Wonderful. I grew up Catholic and had forgotten about this. Good to be reminded as it takes the pressure off. Thanks so much for linking to my post. Very kind of you.
Thanks for this, Liz. An excellent read - having run away from 'the church' as a teen, abused sexually, emotionally and spiritually within it's walls, I am only now rediscovering a spiritual path. Mum died three months ago, and as I head off in my campervan to drive to Scotland, give a book talk at a Halloween event, then park up on the moors in the dark, I shall return to your words and allow the dark to encircle me, meditate and think of my mum.
Oh, Sue. My deepest condolences. That sounds like the most perfect journey for this time in your life in your campervan. I wish you a lovely trip and some deep, soulful moments. Blessings in the dark, dear you.
I found the section on death is a new way of looking at grief and those we have lost. Grief is still so strange to me and still new. I’m not religious but I do think changing my perspective will help me to heal
Wishing you deep healing as you journey through your grief, Hannah. I’m so glad you found that letter offered some new perspectives. That means everything to me. Lots of Hallowtide blessing to you. xx
After finishing school, I had started buying yearly planners and made my year start in January 1st causing me a lot of anxiety and sadness. The last couple of years instead I decided to embrace Samhain as a new beginning, taking vantage of the fact that my birthday is on the 27th of October so it's definitely a turning point 😊
I love that you love my Substack! Thank you for saying that and for being here.
Starting the new year during Hallowtide is just perfect, I believe. And that your birthday is just before! That is so magical. I can absolutely understand your connection to this being your new year. Belated birthday wishes! xx
I really love this piece, Liz! 💖 Hallowtide. How beautiful! And I wonder, if in part, the word bubbled up within you as a whisper from the ancestors. The call to remember the sacredness of these three days is exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you!
That is exactly what I was thinking, Jenna. I am certain that my ancestors were guiding and inspiring me, giving me the word and connecting me to something that I have always carried with me. Wishing you a very blessed Hallowtide, my friend. 🧡
A very inspiring read, thank you Liz for introducing the concept of Hallowtide, it gives an even deeper meaning to this special moment of the year. I especially liked the idea of honouring the deaths of those things we no longer need in our life, they truly are ghosts that haunt us and letting them go is such a powerful way of celebrating this holy period. 💙
Thanks, Laura! Wishing you a magical weekend of releasing the ghosts that haunt you, my friend. Such an amazing way to entering the dark months of the year. Hallowtide blessings. xx
Oooo so much magic here Liz. And yes! I feel as though I have subconsciously been looking for a way to encapsulate these sacred and spooky days! I found Allhallowtide too but I feel as though you led me there. Thank you for this beautiful perspective on this time which truly feels like a potent portal and significant shift xx
Hello, my friend. I so hope that you are feeling gentle and grounded as November begins to unfold. I love knowing that we are moving magically through the seasons together. xx
I've always adored the season of Hallowtide--my husband & I chose Nov 1 for our wedding and it is usually a wonderful end of Oct/beg of Nov transition into the dark time of the year. So happy you're embracing the triduum! (And thank you for all the IG love recently.✨)
Wow, a November 1 wedding. That is so very magical! I absolutely love that! I cannot believe I've celebrate Hallowtide my whole life and never realized it was named Hallowtide, or ever thought of it as a triduum. It feels like the Oct/Nov shift will never be the same again. :)
My pleasure! I love being able to connect in different places! xx
I grew up Catholic, and for All Souls Day, there was a special Mass where the priest read out the names of everyone from the church who had died the previous year. As the names were read, someone from the family would bring up a candle that would be placed in front of the altar. By the time all the names were read, there were rows and rows of flickering candles, and the whole church was warmer and brighter. It was a beautiful ritual. Thank you for bringing this back to my mind!
I experienced the same thing in the churches I called home previously in life. It is such a powerful and beautiful ritual! Now, I light candles at home with my wife and speak the names of my beloveds who have moved on. So grateful for you sharing this memory with me. xx
This has set me up for the next 3 days beautifully ❤️
I’m so glad it resonated with you, my friend. Wishing you magic and mystery this weekend. 🧡
Wonderful. I grew up Catholic and had forgotten about this. Good to be reminded as it takes the pressure off. Thanks so much for linking to my post. Very kind of you.
Glad that it has found its way back into your life. And I wish you the most blessed Hallowtide, Claire. xx
Thanks for this, Liz. An excellent read - having run away from 'the church' as a teen, abused sexually, emotionally and spiritually within it's walls, I am only now rediscovering a spiritual path. Mum died three months ago, and as I head off in my campervan to drive to Scotland, give a book talk at a Halloween event, then park up on the moors in the dark, I shall return to your words and allow the dark to encircle me, meditate and think of my mum.
Oh, Sue. My deepest condolences. That sounds like the most perfect journey for this time in your life in your campervan. I wish you a lovely trip and some deep, soulful moments. Blessings in the dark, dear you.
Thank you Liz 🙏
I found the section on death is a new way of looking at grief and those we have lost. Grief is still so strange to me and still new. I’m not religious but I do think changing my perspective will help me to heal
Wishing you deep healing as you journey through your grief, Hannah. I’m so glad you found that letter offered some new perspectives. That means everything to me. Lots of Hallowtide blessing to you. xx
Thank you Liz! ☺️and the same to you! ✨
No wonder this feels like such an intense time. There's certainly a lot to process. Thanks for such an informative and thought provoking piece
I’m so glad it spoke to you Louise. Blessings and magic. xx
After finishing school, I had started buying yearly planners and made my year start in January 1st causing me a lot of anxiety and sadness. The last couple of years instead I decided to embrace Samhain as a new beginning, taking vantage of the fact that my birthday is on the 27th of October so it's definitely a turning point 😊
Love your Substack, Liz!
I love that you love my Substack! Thank you for saying that and for being here.
Starting the new year during Hallowtide is just perfect, I believe. And that your birthday is just before! That is so magical. I can absolutely understand your connection to this being your new year. Belated birthday wishes! xx
I really love this piece, Liz! 💖 Hallowtide. How beautiful! And I wonder, if in part, the word bubbled up within you as a whisper from the ancestors. The call to remember the sacredness of these three days is exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you!
That is exactly what I was thinking, Jenna. I am certain that my ancestors were guiding and inspiring me, giving me the word and connecting me to something that I have always carried with me. Wishing you a very blessed Hallowtide, my friend. 🧡
A very inspiring read, thank you Liz for introducing the concept of Hallowtide, it gives an even deeper meaning to this special moment of the year. I especially liked the idea of honouring the deaths of those things we no longer need in our life, they truly are ghosts that haunt us and letting them go is such a powerful way of celebrating this holy period. 💙
Thanks, Laura! Wishing you a magical weekend of releasing the ghosts that haunt you, my friend. Such an amazing way to entering the dark months of the year. Hallowtide blessings. xx
Oooo so much magic here Liz. And yes! I feel as though I have subconsciously been looking for a way to encapsulate these sacred and spooky days! I found Allhallowtide too but I feel as though you led me there. Thank you for this beautiful perspective on this time which truly feels like a potent portal and significant shift xx
Hello, my friend. I so hope that you are feeling gentle and grounded as November begins to unfold. I love knowing that we are moving magically through the seasons together. xx
I've always adored the season of Hallowtide--my husband & I chose Nov 1 for our wedding and it is usually a wonderful end of Oct/beg of Nov transition into the dark time of the year. So happy you're embracing the triduum! (And thank you for all the IG love recently.✨)
Wow, a November 1 wedding. That is so very magical! I absolutely love that! I cannot believe I've celebrate Hallowtide my whole life and never realized it was named Hallowtide, or ever thought of it as a triduum. It feels like the Oct/Nov shift will never be the same again. :)
My pleasure! I love being able to connect in different places! xx
I grew up Catholic, and for All Souls Day, there was a special Mass where the priest read out the names of everyone from the church who had died the previous year. As the names were read, someone from the family would bring up a candle that would be placed in front of the altar. By the time all the names were read, there were rows and rows of flickering candles, and the whole church was warmer and brighter. It was a beautiful ritual. Thank you for bringing this back to my mind!
I experienced the same thing in the churches I called home previously in life. It is such a powerful and beautiful ritual! Now, I light candles at home with my wife and speak the names of my beloveds who have moved on. So grateful for you sharing this memory with me. xx