There is a moment, every year, in the darkness between the evening
of October 31st and the morning of November 1st when according to
tradition the gap between our world and the realms of other beings
- whether the immortal sióg or Christain saints or the long gone dead -
suddenly are as close a breath or a blink; when in a moment we mere
mortals can experience great and terrifying revelations. It is a time of
shudders and creaks, of dark tales and guises. It is a time when old
Celtic year gives way to the new and an infinity of possibilities lies
before us. It is a time we celebrate as Samhain or Halloween.
In ancient times Samhain was a time of feasting, judgement, law
making and the settling of disputes, but it was also “a time of danger
when the magic of the druids was required to control the hostility of
the Otherworld beings by chanting and by sacrifice, spells and
apotropaic formulae’ to ward off evil [Ross, Anne, ‘Ritual and the
Druids’ in Green, Miranda J. (ed.) The Celtic World (London, 1995).]
There are many things to fill us with dread at this time of the year,
not just the supernatural. Dark evenings and cold wet days can
dampen our moods, make it harder to cope with all those day to day
things we have to deal with;relationships, work, money and studies.
The shortening and darkening days can make it seem so much
harder to cope and keep going on. But the magic that brings
darkness also brings great healing and hope.
The very darkness, dampness and cold awakens a need to draw
closer to friends and love ones, which in turns has great benefits
for our health, resilience, confidence and optimism. The season
has it’s an uplifting incredible beauty: Barna woods, my favourite
haunt, looks the very picture of an Otherworld at this time of the
year. The leaves carpeting the ground are a myriad of colours: the
gold of pirate treasures, mixed with rubies and emeralds from a
dragon’s lair, with here and there patches as dark as old blood or
a yellow as the sun in summer.
And that long relaxing walk in the autumn landscape, is not only
wonderful for socialising and taking in the beauty of the world, it
is also one of the most important forms of preventative medicine
available; increasing oxygen flowing to your brain, strengthening
your mood as well as your muscles. So if you are thinking of
making any unbreakable oaths at this time of the year, you might
want to think about regularly getting out for a walk with a friend
(regardless of whether they are human, canine, zombie, living
dead or other). You never know you might just find yourself
transported into a whole other realm.
* * *
For more on how to look good, feel good and be in charge
of your
life as a student at NUI Galway check out
Student's Services Health Promotion
life as a student at NUI Galway check out
Student's Services Health Promotion
Keep up to date by following this blog on twitter and Facebook
Enjoyed this article, you might want to check out:
Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health
Long Walks Benefit Mind and Body
Useful links:
http://www.walkersassociation.ie/
http://www.getirelandwalking.ie/
No comments:
Post a Comment