Astropaths Herbal Emporium for Health, Religion and Spirituality.
Continental Blends - "Herbal Health with Aroma Wealth"
"HOME is HERE"
La Muerte--Death
Pass by! O pass me by!
Away, wild mask of death!
I am still young!
Oh why destroy me with your breath?
Give me your hand,
you lovely, tender child.
I am your friend and bring no harm.
Have courage.
See, I am not wild.
Now go to sleep upon my arm.
Schubert's 1817 suite Der Tod und das M'dchen.
The face is unforgettable and goes by many names, La Muerte--Death...duality in the sexes, neither male or female. Death and the Maiden also echoes the mortality of our affections, that life is short, as is the proud beauty of a woman, and encourages us to consider them more carefully.
Many traditions are undaunted by Death, often revering such as a goal to the ascension of Spiritual existance - and have no qualms about getting up close and personal with Death, noting that with this recognised Spirit such is drawn from the remote past, the passions and emotions of real people in the present: love and death, fear and longing, beauty and desire.
One will "...chase after, mock, court, hug, sleep with; and is a favourite plaything and most lasting love"....of that which wears the garb of Death!
Although Death is written deep into many ancient texts - often taking on a visage of Spiritual aspects - the main first references were found in the early fifteenth century - that known as Chronos (or Chronus) - the Spiritual personification of Time...not the Deity of the Greek beliefs. This image became known as many names, from Herne the Hunter; Father Time and his harvesting Scythe, the Reaper; or the Piper of the Dance....
"The Piper is no other than the wind, and the Ancients held that in the wind were the Souls of the Dead..... the howling wind was also conceived as a great dog or wolf. As the fearful beast was heard speeding by the windows or over the house-top, the inmates trembled, for none knew but his own Soul might forthwith be required of him."
In Persia a dog is brought to the bedside of the person who is dying, in order that the Soul may be sure of a prompt escort. The same custom exists in India ...
- Hercule et Cacus.
South american culture, and in fact some pockets of European Traditions - call this Time "Dia de Muertos"(Day of the Dead); with dates stretching from the 29th October through to the 2nd November. An old Samhain rite, speaks of the Ancient Dead, The Newly Dead and the Unnamed Dead. The ritual pays honour to them, invites them to dine with the living, and to always know that they are remembered and loved.
"......hearing these odd little thumps and whines, whistles clicks, and moans... There didn't seem to be any one source to the sounds. The sounds grew in volume, resonating up through the walls and across the floors - regular patterns seemed to be buried in the noises. Buried...perhaps, that was the key.
...........A tomb with many niches in the wall, and a ring of candle stubs surrounding a chest.....We felt rather than heard a rustling, murmuring about us, and when we looked around, there were shapes at each niche.
"Release us!" came the whisper, "Release us!"
Another ancient text refers to a Carnival once held in Florence. It was sort of a Carnival of the Dead, very gruesome and macabre - and as with many Rites; song thought was given. Below is one of the songs that was actualy sung during this Festival:
"Morti siam', come vedete;
Cosi morti, vedrem' voi:
Fummo gia, come voi siete,
Voi sarete, come noi".
"Dead we are, as ye may see,
Dead like us ye soon shall be:
Once ourselves were just as ye,
Soon yourselves shall be as we."
- 1897
There is NO distance of land and sea, such doesn't alter the need to recognize the ones who have gone before the living; and all become recognized, because we see ourselves in them.
We are Seven by Wordsworth
They are the survivors of time and space, still standing guard over us and protecting us. Such should deeply remind us, that when we feel that our life is too hard, or we just can't make it; that we are each here today because of our Ancestor's will to live; and so we are each inheritant of that same Will! Great effort is undertaken; in many homes and places of Spiritual significance to create a ambience in order that the Spirits of the Dead, are able to be openly welcomed.
Ancestral Spirits that existed from the beginning of Time, surge forward with an eagerness that is representative of a great march; and a arrival, representative of immense hunger and want!
Tables are set aside; Altars are garnished with care and thought; and rememberance of the many are honoured. From the first step into the Spiritual space - these Ancestral Spirits have provided an enticing repast and adequate substenance for the journey. Frequently a wash basin and clean hand towel are provided, so that visiting Souls can freshen up before the Feast.
Many offerings may also include a pack of cigarettes for the after-dinner enjoyment of former smokers, to a selection of toys and extra sweets for deceased children.
Creative home Altars, are found in a designated area, which has been cleared of it's normal furnishings; and the simple arrangement often consists of a table and several overturned wooden crates placed in tiers.
Drapped over, in a dark rippling manner, is the lush cloth of Black, adorned with the various offerings, the smell of burning Copal Incense and the light of numerous candles which guide the departed through.
Rites in many forms, and throughout many traditions, are a recognised act, designed to help the living complete the work of the dying, by placing them within the correct Sphere of Realization.
By looking to the Ancestors and accepting their guidance, each participant will have genuine empirical evidence as to the immortality of existance; and the proof of what happens after the act of death is completed on this plane. Our inate feelings and thoughts can no longer be judgemental - all that departed, no longer hold that which was judged against them in their life time - for Death doesn't make them cease to be a member of your family - THEY are part of YOU; and YOU are very much the image of them, in every aspect.
To judge them, is to judge yourself, to hold darkness in your heart and mind regarding a particular relative, is to to clutter yourself.
There may, and even sometimes still is, chances that you may not like them, but they are yours, and their interest in you in, is preordained to be about you.
So take that energy and use it! Focus on the positive, and more importantly, pay attention to your Dead - they are everlasting and ever loving to you, regardless!!.
Pay them attention, and you will always have love on your side.
..................'Light'
1999-2005 Copyright 'Grimoires of Light'
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Refunds:
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Thankyou for your business...........'Light'
Continental Blends - "Herbal Health with Aroma Wealth"
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