All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day

Honouring those who've gone isn't scary: it warms you up inside.

These are the celebrations that come right after Samhain (if you haven't read it, have a look at the previous post): 1 November is All Saints' Day, a bank holiday in Spain, and 2 November is All Souls' Day. There are gorgeous traditions all over the world, and today I'll tell you about a few.

In Spain

Here we clean the graves and bring flowers to honour the eternal rest of our loved ones. And, being who we are, we also eat: buñuelos de viento (little cream puffs), huesos de santo ("saint's bones", a marzipan sweet) and roast chestnuts (the Castanyada in Catalonia, the magostos in Galicia and the north). It's also tradition to stage Don Juan Tenorio around these dates, because nothing says "the dead" like a good drama in verse, ghosts included.

In Mexico

In Mexico they build beautiful altars for the Day of the Dead, which has been on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2008. The ofrenda includes cempasúchil (Mexican marigold), pan de muerto, papel picado, sugar skulls, salt, water, copal, candles, photos and the person's favourite food. It's believed that on these days souls come back to visit their families, so they're welcomed like someone returning from a very long trip: with the table laid.

How do I make an altar?

Honestly, you don't need much. A photo, a white candle, some water and that person's favourite food or song, and you've got a really sweet altar that does its job. If you want to add to it:

A glass of water: traditionally, for the thirst of the journey.
A little salt: for purification.
Something of theirs: an object, a book, their perfume… whatever reminds you of them.
Flowers, and I'll tell you which ones now.

Which flowers or plants can I use?

You can use chrysanthemums and rosemary; they're lovely, and you can ask Virgil what they're for. A little preview:

Chrysanthemum: the flower of the dead in Spain and much of Europe, mainly because it blooms right in November.
Rosemary: the plant of memory and remembrance. Ophelia says it in Hamlet: "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance."
Cempasúchil: in Mexico, its colour and scent guide souls back home.

Honouring isn't summoning

This matters, so I'll say it plainly: honouring means remembering, giving thanks and leaving an offering, and anyone can do it without any fear. Calling or contacting (Ouija, mediumship and friends) is a different practice, with more risks, which needs experience and protection. To light a candle and talk to your gran, all you need is love.

Which spread?

You can do a three-card spread dedicated to a particular ancestor:

What legacy do you leave me?
What do I let go of?
Which path do I follow?

It's a beautiful exercise to start with. If any card isn't clear, you'll find it in the glossary. And the calendar has more ideas for these dates.

To finish

As Vision says in WandaVision: what is grief, if not love persevering? And that's how you should see your love for those who are no longer on the same plane as us: with love. Even if they don't answer, it doesn't mean they aren't listening. 🕯️