Samhain. What's everyone doing?

[expatinscotland]

Will hopefully spend most of the day outside.

[Mercy]

whoops!

Halloween

Has some basic facts for children at least

[SamhainWitch]

"To meet a witch, put your clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night."


Snort - you could just try knocking on my door, it's a lot easier

[expatinscotland]

, california! Yes, that, too.

DD1 has gotten into the habit of having a private rustle in Mummy's drawers at every given opportunity.

[Mercy]

Mirage, what's the significance of the squashes and the chillies? Is that a combination of Harvest Festival and offerings for the souls type thing?

dh bought some 'indian' (Native American) corn a couple of years ago, is that related too?

WOuld like to leave something out too so that the children can learn more about this. We have just done the pumpkin and they are both very excited (dh even more so I think!).

[glitterfairy]

My family will be round yours then Samhain!!!

[SamhainWitch]

You would be more than welcome gf

[ledodgywizardrobespierre]

Sil, mil and me where both saying how nostalgic we were feeling today and was wondering if this is anything to do with Samhain?

[ledodgywizardrobespierre]

*all not both

[Greensleeves]

Is it Samhain tonight then?

[ledodgywizardrobespierre]

It's on 31st isn't it I just wondered if there's anything about this time to do with the moon/spirituality etc that would make people feel nostalgic.

[Greensleeves]

I don't know, but I have had a really weird day, I keep bursting into tears and just feel really sad. I don't really know anything about Samhain and that side of spirituality but your post made me wonder.

[ledodgywizardrobespierre]

Yeah same here and whilst at mil's they both mentioned it too about feeling nostalgic and mil mentioned how she was thinking about a friend she lost a couple of years ago alot today.

[SamhainWitch]

31/10 - 1/11 so Tuesday through Wednesday.

Any effects can be felt for a few days either side though. Nostalgia in particular can be heightened because of spirit visitation.

[Papillon]

Greetings All

dd had a most beautiful 3rd birthday today. We had a balloon house and lots of fun. I am bone tired but it was worth it and so fab to have on Samhain.

[ledodgywizardrobespierre]

Gosh that's really interesting so are spirits more likely to visit us now then?

[SamhainWitch]

Hiya Paps. 3 Already! Happy birthday little one

ledodgy - yes. The veil between the planes thins at different times of the year, Samhain is one of major ones. A lot of folk use this time of year in particular to try to contact loved ones.

[Sophiev73]

Can I ask a tarot-related question? Seems to be the place... Despite being very sceptical, I had my tarot read only once, and it (with the runes that wre also done at the same time) was so scarily accurate for what happened afterward that I've never been near them again for fear of getting bad news!

However, I was wondering, is tarot part of religious belief? I am, and was brought up, a Catholic, and we were always warned by priests to 'stay away' from them, but I need to know - why? Is it just because they are allied with Paganism and therefore out of bounds to us good convent girls? Sorry if this questions sounds ignorant...

[SamhainWitch]

They are classed as a divination tool and the Catholic Church think divination is the 'occult'.

They are used by some pagans, others like myself use different methods.

[Sophiev73]

Thanks. That makes sense - honestly, I sometimes think the Church is far too paranoid...

[ledodgywizardrobespierre]

Yep I agree about paranoia. I think churches are paranoid because they seem to have taken most of the Pagan festivals and gave them new names and meanings so people would still have something to celebrate at around the same time making the move to Christianity easier. This is just my opinion of course and I don't wish to offend anyone's belief.

[SamhainWitch]

No you are spot on ledodgy, that is exactly what happened.

Pagan is from the latin meaning 'of the country'. The people in the country were less likely to be influenced when the Church become prominent, so stuck to the old ways. Those in the towns were gradually converted by simply continuing their celebrations under a church roof and a new name.

[expatinscotland]

I use tarot for purposes of clarifying my subconscious and for guidance - usually a sort of validation for things I felt instinctively on some level, anyway.

I have not tried to contact any loved ones myself, b/c I have no need - they contact me instead .

[Flamebat]

I've only used tarot on a couple of occasions - one was to try and get my head round events around me... it was soooo accurate (and made me sob lots), and the other main one that I can remember was to help me decide about my future - that plus meditation cleared the way enough for my heart to get a word in edgeways

[expatinscotland]

Exactly, Flame!

I find it good for guidance.