Samhain
I have long hated Halloween.
Our mom made my sister and me the most amazing costumes when we were little — I remember particularly fondly the year I was Peter Pan and she was Tinkerbell in our homemade costumes and our four years’ age difference.
When I was a tween, however, I grew to distrust the American holiday and its revelers. Pranks were one thing, but the (urban myths about) razor blades in apples? Tainted candy? Property destruction? No, thanks.
And maybe because I’m on this romantasy kick, I’m been thinking this fall about the celebration of Samhain.
(Samhuinn is a holiday in the Throne of Glass world, a day that the veil between the spirit world and the world of the books is lifted that day.)
In the meantime, please enjoy your All Hallow’s Eve safely. I’ll be snuggled with dogs reading Heir of Fire tonight.
This is the night when the gateway between
our world and the spirit world is thinnest.
Tonight is a night to call out those who came before.
Tonight I honor my ancestors.
Spirits of my fathers and mothers, I call to you,
and welcome you to join me for this night.
You watch over me always,
protecting and guiding me,
and tonight I thank you.
Your blood runs in my veins,
your spirit is in my heart,
your memories are in my soul.
With the gift of remembrance.
I remember all of you.
You are dead but never forgotten,
and you live on within me,
and within those who are yet to come.