Dia De Los Muertos

Dia De Los Muertos or day of the dead is celebrated today.   I always look forward to observing it.  Partly because of my heritage as a Mexican American, and also because it is such an amazingly fascinating holiday to celebrate.  It is a festival of happiness.  Although its focus is on observing and honoring those who have passed, they way it is celebrated is through music, food, costume, dancing, and laughter.  For me, day of the dead is a continuation of Samhain.  A day where I can continue to honor the memory of the spirits. 

Originally before Christian influence this day was celebrated in August to coincide with the migration of the Monarch which the Aztec believed were the spirits of their loved ones returning home.  It was moved after Spanish conquest to coincide with All Saints Day. 

The costumes and artwork are some of the best I've ever seen anywhere.  They are colorful and detailed.  Gorgeous.  Sugar skulls are a big part of the celebration.  They are painted and names of loved ones who have passed are written on the forehead.  

Before the influence of the Spanish, this day was also a day to celebrate the Goddess Mictecacihuatl, Queen of the Underworld.  Or the lady of the dead as she was also called.  Celebrations would last up to a Month and in some places in Mexico they still are. 

Samhain and A New Chapter

Samhain is just two days away!  How time flies and sneaks up on us.  I've been away working on any things and was out driving and realize how dark it has gotten at just 5 pm.  It seems like just yesterday it was warm and Summer had just begun.  The sun was bright and strong even at 7 in the evening.  I love living in a place where I can experience all the seasons in their true forms. 

The coolness of Autumn as the leaves turn, the fields become bare, and the darkness takes over a little day by day.  The cold and sometimes harsh reflection of winter.  Where white can be seen for miles in the country and a hot cup of tea and a warm thick blanket are needed daily.  The promise of spring in March, when the Sun gains strength, buds begin to appear, and a warm breeze begins to blow.  The warmth and brilliant color of summer.  When life slows just a bit and being outside each and every day in shorts and sandals is a luxury after a long sometimes seemingly unending winter.  When growing season abounds and fresh fruit and veggies picked right from the plant is the greatest joy in the world. 

This is my favorite time of the year.  Something inside me overflows with happiness and I always feel a renewal of myself and my spiritual path.  I've always been drawn to Halloween even before I started practicing my path well over ten years ago.  This Samhain will hold a special place in my heart because of my year so far and all the new experiences I have now and in the near future.  I don't plan on having a big celebration and a small night to myself after my littles go down for bed is just perfect.  Perhaps a night walk to the cemetery across the street to pay homage to those who have passed on.  I am also hoping to really focus on my path this new year and work on a few personal items that have been somewhat of a burden on my shoulders for a long time.  I have started a Facebook page which I will keep up on daily as Well as trying to write a new post a few times a week on here.  

A new chapter beginning in my life now, and, I feel, a wonderful new time full of lessons and memories on the horizon!  

Hello!

Yet another attempt at a witch blog.  Lol.  I can never seem to find the right "style" for me.  But since so much has changed and will be changing lately I've decided to once again give this a shot.  I don't want this to be some cookie cutter blog like every other Pagan/spiritual blog.  I just wanna share my every day witch happenings and what not.  I've been feeling a bit distant from the community as of late and want to get back into the hustle and bustle of it all.  As Fall is right around the corner, I always feel the bite of the Pagan bug at this time.  I am an Autumn girl.  For me this time marks the end of one phase and the start of something new.  As Samhain is the New Year mark, I really want to celebrate it by renewing my path and letting go of EVERY BIT of my old life.  I will go into detail later some of the changes I've been going through in my life, but right now it's personal. 

So, I hope to keep this blog going for a while and I hope to meet some new Pagan brothers and sisters through doing this!  If you have any questions, please feel free to comment them below.