From Judy – November 1, 2009

November waltzes in on the heels of All Hallows‘ Eve or Halloween.  In Celtic and Nordic tradition, this was a time to celebrate the end of the harvest and to put some seeds and grain out at the shrine for those members of the family that have died.

Picture of an ancestors’ shrine from www.pathofeire.org 

 

 

This leads to November 1 which is the traditional time of “Feast of the Dead”.  Although we tend to attribute this festival to the Mexican people, many other countries and belief systems honour their dead at this time. 

I love the tradition of the Huron people, in days gone by.  Whenever a large village shifted location, about every 10-15 years, the Huron celebrated a “Feast of the Dead”.  Since the ancestors could not be moved conveniently with the tribe, a special ceremony was held to offer the ancestors a final resting place and to give the ancestors peace. The bodies were removed from their temporary cave graves and buried in a deep pit lined with furs such as beaver and mink. The ceremony showed the reverence and gratitude that all Huron have for their dead. This grand ceremony was the final release of the souls, and the responsibility that the ancestors had to the tribe.  Those souls now released could walk the path up to the sky, to hunt with the Gods, and live a life of abundance. 

I also love the description that Marcelina at www.mysticalmind.com writes of the preparing of the cemetery for “The Feast Of The Dead”. She writes:

The day before the feast, the younger people would have to tidy up the cemetery. The wooden crosses had to be straightened upright, faded, painted headstones had to be touched up, and the weeds needed to be pulled out. Dried leaves and twigs were placed in a pile to make into a bonfire. The whole surroundings must be swept with a broom to clear the spirits’ path who would be attending the feast. Some of the younger women had to plant flowers and herbs, and others needed to set up the altar on the round, flat rock in the cemetery which had been dedicated for this event. Pictures of the departed, fruits, flowers and candles were carefully placed around the altar while a big cross of Jesus Christ stood at the center.

Westerners, in the past, have a tendency to ignore their ancestors. That behaviour seems to be changing, and more people, even if they do not set up a shrine, are saying prayers for their ancestors.  And that, I think, is a good thing!

Judy@angelsandancestors.com   See our November newsletter online at www.angelsandancestors.com.  This month’s theme is on RESPECT.  Our December issue will feature animal stories, and Christmas stories so if you have a story to share, please send it to me.