Today I write this entry by the light of one small flickering candle. Though it is small and simple this flame casts quite a lot of light. This candle was slow to ignite, the flame on the wick was weak and only slightly burned and threatened to be extinguished, until it reached the center and heart of the candle. Then it burst forth in quite a strong and flickering flame. This candle has much significance to me and my family. It is the red candle that is always charged and lit first as part of the Yule Log ceremony. It is the candle from last years Yule Log ceremony. It is the blood red candle of the ancestors and the beloved dead. It drips with the memories of the past and the loss left by those not physically here. But those that stay within us in the whisper of memories and the lingering traditions that they helped keep alive. This candle will be burned to just a nub then it will be used to light the red candle on this years Yule Log.
The Holiday season may seem to be an odd time to honor the ancestors and beloved dead. You might be asking yourself, wasn't that what Samhain is for? But I believe the veil is thin from the Autumn Equinox through the Winter Solstice and that those who we have loved and lost are hear in spirit celebrating. They are surely at the front of ones mind as you hang that special ornament that you inherited from you Great Grandma, or make your Grandmother's special cookies, your reminisce and think about all of good times and wish with all your heart and soul that they were still here.
This day of December 2, has a special significance also for my family. I is the day that my Uncle Rick passed 25 years ago. It was the first major death for my family and was very hard. What made it even worse was the fact that there was already presents set under neath the tree, for him, presents that he would never get to open. This spawned the tradition of observing his death, and waiting until after it to begin decorating or celebrating. This also helped me make the connection between the Beloved Dead and the ancestors and the fact that they should be honored at this time that they are so sorely missed. After Rick's death my parents bought a tiny, artificial, 6 inch tree, decorated with tiny ornaments and presents that we'd set up in remembrance of Rick. It was emotional and magickal and as a child I could also see a tiny spirit opening the gifts and I truly felt that he knew that we had done this for him and that he felt loved, missed and appreciated. You may wish to use this as an idea to create a remembrance tree for your beloved dead.
You cold hang inherited ornaments, or ornaments that represents, special hobbies, or interests that your Beloved Dead enjoyed. You can include pictures of the dead and put offering of food, gifts and flowers underneath its boughs. These ornaments from Martha Stewart seem easy enough or you can also use the standard Canning Jar Ornaments both would be a great craft to make as a family. You can also purchase ornament sized picture frames from most stores, sometimes even the dollar stores. Or can also have them created by your local Walgreens, Walmart or other Photo centers.
http://www.marthastewart.com/268890/picture-frame-ornaments
http://voices.yahoo.com/handmade-christmas-ornaments-easy-photo-frames-7057764.html?cat=24
Other ideas for including your Beloved Dead ion your Holiday celebrations s to tell stories of them, keeping their memories alive in your heart and n the heart of future generations. Is to make their special recipes, continue their traditions. You may also wish to decorate their graves. Donate to a charity in their honor. Set up a special place at the Holiday feast for them. Host a round of toasts in their honor. Place a candle, (electric is by far the safest) in the windows of your home to draw them near, and to let them know that they are remembered.
Hail the ancestors and the beloved Dead!
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