Samhain, Halloween & Day of the Dead

Mar's Musings on Samhain, Halloween and Day of the Dead

This week we find ourselves in the portal of Samhain, the Day of the Dead, and Halloween. This marks a transition from summer to autumn and the onset of winter, a time celebrated by the Celts as the beginning of death. In Chinese medicine, it signifies the shift towards the yin, an inward journey.

As part of our inner work in the coaching that I do, we honour our ancestry, but it's also essential to let go of certain inherited traits and patterns, especially those concerning women. The stories of women, their struggles, and the history of events like the witch burnings have left imprints on our collective consciousness. It's crucial to embrace this as part of our healing process.

In my Chinese heritage, my mother's story of being the third-born daughter, given up for adoption and then taken back, reflects the challenges women face in asian lineages as they are valued less than men and seen as a "curse". These narratives, passed down through generations, influence our beliefs and experiences as women. The stories of women's lives, their roles, and their limitations have created a deep resonance within us.

In this portal of remembrance and honoring our ancestors, I invite you to find a way to pay tribute to those who came before you. Whether it's lighting a candle, offering a prayer, taking a nature walk, or following your cultural and spiritual traditions, take a moment to express gratitude for your existence today, as it is shaped by the lives of your forebears.

Now, it's also an opportunity to let go. Let go of the inherited traits, the stories, and the fears that no longer serve you in this modern age. We're living in tumultuous times, where the world grapples with conflicts, and humanity questions itself. I invite you to be strong and steadfast in understanding your own narrative, values, and purpose, especially regarding womanhood, money, and your personal path.

This is your moment to decide who you want to be, both as a woman and as an individual, to define your place in this world. It's time to choose which stories to carry forward and which to leave behind, making room for new narratives and possibilities.

I encourage you to take a moment from October 31st to November 1st, or any time in between, to engage in a ritual, journal your thoughts, or simply light a candle by giving a prayer or setting an intention. Express your thanks to your ancestors for the life you've been given and for the circumstances that have brought you here. And then, take a moment to release what no longer serves you, allowing you to move forward on your life path with a sense of purpose.

I invite you to do this together, to share your insights, and to join me in this global portal of reflection and transformation. This is a time when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest, and death represents both an end and a renewal—a time of letting go and shedding what no longer serves us.

As we step into the season of autumn and winter, consider it a period of renewal, a chance to shed the leaves and branches of your past, and embrace a new cycle. Life moves in cycles, just like night and day, the seasons, and the economy follows its own cycles. In these challenging times of recessions and economic changes, maintain your inner strength, knowing that you are moving through another cycle, another season.

If this resonates with you, I would love to hear from you. I'll be conducting this practice myself and sharing it with others. Please feel free to reach out and share your experiences. I'm here to support you, celebrate with you, and stand with you as women in our choices and values as we navigate our unique paths in this world.

Wishing you a beautiful celebration of Samhain, Halloween, Day of the Dead, or any other observance you may be partaking in. Use this time to find your inner strength, embrace your ancestral wisdom, and make choices that align with your values and your unique gifts. All my love and best wishes to you and your families as we transition through this season.

With love and care, Mar Michelle