Listen to your life.
See it for the fathomless mystery that it is....
Touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it
because in the last analysis all moments are key moments,
and life itself is grace."
frederick buechner
as the indigenous of mexico.
it doesn't take long,
walking the cobblestones of a traditional village
until it dawns on you that each elaborate adornment of
is meant to last
no longer than the festival itself.
churches, altars, courtyards, homes are strung with papel picados
depicting scenes specific to cherished life events.
they are bright, joyous, intricately cut tissue banners
painstakingly punched with simple chisels.
strung in brilliant collections like prayer flags waving in the breeze,
they reside flying unabashed in the open air
until rain reduces them to nothing.
beauty for the eye and for the soul,
a gentle reminder that
we too shall pass.
there are candles...
flickering light to call out to the spirits and show the way.
long nights in the panteon young children make a game of
collecting the melting wax. there they are, like children
everywhere,
playing, laughing among themselves.
the wax runs one moment, like a bright lament,
suddenly transformed onto dreamlike shapes
while warming the hands of their young creators.
change.
it is everywhere.
altars are as diverse
as the hands the create them.
long sugar cane stalks,
are tied one to the other, on the back legs of the table and joined at the top.
the arch is elaborately decorated with the beauty of fruits and flowers,
representing the passage between life and death.
traditional altars consist of four levels,
representing the four stages of life,
four points of the earth,
the four seasons.
love resides in every detail placed on the altar...
a photograph of the person,
or persons to whom the altar is dedicated finds a place of honor.
there is a glass or bottle of water to represent purity.
it is also waiting to quench the thirst of the arriving spirits.
candles represent light, faith and hope.
the flames guide the spirits on their journey home.
flowers remind us of the impermanence of life.
placed in vases, woven in the arch, petals are often scattered across the
surface of the altar.
the scent and bright colour of the cempasuchil further guides the spirits home.
seasonal fruits, pan de muertos and favorite foods enjoyed in life by your departed loved one
are offered with great care.
it is believed the spirits will consume the scents and the essence of the food
prepared from your loving hands.
copal incense weaves its white smoke in the festivities of dia de los muertos,
cleansing the home and inviting the spirits
within.
there are moments,
simple moments in life that burn into our hearts
with an intensity that sustains us.
dia de los muertos is food for the soul.
as each altar is lovingly arranged,
perhaps as simple as a cherished photograph, flowers, candle,
may we awaken the stories of those we love,
hear their voices, laughter, favorite songs.
may we find love and comfort
on the altar of remembering.
every sunday in october please join us in
the art of remembering.
Rebecca,
Your images and descriptions invoke glorious memories and help me to relive the season and traditions once again. What unique experiences we hold together from Mexico....the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes we hold so dear. You've totally motivated me to begin my home altar preparations and get this party started!
Posted by: Dawn Elliott | October 15, 2011 at 09:28 PM
Sweet friend. You articulate exactly what is happening and why I do it. I so wish you could be here with us to share our altar, or we could be there. Maybe some day in San Miguel I am hoping. I love all of the images. We need more flowers here. More Marigolds. I'm under the weather right now. taking time to relax and get rid of the sickness. Hope all is good withn you.
Peace
Posted by: Spadoman | October 16, 2011 at 01:30 AM
oh Rebecca.. I held my breath reading this - I wish so much that I could go there to experience something like this.. I wish i could create this in my own home.. I wonder how? just to honour my ancestors even if only for the last week of October..marigolds are few and far between here right now
Posted by: Miss Robyn | October 16, 2011 at 02:02 AM
This is so very beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I love all the vibrant colours an what it all stands for.
Have a magical day.
Posted by: Moncha | October 16, 2011 at 02:43 AM
rebecca, such a beautiful post !I wish I had it printed on a card I could give out to the many people here in the east who have never heard of the celebration and want to know what we are talking about. Thank you
Posted by: lyle baxter | October 16, 2011 at 04:33 AM
lovely post, rebecca,
and explains things so well...
today i am in my studio
working joyously
on my father's altar
with
tears
and smiles
Both...
Posted by: somepinkflowers | October 16, 2011 at 07:34 AM
". . there are moments, simple moments in life that burn into our hearts with an intensity that sustains us. . . " Creating a retablo to remember my parent's wedding which included their actual wedding cake topper presented me with the simple moments you so eloquently describe here. For the first time I have understood the spirit behind dia de los muertos. Thank you for offering a space to share.
Posted by: Irene | October 16, 2011 at 08:07 AM
Not a day goes by without I remember the ones who brought me into this world and so I'm grateful for this place of remembering.
Thank you dearest,
Sue x
Posted by: Sue Fox | October 16, 2011 at 10:42 AM
As always, a beautiful post. So many colors, so many souls. I so agree with everyone and am happy to be a part of this celebration. Thank you Rebecca.
Posted by: gloria | October 16, 2011 at 11:01 AM
I appreciate the education I'm getting from you with your stories and photos. It helps me navigate. I love your passion.
Posted by: Cheryl's Excellent Adventure | October 16, 2011 at 11:16 AM
rebecca, I'm back to thank you for fixing what ever was wrong on my link. please tell me what I did wrong so I wont do it again! my firescreen is still evolving I'll send you a new photo! lyle
Posted by: lyle baxter | October 16, 2011 at 12:11 PM
The images I see here are exquisite and beyond my imagination. The ceremonies behind the art of remembering just boggle my mind-as they say-I cant even begin to wrap my head around it.
So, so, very beautiful.
Posted by: Paula Scott: Molokai Girl Studio | October 16, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Such a beautiful recount and photos of what dia de los muertos the art of remembering is all about. Tomorrow our SoulCollage group gathers to make community suit cards of some of our beloved dead and we will build a temporary ofrenda for the day. I'll bring my laptop so I can show them your site, Rebecca. I'm trying to pull together a post right now. Such a busy week.
Posted by: Fran aka Redondowriter | October 16, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Rebecca, the joy and love you bring into the world warms my heart with each visit. Love love the sharing, the stories, and the love here!
Posted by: tami | October 17, 2011 at 05:20 AM
Your words detail so precisely what is in my heart...each image makes me smile broader...the delicate marigold wreaths. I wish I had thrown some in my suitcase!!!
x..x
Posted by: stephanie | October 17, 2011 at 03:21 PM
Beautiful pictures, love those marigolds.
Adriana
Posted by: Adriana Esqueda | October 30, 2011 at 09:08 PM