Musings from my Samhain celebration.
(Image description: A photo of a light-skinned hand holding a yellow fallen leaf, with a heart shaped hole in the middle of it. Other yellow leaves are seen on the ground and among the trees in a forest.) Credit: Photo by Anthony Intraversato on Unsplash
The wheel has turned again, and winter seems to be making itself known this Samhain. From what I can remember, the past Samhain seasons have been on the milder side. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case this year. Summer’s end was apparent with weather that called for bundling up.
In a way, I feel like I’m still winding down from my long trip, and that calls for stretching Samhain observances out through the first part of November. The astronomical midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice falls on the 7th, so I have some time to do this.
As usual, I’m tending the flame during this fire festival season. I kept the offerings simple with some patchouli incense, water, and flame. I plan to give offerings to Nodens soon, in return for offering His part in the reading. I also wrote a poem to Brighid, shown below. It very much reflects how things have changed since Samhain a year ago.
A Pierced Heart
A year passed,
one form of grieving
traded for another.
This battlefield has no spears
nor arrows, yet my heart
is pierced still.
The lows traded
for the highs, then
understanding is aflame.
Trade certainties for what-ifs,
day in and
day out.
Is there a sacredness
in I don’t know, a holy pilgrimage
of hope and best efforts in uncertainty?
Be at my side, O Comforter.
Afterward, I did my quarterly reading from now until Imbolc and received Úr, Sail, and Ailm. These letters indicate general introspection, but I think it strongly leans toward grief work. I feel I have been passive in dealing with the after-effects from the loss of a pet and a parent, and my deities are showing that I need to work on that matter. As time goes by, I figure I will have more clarity as to what else it could mean.
Ironically, this coincides with a book I’ve been meaning to read for myself and as a possible resource for Clann Bhríde. The book is A Celtic Book of Dying: The Path of Love in the Time of Transition by Phyllida Anam-Aire. From a cursory glance, the book may have some issues, but it could also provide some healing nourishment. We’ll see how things go.
For the time being, I wish you bright blessings in the sacred darkness!
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