Dia de los Muertos

 

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) begins on the evening of October 31st.  On that night, the spirits of the children (angelitos) arrive, with the spirits of the adults following on the 1st of  November.  Family graves are decorated and altars created to honor the occupations and special preferences of the ancestors.  On Nov. 2nd, a large family meal is shared with favorite foods and the spirits are bid a fond goodbye until the next year.
 
These activities are reminiscent of the ancient Aztec festival that honored the Lady of the Dead - the Goddess Mictecacihuatl - during the summer corn harvest.   It is now celebrated at the time of Samhain, Halloween, and All Soul's Day in many parts of the world, with differing traditions.

(© La Catrina art by P.Kratochvil)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning
http://www.inhername.com

Dia De Los Muertos

 

As we remember those who have gone before,

we wish you and your ancestors many blessings.

(© Catrina art by Bailyart/DeviantArt)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

http://www.inhername.com

Dia De Los Muertos

Many blessings on this Dia de los Muertos.

May you walk with the wisdom of your ancestors.

(© art by Adobe/Vector Tradition)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning
www.inhername.com

Happy Dia de los Muertos

 

Many blessings on this Dia de los Muertos.

May you walk with the wisdom of your ancestors.

(© art by Dimary/Deviantart, copyright reserved)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning
www.inhername.com

Dia de los Muertos

The holiday of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) begins on the evening of October 31st.  On that night, the small angelitos (spirit children) arrive, with the spirits of the adults following on the 1st of  November.  Family graves are decorated and altars created to honor the occupations and special preferences of the ancestors.  On Nov. 2nd, a large family meal is shared with favorite foods and the spirits are bid a fond goodbye until the next year.

 

These activities mirror an ancient Aztec festival, which honored the Lady of the Dead - the Goddess Mictecacihuatl - during the summer corn harvest.   It is now celebrated at the time of Samhain, Halloween and All Soul's Day in many parts of the world, including the U.S., Central America and Spain.  Different areas have different traditions, for example, in Guatemala they create colorful kites that can be up to 60 feet in diameter, a practice that has its roots in Mayan culture.  (see photo)

(© photo Multiturismo Moca)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

www.inhername.com

Full Moon & Dia de los Muertos

 

Blessings of the Dia de los Muertos and the Full Moon in Taurus.
May the wisdom of the Ancestors sing in your heart.

(© "Moon Song" painting by Heather Renaux, copyright reserved.)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

www.inhername.com

Dia de los Muertos

Many blessings on this Dia de los Muertos.

May you walk with the wisdom of your ancestors.

(© art by Ari de la Mora, copyright reserved)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning
www.inhername.com

Blessings of the Season

We remember those who have gone before, 

and wish you and your ancestors many blessings.

("Marigold" by Sylvia Ji, copyright reserved)

Dia de los Muertos blessings

The holiday of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) begins on the evening of October 31st.  On that night, the small angelitos (spirit children) arrive, with the spirits of the adults following on the 1st of  November.  Family graves are decorated and altars created to honor the occupations and preferences of the ancestors.  On Nov. 2nd, a large family meal is shared with favorite foods and the spirits are bid a fond goodbye until the next year.

 

These activities mirror an ancient Aztec festival, which honored the Lady of the Dead - the Goddess Mictecacihuatl - during the summer corn harvest.   It is now celebrated at the time of Samhain, Halloween and All Soul's Day in many parts of the world, including the U.S., Central America and Spain.

May you always walk with the wisdom of your ancestors.

("Soul Searching", La Catrina painting by Cat Ashworth, copyright reserved)

Happy Dia de los Muertos

 

Many blessings to you and your ancestors!

 

(La Catrina by Ari De La Mora, copyright reserved)

Dia de los Muertos

Many blessings on this Dia de los Muertos.

May you walk with the wisdom of your ancestors.

(Marigold Catrina by Sylvia Ji, copyright reserved)

Honoring the Ancestors

 

Over the next few days, there are many honoring and celebrating different holidays, such as Samhain, Hallowmas, and All Souls Day. In our part of the world (the Sonoran Desert), this time is also known as Dia de los Muertos, or the "Day of the Dead."

 

This day goes back over 3500 years in Mexico, as well as many parts of the U.S., Central America and Spain. It is presided over by the Lady of the Dead, the Aztec Goddess Mictecacihuatl.

People observe this day by dancing and wearing wooden skull masks known as calacas. This is done to show respect for their relatives who have passed over. Family gravesites and altars are decorated with sugar skulls, marigolds, candles, food, and other items specific to the ancestors' past occupations and what they enjoyed.

This festival takes place over many days, beginning with the spirits of the children (angelitos) arriving the night of October 31st. The spirits of the adults follow on November 1st. After a family meal together on November 2nd, they are bid farewell until the next year.

Blessings to you and your ancestors.


(photo of women dressed as La Calavera Catrina, by J. Zimmerman, Mexico)

Dia de los Muertos

The holiday of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) begins on the evening of October 31st.  On that night, the small angelitos (spirit children) arrive, with the spirits of the adults following on the 1st of  November.  Family graves are decorated and altars created to honor the previous occupations and preferences of their ancestors.  On Nov. 2nd a large family meal is shared with favorite foods and the spirits are then bid goodbye until next year.

 

These activities mirror an ancient Aztec festival, which honored the Lady of the Dead - the Goddess Mictecacihuatl - during their summer corn harvest.   It is celebrated now at the time of All Soul's Day throughout the world, including in many parts of the U.S., Central America and Spain.

 

Blessings of the ancestors to one and all!

 

 

 

 

(photo of La Calavera Catrina holding traditional marigold flowers of Dia de los Muertos, copyright Luis Roj.)

Honoring the Ancestors

"Tapetes de arena" or tapestries of sand, are found in many Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations and also used in the funeral customs of Oaxaca.  Flower petals, sand, seeds and sawdust are all used to create these sand paintings.

Presiding over this time is La Muerte (Lady Death), the Aztec Goddess Mictecacihuatl.   Dia de los Muertos was originally in held in July to mid-August, to coincide of the time of the Aztec corn harvest, but was incorporated into All Soul's Day by the Spanish conquerors in the 1500's.   The original customs have prevailed however, and passed family members and friends are still honored with altars full of flowers, candles, sugar skulls, marigolds and food offerings.  All night candlelight vigils are held.

No matter which holiday you may celebrate, Dia de los Muertos, Samhain, Hallowmas, All Souls Day, etc., we join with you in remembering those who have gone before, and wish you and your ancestors many blessings.

(photo by S. Barberzat)

Dia de los Muertos

Over the next few days, there are many honoring and celebrating different holidays, such as Samhain, Hallowmas, and All Souls Day. In our part of the world (Sonoran Desert), this time is also known as Dia de los Muertos, or the "Day of the Dead."

This day goes back over 3,500 years in Mexico, as well as many parts of the U.S., Central America and Spain. It was presided over by the Lady of the Dead, the Aztec Goddess Mictecacihuatl. Other names for Her include: La Catrina (see photo), La Flaca, La Huesuda, and La Pelona (Fancy, Skinny, Bony, and Baldy Lady). Ultimately, She is the expression of La Muerte - Death.

People observe this day by dancing and wearing wooden skull masks known as calacas. This is done to show respect for their relatives who have passed over. Family gravesites and altars are decorated with sugar skulls, marigolds, candles, food, and other items specific to the ancestors' past occupations and what they enjoyed.

This festival actually takes place over many days, beginning with the spirits of the children (angelitos) arriving the night of October 31st. The spirits of the adults follow soon after on November 1st. After a family meal on November 2nd, they are all bid a fond farewell until the following year.

Blessings to you and your ancestors!