The Veil

The veil is thin at this time of year. In the northern hemisphere, the Earth is laboring in her dying process and pre-occupied with that. The attention paid to things that might normally be concealed or obscured, has been otherwise diverted and there is often an increased occurrence of flashes, whispers, blips, brushes, shadows, and visions, not of this world. Dreams seem more visceral - more vivid, and they linger longer after waking.

It happens in the Spring too, this pre-occupation. Only it’s during the birthing process of the land here which also requires a monumental amount of attention. Things slip. Veils between the worlds, thin.

I’ve seen probably 12 instances now of resistance against the idea of a thin veil. “All veils are thin.” they say derisively. But that’s not true.

Ever seen a burka? There’s a reason why some women in burkas can’t go out by themselves. They can’t see to walk without a guide. Similarly, widow’s weeds of the Victorian Era. They were so thick; the widow was escorted by necessity. Both a blessing and a curse for the bereaved.

We might also mention the caul. The veil over the face that some infants are born with. There’s nothing thin about that. There’s also nothing thin about a shroud, the burial veils used in many cultures, or the temple veils of biblical proportions. These veils separated the holy place from the most holy. They were 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and the thickness of the palm of the hand. They were so heavy, they could crush a man if they fell, and it took dozens of priests to manipulate them.

We are fast approaching Samhaintide, the month of November. We make our home altars welcoming to our Beloved Dead, freshening them, cleaning them, putting out fresh offerings of pomegranate, and apples, chocolate, sweet water, and wine. We light candles, burn incense, and invite them to step into our remembrances, to give us messages, guidance, to visit our dreams.

For me, it is generally easier to connect at this time of year when the heavy veils that obscure this world from others, thin and sometimes drop almost completely. Here, the Earth travails in the labor of her deathing, even as in the Southern Hemisphere she travails in the labor of her birthing.

This year, the veil seems even thinner than usual – and it’s not just me. Beloveds, friends, and family are calling from across the country, reporting incidents, sharing stories of encounters, and processing dreams.

As we spiral into the darker days, let’s just STOP for a moment to recognize where we are, to take advantage of the precious time we have, to be in this threshold, this liminal space on the Wheel where we can more easily connect with our Ancestors, our Guides, and our Beloved Dead, to give and receive love, healing, and wisdom - to hold and be held. It is an exchange that we can immerse ourselves in, and if we do it right, it can keep us warm and soul-fed through the season ahead. Samhain – Gaelic for the month of November, it’s a season.

For me, this is the most beautiful and magical time of the year. Some of the experiences and observations will have personal meaning, some may come through us to be delivered to others, and some may have nothing to do with us, or our world at all. The magic comes from discernment, acceptance, and delight in the mystery.

Curl up, rest, drink hot tea, and take the whole month to pay your respects to those who allowed you to come through them, to be earthside. (Whether you like them or not!) and to all those who exist in other realms, realms that bleed over into ours while the veil is thin.