season
Honor Your Pagan Heritage This Halloween
Samhain holds special significance for those who practiced paganism in a past life, especially those who were involved in magical practices as seers, soothsayers, druids, and witches.
For us, this time of year evokes a deep sense of nostalgia, spiritual reorientation, and a return to ancient wisdom as the veil between worlds thins and we reconnect with our ancestors and the spirit realms.
Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, traditionally celebrated from October 31 to November 1. It is one of the four great Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Imbolc (February 1), Beltane (May 1), and Lughnasadh (August 1).
In Celtic tradition, Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”) is a liminal time when the boundary between the physical and spiritual worlds is thinner, allowing the spirits of our deceased loved ones, ancestors, and other spirits to cross over more easily.
In ancient times people would light fires and wear costumes to ward off harmful spirits, while also honoring their ancestors with offerings of food and drink.
Samhain is considered the origin of modern Halloween traditions, although Halloween has evolved and incorporated elements from other cultures to become a mostly secular and commercial holiday. For Neopagans and Wiccans, Samhain remains an important festival for honoring the dead, celebrating the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, and connecting more deeply with the spirit realm.
A Samhain Invitation From The Faeries
Fairies love fun and joyful games in the great outdoors, even during the darker seasons of the year. I am reminded of this every year at this time when the veil between the worlds thins during the mystical season of Samhain and Halloween.
If you’re currently experiencing a highly creative period or feeling called to get out into nature, even if it’s just to your garden before the weather gets too cold, there’s a good chance you’re also being invited to have some fun and free-spirited playtime with the fairies.
It is easiest for us to connect with the Faeries or Fae during the times of the year when the seasonal energy portals are open at the cross-quarter holidays of the Summer and Winter Solstices and the Spring and Fall Equinoxes.
These seasonal transitions are also traditionally celebrated in the ancient pagan festivals and religious holy days of Imbolc (St. Brigid’s Day) on February 1st, Ostara (Easter) on around March 21st, Beltane (St. Walburga’s Day) on May 1st, Litha (St. John’s Day) around June 20th or 21st, Lammas (Day of Bread) on August 1st, and Samhain (All Saints’ Day) on October 31st.
Traditionally celebrated as a time to honor our ancestors and reflect on the cycle of life and death, Samhain on October 31st marks the halfway point between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice. It is a special time that invites us to step beyond the ordinary into the realm of magic and mysticism. The lingering echoes of autumn and the approaching winter in the Northern Hemisphere also foster a sense of introspection and connection to nature, making it an optimal time to commune with the ethereal elementals of nature.
The Ancient Art Of Facial Reading
Physiognomy is an ancient belief system that the face reveals the hidden truths of the mind, body, and spirit. In many cultures, the face is seen as a reflection of the soul or inner self.
This belief that a person’s physical characteristics, such as the shape of their face, eyes, or nose, can reveal something about their inner nature has roots in various ancient cultures and has been practiced for thousands of years. In some esoteric traditions, facial characteristics are believed to also reveal past life influences and karmic imprints.
The face is more than just a reflection of our emotions; it is a map of our physical health, life experiences, and even our spiritual state. By observing our facial features and learning to interpret their subtle messages, we can gain valuable insights into our health and well-being.
One of the earliest and most detailed systems of face reading comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Chinese face reading, or Mian Xiang, dates back more than 3,000 years. Practitioners view the human face as a map of a person’s life, health, and destiny. They divide the face into different areas, each corresponding to different internal organs and emotional states. Facial analysis is used to diagnose imbalances in the body and mind.
Physiognomy was also practiced in ancient Greece. The philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC) wrote about it, arguing that certain facial features could indicate personality traits and that there was a connection between a person’s appearance and their character. Greek scholars believed that external features, such as facial structure, could provide insight into a person’s moral and psychological makeup.
The Spiritual Significance Of A September Cleaning
Did you know that cleaning can be so much more than a boring chore? When done mindfully and with intention, it can become a transformative ritual that aligns our physical environment and the spaces in which we live and work with higher spiritual energies.
By clearing away dirt, clutter, and disorder as a form of mindful meditation and cleansing ritual, you can also cleanse your inner being, releasing what no longer serves you and making room for new energies to flow. The act of cleansing can then serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, allowing the harmonious flow of life force energy, or chi, through your physical environment.
Everything in the universe is interconnected, including the spaces we inhabit. Metaphysically, our homes and workplaces are extensions of our own energy field. When these spaces are cluttered or dirty, they begin to affect or even block the flow of positive energy, leading to feelings of lethargy, confusion, and spiritual stagnation. More importantly, negative energy imprints and residues tend to accumulate in our homes through our interactions with other people and the outside world. Cleansing thus becomes an essential spiritual practice, similar to meditation or prayer, that helps restore balance, flow and harmony.
The physical act of cleaning is not only about maintaining order and hygiene in our surroundings, but also about aligning our internal energies and preparing our minds for deeper spiritual engagement. It’s like meditation, but with a broom and a mop!
By systematically organizing and cleaning, we can practice mindfulness and focus on the present moment and the task at hand. As unnecessary items are discarded and surfaces are cleaned, we experience a corresponding release of old emotions and thought patterns that no longer serve us. In this way, the simple act of wiping down a shelf or sweeping a floor can become a profound spiritual practice that connects us to the sacredness of the present moment.
Wishing You A Joyful Solstice!
To our cherished clients, we wish you a happy and meaningful Solstice today.
May this day bring you joy, clarity and inspiration. Whether you are celebrating the triumph of light in the north or contemplating the shadow in the south today, know that you are part of a great, beautiful cycle of renewal and rebirth. Embrace the energies of the Solstice, let it inspire you, and may you find joy and wisdom in this moment.
Today Mother Earth reaches one of the most profound moments in her annual celestial dance: the summer and winter solstices. This day marks a pivotal point in the year, a day imbued with deep spiritual and esoteric symbolism that resonates across cultures and traditions.
Whether you find yourself basking in the abundant light of the summer solstice or reflecting in the serene darkness of the winter solstice, this time offers an opportunity for profound personal transformation and renewal.
In the Northern Hemisphere, today marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The sun reaches its zenith, showering the earth with its most powerful rays. This day has been celebrated for millennia as a time of joy, abundance, and the triumphant power of light. It is a reminder of the life-giving power of the sun, which nourishes the growth of crops and sustains all living things.
is often seen as a celebration of life itself. It is a time to honor the light within us and to recognize the light in others. Spiritually, this day encourages us to embrace our inner radiance and to let it shine forth into the world. The heightened energy of the solstice can help us connect more deeply with our purpose and passions, inspiring us to manifest our dreams and goals.
Revitalize Your Life With A Spiritual Spring Clean
The spring season is upon us and with it comes a fresh energy of renewal and rebirth.
Very often at this time of year people do a “spring cleaning” of their homes and workspaces, and for good reason. On a spiritual level, we have been moved by the powerful influence of this vibrant seasonal energy since the beginning of time.
As the light of the sun returns and the air begins to warm, we feel on a deep level the cycle of rebirth and the return of fertility to the earth that sustains us, just as our ancestors did through the ages. It inspires us to make room in our lives for this invigorating energy of renewal.
The ancients held the spring in high regard, attributing significant spiritual and symbolic meanings to the season. Although beliefs varied across different cultures, they mostly centered around themes of renewal, fertility, rebirth, and celebration.
In Ancient Egypt, for example, spring was closely associated with the annual flooding of the Nile, which brought fertile silt to the fields. The Egyptians celebrated the festival of Sham el-Nessim, marking the beginning of spring, which was believed to bring rejuvenation and health.
Let Us Celebrate The Season With Charity And Kindness
The holidays are a bittersweet time of year for me. While I am blessed to be surrounded by my loved ones during these days, I am also reminded of all the loneliness and suffering that many people around the world experience.
The holidays should be more than just a time of joy and celebration. It should also be a time to examine our privilege and count our blessings.
I came to this realization many years ago as a young woman living in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Coming from a loving, sheltered family, I made the shocking discovery that the holidays were not joyous for everyone.
It happened while I was walking through the Boston Common one evening with a friend. The Common in downtown Boston is the oldest urban park in the United States. It is traditionally always beautifully decorated for the holidays and there is a long-standing tradition of an annual Christmas lighting ceremony that dates back to 1917.
It all began on December 6, 1917, when the Halifax Explosion, the largest non-nuclear explosion in history, destroyed much of the city. Boston officials learned of the disaster by telegraph and quickly organized and dispatched a relief train to help the survivors.