The Festivities of Halloween, Samhain, and Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos)!!!!!

Well, I have expressed the sentiment before but I would like to express it again,… Having Octavia, my 2 year old has really brought it to the forefront of my mind how much our Western and American holidays are really just modern Pagan and Egyptian holidays that celebrate nature and the course of the Sun through our solar system.

Halloween or Samhain fall right in between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice and mark the end of the Fall Harvest Season, and the ongoing descent into the darkest time of year! Think all of the Grim Reapers with their scythes.

Samhain is a Gaelic Holiday that traditionally starts the evening of October 31st and goes through the evening of November 1st! It is a time where the atmosphere is in a liminal state and it is said that spirits can more easily pass thorough and our ancestors are more likely to make contact with us! Often people would leave food and offerings outside for these spirits to ensure that the livestock and people would survive the cold of the winter. In this liminal state the souls of the ancestors were thought to visit home, seeking refuge and hospitality so feasts were held and place mats were set for them! Mumming and guising (essentially theatrical plays and costumes) were performed from house to house in exchange for offerings. And it was believed that people dressed in costume to disguise themselves from unwanted spirits!

Now, that sounds like Trick or Treating huh?!!! Well, in the 9th Century AD, All Saints Day on November 1st and, All Souls Day on November 2nd. And through time Samhain, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Days merged together to become our modern, abrahadabra, Ta da, Halloween!

I’m Mexican culture they celebrate Dia De Los Muertos, otherwise known as Day of the Dead! This holiday goes from October 31st to November 2nd! It is celebrated by having families come together in gatherings to pray for and celebrate both friends and family members who have passed on. There are traditional dishes, and special altars (ofrendas) made to commemorate those who have passed away. Pictures of those who have passed are left on the altars along with offerings of their favorite foods and belongings! Also, people will leave offerings at grave sites and memorials as well. Sugar skulls and elaborate make up which represents the beauty of skulls and bones is a way that Day of the Dead is also celebrated and decorated! Them modern DreamWorks Cartoon, Coco is a nice look at the traditions of The Day of the Dead.

Well, with all of this being said I have had an incredible time with all of this “Halloween Stuff!”, as Octavia likes to put it! Let the festivities of Dia De Los Muertos begin!!! Octavia and I will be heading down to Old Town to celebrate this evening. She will be all Harry Potter, and me, I will be her occultist, witchy, mommy! I’m really sad to be nearing the end of the spooky season… And in the words of Ministry, I too wish every day was Halloween! Hit me up if you want some Traditional Divination! Mwah!

In Service and Light,

Bianca

619-929-4092

http://www.bohemiantarot.com