On the threshold

On Tuesday, I went to a meeting of our local women’s interfaith group. The talk was to be given by two women who follow a pagan path, and was arranged because of the date’s proximity to today’s festival of Samhain.

Alas, the elements took rather too seriously this gateway into winter, and threw a heavy blizzard at us, which lasted for hours. It left several inches of snow frozen on the ground in places for a day afterwards. (Bear in mind that we live in the South-East of England. Snow in October is almost unheard of.)

Our wise group leader sent us home after a brief gathering, because driving was treacherous and some had a journey ahead along narrow country lanes. I was sorry that these women had to postpone the words they were going to share with us, but I also  enjoyed this reminder that nature is powerful, and it seemed a fitting introduction to this trinity of days: Samhain (Hallowe’en), All Saints and All Souls.

Now is the time when we remember our beloved dead, and the veil between the worlds thins. Jan Richardson speaks beautifully of this gathering of spirits in a recent post which you can read here.

In Celtic and pagan spirituality, Samhain is the ending of the year and tomorrow, 1st November, is the start of the new year. In some ways perhaps this seems strange, as in the northern hemisphere the earth sinks into winter. But what better way to start a period of growth than with a time of reflection and introspection? I also celebrate today as the end of the old year, and it feels right to me.

As we draw upon this sanctuary of quiet, the earth takes a deep breath before spring growth starts again. After the trick or treaters have come and gone, I’m going to mark Samhain tonight with a meditation on those who have gone before me, and what has happened this past year. At midnight I shall light my new year candle, which I keep wrapped and apart just for this special night.

I like these words by Caitlin Matthews from Celtic Devotional, which she calls Song of Samhain:

I am the hallow-tide of all souls passing,
I am the bright releaser of all pain,
I am the quickener of the fallen seed-case,
I am the glance of snow, the strike of rain.
I am the hollow of the winter twilight,
I am the hearth-fire and the welcome bread,
I am the curtained awning of the pillow,
I am unending wisdom’s golden thread.

Samhain blessings to you all.

PS: Look out for my Dia de los Muertes post over on my other blog,
Pilgrim’s Moon, on Sunday.