Greetings,
Friends,
And welcome to Samhain.
The darker half of the year commences in this magical time.
Within this movement into the dark half of the year comes the invitation to rest and reflect and to dream of new beginnings,
Seeds now hidden in the earth that will germinate come spring.
So as we begin to settle our bodies into our relaxation and meditation time,
Take your time to wrap yourself up warm and cosy.
As you begin to settle and relax,
I'll tell you a little about this pagan and ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
It is the last of the harvest festivals of the year.
The harvest of nuts and berries have been gathered in.
All is complete.
We have reached the end of the harvest year.
The end of this year's cycle of birth and growth.
The word Samhain is drawn from ancient Celtic words that mean both summer's end as we come to the end of the harvest and also drawn from the word Samhaini,
The Celtic word that means assembly,
Coming together.
And as is traditional at this time of year,
This coming together is a drawing together of memories and connections with loved ones,
Both living and past.
And our journey today will be a simple one to connect and honour our ancestors and family and those we love and who have loved us and who continue to love us as the wheel turns into a new season.
So as the body relaxes and calms and the breath is useful,
Let the eyes close.
It is safe to rest and to draw in.
We find ourselves in our mind's eye approaching a beautiful house.
It may be a house of memory or imagination.
But as we approach from our outside space,
The world is dark.
We see the flicker of flames and candlelight,
The warm amber glow within this house.
We are drawn to the warmth and the light.
As we approach the front door,
It stands just a little ajar.
We push the door open,
Entering this home and feeling it as our home,
Immediately feeling comfortable,
Welcome and held.
We find ourselves walking into a beautiful,
Cosy drawing room.
A log fire flickers and sends warmth into the room.
Above the fire,
The mantelpiece displays candles flickering in jars and an array of beautiful autumnal colours in the form of pumpkins and apples in shades of orange,
Reds,
Yellow and brown.
The leaves of trees in golden hues cascade in garlands over the edges of the mantelpiece.
As you move further into the room,
You see that these candles and garlands decorate each surface around you,
Windowsills,
Tabletops.
And in front of the fire is a beautiful,
Cosy chair,
Coloured in warm velvet and draped with blankets and cushions.
And beside this chair,
A large mug of your favourite warm drink stands ready and waiting for you.
It is piping hot and steam whirls above the cup.
As you sink into this cosy chair and wrap the blankets around you,
You take hold of this mug of warm liquid,
Comfortable,
Warming and cosy as you settle,
Soft and relaxed.
The only light is that of the flames and fire around you.
The only sound of logs crackling on the fire.
This place is so peaceful,
So quiet,
So calm.
Here you feel you have a little time,
A little space,
A little freedom to reflect on the year that has passed,
To reflect on the journey you have taken this year and what you have harvested as we move to the dark half of the year.
As we reflect in gratitude for all we have as we gather in and find warmth in our homes and with our loved ones.
Allow yourself to reflect on those that have gone before you.
Every member who has passed over.
People you care for that have perhaps slipped from your daily routine.
Perhaps those who have moved away or those you see less than you would like.
This is not a time for sadness or regret,
But simply of gratitude for the time these people spent within our lives.
Each moment was a gift.
And whatever our relationships may have been,
For they're rarely perfect.
Every person was a teacher.
Every experience was a lesson.
In this time for drawing in and connection,
We will reflect on some of the many connections we have found within our lives and those we still possess.
Allow yourself to reflect on these connections within this space of warmth and safety.
We can use the beautiful minimum opportunities of our work time.
The time has come,
My darlings,
To live in the moment of truth.
The time has come,
My darlings,
To leave this comfortable home of warmth,
Of flame and of love.
This place of remembering,
Of gratitude and reflection.
Know that you can return to this warm and cozy place whenever you wish.
But for now,
In our minds' eyes,
We rise from our comfortable chair.
We have finished our warm drink.
We place the mug upon the table.
We lean to blow out the candle nearest to us,
And in doing so,
All the candles extinguish.
But it is not dark,
For the dawn is coming.
And as you step out from this home in the fresh,
Crisp morning light,
You feel just a little clearer,
A little calmer,
A little more connected to the strength of our ancestors,
The strength of your ancestors and your memories.
May you draw upon them,
May they give you strength and remind you who you are.
Thank you.
