The Wild Hunt (https://wildhunt.org/tag/ancestors)
Recent archaeological research at the Neolithic site of Masseria Candelaro in southern Italy has unveiled a rare and compelling glimpse into how ancient societies created and interacted with their ancestors.
Like a “Sunday Catholic” who is extremely devout on Sunday mornings but lives a decidedly un-Christian life for the rest of the week, we can all too easily make grand speeches over the drinking horn at blót but neglect to put intention into action when we step out into the wider world. Are we honoring the ancestors in our lives? Or are we dishonoring them?
As we gather and rejoice with our beloved ancestors and ancients during these uncertain times, may the lessons of Samhain grace our table with plenty, our chosen group of family and friends with blessings, and our hearts with much needed wisdom. As our ancients might remind us: are we living or are we being lived?
It’s easy to disregard the dead. They don’t have the ability to move you along if you’re loitering where you aren’t wanted. They have no control their own physical bodies any longer, nor over the space where they are interred. They can’t opt out of your pictures. They can’t tell you no.
Over the last few months, I have been exploring definitions of what makes a hard winter. How do I define that experience? Sometimes I stayed awake at night, turning thoughts in my head, worrying at this topic like a child poking a loose tooth with her tongue.