Jeanette Belle, M.A.

In my spiritual practice, I long for purity. It doesn’t always happen, but I do strive for it.

For example, I celebrate Samhain and not Halloween. But it’s the same thing, you may say. No, it is not. Halloween is a Christian holiday–it is All Hallow’s Eve referring to November 1 and 2 when Christians celebrate all the saints and all the holy ones that might not be honored throughout the rest of the Christian year.

Samhain is a pre-Christian Celtic solar/fire holiday that is celebrated at the cross quarters of the solar calendar, or 15 degrees Scorpio. This year (2017) that time is around the 7th and 8th of November.

How do I celebrate Samhain? I honor those who have gone before me, my ancestors, and those whom I admire. Since I do not worship any gods, I will, however, honor those divine energies that I resonate with such as Cernunnos and Tarbh, Cailleach and Cerridwen. I will give thanks for my abundance to those same energies, not in a worshipful manner, but as recognition of my choice to know their energy/vibe and use it in my own life. It is my way of following or being devoted to a certain divine energy.

Blessed Samhain to all!

Jeanette Belle