By Medium Hollister Rand
It is commonly believed that between October 31st and November 2nd, the barrier between the earth plane and the afterlife is most permeable. The holidays celebrated during this time – – Halloween, All Soul’s and All Saints’ Days and The Day of the Dead–focus collective attention toward the spirit world. This effect is intensified right now because so many have died during the pandemic. Therefore, it is the perfect opportunity to set aside the fun house horror of Halloween and foster connections with those we love in spirit. So how might we do this? By re-inventing Halloween traditions.
Jack-o’-lanterns: One of most Halloween-like ways to invite loved and lovely spirits into your home, is to carve pumpkins with new intent. Cut hearts of various sizes into a hollowed pumpkin. Ghost (white) pumpkins are perfect for this. Using non-flammable paint or markers, write the names of the spirits you love around the hearts. A pink candle (symbolizing love) placed inside and lit will provide a focal point for meditation. During a few moments of silence, envision your beloved spirits as well and happy. Giving thanks for their continued presence in your life can lighten up the sadness which may intensify during the holiday season.
Entertainment: During October we can set the intention to embrace the beauty of spiritual growth and spirit connection. Instead of watching the various permutations of chainsaw massacres and scream fests, consider the animated Coco, comedies like Ghostbusters I & II, The Good Place and Upload. For a more romantic movie experience, Dragonfly (starring the ever-handsome Kevin Costner) or A Ghost Story or the classic, Ghost, are options. If you are looking for more educational and spiritual entertainment, watching documentaries like Life After Life or The Tibetan Book of the Dead might shift your thinking.
Costumes: Celebrating the light side of Halloween costumes means choosing to dress with intent! One of my favorite ideas is a nod to reincarnation called “Come as you were.” Consider a period costume which has a personal psychic pull. For instance, at a get together one year, we had friends who dressed as a pirate (not particularly original except that this was a woman dressed as a famous Irish female pirate), a member of the Navajo tribe, a Roman Centurion, a nun and a flamenco dancer (who was a man dressed as a woman). Now this might seem like nothing more than a mishmash of time periods with gender fluidity. However, when everyone started interacting, it was as though all of history existed at the same time. Aspects of each person’s personality began to merge with the character they had chosen for the night. What started out as a fun idea ended up as a profound exercise in bringing past lives into the present. The host of the party included food that was typical for her character’s century, adding to the authenticity of the experience. You, too, can tap into a past life by spending a few quiet moments asking yourself, “What does ‘come as you were’ mean to me?” The answer may lead to your putting together a great costume and preparing for an interesting spiritual experience even without attending a party.
As you celebrate the light side of Halloween, invite loved ones in spirit to use this special time of year to communicate with you in an extra-special way. Happy Halloween Light!
For more information about Hollister Rand please visit HollisterRand.com