A descent into the mystery of transformation

Around October 31 and November 1 is a cluster of autumn spiritual traditions that include Halloween, the Celtic Samhain, the Christian All Saints’ Day, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), and the Hindu Diwali. Halloween has become a fun, light-hearted night for children and adults in costume. The other observances, however, continue to provide opportunities for reflecting on both the reality of death and the hope of renewal and continuance.

The latter hope is rooted in a sense of eternity and connecting with our ancestors. The veil between the seen world of matter and the unseen world of spirit becomes thin. It is a time to drift, dream and vision, a time for inner journeys connecting to the wisdom within yourself.

This threshold into the dark phase of the year’s cycle is when the mystery of transformation occurs. This process involves a descent and a death of something old in preparation for something new to be reborn. This is an auspicious time of year to descend into our Cave of the Mothers dream chamber, here on the Forest grounds.

Together, we’ll:

• Hold sacred ceremony for this threshold of the year.

• Descend into the nurturing womb of the Cave of the Mothers.

• Explore the journeys of death, grief, and transformation.

• Communally create an ofrenda altar.

• Decorate our communal table with symbols of the season, such as pumpkins, sugar skulls, leaves, etc.

• Pause for individual periods of silence and reflection.