Honouring your grief and loss this Samhain
Read on for some reflections and embodied journaling prompts around grief and loss this Self Care Sunday (+ oracle cards + 3 live calls each week!)
This week, we’re working with the Celtic New Year energies of Samhain: The ancient festival that evolved into Hallowe’en.
A time where the veil between the worlds is considered to be at its thinnest, a time to remember (and potentially connect with) lost loved ones, a time to dream new dreams and to let go of all that no longer serves us – energies, belongings, beliefs and behaviours…
In addition to loved ones who died longer ago, I’ll be lighting candles to remember my cousin who died in January and my uncle and godfather (we were fortunate enough to spend his last 3 conscious days with him in Norway and then get back there for the funeral last month). I’m also (declaring it here for the first time although it’s been on my mind for over a month) going to launch the Feel Better Every Day Podcast I’ve been working on since July on what would have been his birthday, Winter Solstice.
Instead of doing the traditional weekly episode releases, I’ll release new episodes every day during the holiday period and into the new year – people can obviously listen back ANY time but I think motivation is higher around new year.
I wish he’d had more time and space and energy and a lifestyle that could have supported him in taking better care of HIMself.
We all make choices every minute of every day and my hope is that by sharing these interviews that have been SUCH a joy to record and work with (have been in post production for so long as I’ve not done a podcast before! And I’ve learned to be more patient with myself!) ALL listeners will pay closer attention to what THEY consider to be important daily practices. That EVERYONE deserves to feel better every day.
WHO WILL YOU BE HONOURING THIS SAMHAIN?
Would you like to honour them in the comments?
Something that makes you smile as you think of their impact on your and others’ lives?
Will you light a candle or do something else?
LISTEN FOR COMFORT AND INSPIRATION
The always amazing Martha Beck (who I was fortunate enough to interview many many years ago) talks beautifully about feeling the grief (with completing LIVING loved ones too) HERE
EMBODIED JOURNAL PROMPTS
Grab your recording device (phone?) and video or audio record yourself.
I MAY BE SCARED TO FEEL THE GRIEF AND LOSS AROUND … BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT THE DEPTH OF THE DARKNESS AND PAIN SHOWS HOW MUCH LOVE THERE IS TOO
I MAY BE CONFUSED AROUND MORE COMPLEX GRIEF AND LOSS AROUND …
I WELCOME ALL MY FEELINGS AND MAKE TIME AND SPACE FOR THEM ALL
AS I CONNECT WITH THIS GRIEF AND LOSS, MAYBE FOR THE FIRST TIME, MAYBE AGAIN, I KNOW THAT I CAN HANDLE IT
______________, _____________ AND _____________ WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME TO HANDLE IT
I DESERVE THESE SUPPORTS AND WILL PUT THEM IN PLACE
I CAN ALSO TAKE A BREAK FROM THESE FEELINGS WHEN I NEED TO. IT’S OK FOR ME TO LAUGH. TO HEAL…
Afterwards, watch or listen back and glean additional insights you might not from traditional journaling (although obviously YOU know the method that’s right for you – these are simply suggestions) by observing your own tone of voice, body language, skin tone etc.
WANT TO DELVE DEEPER?
Tomorrow’s Embodied Wellbeing post has some Monday Motivation to help remind you that in times of greatest darkness there’s also the greatest light. You already have it within you.
And the Tune In* Tuesday blog post (31/10/23) is designed to help you use the powerful letting go energies of Samhain to declutter your belongings, behaviours and beliefs to make way for new dreams and wondrousness.
*to that highest, wisest, truest, wildest, most joyful, brilliant and miraculous part of yourself
If you’re not already a subscriber, you can sign up now:
YOUR ORACLE CARD READING FOR THE WEEK
For this week’s reading, we’re working with Steven D Farmer’s beautiful Earth Magic oracle card deck.
As always, press in through the soles of the feet and the parts of you that are connected to whatever furniture is supporting you, sitting or lying down. FEEL that sense of being held. Connect with the earth's nourishing energy and draw on that support as you imagine yourself lengthening through the spine. Reach up to the heavens knowing that you're only open to what's for your highest good at this time.
Trust that you’re being drawn to the right card for you at this time and choose a, b or c
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