This is the feast of Samhuin. The Light of the Sun in the Wheel of the Year stands in the North West, at the place of the Dolmen which is the Gate between the Worlds. This is a time of sober reflection as one year ends and another begins and between the two is the Time that is No Time.

This feast is known by many names to many people for the Truth is reflected from many mirrors. It has been celebrated as Calan Gaeaf, Hallowe’en and Winter -night. Our ancestors called it by names long forgotten and our children will call it by names as yet unconceived.

At this time, our ancestors saw the Sun, the Lord of Light, maimed and bleeding: sinking into darkness, helplessness and death. The leaves of the trees are stained by His blood as they, too, wither and fall. Grim now is the face of the Lady as She who is Mother enfolds her dying son in her arms; as She who is Daughter stands at the head of her dying father; as She who is Sister, Wife and Queen grieves for her Lord in the ever-growing darkness. This is a time of endings

At this feast of Samhuin there may be a passage from the world of the Living to the realm of the Dead through the barrier of Time, which is no more. At this time, we may greet our friends and loved ones who have gone before us into Transition. Let us greet them with joy! At this time we may meet our ancestors and mentors who passed into the Hidden Lands long before our own coming. Let us greet them with respect! Fear not, for they are dwellers in the Light of the Spirit and come in peace and gentleness. Fear not, for we are children of the Light of the Spirit and we welcome them amongst us in love and respect in this brief time which is between Time. Fear not, for when we ourselves shall pass Transition, we too will dwell in the Light of the Spirit amongst those we love and respect.

At the ending of endings comes new beginnings. To light our way in the depths of the darkness to come we have the beacon of the eternal promise that the Child of Light will be reborn and the Earth once more will rejoice with fresh flowers and new leaves. This is our knowledge and our affirmation.

This is the Holy Word that is written in no less than the Earth and the Sky and in all things that are made. This is a wonder and a marvel.

–Coifi