Samhain shona duit!

This is my favorite time of year. The air is cool and crisp, the leaves are turning, and best of all, summer's humidity is gone!

It pains me that in the neighborhood we live in now, not that many kids come to trick or treat. Previously, we went through dozens of bags of candy and we had the whole production set up on the porch...fog machine, sound track, candles, spider webs, etc. Nowadays, if we give away 3 or 4 bags of candy, that's a crowd. :(

For your fix of Halloween fun, I highly recommend this month's Samhellion, which will be crowded with monsters! I'll have an article about Tarheel legends.

Honoring the Ancestors

It doesn't matter what religion you are. Oct. 31-Nov. 1, for many paths, is a time to remember those who came before us. With these two simple rituals, you can make Halloween more than a time to hand out candy and party till dawn in outrageous costumes. (Not that there's anything wrong with that! LOL)

Samhain Altar

1. Any flat surface will to, from an entire table to a small shelf that isn't often disturbed. Clean or dust the area while mentally consecrating the space. Cover with a cloth, preferably red. Smudge with sweet grass or whatever incense you have on hand. A fringed cloth is nice, as it is said the threads help tie your spirit to the ancestors.

2. Choose photos of or objects related to your departed loved ones (blood or not), pictures of your ancestral homeland, or other photos that remind you of where you come from, physically or spiritually.

3.  Add objects that represents the four directions - in Native American tradition, red for east, black for west, white for north and yellow for south; or the four elements, earth, air, fire and water. A simple food offering is nice, as well. After all, you wouldn't invite someone to your house without offering them a snack, would you?

The Dumb Supper

You don't need any special rituals to talk to your ancestors. You can do it any time you want - they'll hear you! But it would be nice to invite them to a special dinner in their honor at this time of year when the veil is thin.

Talk about anything - even catch them up on what's going on in your life right now. Or say the important stuff you never got to say - "I love you", "I miss you", "I'm sorry", or "I forgive you".

Each year you can dedicate a Dumb Supper to a specific person, and prepare their favorite foods. Dishes appropriate to the just-completed harvest season are delish, as well - recipes using dries apples, squash, pumpkins and game (if you eat meat). Don't forget the Soul Cakes, though! (Recipe in the next column.)

Black is the theme here - black tablecloth, plates, utensils, even black candles if you can find them. Silence is also the order of the day. No one is to speak during the supper, which makes your job as host a little tricky! Just try to anticipate what ever your guests may need, such as extra salt and pepper shakers so no one has to ask for a pass.

Each guest should bring a note to their ancestors with them, and each place should have its own candle, a tealight on a fireproof plate. Don't forget to reserve the place of honor - the head of the

table - for your guest of honor. The spirits. After a silent prayer for the dead, the meal is eaten. At the conclusion, each guest gets out their note and burns it in the flame. A cauldron to quickly deposit the burning paper would be handy. :)

Then everyone silently leaves the room, stopping by the spirit chair to say goodbye.

Blessed Samhain!

Carolan's Cauldron