Samhain -time of endings, grief and love

This post was written in pieces
over time,
just like our lives. 

Now is the longest dark.
Trusting always 
that the light returns,
we are always 
changed by this season
of endings.

Snow now as our constant landscape,
the endless white blankness
of silence.

Cold winds blow
only the oaks and the willow still have leaves
strong and flexible
seem to be the message

releasing 
what is no longer needed
or wanted
whether we want to or not
it will happen
and we have to let go

 

there are not enough tears for this season
and yet
the beauty 
of the dawn,
the first snows and frozen well,
the gardens bare 
except for some seed pods and golden grasses,
the shriveled pumpkins and dried stalks,
robins feasting on holly berries in the waning sunlight,
the glowing wood stove
fill the silent spirit of Winter.  

deep slow breaths

it was a wonderful ritual 
that neither words nor pictures can capture
but here are some of each from then:

us
Samantha
Elaine, Francis, & Ruby
Carol
Elizabeth & Katrina
Mary Jane
Emmallyea & Catherine
Lily
Cal 
and after everyone left Nicci & Bruce

home & reverent
for days/weeks/months/years
but this past week
these days home
or not traveling
but so filled
like each of the days
layered and tumbled together

offerings each evening
plates for those who travel through
wanderers from the other side
may none go hungry
as they go home

staying rooted and grounded
as we allow
that energy to pass by
akido-style

cat pumpkin
 carve outs
 for the directions

Sun rises no longer due East
but the Moon does
for New Energy & Inspiration
Sun light in the West
for the introspective time
Triskelion carved pumpkin in the South
all the emotions
the flooding & flow
environmental lessons & pain
sorrow & grief
welcome
in the North
place of Healing &Winter Winds
please be gentle with us
the Earthly Plane

Triskelion up & down
Cat figure for the center
the Interdimensional Plane

Many flowers
so many flowers

Summer's end
a good season
a good year
even with so much strife
so good to see
each other
still here

ginger leaf wreath
for the tree
Katrina going around
so hung on a branch
and then it balancing
and bending into the fire
catching onto metal
and then the corn plant
bending down to that

praying for days
ritual as closing the door

bone-fire

how to maintain the sacred
the silence
the stillness 
of balance

not addressing directly 
the global devastation
the sadness and grief and loss
the manufactured tragedy
generating gratitude
but never enough

this life is fragile
but we are strong
staying in community

growing potatoes for the outsiders
greed & lawlessness & ill-health & fear
trouble us not 

transitional sprites passing through

the energy down deep
down below
coming up/drawing up
and mixing with 
the energy from the sky
from above
mixing together in our body
strength

the snoring dog/drone meditation
better than a didgeridoo
better than a shruti box
-good laughter-
om

  

 

parking lot & bathroom
potential 
congestion

making sure everyone feels welcome
and safe
and stays reverently focused

gratitude for all our ancestors
I can only name
as far back
as my grandparents
but there are so many more
 unknown yet acknowledged 

prayers for safety and security
may all who are hungry
be fed

allow us to feel our sorrow & grief
without collapse

 

let us not be destroyed by the disruption
our ancestors were strong
which is why
we are here
let us, too, be strong

full moon now
2 days later
we have passed thru
somewhat

 trying not to be afraid
is a bit easier
when the ancestors
are at your back 

our Omens

From our Beloved Ancestors we receive the gift of Thurisaz- thorn/protection
From the Spirits of Nature & Place we receive the gift of Fehu- fee/what things cost/honest wealth
From the Gods & Goddesses we receive the gift of Ehwaz- the horse and rider/partnership
For the Season we receive the gift of Hagal- hail/disruption/transformation