to your centre; the place where the whispers of your ancestors lay. Become aware of your truth. In doing so you become awake, conscious, forgiving, grateful, taking your place on the line of heritage as a beneficial ancestor for descendants to come. You may want to record your thoughts and feelings or create a piece of writing use the prompt:
Lost Is Found, Hidden Becomes Uncovered
A Ritual for Samhain
Traditionally it is a time of feast and celebration. A coming together where each lights a torch from the Bone-fire (now known as bonfire). This was the fire from the bones of the animals slaughter for feasting and a communal fire. All household fires were extinguished and restarted from this fire. A time when ancestors were remembered and honoured often seeking guidance and wisdom from their stories or whispers.
Light a candle, firepit or bonfire and gather family and friends. Spend time telling stories remembered of your ancestors and stories told by them. You could always spend some time researching an ancestor you don’t know much about before and tell their story.
As a Pagan I spent the day of Samhain celebrating with my family and connecting to nature and our ancestors. We spend time together and have fun carving pumpkins, making masks, baking soul cakes and so much more. You can find out more in my early years children’s book; Little Moon’s Samhain Adventure join the wait list here.
Later in the month I will be sharing a bit more about the characters, folklore, legends and myths of the Samhain festival.
Nixie is a Storyteller and Moon Cycle Specialist helping women become empowered through unlocking their voice.
A weaver of words following the ancient tradition of sharing knowledge from woman to woman, mother to daughter, wise-woman to maiden. Clearing the path for your voice to be heard.
She is a solo parent to a young son and knows how chaotic and overwhelming mum life can be.
Bringing her skills to you from moon powered journals for women to early years children books she shares her knowledge, gifts and talents to create a tribe of empowered women and supported mothers.