Ordinarily, the entire month of October for me is akin to one long holiday that merely ends with Hallowe'en, Samhain and the Days of the Dead immediately following that, thanks to the prevailing mood both in our general region and among my Gothic and witchy friend groups.
This year, for me Hallowe'en just . . . didn't happen, though I did attend a nice Samhain rite on the 27th, in which we honored our own ancestors and the indigenous peoples of this land.
So why the big bust, if I'm a witch and Hallowe'en is so important?
First, I was sick.
Then, I went on a trip, where the Hallowe'en decorations in Hawai'i looked strangely out of place for someone accustomed to linking jack-o'-lanterns with autumn leaves rather than palm fronds.
Third, Hallowe'en came mid-week, and I was working.
But the biggest reason was that all during Hallowe'en week and through the following Days of the Dead, I was --- once again, and too much more of it will cause me to start losing track of the address record --- moving.
Kinda hard to honor your ancestors on an altar when everything from photos to candles to deity statues is stuffed in boxes that all look alike, and you ran out of time to buy a pumpkin or pomegranate at the market (I missed the pumpkins --- I swear, day after Hallowe'en they vanish) --- but I got a pomegranate somebody tossed in the compost).
Thankfully, the move is complete, though almost all my things are still boxed. Last night was my third in my friend Justine's home, in an actual bed rather than on the floor. My thoughts are in mild turmoil right now: I'm nearly 40; How long will I have to shuffle boxes, trying to sort out enough discipline and organization to boost a career, while I struggle to live out of tiny rooms? I may have a roof over my head, making me luckier than many Americans, but still this Samhain is one of chaos and change, and the pressing feeling of time versus opportunity. The words of a song from my college years haunt me: "How long does it take somebody, before they can be someone?"
But besides low rent, this time around I also am grateful for the presence of friends in the house, true friends who point-blank said they want me there, who wanted both a bit of help with income and to give me a break from moving so much. How can I refuse such an offer, when the rent situation in Portland grows ever more nightmarish? Plus, this couple of artistic creatives are experts at balancing their creative pursuits with work: From painting to documentary filmmaking, they know how to pursue pet projects while getting the day job done, and that environment of support is one I can benefit from!
So as the season turns cold, I can expect to grind a bit more at my own day job (and there's little dishonourable about providing our city with its favorite beer, is there?), while spending home hours in the company of two cats (Bandit and Smudge), a cup of tea, and my own creative work. It's worth that to put up with a tiny room for just a bit longer.
Thus things like Samhain and Ancestor Walk, my own tradition, will be waiting a few days longer as I do some more shuffling with shelves and boxes, let alone my deeper work with Aliria and Dark Earth. I still have no idea where I will put my herbs and potions, which I want to resume working with this winter on a more regular basis.
But even as I write this, my excitement is making a valiant effort to overtread my anxiety and regret, as I wonder to myself: Just how many shelving units can one cram into the vertical capacity of a room? When it comes to art supplies, books, herbs, altars, clothes and laptop computers, what is the absolute maximum efficiency use of that space possible?
Of those thoughts, I think Snape might approve.
At the very least, it is genuine torture not to be able to work on things right now! I can't wait til I'm brewing and painting and writing again.
Here is one simple traditional potion of the type I would be likely to whip up this time of year, especially of a more general kind when a more specific magickal goal is not being focused on.
From White Magick Alchemy:
"Upon the coming of Samhain, the Witches New Year, it is tradition to craft a magickal witches brew, essentially a hot mulled wine made with red wine or apple cider, visionary herbs, spices of Samhain and flowers to increase our psychic awareness. As we invite our ancestors to pass through the veil into the world of the living from the spirit world, use as a gracious offering by placing a separate chalice of the beverage on the altar during Samhain ritual. The wine is perfect used as a sacred libation (to be poured upon the earth) to honor ancestral spirits.
The wine is traditionally brewed with:
Allspice
Clove
Orange Peel
Anise Stars
Cinnamon Sticks
Red Wine or Apple Cider
Vodka, Rum or Brandy
Fresh Oranges & Orange Peel
Fresh Apples
Pomegranate Juice
Herbs and flowers that are optional include adding very small amounts of Elderberry, Mugwort, Lavender and/or Calendula flowers. Elderberry and Mugwort should be used in very very small amounts. Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) is a very powerful visionary herb and should be used with extreme caution when taken internally. Also, Mugwort should never be taken when pregnant.
Fresh fruits are always traditionally added to the brew. Apples are sacred to witches and have been used in spells and rituals since ancient times. As we invite our ancestors to pass thru the veil, apples serve as a food offering for nourishment aiding our ancestral spirits safe travel as they pass through the veil between the worldly realms.
Prepare fresh apple slices and orange slices which can be shaped into stars/pentacles or crescent moons. Twist orange peels into spirals and incorporate as garnish."
"Directions for Samhain Brew:
In a large pot on the stove:
1 quart Burgundy, Port Wine, or red wine of your liking, or 1 quart Apple Cider, Cranberry or fruit juice
Fill a cloth pouch with 1/2 ounce of Samhain Witches Brew including cinnamon stick(s). If you are adding other ingredients, place those herbs in a muslin bag or strain after brewing. The Samhain Brew is essentially a blend of the herbs, spices & flowers listed above. Check your herb cabinet!
1/8 cup of sugar/brown sugar or to taste
Place muslin bag of Witches Brew into wine/cider and heat to just below boiling point. Reduce heat, cover pot and simmer on low for thirty minutes to one hour
Add 1 ounce (or more to taste) of Vodka, Rum or Brandy. You can also opt to add an ounce or two of Pomegranate juice, a symbolic offering traditional at Samhain
Simmer until the desired taste is reached
Garnish with apple slices, orange slices, orange spirals, anise and cinnamon sticks
Use Witches Brew to add the essence of Samhain to your sacred space too! To use as an aromatic home brew, fill a cauldron or simmering pot with about 2 cups of water. Add the contents of the Witches Brew bag into the water and simmer on low heat. If simmering for a longer period of time, make sure to add more water to the mix."
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