Descending Energies of Samhain
Summer’s end gives way to autumn—drawing back the heavy curtain for a moment in time, thinning the veils between worlds to enhance our communication with the spirit world.
Dusk at eventide—a fire at center, surrounded by earthen stone and sword of insight; the wand of spirit and devotional chalice; we mark the beginning of Samhain as the Wheel of the Year turns toward darkening days on this eve of All Soul’s Day.
Now we celebrate the last harvest of the year—creation and destruction, death and rebirth, our link to the past and the ancient ones who made us.
We go inward where the seeds lie dormant and time is suspended. Lighting our internal hearths with the communal fire, we quietly begin to stir our cauldrons—the shadow of self-empowerment.
Samhain escorts us down and holds space for our naked return to the Great Mother. Like the pause between exhale and inhale, this is a small death and a Plutonian time—a dance with the underworld.
The journey begins on All Hallows Eve. This time out of time points the way toward regeneration and restoration within the Earth’s cradle, yet first we must descend through seven gates, into the abyss of our personal shadow or darkness, slowly leaving our worldly accoutrements behind. Metaphorically speaking it is a time of release, clearing and vulnerability.
At some future point the great wheel turns northward to celebrate the brief sliver of light at winter solstice, and we patiently wait for the sprouts to begin their winding journey, up through the soil toward the sun once again.
Tips for the Season
Conscious Breath: The River of Awareness
Intend to know yourself well. Take time to feel your body—to breathe and be self-aware. This is the season for letting go of old habits and releasing the past.
Sit quietly in stillness for a while—any amount of stillness. Become aware of how you feel both emotionally and physically, what you think about, what you crave, what you are compelled to do. Be here for as long as it takes to be just a little more still and a little more aware.
-Slow down. Breathe. Feel your body.
-Breathe again.
-Just for now, be aware of your sensations, your emotions and thoughts.
-Bear no judgement—just breathe and feel your body.
-Breathe into your legs and feet; feel your body.
-Breathe into your pelvis and belly; feel your body.
-Breathe into your chest and arms; feel your body.
-Breathe into your head and neck; feel your body.
-Breathe and release; feel your body.
Are you wiling to feel your body—every day; with each breath?
Herbal Healing: Milky Oats
As winter approaches, the trees and perennial herbs and plants are shifting their life force from outward expression to conserving and restoring their energy deep in their roots. Are you being called to slow down, go within, and take some time to restore your energy?
The medicine of Milky oats comes from the simple oat seed, yet the effect of this medicine can be very profound. Are you experiencing stress, frayed nerves, do you have an excess of nervous energy? Milky oats is deeply nourishing and restorative to your entire nervous system. Taking a tincture of Milky oats is a great way to start. Be sure the tincture is made from fresh oat tops (not dried) for the most potent effect. Always be sure to use the herbal expertise of someone who knows when making or using any remedy. The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Matthew Woods is a great reference book.
You can also make a tea of dried oatstraw, which is calming to your nervous system, moistening to your tissues, and rich in minerals. Oats in general have many health benefits. If you like to cook, here are some fun and simple recipes to play with. Oats are also very nourishing for your skin. Treat yourself to this oat and chamomile face mask that you can do at home.
Enjoy nourishing and restoring yourself with oats!
Feng Shui for your Insides: Hearth of your Home
Coming into our last harvest season, we focus towards coming indoors and warming up starting our inward journey towards the winter season. While we do not all have fireplaces, we all gather to nourish ourselves in the kitchen—the heart and hearth of the home.
When the kitchen has plenty of Chi (energy) it is reflected in the luck of the residence. The most important fire in the home is the stove.
In Feng Shui the stove represents abundance, nourishment, and restores our energy because, the food is cooked here.
Tips to enhance the Chi in your kitchen :
Remember to keep your intention clear in your mind as you make any adjustments.
Keep your stove clean, this allows for more Chi which makes it easier for you to draw opportunities to you.
Install a bright light above the stove; it will lift the Chi to enhance your creativity, which in turn brings more energy to the stove and therefore more abundance into your household.
Your burners present your connection to external opportunities. To activate your potential light, use every burner at least once a week.
If you keep things on the stove top or in the oven that are not in use, you are losing potential income. Clear them and make way for new opportunities.
Experience these, and notice how your energy shifts throughout the season.
Pathworking: Intentional Descent
There are seven weeks in the Samhain season, between November 1 and Solstice on December 21, which corresponds with the seven gates of descent.
Practice your descent into the underworld, spending a week with an intention to be aware of, present with, and clarify the energy of each of the seven gateway concepts. You might notice that each of the concepts is associated with the seven energy levels—or chakras, in your body. We work from the top down, so the First Gate is the 7th Level or 7th Chakra.
The practice itself is simple:
Set an intention. Carry it through. Be aware.
Slow down. Breathe. Feel your Body.
First release and then gather.
Release
As you move through the week, let go and release anything that is stagnant—not present.
First Gate (7th Chakra): disintegrated knowledge
Second Gate (6th Chakra): old beliefs and insights
Third Gate (5th Chakra): dissonant communication
Fourth Gate (4th Chakra): conditional compassion and love
Fifth Gate (3rd chakra): arrogance and complacency
Sixth Gate (2nd Chakra): stagnant emotions
Seventh Gate (1st Chakra): fear of lack
Gather
As you finish each week, begin to build and refresh the energy, choosing from the practices listed here.
First Gate—Gateway to the Cosmos (7th Chakra) Awaken your awareness
Second Gate--Cauldron of Wisdom (6th Chakra) Reflect & inquire within
Third Gate—Gateway to Expression (5th chakra) Cultivate creativity
Fourth Gate—Cauldron of Affinity (4th Chakra) Feel your inner rhythms
Fifth Gate—Gateway to Vitality (3rd Chakra) Find your personal resonance
Sixth Gate—Cauldron of Creativity (2nd Chakra) Visualize
Seventh Gate—Gateway to Presence (1st Chakra) Breathe
Events During Samhain
November
Psychic Readings - Saturday, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 3 - 6 pm. By appointment only. 1/2-hour reading $25 or 1-hour reading $45. Text 505-919-9611 for info & scheduling.
Aura Healings - Tuesday, November 4, 5:30 - 7 pm. Experience a healing on your aura to clear blocks & restore flow. Donations accepted. Text 505-603-7137 for info.
Feng Shui Tips for Clarity & Flow - Tuesday, November 11, 5:30 - 7 pm. Learn tips for creating flow in your environment. Donations accepted. Text 505-919-9611 for info.
Meditation: Tools for Transformation - Tuesday, November 18, 5:30 - 7 pm. Learn intentional visualization practices to support you in everyday life. Donations accepted. Text 505-603-7137 for info.
Feng Shui for Optimal Health - Tuesday, November 25, 5:30 - 7 pm. Explore how your inner environment – physical, emotional, mental, spiritual – is affected by your home environment. Text 505-919-9611 for info.
December
Psychic Readings - Saturday, December 6, 13, 20, 27, 3 - 6 pm. By appointment only. 1/2-hour reading $25 or 1-hour reading $45. Text 505-919-9611 for info & scheduling.
Aura Healings - Tuesday, December 2, 5:30 - 7 pm. Experience a healing on your aura to clear blocks & restore flow. Donations accepted. Text 505-603-7137 for info.
Meditation: Tools for Transformation - Tuesday, December 16, 5:30 - 7 pm. Learn intentional visualization practices to support you in everyday life. Donations accepted. Text 505-603-7137 for info.
Treat yourself in this last harvest season as you prepare for the deep inner journey and the season of light to come at Solstice. Would you like a spiritual hello about your next step and intentions, or maybe some guidance as you embrace your descent? Our vision as a team is to serve the community by acknowledging and supporting your unique contribution! Each of us at Sacred Gateways offers intuitive readings and healings as part of our personal soul intention. Click on our About Section or Readings & Healings for more information.
The season of letting go of old habits and releasing the past.
I appreciate and thank you for the practice through the next weeks to find my intention to release and pay attention to what I want to gather. 🙏