Day of the Dead

[maureen]

For all our dearly departed, we make an offering in honour and respect. The alter is set up on three levels- the underworld, the terrestial, and the celestial. On these we put the essential elements of light(candles), salt, water, bread and incence. Then we add little tidbits of what our dead enjoyed in life-- a favourite food, a preferred drink, a smoke, fruit ... a tube of Vegemite.... whatever. We also use sugar skulls- calaveras- to sweeten the offering. The predominant colours are orange, purple, and black. We use the giant orange marigold throughout the offering, as well as using the petals to lay a trail from the street to the alter so the spirits can find their way to the party. There is a feeling of respect and joy in remembering and honouring our dead- like an Irish wake once a year... or a harvest ritual.

[FightTheFuture]

For all our dearly departed, we make an offering in honour and respect. The alter is set up on three levels- the underworld, the terrestial, and the celestial. On these we put the essential elements of light(candles), salt, water, bread and incence. Then we add little tidbits of what our dead enjoyed in life-- a favourite food, a preferred drink, a smoke, fruit ... a tube of Vegemite.... whatever. We also use sugar skulls- calaveras- to sweeten the offering. The predominant colours are orange, purple, and black. We use the giant orange marigold throughout the offering, as well as using the petals to lay a trail from the street to the alter so the spirits can find their way to the party. There is a feeling of respect and joy in remembering and honouring our dead- like an Irish wake once a year... or a harvest ritual.

Bravo. Thank-you for that.

[pyewacket]

Maureen- what a lovely tradition! We have candy molds to make and decorate white chocolate skulls.
I really like to hear about cultural folklore and traditions- thank you for sharing yours. 

We don't have any formal rituals other than remembering loved ones who have passed away. If we have a gathering, I do practice some divination with cards. I read 2 different, non Tarot decks.

[Robert Ghostwolf's Ghost]

For all our dearly departed, we make an offering in honour and respect. The alter is set up on three levels- the underworld, the terrestial, and the celestial. On these we put the essential elements of light(candles), salt, water, bread and incence. Then we add little tidbits of what our dead enjoyed in life-- a favourite food, a preferred drink, a smoke, fruit ... a tube of Vegemite.... whatever. We also use sugar skulls- calaveras- to sweeten the offering. The predominant colours are orange, purple, and black. We use the giant orange marigold throughout the offering, as well as using the petals to lay a trail from the street to the alter so the spirits can find their way to the party. There is a feeling of respect and joy in remembering and honouring our dead- like an Irish wake once a year... or a harvest ritual.

When I'm dead, please honor me with Altos tequila, smokes, and muchas calaveras de azucar, but anyone who gives me Vegemite can expect to be haunted for a long time by my angry, vengeful spirit.  That's a promise! 

[wr250]

When I'm dead, please honor me with Altos tequila, smokes, and muchas calaveras de azucar, but anyone who gives me Vegemite can expect to be haunted for a long time by my angry, vengeful spirit.  That's a promise!

how about some laxi-brew, genuine imitation cuban cigars from india, and some imitation bacon (AKA turkey bacon) ?

[FightTheFuture]

... and some imitation bacon (AKA turkey bacon) ?

Yuck! This better:

   http://www.lightlife.com/Vegan-Food-Vegetarian-Diet/Organic-Smoky-Tempeh-Strips.html


LOOOVVVVEEEEE my fakin` bacon, lettuce, tomato sammich!

[maureen]

Maureen- what a lovely tradition! We have candy molds to make and decorate white chocolate skulls.
I really like to hear about cultural folklore and traditions- thank you for sharing yours. 

We don't have any formal rituals other than remembering loved ones who have passed away. If we have a gathering, I do practice some divination with cards. I read 2 different, non Tarot decks.

yes, these are rituals that remind us of the important things of life. You might enjoy the legend I posted in the thread, Legends for all seasons. 

[maureen]

When I'm dead, please honor me with Altos tequila, smokes, and muchas calaveras de azucar, but anyone who gives me Vegemite can expect to be haunted for a long time by my angry, vengeful spirit.  That's a promise!

Vegemite for our Australian dead!! The dead pick and choose at their buffet... 

[Robert Ghostwolf's Ghost]

Vegemite for our Australian dead!! The dead pick and choose at their buffet... 

Fair enough!  I just wanted to get my preferences on record to avoid any unpleasant afterlife surprises!   

And I suppose Yorkie will be expecting Marmite just to be difficult.

[maureen]

The altar can be thematic or generic. I have seen offerings to Zapata, Lennon, democracy and many more to family, with pictures of the departed. I myself  make it general 'cause I have too many dead to count. One for all!! Check out the altars of Huacachula - very elaborate and tradicional.

[maureen]

Fair enough!  I just wanted to get my preferences on record to avoid any unpleasant afterlife surprises!   

And I suppose Yorkie will be expecting Marmite just to be difficult.

Of course he can have his Marmite!! And pics of fabulous aircraft!!

[Kelt]

The father of one of our closest friends died over the weekend.

We bought them a basket of chocolate, and liked them on Facebook.

[Mind Flayer Monk]

The father of one of our closest friends died over the weekend.

We bought them a basket of chocolate, and liked them on Facebook.

Was the chocolate for making mole?

[wr250]

Yuck! This better:

   http://www.lightlife.com/Vegan-Food-Vegetarian-Diet/Organic-Smoky-Tempeh-Strips.html


LOOOVVVVEEEEE my fakin` bacon, lettuce, tomato sammich!

id rather just do tomatos with a few drops  liquid smoke on em, lettuce , and some kosher salt sprinkled on top. no fake bacon here.

[aldousburbank]

One of my fondest memories of Mexico is taking public transport on November 2nd, full of families in nice clothes with pastries, food, and flowers. Marigolds everywhere!

[maureen]

One of my fondest memories of Mexico is taking public transport on November 2nd, full of families in nice clothes with pastries, food, and flowers. Marigolds everywhere!

... and the cemetaries!!! the party at the graveside- candles, and flowers, and mole, and mariachis, and incence taking prayers aloft!!! magical!!

[Juan]

Here in the Golden Isles, we go out and do the Buzzard Lope, then eat a crab boil.

[b_dubb]

I think it's odd to imagine the spirits of the deceased tied to any location in this world.  They're beyond this world.  Not sure if that means they're in an afterlife scenario of if they've ceased to be.  Not sure it's healthy to think about that.

[maureen]

I think it's odd to imagine the spirits of the deceased tied to any location in this world.  They're beyond this world.  Not sure if that means they're in an afterlife scenario of if they've ceased to be.  Not sure it's healthy to think about that.

non-local morphic resonance.... or a good excuse for a party!

[Robert Ghostwolf's Ghost]

Of course he can have his Marmite!! And pics of fabulous aircraft!!

You're a generous soul, but let's not get carried away.  I'm all for respecting the departed, but I draw the line at coddling them.   

[pate]

Was the chocolate for making mole?

Mole is the stuff, or if movie wasn't made about stuff it should've been mad about mole...

"Mad about mole", surely there is a movie link for that...

I digress...

[maureen]

this year's bare essential offering

[pyewacket]

this year's bare essential offering

Wow- that's lovely, Maureen. It's similar to some pagan practices. Gifts and offerings are set out at certain dedicated days and holy days. A nice way of remembering your loved ones.