I have begun the process of remembering my dead.
Now, I remember my dead all the time. I think of my Nana, maybe not daily, but several times a week. I think of all of our dead, from Iraq soldiers to 9/11 victims to the collective beloved dead in public life. I honor Robert Altman and Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Walston and Thomas Jefferson.
But at Samhain, we gather our dead close to us and raise a toast to them, or share a meal with them, or break bread with them.
So now, in the days leading up to our most holy festival, is a time to meditate on your beloved dead. Who do you remember and what do you remember about them? How can you best enjoy your time with them when the veil is thinnest? Will you tell a story about them, or will you tell them a story about you? What foods might you prepare that were favorites of your departed? What drinks might you serve? What mementos might you gather for your ancestor altar.
A friend just sent me photographs of Gerald Gardner’s grave in Tunisia. These will certainly be a part of my ancestor altar. And some pictures I always bring out once a year; a picture of John and I together just days before he died, a lovely card that Scott Cunningham sent me, a picture of my grandfather I’ve treasured since I was a little girl. But now is a time to meditate on that altar, and think, what is meaningful to me now, today? What is my relationship with these people? Who belongs on that altar?
May these meditations be productive, and may your Samhain be blessed.
Very nice. I love traditional Mass on Nov 1, which is so fitting after Halloween. They definitely go together, as in a Hindu “death-into-life” thing, Nataraj-dancing, etc.
I wish we could blend the two traditions (Catholic and Wicca) even *more* than they already are; I love the idea of Mass as a sacrifice for the dead on All Saints Day and All Souls Day (Day of the dead), which is much more emphasized in South America than here. I go to a parish where parishioners still write the names of the dead in a book on the altar on Day of the Dead, really old Celtic/Eastern European stuff, the pagan antecedents have barely been touched!
Followed you over from Alas, and love your blog! 🙂 I’m a big religion junkie!
Welcome, Daisy!
OHH can I please have a copy of Gardner’s grave? Would you like a picture of Johnny?
Oh, a picture of Johnny would be lovely.
I’ll forward you the GBG pictures, and maybe I’ll publish one here on Samhain.
I’d love to see the pics of GBG’s grave, if possible.
As for your post, this is also something I’ve been thinking about lately. I guess it’s because it’s that time of year. But I also struggle with it a little. I’ve never known most members of my family beyond my parents and I’ve never really lost anyone close to me so thinking and talking about my ancestors is challenging.