Archive for the ‘Halloween’ Category
Once again, the calendar’s pages fall away like so many leaves marking the passing of the seasons and leading us all to the annual visitations by brightly costumed ghouls, goblins and ghosts-as well as assorted superheroes, vampires, witches, devils, cartoon characters and other denizens of our imaginations demanding treats in lieu of giving tricks. I’m speaking, of course, of Halloween.
The paranormal is also celebrated during this annual autumnal festival. Haunted Houses, hayrides and theme parks all vie for the attention of those seeking to be safely and enjoyably scared out of their wits. At the same time, more serious paranormal investigations take place at historical buildings, graveyards, and other locations where the restless dead still seek to interact with those who remain on this mortal coil.
Yet there is another aspect to this October 31st event; one which is not often associated with All Hallows Eve as we know it but which the ancients both understood and practiced with reverence. That practice is divination. It was important to consult “wise ones”, called psychics today, in order to gain insight into the coming year and to obtain advice on lingering issues from the year just past.
Most of the traditions that we associate with Halloween come from the northern European Celtic tribes and other followers of Wicca. Called “samhain” which means “end of summer”, this day marked the end of the year and the time when preparations would be made for the coming winter. Also known as “The Third Harvest” and the “Feast of the Dead”, Samhain is a time when the veil between the worlds is stretched thin and passage between them can (and often does) occur.
Practice of the predictive arts was an important part of the celebration. To the ancients, this time also marked the symbolic time of death and rebirth. To most of the northern European and Celtic tribes, Samhain was considered the most important of the three Spirit Nights; the others being Beltane (May 1st) and Midsummer (Summer Solstice).
One of the most traditional of Halloween/Samhain activities that has been passed down is “bobbing for apples”. The apple was an important part of Celtic magic and to capture this mystical fruit from a tub of water symbolized the journey across the sea to find the apple and obtain its magical properties. An old tradition holds that if you sit by a mirror at the stroke of midnight, ask a question while cutting the apple into nine pieces, eating eight of them and then throwing the ninth over your left shoulder, you could look in the direction of the apple and see your answer reflected in the mirror.
Other types of divination and use of the predictive arts were also favored by the northern European tribes who understood that when access between the worlds was this close, mysteries could be solved, and futures foretold. Such arts as rune casting, tarot, and astrology all helped provided direction and guidance even as the last warmth of summer gave way to the impending cold and dark of the winter months ahead.
You, too, can walk the path of the ancients during this season of mystery and fable, the paranormal and the parties, modern expressions and ancient rituals. Allow yourself to seek answers to those things which confront you and learn how to follow your path. The skilled psychics and readers of Psychic Cosmos.com will use their gifts and abilities to provide the clarity you are seeking and illuminate the shadows as the worlds draw close. We are here just a phone call or email away. Seek us out.
Go well.
Lou Raedwulfe
Author of The RuneChest at Amazon
Also by Lou:
PsychicCosmos © 2009
Halloween, or Samhain as it was known to the ancients, is renowned as a time of mystery and magic when the veil between the worlds is thinnest and spirits roam the land. From a celebration of the final harvest of the year and preparation for the coming winter, the holiday has undergone a metamorphosis to parties, haunted houses, and a plethora of televised events exploring, examining or just featuring paranormal encounters.
As mentioned in my previous article, Samhain is also a time to take a look to the future much as the elder tribes of northern Europe and the British Isles did countless years ago. Consulting the predictive arts is both timely and appropriate during this season. As such, here is an astrological glance of what is in store for us as the stars make their Halloween rounds like so many cosmic children seeking treats and bringing tricks to the homes of the mortals below on this fair blue planet.
Given the financial uncertainty and the global and political issues that are snarling government and our economy, our focus is on two cities: New York and Washington D. C. and the transits that will be impacting them (and the rest of us) on this day of pumpkins and pageantry.
Transits are an astrological magnifying glass which allows skilled astrologers and psychics to examine their influences with more focus. Transits compare the motion and planet position on a given day against the “background” of a given chart-usually the natal or birth chart. In the case of cities or states, this would be the day that they came into existence.
Not surprisingly, the outer planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto have a longer lasting impact as they move more slowly and their influence tends to be more generational as opposed to the more personal and intimate impact of the nearer planets.
Turning to Washington first, Uranus will bring an impact in the area of shared resources. Quite possibly, this could be a shortage or shortfall on a national level. Taxes, too, will continue to be discussed and there may be an unexpected change either in the existing laws or perhaps one of the positions to be talked about by various parties. Saturn, too, will impact material possessions and finances as it moves through the second house.
Questions of what truly is valuable will come into play. Lastly, the Dark Lord, Pluto, moving through the 5th house could well bring a romantic scandal into the open. A major power play may begin which could continue the transformation through destruction seen across the globe.
New York seems to also be in line for some drama. The Sky Lord, Uranus, in the 4th house may bring some dramatic change to the domestic scene in the country. The Neptune influence in the 3rd house is going to cause misunderstandings and confusion in communication.
Perhaps someone speaking “off the record” may regret those words. Here, too, the Dark Lord, Pluto, Ruler of Scorpio, heralds drastic changes and the very foundation of income and possessions (2nd house); a potential market scandal or drop could be the ultimate “trick” without a treat.
Yet, with all the potential issues on the global, financial and political fronts, personal and romantic relationships may be enhanced. Venus and Luna, in both cities, have positive aspects for romance and interpersonal relationships. Perhaps, in a true cosmic sense, we are being shown that, ultimately, it is our hearts that can prevail even in turbulent times. In this, we share the spirit of Samhain with those who have gone before; finding comfort and support for the winter ahead and waiting for the Sun to again bring the warmth of the new season.
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Lou Raedwulfe author of The RuneChest at Amazon.