Honoring those passed.
Today as
many know is November second, for some, Day of the Dead. This is a time where
the temperatures begin to drop, vegetation begins to die off and we prepare for
the harsh cold and darkness of winter. This is also a time where we give thanks
for what has been bestowed upon us this year. In this time of giving thanks it’s
important to honor those who came before us and those who are no longer with
us. Samhain which is now to some Halloween but this is also a time to honor
those gone I usually start this tradition on the 31st of October and
End on the 3rd of November. How you choose to do this is entirely up
to you. There is no right or wrong answer, but here are some ways that you can
pay honor.
1. Dedicate
positive actions in the name of those gone.
I think a great deal of us would like to
know we are the reason behind any positive action by someone else in this
world. Let those passed be your inspiration and who knows maybe your catalyst.
2. Be
open to direct communication from your ancestors. Keep your eyes, ears, and
hearts open who knows what you will learn when you listen.
3. Establish
a place to honor those passed. Maybe it’s a few pictures on a shelf, maybe you
create an altar, maybe you make a garden, maybe you make a scrapbook or a photo
album. Who knows, the sky is the limit,
and it’s up to you. This is a place you can go at anytime and see them or think
of them.
4. Pull
out pictures and mementos. Think about positive memories you have shared, think
of who they were, what they represented, did you look up to them? What did they
do with their lives? What do you admire about them? Use this info to reflect
upon your own life, not compare. Perhaps they inspire us to be a better us.
5. Provide
an offering. This can be simply putting flowers on a grave. Doing something
good for others in their name, or any other thing you can come up with. Again
there is no wrong answer.
Image by: Oliver Lake http://society6.com/artist/oliverlake