Blessed Be
the comforting sigh as this dream of life flies by.
Harvest's Complete
"Samhain" is the Gaelic word for November, the beginning of the Celtic year. The evening before is "Oidhche Shamhna"~a gap in time~through which 'spirits' from other-worlds can enter. In many homes, a "seomra thiar"~room
to the West~is kept, sometimes just a place, where objects
that remind one of the departed are kept.
Rituals include providing hospitality to ancestors
with food and drink.
Windows and doors are lit and left open for the dead to enter. but all spirits from the other-worlds are not beneficent.
To keep evil ones away, carved images of spirit-guardians on turnips~pumpkins today~are placed at the doors.
Folks wear costumes, and walk about like dead spirits.
"Death is never very far away, yet to die is not a tragedy. What is of great importance is to die with honor, to live in the memory of the clan, and be honored at the "Fleadh nan Mairbh"~the feast of the dead~on Samhain eve. Ancients believed that on this eve not only did the boundary between this world and the others dissolve, but that the entire structure of society dissolved as well."
Considering the current condition of society, this might be a blessing in disguise.
Folks wear costumes, and walk about like dead spirits.
"Death is never very far away, yet to die is not a tragedy. What is of great importance is to die with honor, to live in the memory of the clan, and be honored at the "Fleadh nan Mairbh"~the feast of the dead~on Samhain eve. Ancients believed that on this eve not only did the boundary between this world and the others dissolve, but that the entire structure of society dissolved as well."
Considering the current condition of society, this might be a blessing in disguise.
"Eve" Of All Hallows
Abandoned when I flew to Utah back in October 2012, escaping literal darkness plunged into after "Sandy" struck, then neglected in the rush and tumble of just going somehow.
Resurrected once more, and soon to receive some serious attention.
Resurrected once more, and soon to receive some serious attention.
2 comments:
what a great post. i thoroughly enjoyed reading about this day. also loved your stitching.
So good to see your beautiful "Eve" of All Hallows again Michelle, I love how she celebrates the city life!
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