Dream Oracle
Piercing the Veil - Dream work at Halloween
by Julie Gillentine
Death,
and what awaits us when we depart physical existence, are among
humanity’s greatest mysteries and perhaps second only to
where we came from and why we are here in the first place. Most
humans believe that earthly life is not the end and that some aspect
of our soul or spirit continues after death. Dreams are one
of the ways we move back and forth between the veil which separates
the visible world from the unseen realm. Sometimes dreamers
encounter deceased loved ones in dreams. While this may be
symbolic in terms of what the deceased person represents character-wise,
often these are real meetings. Many people also report visits
in dreams from relatives just as they die, as if they are stopping
by to say goodbye.
On the last day of October we will celebrate Halloween, Samhain,
All Hallows Eve or All Souls Day, depending on the tradition. Samhain
is pronounced “sowen,” and in the ancient Celtic language
meant Hallow tide and was the time set aside to honor the dead
and to pay attention to all the manifestations of the thinning
veil. The history of Halloween stems from the Celts and we
have to peer back in time nearly 6,000 years to trace the shadowy
origins. Halloween and Thanksgiving have the same root origin
and their purpose is to celebrate the harvest before the cold and
dark of winter. Millennia ago the year began on the date we
now call October 31, after the harvest, and midway between autumn
equinox and winter solstice.
As winter approaches in the northern hemisphere people are driven
inside and animals search for safe haven. In the modern world
winter’s dark and cold are illuminated by artificial light
and warmed by generated heat so the conscious passage of this season
is sometimes unnoticed. Because we are insulated we lose touch
with the darkness and its part in the rhythm of life. Prayers
for the dead and activities to honor and communicate with ancestors
are common activities at this time in cultures around the world. Leaving
an ancestors plate on the table is the origin of the treat part
of Halloween. The trick part came much later before World
War II and was called Mischief Night. Hence modern celebrations
of Halloween include ghosts, goblins, witches and costumes and
well as “tricks and treats.” Carved pumpkins
with candles inside were meant to scare off evil spirits.
What does all of this
have to do with dreams you might ask? All of these symbols
and activities are remnants of practices which have to do with
engaging and interacting with the unseen realm. The same is
true with dream work and making the most of our dream time is enhanced
at this time of year because of the thinning veil which separates
the worlds. In truth it is more that our frequency is heightened
which allows us to perceive energy which we normally don’t
sense.
This time of year, when the annual turning of the wheel presents
an opening to the spirit world, provides a more open portal to
communicate with beings no longer in form. Likewise the ability
to receive messages through this opening is enhanced.
Setting time asides for dream work that has to do with those who
have gone before can yield huge dividends in forgiveness, release
and surrender. Some dream fragments are actually memories
of our own night-time travels in the spirit domain and at this
time of year dreams are often more intense. Dream symbolism
may relate to unfinished business. Unspoken communication
with deceased loved ones, and therefore Karma, which is still in
operation may be draining resources and growth in waking life.
Another benefit of working consciously with the parting of the
veil near Halloween is a heightened ability to communicate with
our own spirit guides. If we take advantage of the opening,
our guides will speak to us through dreams. This is almost
the opposite of the old axiom about making hay while the sun shines. Here
we are doing deep work that can only be done in the dark while
the soul is in charge rather than the less-evolved personality. Getting
serious about your dream journal, and remembering to ask important
questions before you sleep, offers the opportunity for an abundant
harvest of personal growth.
Julie
Gillentine is the
award-winning author of
TAROT & DREAM INTERPRETATION and other books and articles. She
teaches workshops around the country and leads sacred journeys to
Egypt & Greece.
Julie
Gillentine is the
award-winning author of
TAROT & DREAM INTERPRETATION and other books and articles. She
teaches workshops around the country and leads sacred journeys to
Egypt & Greece.
