These three celebrations coincide with the unfolding of Fall, as foliage turns to vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold, and the fresh, crisp air feels soothing and inspiring. I always thought the changing of the leaves presented a brilliant metaphor—the leaves becoming most beautiful as they die and fall to the ground, much like death can be seen as a remarkable transition from the soul’s physical experience to a non-physical reality.
However, the leaves aren’t exactly dying.
Turns out, in the Fall, deciduous trees pull in nutrients and minerals to conserve and recycle their resources for the approaching winter, and share them through their roots with neighboring trees.
I also had an incomplete understanding of these current, autumnal holidays.
Further investigation informs me that All Saints’—and All Souls’ Day—is a remembrance of everyone in ‘heaven’ (not just the saints), “including quiet, everyday people like family members or unknown martyrs whose holiness is known to God.”
In addition, I’ve felt a little spooked by the skeletal images representing El Día de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead—often associating it with scary Halloween icons and a focus on death itself.
Wrong again.
I find that the celebration is rooted in ancient Aztec and Mayan traditions, with many evolving over 3,000 years. It interprets death as a transformation to a new stage of life, rather than the end of existence.
Altar offerings include the four elements—water, wind, earth, and fire:
- Water is left in a pitcher so the spirits can quench their thirst.
- Paper banners represent the wind.
- Earth is represented by food, especially bread.
- Candles are often left in the form of a cross to represent the cardinal directions, so spirits can find their way.
- Photos of departed loved ones are also included.
So beautiful.
– and, BTW— HALLOWEEN was brought to America by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 19th century, originally with roots tied to the souls of the dead, before the holiday transformed into a commercialized and family-friendly tradition.
I believe the process of dying is not final, as these traditions acknowledge, and as I've confirmed in consultations with clients. Loved ones transmit that my clients have helped them on their way to a more expansive, non-physical reality through their thoughts, intentions, and prayers.
I salute all three traditions this day, honoring each of them and how, in their own way, they celebrate the passage of souls from the physical dimension to a more expansive, illuminated landscape—the non-physical dimension.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN, ALL SAINTS’ DAY, AND EL DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS!