Making Peace with Death
Samhain & Dia de los Muertos rituals and crafts
Celebrated on October 31, Samhain, pronounced “Sow-in” means “summer’s end” in Gaelic. It is the third and final harvest of gourds, corn, and pomegranates. It is known as the Witches’ New Year because life begins in the dark womb and soil. It is considered the twilight of the year, when the veil is thin between the worlds, and we can communicate more clearly with the spiritual realms.
On November 1, we celebrate Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican tradition that celebrates our beloved ones who have passed. Marigolds are sprinkled from gravesite to the celebration to guide our ancestors back to their family. It is a joyous time of remembrance, a revelry of a family-centric love, music, dancing, and the most delicious food ever.
As the nights grow longer, the Great Mother Goddess guides us to trust the mysterious unfolding of your life. The Greek Goddess Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld, walks beside us now. With her presence as a sovereign, self-governing woman in the land of the dead, we have the support we need to face death as part of nature. Read about the Kore Persephone myth and her connection to the pomegranate in my post Healing the Perfect Daughter’s Curse.
