Samhain isn't a holiDAY; it's a holiday season. There are so many events from mid-October to mid-November that I tend to refer to this time as the Seven Weeks of Samhain. The scorching summer heat is almost unbearable in South Florida, but Samhain comes around, the heat breaks and cool breezes return. It can get downright cold at night during Florida Pagan Gathering, which I'm sure to attend with friends. FPG at Samhain is an absolute must for me.
I love the energy of the Samhain season. Halloween is still popular and pretty safe in Miami. People decorate their homes, children dress up in costumes, and there are lots of parties. It's festive and people are happy to unknowingly (or perhaps knowingly and blithely) engage in some good, ole fashioned pagan fun. I don't mind the commercialism. I like seeing the stores full of witches, cauldrons, and black cats.
The Pagan community comes out in full force during Samhain. MoonPath CUUPS hosts a delightful Witch's Ball, the Circle of Isis hosts its annual Night Between the Veils, and many other covens hold community rituals. I love all the myths and themes surrounding Samhain -- stories of Demeter and Hades, Innana, Pomona, ghosts and ancestors, bonfires, and divination.
Samhain feels both very grounding as a holiday that makes me pause and reflect on my ancestors and my mortality and also very ethereal and magical.
What's your favorite holiday?
Halloween/Samhain! since i was a little girl i have loved halloween and everything that goes along with it! the magic of Samhain has always gives me a boost of energy! i just love it!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Halloween is great fun as a kid.
ReplyDelete