That time of year

This time of year, people around the world think about things like the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, life over death.

Today—the holiday you know as Halloween—is also the Celtic holiday Samhain. It marks the bringing in of the harvest and the envelopment of the world in winter darkness. And tonight the wall between this world and the next is more frangible, and it’s a time for lighting protective and cleansing bonfires as the living and dead commune.

Today is also el Día de Muertos in the Mexican tradition, when the living open their lives to the dead, who are celebrated with sugar skulls, favorite foods and drink, both in the home and via picnics at cemeteries. The celebration runs through tomorrow (All Saints Day, in the Catholic Church) and Saturday, All Souls Day, which essentially carry on the Celtic tradition.

One of my favorite holidays starts tonight. That would be Diwali, when Hindus celebrate a number of events where princes of light and good slapped down princes who would envelope the world in darkness and evil. I find it interesting that this whole good/evil thing was not one-and-done; evildoers are always trying it on, so we have to be alert, strong and brave.

This seems particularly apt, given the election surrounding us in the United States—so clearly a fight between light and darkness, between hope and hate, between building a future and lighting a fuse to nihilism.

One part of the Diwali tradition involves lights—candles, fairy lights, fireworks, the whole spectrum—and I definitely can get behind that.

This year, for the first time, I noticed that Costco is selling Diwali fireworks. Because of course. And also, because why not?

(Another one is the sharing of sweets, which I also endorse.)

So, tonight—more than other nights—I’ll amass candles on my dinner table and consider how we in these times can turn back the darkness. I'm grateful for the reminder that, while the struggle goes on, we always have another opportunity to vanquish evil.

 

©2024 Bas Bleu