Time for Samhain celebrating!

 

Early colors next to the parking lot at the apartment.

Taken Oct 14, 2023

Samhain as it's celebrated around the world wherever there's a bit of the old agricultural year folding up it's tools, putting them carefully in the shed (oil on the metal blades I wonder?) Time for gathering together with friends and family to enjoy the many wonderful fall crops. And time for those with skills to put away canned goods to see you through the winter until spring crops come through with some more food. Freezers help the modern persons related to squirrels. We humans gather for thanks-giving, first in October in Canada, then more than a month later in the US.

It's a time of bounty.

But before thanks is given, and after the crops have all been harvested, there's a time of rituals of rest and remembrance. It's carried by some cultures as a day to remember the ancestors, Dia de los Muertos, or All souls Day.

Samhain also represents the new year to old cultures. Not only recognition of those who have gone before us, but telling stories, looking to the winter hours of darkness that will provide dreams, more story telling, and somewhat tightening of the belts. In the old agricultural families daily there won't be as much physical labor being done, but rather craftsmanship can come to the fore. Wood working, fabric weaving, knitting of woolen things to wear in the cold weather, making pottery even.

And did I mention the fires? Sitting in circle around a fire has become a bit more common in our times with fire circles in many a back yard. So we know how wonderful it feels to stare into the embers, smell that smoke that sometimes blows in your direction, and share with each other whatever is important at that time. Or just have silence.

Another interesting thing about Samhain is that it's a time for new intentions to be declared. Letting go of what was worked with for the last 13 moons...and considering thoughtfully what a person wants to go towards!

Sometimes writing it down is a good idea. And then hiding it away until next Samhain, when it can be brought out and weighed...did that continue to be important, or did you let it go.

For me, I can just look back at last year's blogs, and remember what was happening at that time.

 

Here's a fun witches dance, my favorite! Thanks for the link Suzanne!

Have a jolly laugh!!

Duane Bryers painted many different seasonal pictures of this lovely impish lady, known as Hilda, and usually very scantily clad.

My question about him, is he related to the ice cream Bryers?

Today's quote: (which had nothing to do with the illustration)

Choosing to have joy is not naively thinking everything will be easy. It is courageously believing that there is still hope, even when things get hard.

MORGAN HARPER NICHOLS