Today is November 1st–The Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) and All Saints Day. Wikipedia says it has many other names. I think Hallowmas is my favorite from the Christian tradition and Samhain, or summer’s end, from the pre-Christian times. All Souls’ Day follows tomorrow on November 2nd when we remember everyone departed, saintly or not.
I’m especially attracted to this honoring of the time between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice which has never been easy for me. It promises to be heavy this year, too.
The heftiest holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming soon along with that darkest day of the year in my northern climate. I wrote in October about grief and why it sits especially close for me this year after the loss of my mother. In that post, I offered my Grief Care Plan. If that gave you a bit of solace and you would like more, I am also offering a course on making a Book of Grief.
Here are the details:
Time: Four weeks–enough to get you started through Thanksgiving and into December
Format: Online downloadable instructions and a Facebook group for support and interaction. I may even get energetic and create videos with the right encouragement and if I can work up my courage.
Materials Needed:
- Artifacts from your loved one or the thing you lost like photos and memories both big and small, joyful and painful.
- Sketchbook of some sort or the willingness to make a book out of paper.
- Pens, crayons, paint, and other things you have in your closet or can buy on the cheap from Value Village or with your big Michaels and JoAnn coupons.
- Collage materials like magazines to cut or scraps of paper and fabric
- Tape, glue, or Mod Podge
Cost: 50 dollars with 10 percent of the proceeds going to a local grief support group
Talents Needed: None. Seriously. If you are great at drawing or have studied art, that’s nice but it’s not necessary. No one will see your Book of Grief unless you want them to and it’s really just for you so you can take the pain that’s inside and give it shape in the world. Pain has no need to be pretty.
As I said before, this is the class I need. I haven’t found it so I’m making it. I’d be honored if it helps you, too.
We’ll launch on November 11th at 11:00 am for Remembrance Day
But you can start at any time. To sign up click on the Courses page.
May you know love, especially in the midst of your darkness and loss-
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Thank you for sharing your grief plan and this course. I’m so sorry for your loss, and also very grateful that you have created this class for so many in these times. Much love, Beth
Thank you so much, Beth. How I would love to see you in person should our paths cross in the same state. Do let know if you ever come my way. It seems like we should certainly have tea or walk a labyrinth. Or both.