— SACRED TIME —

All Saints and All Souls' Day

November 1–2 · Catholicism · Monotheisms

Fixed date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Communion between the living, the saints, and the deceased. November 2nd provides a Christian reordering of the flow of the dead from Samhain: memory as an act that keeps the bridge open.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Visiting the cemetery and cleaning graves
·Lighting small candles (lumini)
·Reciting the names of one's own dead

Traditional foods

·Bread of the dead
·Beans of the dead
·Bones of the dead (sweets)

Offerings

·Chrysanthemums
·A light for each deceased loved one

Taboos to respect

·Do not speak ill of the dead
·Do not leave a family tomb in the dark

Associated symbols

Votive candle · Chrysanthemum · Engraved name