last night i participated in the annual Spiral Dance - Samhain public ritual organized by the local Wiccan community here in Vancouver… i think this was their 14th event… and i’ve been a part numerous times over the years… i go to drum usually and sometimes sing…and to celebrate the new year… and to honour my roots and ancestory… this year was special as i witnessed many new folk stepping up to help organize and participate… and to also see those folk who have done this important work for so many years in a row, sit back, hold space and support the new folk was a truly a testament of what true community is and can be…
Samhain (pronounced sow-en) is an old Irish Gaelic word for “new year”… and this holiday is known to many Pagan traditions…and happens on October 31st…
as we presently witness the beautiful colouring of all the trees in our midst fall… this is a time that brings the gifts of restoration and renewal, as the cold weather closes in… a time when our blessed earth mother sheds and prepares for her winter sleep…where our soul is led to more reflective depths… it is traditionally associated with the remembrance and honouring of our ancestors, with the coming of death and the conception of new life… in our own human growth cycle, Samhain corresponds to the period of old age when wisdom, freedom of spirit and clarity are experienced… it’s a good time to celebrate the lives of all wise elders… all of those whose actions and ideas have brought resolution and peace…
as in so many years past… and again last last night, this wonderful well-organized integral event brings many diverse like-minded folk out to peacefully celebrate together… to honour the sacred lands on which we sit and stand… to honour the sacred elements and directions… put out prayers for our blessed earth mother... to remember those who have passed and to warmly welcome those newly born this past year… it is so moving to hear the names of those both who have left and those have become… we also dance the spiral dance together as a community to put out our intention for the coming year… such a powerful moment to share together… and with such power and grace…
last night i was honoured to offer my gift of drumming to assist for the journey to meet our ancestors… to proudly stand in the middle of the large hall along side the woman who was guiding the meditation… to allow and offer the song and pulse of our blessed mother to come through "laughing wolf".... the powerful, qilaut wind drum of which i am it's humble caretaker... to assist all those present an opportunity to visit their beloved ancestors when the veil is the thinnest at this time of year… it was a very special moment… and i once again… thank you!
Happy New Year…!
weaver (((o)))
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