All Souls' Day

"We here can help and work not only for those on earth, but also for the dead,

through the life-filled, spirit-filled thoughts that we bring to them." ~ Rudolf Steiner

 

Today we have transformed our seasonal table into a bit of an alter, if you will. Today is All Souls' Day or in some Latin countries, Dia de los Muertos. There are many traditions one could bring into their family culture from either celebration history. They are both rich and full with color, food, family, celebration, joy. On this day it is said that the veil between life on this Earth and those who have transitioned is thinner, thus making it possible to welcome home those who have left.....if only for a brief time.

 

 

 

Over the last few years, we have said Good Night to many of our loved ones. With children at an age where they are aware of what it means to die, as a parent, it has been so important to communicate as tenderly as I can so as to assure my children, help them to cope and understand that even though dying isn't something we wish for, it doesn't have to be scary. I've always tried to encourage them to hold on to the vision that death is just a shedding of this physical body, much like a caterpillar. We shed our bodies and transform into something so beautiful.......something we'd never even dreamed of. A complete transformation form this body that walks up right to something that will free us from any limitations; like the caterpillar turns into a butterfly. At one time it was captive to its land bound body and now flies freely to where ever it's heart wishes. I highly recommend this lovely book that we have read to our children when a loved one has crossed through the veil: Waterbugs & Dragonflies

 

 

 

In remembrance of those who we have known and love deeply and in honor of those who we don't know but have been effected in some way by their life and death we have made a strand of marigolds. We've made them in two different ways to bring awareness to the different way we love people and celebrate their lives.

 

 

We have added some photos of our loved ones to our nature table today and are leaving a candle lit to hold them in reverence. Such simple additions yet it changes the feeling of our nature table from being a beautiful table to honor the life and seasons around us to all of that but then so much more. Seeing the faces and smiles of our loved ones in such a hallowed place.......it's quite profound. The littles have really enjoyed hearing stories of these faces and learning of their connection to them. They love them even though some of them they have never met on this plane. I can only hope that they have been visited by these beautiful souls in their dreams........maybe after seeing them today, they will!

 

 

Will you celebrate the lives of those who have left this Earth? Will you laugh and be joyful for the life that was shared? Will you gather with family and friends and tell stories and eat good food? How do you remember the lives of those who you might be missing today?

 

"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." ~ Rabindranath Tagore

 

 

 

*shared on:: The Magic Onions