CONTEXT FOR OUR CELEBRATION
Our beautiful Asheville landscape signals to us a change in seasons, reminding us to take time to reflect on what we value, who we grieve when gone, and what foundation we can stand on to live a life of purpose and meaning for ourselves, our families and our community. The nature of this season prepares us for the moment when the doorway to our ancestors is opened and we can pay our respects to our beloveds who have gone before us. Honoring our ancestors is a natural yet often forgotten part of human life.
The Day of the Dead, a Nahua celebration of our ancestors, occurs on November 1st. Traditionally, family members are honored and a connection is maintained with those who have walked before us. We offer our respect; our ancestors offer their wisdom. Honoring the ancestors and receiving their wisdom has proven beneficial to human beings throughout time.
This annual remembrance of family builds and maintains our relationship to our ancestors. Cultures around the world hold this time honored tradition in their own way. Essentially it is recognized around the world that the circle of life includes before-birth, birth, life, death and afterlife. Westerners easily connect with celebrations marking pregnancy, birth, life stages and death. Consideration and honoring of the ancestors often goes missing.
This important aspect of life honors the learning and growing that your parents and grandparents underwent, along with their parents and grandparents going all the way back to the first peoples. Access to this wisdom is needed now more than ever. Even those who lived “badly” have great learning to impart to us. These simple gestures of remembering your parents or grandparents opens the doorway to connect you to the earned wisdom of your people.
Along with celebrating and honoring those who have gone before us, feelings of grief, loss, anger and fear may arise with joy and appreciation. All the emotions feed the fire of connection and are welcome.
THE INVITATION
Tuesday, November 1, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 pm create a place setting, 6:30-9:00 pm specialty fire. Everyone is welcome even if you don’t prepare a place setting.
Please join us for this traditional celebration in which we remember our loved ones who have passed. A small act of respect can open a doorway to healing in unexpected ways. Registration required. Seating limited to 35 people. Chairs provided.
This is a no – fee event. Donations to defray costs and support the Council House are gratefully accepted via paypal friends and family or donation gourd onsite.
CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION &
TO REGISTER
OUR EVENT LEADERS
This ceremony and celebration is led by Douglas Haynes, weather worker initiated in the Nahua weather working tradition originating from the central Mexican Highlands, Sacred Fire Asheville Firekeeper Patrick Hanaway and Community member Alison Arnold.
Call Douglas (828-230-7760) if you have questions about something you want to bring.