a horror fan blog by Sean Zio
But evil things, in robes of sorrow,
Assailed the monarch’s high estate.
(Ah, let us mourn! — for never morrow
Shall dawn upon him desolate!)
And round about his home the glory
That blushed and bloomed,
Is but a dim-remembered story
Of the old time entombed.
From “The Haunted Palace” by Edgar Allan Poe
Throughout October, the veil between this world and the next will become continually thinner.
Honor your loved ones on the other side today by setting up an altar for them.
Include an image of each deceased loved one (human or otherwise).
Place at least one candle near each image, along with an offering of one or more items this loved one appreciated while they were alive, such as a nonperishable food or beverage, fruit, flower, small potted plant, book, poem, perfume, or anything else that feels right.
Further decorate your altar with fall flowers, such as chrysanthemums and marigolds, and fall produce, such as apples and pumpkins. An incense holder and incense would also be a nice addition, as sweet-smelling smoke is a traditional offering for the spirits.
Light the candles and sit in quiet communion with your loved ones for at least a minute or two once a day until Samhain.
Also, see if you can notice the subtle changes in the ether that correspond with the thinning of the veil.
Can you hear the spirits?
Can you sense eternity?
Visit Llewellyn Spell Listings
Just a thin veil, between this world
And that world of beauty and love,
Just a thin veil that hides the view
Of our Spirit loved ones above!
~ Gertrude Tooley Buckingham, “Just a Thin Veil,” 1940s
Who thought that these little tubs would ever be big enough for trick-or-treating? But, they were so cool!
