Dear Friends,
Wow, I feel so good today! It has been a while since I have felt this relaxed. My recent travels have been so tiring though fantastic, so maybe having time to rest has helped.
I am so loving the feeling of autumn. To those who say San Diego has no seasons, I say you are wildly imperceptive! The air feels different, the light is more gentle, the ocean looks more mysterious, and the arid landscape seems more spacious. The shorter days lead to an inward seeking, a sense of meaning that eludes explanation. I love it.
I am so intrigued by the origin of Halloween, the Irish tradition of Samhain (pronounced like Sawin). I recently learned that the original Jack-o-lanterns were carved from turnips! So funny! But what truly intrigues me is the idea that this is when the boundary between this world and the Otherworld is opened. What a profound notion. It is so fascinating to think about the idea of other realms and a special time where there is a portal to them. It is so interesting as a belief and as a way of seeing how our ancestors saw the universe. I am actually really interested in this kind of belief, and I want to learn more about it.
It is also fun to embrace the spooky side of the world! It is liberating in a way. I love somewhat macabre humor and ghoulish tales. I love dark and somewhat twisted gleeful storytelling! I am so going to try to learn more about movies and books and TV shows in this vein this October. Do you have recommendations?
I always profoundly appreciate visiting Dia de los Muertos celebrations, and find them so moving. I swear I feel such spiritual energy around the shrines! It is so powerful. I wish to better know of such celebrations and traditions from around the world. Do you have one to share with me?
This month, I will make an altar to my dad. I bought an altar mat in Japan back in March, as well as incense, and Tara bought me a beautiful ceramic vessel in Joshua Tree earlier in the year. It is important to me to have this symbolic place to focus my thoughts about him. I am so aware that some of you might think I am delusional, but this is so real to me.
How will you observe this transitional month? How does it make you feel? I am so eager to learn!
Your Friend,
Danny
Danny With Words 