Happy “Halloween,”,“All Hallow’s Eve,” “All Saints’ Eve,” or Samhain Eve! Though much available writing about Halloween points to the Irish, Scottish and Gaelic history of this holiday, people of all times and places have been drawn to imaginings of the spiritual world.
Whether we are imagining fearful spirits (think Poltergeist), powerful spirits (A Christmas Carol), benevolent spirits (Touched By An Angel ), lonely spirits (City of Angels), or Divine Spirit, curiosity and fascination for the realm that we cannot see is universal.
I believe this curiosity stems from an intuitive knowing that we are all spiritual beings. That, in fact, we are not physical beings possessing a spirit, but we are spiritual beings having a physical experience. And from this subconscious knowing, we long for insight about the spiritual realm of being and we imagine what that might mean.
In my work I hear this curiosity expressed in many ways from vastly different people. From people who profess faith, and people who don’t; people who participate in religion, and people who don’t; people who recognize spiritual experiences, and people who don’t; people who know they are spirit, and people who don’t.
It is fascinating to imagine an existence not bound by the gravity, limitations, pain and needs of the body; and hard to imagine being without some of the physical pleasures afforded by sight, sound, smell and touch. “Will I still have these?” we wonder. “Will I have the same relationships? “ “Will I recognize others?” “Will I still be me?”
Many people try to imagine and connect to loved ones after physical death and spiritual transition. Traditions such as “All Saints Day,” “Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos” are ways we remember, acknowledge, honor – and imagine life after physical death.
I grew up singing the words of William W. How (1823-1897) for All Saints Day and as I write I can still hear the tune in perfect four part harmony,
“For all the Saints who from their labors rest……Alleluia, Alleluia!”
Remembering those we love – and imagine – on this All Saints Eve.