All Souls’ Day Celebration November, 2, 2021

All Souls’ Day is a time to reflect on our loved ones who are no longer with us in this physical world. It is a way of remembering them and celebrating the love we share. Even if you only dedicate a few minutes to your loved ones today, the gesture is felt by them. It may be an emotional time for you. It might also be a very beautiful, comforting experience. Have an open mind and an open heart. This can be done on any day or occasion, it’s the thought that counts, not the day.

Here are some ideas you may wish to use as part of your celebration:
Set up a special area – This can have a tablecloth or placemat, flowers, crystals, pictures, candles, and whatever else you think will add to the beauty of this celebration. It can be simple or elaborate, whatever feels right.
Feel Gratitude – Make a list or talk about some of the things you are grateful for that you shared with your loved one. It can be what you loved most about them, something you learned from them, or your favourite thing about them. This can be done individually or as a family on a poster. You can use pictures or words to describe what you loved most about being around them.
Light a Candle – You can light a candle to symbolize your loved one’s light and how it continues to shine. You can light one candle for each loved one. As you light each candle, say the name out loud of the person you are honouring. You can then add “thank you for your love, thank you for your wisdom, thank you for sharing your light, thank you for your smile, thank you for your tenderness”, or whatever words fit best for you. This is a way of acknowledging something they added to your life.
Look through photos – As you look through special photos, you can be reminded of and can share memories of your loved ones. This may bring up sadness, but also such beautiful reminders of the love you share. Talking about the good times is a way of honouring their memory and celebrating their life. Spirit wants us to talk about them and continue to make them part of our life.
Add favourite things – If you are able to incorporate a loved one’s favourite meal/food, music they enjoyed, jewellery/items they wore or something else that was special to them, do it. All of the little things can make your celebration more meaningful. Nothing is too small or too silly to be a part of this day.
Music – You may already have some special songs that have meaning for your loved one or their passing. Play those songs as you sit and remember all that you shared. You might even feel like moving along to the music. Allow that energy to move through you if it feels right. (A few ideas are: Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran, One More Day by Diamond Rio, See You Again by Wiz Khalifa)
Prayer – There are many meaningful prayers that can be read as part of your celebration. You can also make up your own. The beauty of a prayer is that it there is no set formation to follow, just speak from the heart.
God/Creator/Universe, thank you for all you have given me. Thank you for watching over me and keeping me safe. I ask that you hold my departed loved ones close as they share in your light on the other side. May they experience everlasting happiness and rest in eternal peace. I ask that they continue to guide me in any way they can. Please comfort me and heal my heavy heart so that I may continue this journey surrounded by their love.
Visit the cemetery – We certainly do not have to go to the place where a loved one was laid to rest to show our love. However, if that feels right, go there. You can take a blanket to sit on and maybe a written letter that you’d like to read out loud. The important part is to be present and allow whatever feelings come up to be there, without trying to hold them back. Know that your loved one’s spirit has moved on from the physical world and can connect with you any place you are.
I know this can’t erase the pain or feeling of loss. I wish it could. My hope is that it brings a tiny bit of comfort or even joy as you remember the beautiful times you shared together. Know that your loved ones ARE with you, forever connected and always guiding you as best they can from the other side. Don’t be afraid to ask them for help when you need it most. They are listening.
Sending you so much love,

Connie