Samhain 2017

Shadow and Ana on Halloween.

Perhaps this post will give you an idea of what it's like celebrating Samhain as a pagan family.  Many of you are solitary or hoping that once you are in a relationship that you will have a partner in crime so to speak.

We don't live this life glamorously.  It seems that Witchcraft is "in" again and that means so is black lipstick, nails and skulls on book cases.  All that stuff is fun, I'm typing this right now with deep plum nails, but that stuff's not important. What is important for us is our family.  Celebrating together, spending time together while taking time to acknowledging our ancestors, Witches before us, as well as the Gods and Goddesses.

We're not the most devout or spiritual people on the planet, but we left Christianity for a reason.  Holidays turned too commercial, all about money and with too much pressure to appear perfect.

Shadow and I are not perfect.  Far from it, and that's ok.  We get candle wax everywhere during spells, we spill essential oils, and on some Sabbaths, we haven't done anything at all.  That too is ok.

This year, with our family separated, we did the best we could with the resources we have.  Our daughter had three days of fun and candy and dressing up, and now we're all Halloweened out.

For a family like us who is living with very little cash, free things are a blessing.  If you have kids or when you do, search local events that are free.  We're lucky that we live so close to NYC where there is an abundance of free or low cost programs.

Our Halloween celebration actually started last week.  The M&M company gives out free costumes and treat bags every year at the rec center here in Newark.  My son isn't here during the week so it was just me and Ana, but I managed to get a treat bag for him anyway.

Ana in her new fairy costume.

Our next free event Dino was home for, so we traveled to Belleville for an event that we have gone to for three years in a row now.  It's completely free, and the kids each get a pumpkin, snacks, popcorn, hot cocoa and can play on a few bouncy rides.  Here is Dino helping Ana climb one:

I wasn't able to get a costume for Dino, but using some basic makeup I did a simple dead/zombie/skull face.  (I do not recommend Katy Perry's CoverGirl eyeliner, it's just not great.)

The third and final free event was in East Midtown.  There, we met up with Shadow and were given bags, a map and other little treats.  Ana was able to get her face painted and we got free photo booth pictures.

Walking around the neighborhood was fun but tiring.  At least we got to see some cool little shops (not that we can afford them).  We ended our trick or treating at the 58th street library where Ana was able to play and read.  She also got a free book, a little draw string bag and a pencil.  I also managed to check out Dan Brown's new novel Origin, since the wait list at midtown is 300 holds long.

After all this we learned about the attack downtown and had to avoid the area.  We were lucky, I had planned to go back home via the WTC Path train so I'd avoid the crowds on the 33rd St Path.  I took the bus (you stay above ground when shit's going down), and on my transfer to the M42, we saw at least 20 or more emergency vehicles of all types passing all in a row.  The UN is at the East end of 42nd, so I don't know where they were going.  That's the one downfall to living in one of the most famous cities in the world, it can get crazy and incredibly dangerous.

I hope everyone had a great Samhain/Halloween.  Don't eat too much 🍬 but do take a moment to thank those Witches who came before us.

Blessed Be!
🌛🌝🌜