Time to give thanks
SAMHAIN – TIME TO SURRENDER TO EARTH AND HONOUR OUR ANCESTORS
Samhain is a day or season in the Celtic wheel of the year is marking the last harvest, therefore honouring the end of nature’s fertility and start of the dark resting phase – it is the time between ending and beginning, a liminal space between closing and opening, a portal between the realms during which the veils are said to be thin which can help us to access otherworldly messages and visions – and with otherworldly I mean the parallel magical realms that exist here on earth!
Through Christianity we almost forgot the ancient ways of our ancestral lands that are deeply rooted in this planet. The Celtic otherworld is not considered separate or outside from where we live but co-exists, ever present – divided by a mere veil of perception.
To access these realms we have to ground down instead of ascend. Not without reason we speak of faery hills or mounds or tors under which the fae folk resides. An otherworld of which you hear me talk a lot is Avalon, where priestesses on an island of apples perform magic and healing arts, helping the living to transition into death or prepare to be reborn.
This connection of Avalon as an island of Death and Rebirth with this current season is obvious:
Samhain is also known as All Hallows’ Eve when the passed on souls walk this earth more noticeably.
We can express our gratitude, connect to dear family members or receive messages from ancestors.
By honouring the death we also honour the birth of a new cycle and therefore honour life.
Coincidentally or meant to be… My Avalon journey started during the Samhain time in 2017 when I was living in Iceland. The summer prior I was exploring Cacao, had 10 days on my own on a trip in the Westfjords with a self chosen diet to cleanse which later I realised was self-led Cacao Dieta as I had some everyday without consuming any other stimulants. By that time I haven´t felt much energetic effects through Cacao but nevertheless was she weaving her magic and brought synchronicities and people my way that led to me participating in a weekend witch workshop where I learned to cast circles and see energies around people, feel the power of groups and ceremonies. However I wasn´t supposed to walk this path further as a witch but discover the ways of the priestess. Three years later I moved to Glastonbury on the Full Moon before Samhain 2020. Earlier that year, druing my stay in Guatemala at the Lake Atitlán I was called by the Lady of the Lake. I went there for work purposes to deepen my Cacao research and be amongst the Chocolate Shaman Keith himself as well as connecting to the lands of this sacred medicine. As the first lockdown arrived and no Cacao forest trips were possible nor were there events to attend, I tended instead to my book Avalon Within which of all books I took with me to Guatemala. So not only my research mingled with my embodied Cacao exploration but also the energies around the Lake. Because also Atitlán has a Lady of the Lake and the misty morning during rainy season woke in me a sense of longing for the British Isle and so I planned a visit to Glastonbury with a friend after my return from Middle America.
I further explain the connection of Avalon with Glastonbury in the Cacao Cauldron, but you might already know that it is said to be the physical representation of Avalon, the reason for my visit which led to me moving there (amongst other reasons that became classic Glastonbury stories of illusion, dreams, heartbreak and truthful inner work and outer manifestations). Glastonbury is known as the Heartchakra of the world and Cacao the medicine of the Heart – an obvious connection, however I was weary to bring Cacao, a plant ally from a very distant country to the Celtic lands (knowing of course that Cacao is already famous all over the world but I was questioning my role as a German foreigner with a Guatemalan medicine in a country that has its own beautiful healing plants and traditions). So I asked for permission. On the Wearyall Hill, the entry way into Avalon, the home of the Faery Queen, the Summer Queen which for me, born on summers solstice, is an important guide. When I sat foot on this hill I could feel the excitement and sensuality that I have only ever felt when fresh in love or after a cup of delicious Cacao. Butterflies in my stomach and an energy so pure, light and hopeful that I knew instantly this was a good sign. Further more I realised something very important: Avalon (amongst others) is the Island of Apples and the Apple when cut horizontally reveals a five pointed star in which the seeds are. This is a pentagram, representing the five elements, the five moon phases (dark, waxing, full, waning and new moon), the five phases of growth in a human life- and the Cacao flower has several layers of five petals which for me shows how important this number is in relation to matters of the Heart and that Cacao clearly has a place in Avalon.
The Initiation to Avalon traditionally starts with Samhain, when in the Northern Hemisphere the winter begins. The last harvest festival is also the beginning of a new Celtic year and the time when the seeds are buried deep in the earth ready to be sprouting while the earth goes to sleep, rests and composts the old leaves of the old year making space and energy for the new life to appear in a few months.
In the Avalonian Tradition we start with this DESCENT. And take the start of the darkest season as an invitation to dive deeper into our soul journey, confront our fears, end old patterns and belief systems to make space for our new self and affirm our intentions for the journey ahead, to new shores, whilst allowing the mists of Avalon to swallow us, to make us surrender to the unknown, loosing our way in order to walk the steps that over time form our own path of (be)longing.
On Samhain we honour the end of the harvest season, give thanks to the earth and the ancestors that have shared their knowledge with us and planted seeds which we got to harvest. During this time particularly we can express our gratitude to passe loved ones, forgive or ask for forgiveness and heal wounds and generational trauma.
How can you honour death? What can you shed to be composted to gain energy for the new?
AVALON is also known as the island of death, healing and rebirth. King Arthur was brought over the lake and through the mists by the priestesses of Avalon after a deadly wound from his last battle in order to be healed and one day rule again to heal the land.
I believe – similarly to the story of Jesus – that this legend doesn´t talk about an actual King called Arthur but that it is about all of us to claim our inner rulership, marry the land – aka heal the land and therefore our bodies and mend the faery accord (check the July ceremony in the Cauldron library to hear the story behind the faery accord!) – and come into balance of masculine and feminine. Ruling together around the round table, without patriarchic hierarchy nor wounded matriarchy but a beautiful interdependence of life on this planet and within ourselves.
Cacao reminds us of our heart homeland, of arriving in our hearts, of feeling secure, well protected and guided, even in times of uncertainty and challenges. In the dark we seem to lose our way and Cacao gives us confidence and helps activate the strength within us to move forward despite uncertainty – and so the energies of Avalon give us courage step by step through the mists of inconvenience until they lighten up and we can see into the distance again. These moments are tests of confidence, of faith – in ourselves and in life. Whether we call upon Mama Cacao or pray to the Lady of the Lake or the all-encompassing earth goddess.
Journal Prompts for the Descent:
You can’t heal if you don´t know what your wound is. Hence why the descent is an invitation to look at what it is you are leaving behind:
- What perspective, situations, persons and things in your life cause you pain or stimulate guilt, sadness, anger, remorse, shame or fear?
- In the grand scheme of your life what destructive patterns of behaviour can you recognise and in what way would your life change if these patterns no longer existed?
- Think about yourself as a child and the life you imagined you´d have: What would you be doing, where would you be living, who would be in your life? Compare these aspirations and their natural growth and modification to your life at this very moment: where are you in attaining these goals? Where are you in the progress and what could you be doing differently? What obstacles have gotten in your way and how do or have you dealt with them? What prevents you from being the person you wish to be?
Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Cacao for this witchy season. I love listening to the Samhain Song by Lisa Thiel, it sums up so wonderfully what this season can be about and gives us a beautiful way to call to our ancestors by letting our voices be heard and as we sing along we also stir in the intention of connecting with those that walked the earth before us and left their blessings into our cup of cacao!
Ingredients
- 30 grams Keith’s Cacao
- 200 ml. Water
- 100 ml. Hazelnut Milk (or non-dairy milk)
- ½ tsp. Pumpkin spice (nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, clove)
- Pinch of Pure Vanilla
- A dash or two of Maple Syrup to sweeten
Instructions
- Chop the Cacao
- Warm the water and hazelnut milk in saucepan
- Add all the ingredients to the milk and water
- Whisk to combine and bring to heat (don’t let it boil)
- Serve and drink with intention!
Alternatively add all ingredients to a blender and blend for a frothier texture
Inspiration
GRATITUDE
What am I thankful for?
Take time (with or without cacao) to feel (not just think) what you’re grateful for and ask yourself what’s blocking that feeling should an inner part resist the sensation to expand.
It’s not about being obsessive about being thankful, because we have so much to be grateful for, even since we were able to open our eyes this morning and catch our first breath.
However, we take many things for granted and this needs to be changed carefully, not compulsively overnight. Because the true magic occurs in our lives when we feel gratitude from within and all affirmations are useless if despair, fear or dissatisfaction prevail in us and are pushed away because “one should be grateful”.
Instead of trying desperately to be grateful and just being that on the surface, come into your authentic perception, be honest with yourself and integrate the parts of yourself that don’t feel grateful, feel free to ask them why and listen. Pay attention to them when they tell you their story. Maybe it’s your inner child that feels wronged.
If we cover these inner parts up with positive affirmations and superficial gratitude (which is very well appreciated by our rational adult head but is not felt by our entire being), these inner parts only become stronger and louder in the long run, because they are not heard. But if we listen to them, and admit that we’re not feeling the way our heads think we should be feeling, then they can unravel and find peace – and we can appreciate the small moments of everyday life with renewed joy.
Cacao Practice: Divination
The Element of WATER is connected to this cycle of the year and a very important element in the stage of our Descent Journey. Like the lake over which we travel to Avalon it we can look calm on the surface but have deep emotions that are hiding in the dark. Hence why water is connected to feelings and our subconscious – which we aim to explore with a cup of Cacao and this magical divination technique:
The women of Avalon were renowned for their powerful use of the Sight. This was not a supernatural ability; rather, the priestesses of Avalon learned how to read the greater patterns around them, and from that, could predict how things would likely unfold. We can make use of this ancient art in our personal process; the more we understand the mechanisms of our inner landscapes and the more we are able see the way in which our own patterns manifest, the more we will be able to effect deep and lasting change in our lives.
It is this change which allows us to rise above the lessons being presented to us over and over again, giving us new eyes with which to see ourselves and the world around us. The more we change and grow, the greater becomes our ability to perceive the pattern. Therefore, we can say the Sight is nor the goal of spiritual attainment, but rather, its byproduct.
Scrying is a potent tool for uncovering and deciphering the individual parts that make up the greater pattern. Like any other tool or esoteric art, learning to scry successfully takes a great deal of dedication, patience, and practice. You needn´t be “psychic” in order to scry: we already have this ability within us. Scrying is a simple way to bypass the conscious mind, allowing us to connect with the wisdom inherent in our higher selves.
The biggest challenge of this discipline is honing the ability to obtain clear focus. This can be achieved in a number of ways. There are many objects that can be used as a focus for scrying. Crystal spheres or points, the embers of sacred woods, standard silvered or specially blackened mirror, candle fames, intricate mandalas, or a bowl or body of still water are but a few examples of tools traditionally used in chis art. One medium may have a greater draw over others, or it may be necessary to explore and experiment with several before finding the focus that works best. As with all things, personal experience is the most important clement in the decision making process.
You need:
A bowl (without patterns) and spring or rain water – charge in moonlight if you wish.
How to scry with water:
Setting up the work before hand is one of the most important elements of scrying. Knowing how to ask for information is critical to the success of the working. Take some time to meditate on what it is you would like to know before actually sitting down to scry; it is better to focus on one issue at a time. Preparation ensures you are spending as much time as needed concentrating on one topic rather than quickly running down a laundry list of concerns. Once you have chosen a topic you would like to receive more information on, or a situation you feel needs more clarity you can begin work and set your intention accordingly.
When ready, gather your tools at a time and in a place where you will nor be disturbed. It is best to work in low, indirect light; try scrying under the full moon or by the light of a single candle. Some women find that playing soft ambient instrumental music helps filter out distracting noises; if you do, it is best to use neutral music or rhythmic drumming so as not to have musical energy interfere with the information seeking. You may decide to hold the vessel in your hands, sit in of it on the floor, or rest it on a table or altar in front of you. You may choose to use different positions for your vessel as you proceed in your scrying session, but before you begin, it is important to be in a comfortable position allowing a clear view of the inside of your vessel.
Always start your working by clearing and centering, this can be done through breath, sound, visualisation, or burning sacred herbs like vervain, cedar or rosemary. Once you have cleared your physical and energetic spaces of distraction, sit with your intention and all that is connected with the issue at hand until it fills your very being. For example, if you have decided to work on understanding why you find it difficult to say “no” to others, even when you are already over-committed, bring to mind instances when this has happened and connect emotionally with how it made you feel.
When you are strongly rooted in this energy, call on the energy of Cacao and the Lady of the Lake as your guides and ask the Goddess to help you receive the information you need to understand this situation so that you may make positive growth changes.
Place your hands around your scrying vessel filled with water and feel your intention for clarity on this specific issue. Let it flow out of your hands to charge the water and the vessel. When you feel you have put as much of this energy into the vessel as possible, take three deep breaths to settle your energy, and begin scrying.
A good way to start is by softening your vision as you stare at the still surface of the water. Keep your breathing deep and rhythmic as you work, and keep your mind clear of any doubts or expectations. Some women find it helpful to concentrate on their peripheral vision while focusing on the center of the scrving field; this creates a place in between for information to present itself.
This information can come in many forms, and you may experience one or several of them at different times in your work. You may find that images, symbols, or even words form on the surface of the water, or you may see moving scenes unfold before your eyes. Whatever comes, don´t judge what you see just accept and take note. You can continue to ask related questions based on insights you have received in the moment, but resist shifting the focus away fron the issue at hand. Check with your guide, and when you are sure you are done, thank the Goddess for Her assistance. With intention, close down the energy of the scrying vessel by passing your hand three times over the surface of the water as if to close a window. Breathing any remaining energy down into the Earth, visualise the streams of energy pouring out of the bowl or cauldron and being absorbed into the ground.
Remember that scrying works by allowing your unconscious mind speak to you without interference from your conscious mind. It may take a while to be able to bypass your conscious mind, but if you are diligent and disciplined, you can make a good and solid connection with the inner source of wisdom that lies beyond the unconscious. It is important to note that everyone receives information in a different way: it is not unusual to get auditory responses during a scrying session, or to get a sense of “knowing” that cannot be attributed to a physical sense. Do not judge the method of transmission; what is communicated is more important than how it is communicated.