Roots and Remembering

 Hello spellmaker folks!! Just wanted to touch a little on the reason for the Halloween and Fet Ghede season-our ancestors and loved ones who have passed beyond the veil.

Honoring our ancestors is a vital part of our voudou practices, but have you ever wondered why that is so important? And although we as voudousaints observe this, other cultures world wide have found many ways to honor those departed souls for centuries.

I suppose the first answer is bloodlines. We carry the DNA of all the direct biological family who lived before us. A wise witch once told me that working magic that had lineage in my bloodline held power. Indeed, as someone with alot of lineage hailing from the British Isles, I suppose that is why pagan practices have stayed so near and dead to my heart all of these years. Samhain, which translates as "summers end" has roots in Ancient Celtic traditions. Indeed, our modern Halloween celebrations have roots that come from Ireland, Scotland, and England. In my heart, I do believe that "feeling witchy" came from somewhere way way back, when bonfires blazed in the hills and lines of my people depended upon the autumnal harvest to survive the winter. 

The second is a bit more complex, and ties into the teachings of voudou. Spiritual bloodlines bind the house together, and in fact, we are all referred to as Khouzhans, or, cousins, or sisters/brothers of the spellmaker house. Mambo and Parran hold the positions of mom and dad in the house. Much of spiritual lineage has to do with teachings, passed down from Mambo, Parran, Sisters Bridget and Lucy, and amongst we who hold the name khouzhans. There is power there also, and community, and shared traditions. The house is our chosen spiritual family.

Remembrance of those who have gone before us honors their lives, their contributions, and their legacies. We acknowledge that we continue to carry those bloodlines, traditions, and teachings foward into the present, and the future. We are, in essence, the living breathing representations of all who have come before us, and pave the way for those who will come after us.

The history of a common people is a binding force in identity. History provides a basis for so many things-religious observance, foods, stories, songs. It allows us to remember where we come from, and gives us a base from which to go forward. Lineage gives us the gift of having both roots-and wings!!

So, as we move toward the darker half of the year, I am thankful for this community, my ancestors, and all of those people (and beloved pets) who came before me so that I could be fortunate enough to live l, and learn, in this lifetime. It is my honor to observe remembrance of them, and I feel so mich gratitude to be able to do so!!

I wish all of you peace and happiness and as always, a beautiful season.

In Service,

Khouzhan Morgan