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!