Crafting Poetry One Syllable at a Time
I’m celebrating Samhain a day early because I have something special planned for tomorrow, so make sure to stop by.
Halloween has always been my favorite holiday of the year. I don’t know if it was the idea that for one day out of the year, I could be whoever or whatever I wanted, or that I just loved the revelry and beauty of the autumn season. Those reasons are all tied up together like a gift with a huge bow.
My happiest childhood memories always occurred during the fall. My parents were avid photographers (stereo), and I remember traipsing around the state of Wisconsin gazing at fall color, walking in the woods, and posing for photos. To this day, I have never seen fall color that rivaled those days long ago.
Image Credit: Facebook.com/TheWhiteWitchParlour
I consider myself to be a Pagan Buddhist which involved my departure from the traditional Christian holidays and traditions. My spiritual journey has allowed me to become comfortable with who I have evolved into. What a great place to be.
Did you know that Halloween derived from the pagan holiday, Samhain (pronounced Sow-in, “Irish”)? The roots of the holiday are based on the Gaelic festival of the harvest and the beginning of winter.
Wikipedia shares:
“This is about halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasadh. Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Similar festivals are held at the same time of year in other Celtic lands; for example the Brythonic Calan Gaeaf (in Wales), Kalan Gwav (in Cornwall), Kalan Goañv (in Brittany), and Samaín (in Galicia).”
Image Credit: Pinterest.com
Samhain is much more than trick-or-treating, although if I still had little ones, I would be right there leading the pack of kids down the street. The weather will be too cold to sit outside and hand out candy this year. I will miss that.
This will be the second year that my husband and I will celebrate Samhain. Homemade chili and gluten-free cornbread are on the menu. I have prayers planned for our deceased ancestors and will make sure to recharge my crystals in the moonlight if possible. I’ll raise a glass of ginger rum and toast the changing of the seasons. Won’t you join me?
Image Credit: Witchywords.blogstpot.com
Image Credit: Jasmoonbutterly.blogspot.com
It has been rumored that Samhain Eve is when the veil lifts between our two worlds (Earthly and the Otherworld) and the fairies and other immortals freely roam the earth. Only the bravest of men ventured out on Samhain Eve. The possibility of meeting one of these lost souls or “scary fairies,” was just too high! Many folks stayed safe inside their homes.
La Dia de Los Muertos, the day of the dead, sprang forth from this belief that the dead walked the earth on Samhain Eve. Sugar skulls are made to commemorate the event to this day.
Speaking of “scary fairies…” On Saturday, October 28th, I shared a post called, “Six True Magical Encounters With Real Fairies: (True Fairy Encounter Series).” I revealed my fairy encounter (which happened in early November 2014), and I asked readers to share their experiences too.
Here is what they said:
D.G. Kaye reminded me of a photo she shared on Facebook. At the bottom, near her feet was a fairy orb. She had never seen one before and was amazed that the wee ones had made contact with her. Sometimes we don’t know they’re there.
Image used with Permission ©Debby Gies
Ksbeth said: “I always teach my kinders about the fairies and try to get them to keep an open mind to them.”
Liz H, From the Valley of the Trolls, shared this post: Tag You’re It. Yup, she’s had troll sightings! You’ll want to read this!
AutismPsychologySpirituality said: “Wow! I’ve never had encounters with fairies but loved reading your encounter. I’ve been seeing orbs, animals, colors, and rainbows. I’m always seeing fire rainbows. Rainbows around the sun, rainbows everywhere.”
I’m convinced that fairies and rainbows are connected, and I incorporated that belief into my debut novel, The Heart Stone Chronicles: The Swamp Fairy. A rainbow is a natural gift from the elemental world. When we see one, we believe in magic, if even for a little while.
I’ve seen fairy orbs also. I wrote about fairy orbs HERE and made a video:
Have a safe and Happy Halloween! ❤
I have never kept Halloween, because this is still in the early years in Denmark. Here in Spain there are holiday at Wednesday the 1. of November, The dead peoples day, where people visit the cemetery, where their loved ones ended up, to celebrate their life.
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I’ve always like the tradition of honoring our ancestors. Some how this all got lost in the commercialism of the holiday. ❤️
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You are very right, Colleen.
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I must email you and see how you are. Later today. Hugs and love my dear friend. ❤
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Thank you Colleen, you are always welcome ❤
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Lovely post Colleen. Autmn is fast becoming my favourite time odf the year. It used to be sunmer but now that I’m in the Autumn of my life…. Happy Samain to you too. 🙂
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Happy Samhain, my Sister of the Fey ❤️
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❤
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Happy Early Halloween! Love the info graphic about Samhain.
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Thanks, Charles. There is so much more to this holiday that has been lost in the commercialism of Halloween. ❤️🎃👻
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Seems to be that way for all holidays.
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So true. I prefer the old ways. We need to get back that. ❤️
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Hate to admit that I don’t remember the old ways. Feels like it’s always been that way. Then again, I’ll Jewish and our holidays don’t get the same level of treatment.
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Ah, but you honor your ancestors in different ways. Your entire faith is based on ancient traditions. How cool is that?
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Aren’t holidays like Christmas and Easter the same? Honestly, I will admit that some of the Jewish traditions could be a little updated. Mostly that we always seem to do turkey instead of pizza or Chinese food. For a guy who doesn’t like turkey, it isn’t much fun. 😛
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LOL! I think they should be updated too. That’s why on Samhain I like to do chili and cornbread. For the winter solstice we’ll do something special too. Christmas is all about giving gifts which is crazy. It’s all about the retail industry and not about what should be important. Of course, I don’t have young kids anymore. It would be hard to impose my beliefs on kids and I didn’t with mine. Celebrate in a way that makes you happy – that’s my motto. ❤
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Chili and cornbread is an interesting combo for Samhain. For Christmas/Yule/Hanukkah, we actually make it a one present per holiday thing. Not sure what to do this year though. He enjoys the Menorah lightning and has a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, so he does get to have a lot of fun. Guess that’s the important part.
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I think that’s awesome and I love your Hanukkah/Christmas tradition. Hats off to you both. Traditions are so important for kids. It gives them a sense of family and helps to form their identity. LOL! About the chili and cornbread – we did that last year for the winter solstice, except I made fresh bread. I thought it was the perfect meal for harvest. I’ve had to go gluten-free and dairy free so its always fun to find a meal that works for both of us! ❤
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Honestly, I never really thought about the sense of identity and family. We just kind of do it along with all the other fun stuff because it makes him happy. Guess you’re right about the other effects.
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See, you didn’t even realize what cool parents you are! LOL! 😀 ❤
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Happy Samhain, Colleen!
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I really enjoyed this post. Happy Samhain Colleen. x
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Thanks and hugs and love to you! 😘❤️🎃
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Reblogged this on 307.
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Thanks for sharing. Happy Halloween 🎃
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I love your blog!
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Thank you. I’m honored. ❤️
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I really enjoyed reading this blog! Autumn is my favourite time of year and especially Halloween. For some reason the dyeing leaves falling all around us and the slow change in weather creeping in gives an eerie atmosphere that fires up my imagination. There is definitely something magical in the air at this time of year.
Tonight I am pumpkin carving with my son and filling his head with magic stories I have made up over the years! Happy Samhain! 🎃
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Thank you! What a lovely message to read. You are truly passing on your love of the season to your son. What a great way to honor your ancestors. I love it! Happy Samhain. ❤️❤️❤️
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Fascinating, Colleen! Thanks for sharing this with us. 🙂
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You’re welcome. Happy Halloween. ❤
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Such great information, Colleen. I have a video of an orb as well. In fact, I’ll be publishing the video again tomorrow as part of my music feature which, this week, has a Halloween theme.
Happy Samhain to Ron and you. 🎃
xx
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Ohhh, Hugh! I will stop by. You are on my blog tomorrow along with Vashti Vega. Happy Samhain, my friend. ❤
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Happy Samhain! ❤ Here's to a beautiful new year for one and all. ❤
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Happy Samhain! It’s going to be a great day and new year. I can feel it… ❤
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I’ve always loved Halloween because it was such fun to dress up and gather with community. My town was tiny and yet the county seat, so all the kids from school (all grades) gathered and we matched in costume in a parade and are hot dogs at the Forest Service Station. Then we trick-or-treated deadline neighbors already giving us candy at the parade! Neighbors loved the young visitors and some even told ghost stories. It has that old time gathering before winter feel. Thanks for sharing all the stories, too!
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Thanks, Charli. I grew up in Milwaukee and never had that small town feeling until many years later with my own kids. Great memories and the kind you don’t forget. How cool! ❤
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Happy Samhain Colleen, may on the the good spirits come and bless your home
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Many blessings back at you, Paul. What a lovely sentiment. ❤
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Happy Samain Sis! I loved this post, it’s full of great description and meanings interpreted. Indeed we shall honor our Sister holiday! And thanks for the mention, after all, it was YOU who told me about that orb at my feet. 🙂 I shall check out some of the other links you included in this fab post. ❤
🎃🎃
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Happy Samhain, my Sister of the Fey. It was fun to write and our encounters… well, we will have to keep track of all these. ❤
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Yes we will! ❤ 🎃🎃☮
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Reblogged this on firefly465.
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Thank you, dear Sister of the Fey for spreading the joy and blessings of the season. ❤️
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Totally my pleasure, sister. xxx
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Happy Samhain, Colleen,
May the blessings of the faerie realm reach out to you now in the beginning until the end of time. Blessed be are those who walk the path of moonlight,
All our love from Scotland,
Adele, Becca and Dante.
We will be setting a place for our ancestors tonight at the table and a plate of food for the faeries at the front door. Traditions that I keep from way back. Handed down like our memories and the love our ancestors feel for us. xxx
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Thank you, Adele. Your love reached across the oceans and mountains and I felt your souls. Love to you and Becca and Dante. The Samhain feast begins today and I too, will leave food for the fairies. Buddha has a place here too. Hugs and love! 🎃❤️🎃
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I love Buddha, too, sister. Thank you for the hugs and love we send them to you always. xxx
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Hugs and love! ❤
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❤
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Great post, Colleen! If this doesn’t put you in the Halloween spirit—nothing will.🎃
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Happy Samhain!
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Happy Samhain. 🎃👻🎃
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Wonderful post telling of the many meanings of fall celebrations. Happy Samhain to you, Colleen. Thanks especially for sharing your autumn walks in Wisconsin. ❤
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Thank you, Viva. Happy Samhain. The woods in Wisconsin were spectacular long ago. If I close my eyes I can still smell decayed leaves and pine needles. When it rained, it would make the colors so vibrant it was like they were fluorescent. Lovely memories. ❤
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Thanks, Vashti. I love the season. 🎃👻🎃
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A lovely post, Colleen. I have never heard of Samhain, so thanks for enlightening me. Fall is such a beautiful time of year with the colorful pumpkins, gourds, falling leaves, mums. apple cider, bright berries on the shrubs, the aroma of stew or chili simmering on the stove, and the crackling of the first fires. Fairies? I BELIEVE!
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Michelle, autumn surely gives us some special beauty to enjoy. I know you believe, my sweet friend, and that is another gift. Happy autumn. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. ❤
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