By Rachel Puryear
The month of October, and Halloween season, always brings a certain electricity to the air. Along with the crisp breeze, the ghostly decorations, the pumpkin treats, and the colorfully changing leaves; comes that familiar, recurring whisper: the veil is thinning.
According to Irish and Scottish folklore (and likely others had similar beliefs, too), during this time of year, spirits and fairies could cross into the human world, and the dead might also return to their homes and receive hospitality there. Customs included leaving food or drink out, and setting places for the dead.
In many spiritual traditions, this time of year is seen as a liminal space – a threshold where the boundary between our physical world and the spirit realm becomes permeable. Many enjoy a good ghost story, a haunted house visit, or exploration of a cemetery during this time of year – and these can be quite fun, and satisfying! There is a primal, thrilling joy in the spooky side of this season.
But for the empaths, the HSP’s, and the spiritual seekers among us; the thinning of the veil can offer something a lot deeper than a jump-scare: it offers us an invitation to remember.
When we talk about the veil – between our world and the spirit world – thinning during this time of the year, we’re not necessarily searching for ghosts in the attic – though that can be fun, too. But we can also look for the lingering essence of those who came before us, and who shaped us. Remembering the dead doesn’t have to be a “haunting” per se; it can also be a homecoming.
For highly sensitive persons and empaths, this energy can feel intense. And this is different from the usual seasonal anxiety, which is also common for many people. You might find yourself feeling particularly nostalgic during this time, more sentimental or emotional, or simply more attuned to the “presence” of people who are no longer here (on this side, that is).
Rather than letting this overwhelm you, try viewing it as a natural seasonal alignment. Just as the trees are letting go of their leaves to prepare for a deep Winter sleep, we may be able to help with some of the grief that weighs us down by holding onto that love that remains.
If you want to honor this quiet energy, you don’t need to be afraid – just try a few simple, grounding acts:
- A Quiet Conversation: Light a candle, brew a cup of tea, and simply spend ten minutes in silence; acknowledging a loved one who has passed. A seance or other formal ceremony is not required – just take a moment of intentional remembrance.
- Nature’s Mirror: Take a walk in the Autumn woods. Observe how nature doesn’t fight the transition from life to decay, but embraces it instead as part of a cycle. Remind yourself that love, like nature, is cyclical and never truly disappears.
- Living Legacies: Think of a trait, or a piece of wisdom, that a departed loved one possessed. Spend the day consciously embodying that trait within yourself. This helps turn “remembering” into an active, living practice.
The veil doesn’t have to be a curtain that hides something scary, or horrifying. It can be a thin, shimmering lace that reminds us that we are never truly separated from the people we love. This October and Halloween season, by all means, enjoy the ghost stories, the haunted houses, the parties, and the costumes – but also leave a little room for the quiet, sacred magic and soul-feeding of simply remembering and honoring our dearly departed loved ones.
Thank you, dear readers, for reading, following, and sharing. Here’s to honoring those who have come before us, learning important lessons from them, and respecting their legacy. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” and subscribe, if you have not already.
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