Whether well known. Or unknown.

 Whether it's a friend. Or a stranger.

Revealing true humanity to you.

listen while you read

Samhain

on an All Hallow's Eve

The end of harvest time, 

when Celts led their cattle 

down from their summer pastures. 

When sacred bonfires were set 

immensely alight, 

beneath the also burning stars,

to cleanse and protect.

A liminal time,

to cross, easily, 

to the Otherworld ~

and make way for the spirits, 

the fairies, the Aos Sí, 

to enter this one.

Bring their good fortune,

to farmers and crops,

livestock and lovers.

And receive in return

grateful offerings 

of food and drink. 

A hallowed time, 

when departed souls re~

visited their earthly homes 

seeking comfort. 

Long gone kin 

were beckoned and welcomed, 

to places set for them at tables

of the living, whose faces 

glowed in soft pools 

of waxing candle-light. 

When mumming and guising 

surprised the openers

of neighboring doors,

and people in costume ~

or full disguise ~ recited verses

to the ready lookers 

and listeners,

and left rewarded 

with bits of sweet

and other treats.

And many played games

with apples and hazelnuts

in the first-frosted Autumn air.

And all, all marked the turn 

toward solstice and winter; 

found solace 

in their deep rooted symbols, 

their comforting rituals.

Embraced the arriving

dark half of the year ~

and their spoken 

and silent passages 

through these realms 

of myth and mystery. 

a thought

We can each be a model,

a living, shining example,

of deeper humanness.

a QUESTION

What rituals have you been part of. Or what gestures were made toward you. Or toward another. That showed you what it means to be more truly, deeply human. How did it affect you at the time, and afterward? Or long since, in how you've lived, or now are living, your life.

one member said

"That stranger long ago who went so far out

of their way one day to help me.

I'll never forget their selfless kindness."

a call to experience

Join an ancient or old, traditional or other beautiful ritual. Or create one. With others. A ceremony or celebration of some meaningful kind, connecting everyone present more consciously to their human roots. Kind and loving roots. Maybe also to their roots in Nature, and most importantly, to each other; to everyone's pure spirits. Maybe like Americans on Independence Day, or the Celts on Samhain, or people everywhere and joyfully on birthdays ...