SECTION II - FAMILY ISSUES

Promoting Pagan Family Values - Selene Silverwind

Pagan Family Values
By Selene Silverwind

Is it Samhain again already? My how quickly the wheel has turned. It seems like just yesterday I was dancing the Maypole, and now here I am marking the transition to the dark half of the year. In Celtic traditions, Samhain marks the New Year, and the turning point in the seasons. The time of quiet contemplation and family togetherness is beginning.

Now is the time for dressing up and pretending to be the people we wish we were. Over the years, I've been everything from Wonder Woman, to a gypsy, a roll of Lifesavers, a princess, a woman from the Gay 90s (the 1890s that is), and the Mad Hatter. Anyone with young children has probably already found this year's costume, but why does it only have to be worn for one day? Why not extend Samhain into a three-day celebration? The first night of Samhain would be October 30. Carve or paint your jack o'lantern and put the finishing touches on the costume. Parents, you get dressed up, too. Now play a rousing game of make-believe. Have fun with it. After playtime, put on your more somber clothes, gather the photos and mementos of your beloved dead, and put them on the family altar or create a special remembrance altar. Let your children add items for anyone they want, even Goldie the guppy who only lived for one day. This will help teach your children respect for death. The second night of Samhain is October 31, the night for trick-or-treating. After the trick-or-treating, and the requisite counting of candy and trading, settle your kids down in front of your family altar. Make an offering of food or candy to your family members, pets, and friends. Invite them to cross over and visit you in your dreams. Older children can make the same request, but younger children might find this idea frightening, so send them to bed before you make your request. The third night of Samhain is November 1. Put those costumes on again and teach your children beginning divination. Tarot cards are probably the best way to do this, but fire or water scrying would also be appropriate. Ask them what they think of the tarot cards they draw or the images that they saw in the water. Forget the traditional definitions. You may find your children's interpretations are much closer to the truth. Be sure to record their observations. Since this is the first day of the New Year, plan a small celebration with noisemakers and sparkling cider.

At this time of year, children have much to do in school, so there might not be as much time for parent interaction, but that doesn't mean you can't plan a brief craft. I propose something simple like painting mini-pumpkins. They don't have to paint faces on the pumpkins. Let them get creative and paint anything they want on the pumpkins. While they decorate their pumpkins, explain the history of pumpkin carving. Afterwards, serve them a snack of pumpkin shaped sugar cookies or roasted pumpkin seeds.

As for the neighborhood, how about a neighborhood wide pumpkin carving contest? Set a deadline of 8 PM October 30th or November 1st. At that hour, gather your neighbors for a tour of the stoops. Each neighbor gets to cast three votes. The winner is awarded pumpkin shaped cookie cutters. After your walking trip through the neighborhood, invite everyone inside your house pumpkin cookies, muffins, and pie. Maybe let the neighborhood kids partake in a little apple-bobbing. Make it a grand old Halloween party, but without the spooky stuff.

Halloween only comes once a year, and then we have to wait another 12 months. Make it last as long as you can.