On Samhain, we honor ancestors for the gifts they gave us through their living and/or through their dying.
Many spiritual traditions honor ancestors on particular days. In Mexico, families honor ancestors on the Day of the Dead, In Japan, Buddhists enjoy visiting deceased relatives during the Obon Festival. Hindus acknowledge ancestors during Pitru Paksha, a longer festival over two weeks. Some Christians celebrate All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day on the two days following Samhain. A traditional Chinese festival called Qingming is also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day.
On October 31st those practising Earth based or Celtic spirituality celebrate Samhain. Pronounced “SahWn”, it is sometimes called Hallowe’en or All Hallows Eve. The veil between the physical world and the spiritual world is thinnest now, and that those who have transitioned from physical form are more accessible. On Samhain, we honor ancestors for the gifts they gave us through their living and/or through their dying.
I have a beautiful bowl full of carefully chosen stones. In my personal practice, each rock represents an individual or pet who has left her or his body, someone I have known, loved and lost. Since I have so many stones, I had to create a legend or key to keep track of which stone I originally intended for each person or pet. Samhain is one of those times of year (among others) when I pull my “ancestor rocks” out. I clean them by removing them, immersing them in salt water, and charging them in the sun.
I hold each stone to my heart and give thanks. Then I sing to each of them using the chorus from Gregory Norbet’s hymn, All I Ask of You. Norbet who was a Benedictine monk at Weston Priory in Vermont. This is a beautiful chant that I was privileged to learn, and that I love to sing several times until I feel myself remembering each one of my loved ones.
“All I ask of you is forever to remember me, as loving you. All I ask of you is forever to remember me, as loving you. All I ask of you is forever to remember me, as loving you. All I ask of you is forever to remember me, as loving you. All I ask of you …”
(Gregory Norbet, All I Ask of You. [MP3] From: Journeysongs Third Edition CD Library.)
If you choose to remember your loved ones who have transitioned by using this chant, you will experience heart-fullness. You will also experience the healing of yet another layer of grief. You can watch me teach and perform this ritual here:
Just a reminder regarding my book Another Spring: A Year of Self Therapy and Spiritual Practices for Every Woman:
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My publisher, Teena Clipston, says she will let you – (and other people wanting multiple Christmas or New Years or Birthday copies) – let you all grab the first copies before she even advertises that the book is available to the public. She asked me to let you know that she will send you the link as soon as it becomes available, if you are comfortable sharing your email address with her. Are you cool with this?I am currently collecting a list of people. Just email me your interest and permission, and I will make sure Teena knows about you.
In light,
Terry
