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Happy Diwali – The Festival of Lights

November 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Diwali LightsDiwali starts today but Robin, my stepson in India told me that there were already fireworks everywhere yesterday evening as excitement mounted for probably the most famous festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs (although the last two cultures have different meanings for the celebration).

The Festival of Lights, also known as Deepawali or Dival, takes place over five nights, and starts with a thorough cleaning of the house which is then decorated throughout with strings of lights and lamps.

New clothes are often purchased and the outside entrance is decorated with rangolis, elaborate drawings frequently depicting the lotus flower which honours Lakshmi, the goddess of beauty, wealth and prosperity – who it is hoped will enter the houses displaying lamps in the window to light her way.

Such is the belief in the auspiciousness of this time, that special Lakshmi shrines might be created containing pictures of desired material possessions.  In India this time marks the end of the harvest season, and prayers of thanks are not only given for past prosperity but for another successful year.   Diwali is also considered a good time to start a new business.

It is a period of much joy, where Diwali cards and gifts are exchanged with the wishes of “Shubh Diwali” (Happy Diwali), and googras, a popular Diwali pastry of sweet coconut are offered to friends.   There are huge firework displays and in some cases a lot of gambling, which has its origins in the legend that tells of Parvati playing cards with her husband, Lord Shiva, and declaring that anyone who gambled at this time would be lucky!

For some Hindus the occasion celebrates the triumphant return to the city of Ayodha of Lord Rama and Sita, twenty days after the defeat of Ravana.  It is said that they arrived to find avali (rows) of deepa (lamps) displayed in homes in honour of their return – hence the name Deepawali.

However, amidst the materialism, it is also important to remember that the deeper spiritual meaning of Diwali is to celebrate an awareness of the inner light that shines through the dark of ignorance and fear.

“Shubh Diwali!”

 

Taken in part from my book  “Do I Kneel or Do I Bow?: What you need to know when attending Religious occasions”, (Kuperard, 2010).

 

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The Day of the Dead

November 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Commemoration candlesIn the Christian calendar, today is All Soul’s Day which is when family members who have died are remembered and honoured.  In the Roman Catholic church this is marked as the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed when candles are lit and special prayers said for the souls of the departed to be free of sin and received into heaven.  In Mexico this day is known as El Dia de los Muertos“The Day of the Dead”, when ancestors are welcomed into the home to be acknowledged as part of the family.  Many people choose this day to visit cemeteries and lay fresh flowers on the graves of loved ones.

Whatever the custom, culture or belief,  I think it is lovely to have a special day to remember those who have passed and I particularly like these beautiful words I came across recently “Memories of loved ones are like songs in our souls”.   I shall certainly be lighting some candles and spending quiet time remembering friends and family who are no longer part of the physical realm.

More information about the rituals, history, festivals and holy days of the major world faiths can be found in “Do I Kneel or Do I Bow:? What you need to know when attending Religious occasions” by Akasha Lonsdale

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Ghoulies and Ghosties – Trick or Treat!

October 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Halloween pumpkinYes, you guessed, it’s Halloween – which actually means the eve of All Hallows (Hallow being an old English word for sanctified or holy – think “hallowed be thy name” if you know the Lord’s Prayer), and is followed by All Saints Day on the 1st November.

There are also strong links between Hallowe’en and the ancient Gaelic festival of  Samhain, which marks the end of the harvesting season and the start of the winter months, where certain animals would be slaughtered and kept for food in the coldest months.

It is also the midway point between the summer and winter solstice, and is considered a time when the “doorway” to the world of the dead was open enough for their souls to cross the threshold into the world of the living.  Hence the link with “ghoulies and ghosties ………and things that go bump in the night”.   In the Christian tradition the dead are remembered and prayed for on All Souls Day which is the 2nd November.

Of course the best known tradition of Halloween is children dressing up as witches or skeletons, then knocking on your door and saying “trick or treat”. The idea is that if you don’t want them to do something unpleasant (trick), you give them a treat in the form of a sweet or money.  Again this has ancient links and dressing up may be connected with the need to disguise oneself for safety against the ghouls and ghosts.  Alternatively it is suggested that it was also linked with the Christian tradition of All Souls, where impoverished families would offer to pray for the souls of the departed in return for small amounts of cake.  This was known as “souling”.

Another popular practice is to remove the flesh from a pumpkin and then carve the skin into a ghoulish looking face, made more effective by placing a lighted candle inside! In North America this tradition is known as “jack o’lanterns” and was imported by Irish and British immigrants.   The lights could have been to ward off any evil spirits lurking around on Halloween, or just to light the way home after a good night out!

And talking of a good night out, if you’re still up at midnight on the 31st, you’re single and looking for a life partner, then folklore has it that if you look in the mirror you will see the face of the person you will marry!   Have fun….

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Songs in our Souls

November 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Commemoration candlesIn the Christian calendar, today is All Soul’s Day which is when family members who have died are remembered and honoured.  In the Roman Catholic church this is marked as the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed when candles are lit and special prayers said for the souls of the departed to be free of sin and received into heaven.  In Mexico this day is known as El Dia de los Muertos “The Day of the Dead”, when ancestors are welcomed into the home to be acknowledged as part of the family.  Many people choose this day to visit cemeteries and lay fresh flowers on the graves of loved ones.

Whatever the custom, culture or belief,  I think it is lovely to have a special day to remember those who have passed and I particularly like these beautiful words I came across recently ”Memories of loved ones are like songs in our souls”.   I shall certainly be lighting some candles and spending quiet time remembering friends and family who are no longer part of the physical realm.

More information about the rituals, history, festivals and holy days of the major world faiths can be found in “Do I Kneel or Do I Bow:? What you need to know when attending Religious occasions” by Akasha Lonsdale

 

 

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