The Veil is Thin…Honouring Those Who Have Gone Before

Early days - Dad's ex-RAF German Shepherds were my earliest friends

It's Halloween and in many places, little folk will be carving pumpkins, dressing up in spooky costumes, having fun parties and 'trick or treating' their way around neighbourhood houses. Maybe others will be following the Latino/Catholic traditions of the Days of the Dead, when the spirits of the Ancestors are thought to pay a return visit to their homes. Offerings and memorabilia are set out on home altars - both to 'greet the Spirits' - and to act as aids to remembering the dead.

Those - like myself - to whom the concept of the Pagan 'wheel of the year' makes sense - the cyclical travelling of the natural world (of which we are all part) through both summer and winter, through life, death and many forms of re-birth/re-emergence/resurrection, mark and celebrate this time of the year as the Quarter day of Samhain; it is an acknowledgement of the declining part of the cycle into the breakdown and decay of all that has grown - but a breakdown into components that will contribute to the cycle by providing the resources for future regrowth. All is as it should be.

The Ancestors and departed loved ones and their importance are also an important focus of contemplation and honouring at this time of the year - those that have grown, flourished, died and decayed in bodily terms before us - (both in our own family lines, but also in our wider communities). But they have left important nutrients to our own identities - the nutrients of memories, shared through story, which can feed us so vigorously , individually and communally, if we are prepared to engage with them.

They can feed our understanding of  ourselves by understanding our context - our place in the world, where we 'fit in' in the long, often fragmented and convoluted line of both our personal and community histories. They also contribute to who we have become by just being present at a particular time, in a particular place. I believe that this learning and this understanding can contribute to us a sense of  stability in what often seems a constantly more unstable world. 

My Mother - my human most Loved One of all and 'Weekie' the Westie

However…it is not only Human beings of whom I speak. You may notice in many of my posts the affinity I also  feel for non-human beings. To me, companion and other animals are as much a part of our communities as are our humans - they have contributed greatly to my life, made a difference to it, have shaped and influenced it, and have, in part, made me who I am.

So on this Samhain 2017, when the veil between me and the Others is thin and their presence - as memories  - is close, I share with you just a few images of the other Dear Ones that have been meaningful to my life. I would love it if you wanted to share some memories of your own non-human loved ones as well.

Feeding time on my Uncle's farm, a place and creatures that played a huge part in my childhood and love of the natural world

All creatures, great and small, are my companions at Autumn Cottage

My darling Lissie - 3 months old. As in this picture, never far from my heart.

Each one departed now - but they have all helped to make me who I am. Today, as the Great Wheel turns once more, I honour and thank them all.

Comments

[Sarah Wrightson]

And thank you, as always!

[avis]

I am so happy to come here and see so many of your posts Roz! They lift my spirits.
I too have shared my life with many non human loved ones and cherish each memory.

[Lilly's Mom]

What a lovely post going down memory lane. I agree with you about sharing our lives with our dear pets. They become such a part of the family that they are real little people. My best to you. Pat

[Patricia]

Lovely post and homage to our dearly departed. The pictures were an added treat. Thank you for sharing with us.