Wikipedia tells me: Halloween traditions are widely believed to come from ancient Celtic harvest festivals with pagan roots. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, also referred to as souling. Instead of candy given to the trick-or-treaters, soul cakes are given out. They commemorate the dead in the Christian tradition. The cakes are called “souls” and the trick-or-treaters are called soulers.
For years, as an adult without children, Halloween mostly means remembering to buy candy and be prepared for costumed beings knocking at my door. This year, strolling through my neighborhood on my way to the Pub, grocery store, or downtown to catch a movie, I paid more attention than usual to all the skeletons I saw. I stood outside an antique store window to study a large seated skeleton, the pelvic bowl in particular. The sit bones were well defined, vividly revealing the connection between the leg sockets and the sit bones.
I continued my walk through downtown, reflecting on the elusiveness of accurate pelvic bowl visuals as applied to my own body. I have long been aware that seeking self embodiment, the ability to feel versus think is about taking many, many solitary treks into soul retrieval. Self embodiment is a level beyond mindfulness. Many, many Americans have invested hours and money in learning mindful techniques. Now it’s come time to upgrade to self-awareness, the act of embodiment.
I realize I can do my part in the Halloween tradition to commemorate those who have died by blessing each candy I hand out with appreciation and respect. I can see the costumed youth who come to my door as America’s future, our “soulers”. And, I can study every skeleton I see about town for reflection of embodiment. I can receive my own soul cakes; I can be a souler knocking on the door of healing.
