The Hallow's Tide

October 21, 2010 by Star Foster

Continued from Page 1

When the sun has lost its splendor, it is up to humans to maintain the fire, both in our homes and in our hearts. While our ancestors may not have known about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), they did know that in dark days you must kindle hope and preserve it until the light chases the darkness away. They also knew the darkness was useful, that melancholy had purpose, and that a lack of light makes you focus on things closest to you. It is no accident that most of our “family” holidays take place in the winter months. We focus on family and love, not when the corn is tall but when we are closed up indoors with our loved ones.

I will spend Samhain carving pumpkins to keep away malevolent spirits because maybe I have ancestors, biological or spiritual, who weren’t nice people. I will embrace the dark, make peace with the past, honor my ancestors, welcome the God who is dead-yet-not-gone into his half of the year, and I will focus on those things closest to me: family, friends, pets. I will be thankful for what I have and celebrate my blessings. I will embrace the gifts and blessings of the Hallow’s Tide!

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10/21/2010 4:00:00 AM

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About Star Foster

A hopeless movie junkie, Star Foster believes that good movies are the mythic narratives of our times.

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