The Ancient Tradition of Samhain and Halloween

It’s Halloween also known as Samhain – the celebration the ancient Celts called Samhain. This marks the Celtic beginning of the New Year and winter. This celebration starts at sunset on October 31 to sunset November 1.

Samhain is the Gateway to winter, where the veils are especially thin between these worlds of the seen and unseen. The Celts called the unseen realms the ‘Otherworld’, a place of beauty, rest, and renewal. Samhain is a time in the cycle of the year for slowing down. For connecting to your deep self and resting there in the healing power of your inner nature. It is the turning of the seasons where you can commune with the earth mother’s womb from which all that is created is birthed.

This marks the time to honor the worlds of the seen and unseen – our everyday world, and the worlds of imagination, mystery, and spirit.

Samhain is also a time for honoring your loved ones who have passed. Perhaps today you may want to light a candle and recall in your heart the cherished memories of loved ones who are no longer in the physical world.

Or you might simply gather some colorful autumn leaves to place in a bowl on your kitchen counter, to acknowledge what you would like to shed in your life and what you would like to seed deep within you for rebirth and renewal.

Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition

TODAY’S HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS
The American Halloween tradition of “trick-or-treating” probably dates back to the early All Souls’ Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called “soul cakes” in return for their promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as “going a-souling” was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.

The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.

Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.

So call it Halloween or Samhain take time to celebrate and enjoy this special time of year.

No Tricks – Just Treats. Get answers to the questions that are haunting you with my Special Spiritual Services. Learn More

Many blessings,
Cherokee Billie

Hunters Full Moon October 27, 2015

If you’re prone to tilt your head and howl at the moon, like the great hunters the coyotes, October 27 will be the only night this month when the moon will be visible in the sky all night long. Just be mindful of the neighbors when you howl!

All you Moon Lovers Mark your calendars because this is the last Supermoon of the year! It is also known as a sanguine or “blood” moon, the term “Hunters Moon” is used traditionally to refer to a full moon that appears during the month of October. This full Moon is also called the Travel Moon and the Dying Grass Moon.

To the Native Americans full moons were a way to keep track of the seasons and make appropriate preparations for survival. Besides, with falling leaves and the fattening of wild game, also preparing for winter, who could argue that this month’s moon signaled a good time to go hunting. Hunter’s Moon the name for the full moon after the Harvest Moon, which is the full moon nearest the September autumnal equinox. That’s why October’s moon bears the name Hunter’s Moon.

The Hunters Full Moon is also called the Shedding Moon, Blood Moon, or the Falling Leaf Moon. Coming right before Samhain/Halloween, it is a time when the nights are crisp and clear, and you can sense a change in the energy around you. Halloween also marks the beginning of the Pagan New Year.

Associations:
Gods: Herne, Apallo, Cernunnos, Mercury, Ishtar, Astarte, Demeter, Lakshmi

Element: Air

Colors: Dark blue, Black, Purple

Gemstones: Obsidian, Amethys, Tourmaline, Opal

Herbs: Apple Blossom, Pennyroyal, Mint, Sweet Annie, Thyme, Catnip, Angelica

Flowers: Calendula, Marigold Cosmos

Trees: Apples, Yew, Cypress, Acacia

Birds: Crow, Heron, Robin

Animals: Stag, Jackal, Elephant, Ram, Scorpion.

This is the time to give thanks to the animals, fruits, and vegetables during this moon for giving their lives so we can live.

Use red candles and burn cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger as your incense during this full moon.

This is the time when the veil between our world and the spirit world are at its thinnest. Use this time for spiritual growth. If there is a deceased ancestor you wish to contact, this is a great month to do it. Throughout October work on your spiritual self, and pay attention to messages you get in your dreams. Plan a ritual to remember those who have passed from this world, and be sure to make an offering to them.

As for Halloween night the moon will add mystery to the night..

An in depth Spiritual Reading should be done every moon cycle. Since, every moon cycle represents a change it not only affects our external forces but our internal forces as well. Call today to find out what is in store for you during this time of change, (866)-563-3997.

The full moon is always a good time to pray, have ceremonies, and be reminded of the continuation of life. Enjoy my friends.

Full Moon Blessings,
Cherokee Billie

CherokeeBillie.com

Why Black Cats Are Considered Unlucky?

How did black cats become associated with bad luck, and with Halloween traditions?

Every year when people begin putting out their Halloween decorations, and we start dressing our homes for Halloween/Samhain, inevitably the image of the black cat comes up. It’s usually portrayed with its back arched, claws out, and occasionally wearing a jaunty pointed hat. Local news channels warn us to keep black cats inside on Halloween just in case the local hooligans decide to get up to some nasty hijinks.

But where did the superstition of these beautiful animals come from? Anyone who lives with a cat knows how fortunate they are to have a cat in their life — so why are they considered unlucky?

Divine Cats:

The ancient Egyptians honored cats of every color. Cats were mighty and strong, and held sacred. Two of the most amazing goddesses in the Egyptian pantheon were Bast and Sekhmet, worshipped as long ago as 3000 b.c.e. Family cats were adorned with jewelry and fancy collars, and even had pierced ears. If a cat died, the entire family went into mourning, and sent the cat off to the next world with a great ceremony. For thousands of years, the cat held a position of divinity in Egypt.

The Witch’s Familiar:

Around the time of the Middle Ages, the cat became associated with witches and witchcraft. Around the late 1300′s, a group of witches in France were accused of worshipping the Devil in the form of a cat. It may be because of the cat’s nocturnal nature that it became connected to witches — after all, night time was the time they held their meetings, as far as the church was concerned.

Contemporary Cats:

Around the time of World War Two, when the American tradition of Halloween as trick-or-treat time really got underway, cats became a big part of the holiday decoration. This time around, however, they were considered a good luck charm — a black cat at your door would scare away any evil critters that might come a’calling.

Most people are far less superstitious today than they were in the Middle Ages, but the black cat remains part of our late October decor.

Black Cat Folklore and Legends:

Sixteenth-century Italians believed that if a black cat jumped on the bed of an ill person, the person would soon die.

In Colonial America, Scottish immigrants believed that a black cat entering a wake was bad luck, and could indicate the death of a family member.

The Norse goddess Freyja drove a chariot pulled by a pair of black cats.

A Roman solder killed a black cat in Egypt, and was killed by an angry mob of locals.

Appalachian folklore said that if you had a stye on the eyelid, rubbing the tail of a black cat on it would make the stye go away.

If you find a single white hair on your otherwise-black cat, it’s a good omen.

In England’s border countries and southern Scotland, a strange black cat on the front porch brings good fortune.

As an animal totem the black cat is the keeper of secrets, gatekeeper; when black cat crosses your path she is telling you to stay aware, as something very powerful is coming into your life: be ready to recognize it and receive it.

I have been blessed with a black cat, Isis, and she is one of the most intelligent animals I have ever had the privilege of living with. Her intelligence, understanding, compassion, and kindness was beyond compare. Isis crossed the rainbow bridge April 29, 2015.

Those of you that have a lovely black cat know what I’m talking about. You can read more about her by clicking here.

If you have a black cat please make sure you keep them protected on Halloween.

Many blessings,
Cherokee Billie

New Moon –New Beginnings

The new moon occurs on October 13, 2015 marking the beginning of a new cycle.  The new moon is a time of initiation and new beginnings. It is the time to plant a seed of what you want to grow in your life. Making a wish, an intention, a promise, or a vow is a common custom. It is believed that as the moon grows, that your intention or goal will too usually by the time the moon completes its cycle and returns full circle to new again.

For example farmers knew this, so they started to plan their harvests and seeding around the moon cycles. These farmers noticed through time passing that the seeds that took the best were seeded during the new moon. The new moon is also a time of seeding ideas and intentions. Theses seeded ideas will then sprout with the coming full moon just as the seed lie waiting in darkness to break forth into the light to bring fruit, so should you allow the gestation and creation of such idea to bring about physical results.

Set your New Moon Intentions in Motion

• New Moon Magic: Make a fresh start, begin a project, initiate a new relationship, start a new routine.
• Create a ritual: Set an intention, write down your wishes, dreams, and desires.
• Light a white/silver candle; imagine the new moving toward you in joyful, powerful ways.
• Spend a few moments breathing in the energy of this new reality each day, making it more and more tangible.
• Work this for one moon cycle and re-access and energize on the next new moon if needed.

New Moon Blessings,
Cherokee Billie

A new moon is a good time to get a Spiritual Reading – you can contact me at CherokeeBillie.com

Celebrating John Lennon’s 75th Birthday

My entire life changed when I was twelve years old and the Beatles came to America in 1964 which opened up the whole world for me.  Their music turned me on so much that it was just like I had gone into another dimension. I understood the music and found it waking me up as though my previous twelve years I had been asleep.

The first time I saw their photograph John Lennon struck me as someone unique. My girlfriends all were in love with Paul McCartney. I was not in love with John, but when I heard him in interviews I loved his wit and I bought his first book, “In His Own Write” and found his humor to be the same as mine. The music of the Beatles was magic at that time, and it certainly lit a fire under me that has not extinguished to this day.

For those of you who were not alive when the Beatles blasted across America you will not easily understand the significance of their impact upon not only America, but the entire world.  They changed our culture. The Beatles arrived in America just under three months after the assassination of President John Kennedy. This assassination had brought America into a massive depression and the fresh lively spirit of the Beatles was exactly what the country needed to boost itself.

I was fortunate to see the Beatles perform live three times fortunately I was close to the stage the last time I saw them, and it was indescribable. It was a lasting memory. I followed the Beatles faithfully until their breakup and from there I continue to follow each one’s music. But as always John seemed to be expressing the feelings that I had.

John was always the most outspoken, and, at one point in 1966, he was condemned in the United States because of stating that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus.  He was not saying that they were greater than Jesus but just that their popularity extended farther. It was the truth at that time.  From then on he received death threats and was told that he would be assassinated during their 1966 United States tour.  This is one of the main reasons the Beatles stopped performing live.

Fame was a great pressure on John, and he looked for other avenues to explore having conquered the world.  He discovered LSD and used it to open up his creativity.  From there he discovered meditation and went to India to practice and learn from a master.  He met Yoko Ono, and they fell in love even though they were both married at the time.  He felt Yoko was his soul mate, and they were together until the end of his life.

They started a movement for peace and love.  He gained new world recognition for his peace movement and his views against all wars.  He expressed his views through his music and many people paid attention.  His goal was to have people get along and follow the path of love and peace.  For a time John went into seclusion, but in 1980 he was making a comeback with a new album, the first in five years, and ready to get back into his many causes.

I want to remember all that he did in his short 40 years.  He definitely kept me aware of what was going on in the world through his music and his peaceful demonstrations.  He gave a voice to the consciousness that so many were feeling and unable to find the words or ways to express it.  John did.

Each year new people discover John Lennon for the first time.  In Havana, Cuba, they have a wonderful bronze statue of John Lennon sitting casually on a park bench as though he is observing those who pass by.  Recently a teenager asked me if I knew who John Lennon was. I just had to smile at that question.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 35 years since John was assassinated, but his legacy will live forever and that speaks greatly for the man. Because John was only 40 years old when he died he will always be remembered young and I wonder what he would have been like at 75 years of age. He still would have been turning out fabulous music and art, just as Paul McCartney, Ringo, and George Harrison have done throughout the years.

I continue to listen to the Beatles and John Lennon’s music and always enjoy it. I am thankful that I lived in the most exciting time there was the 1960’s and I was able to experience Beatlemania full on.

So Happy Birthday John and thank you for everything you gave us. You will always live in our hearts.

Worldwide he is loved.  His legacy will never be forgotten.

I love John,
Cherokee Billie

October When The Worlds Are Interwoven

This dimension that we live in and the spirit world meet in October.  This is the time that the veil that separates us thins.  This has been known throughout the beginning of time. This is one of the reasons that nowadays there is a celebration in October called Halloween. Originally this was known as Samhain a Gaelic festival held on October 31–November 1. The Irish name Samhain is derived from Old Irish and means “summer’s end” and also November. It marked the end of the harvest, the end of the “lighter half” of the year and beginning of the “darker half”.

To find out what this October can bring into your life listen to my video.

Many blessings,
Cherokee Billie

Your Choices Create Your Future!

Having worked for many decades as a spiritual advisor, what I see on a regular basis is that people do not want to take responsibility for their actions or choices. When things do not work out the way that they want they tend to blame somebody, even God.

Life is not going to always go the way you want it to. It is important to think about your decisions in life. Do not make hasty decisions because you have to live with the consequences.

Today’s society is teaching that everyone should be treated equally and there should be no winners and losers. That’s not realistic. In life there are times you win and times you lose.

Life is full of uncertainty. That’s part of the adventure of life and the way that we grow is through the things that happen to us.

So take a few moments and think before you make a decision. I always advise my clients to think on something for at least 24 hours before they act on it. 24 hours can make a big difference in how you see something.

Whatever you do in life take your time and go slowly. The rewards are enormous when you do and you can create a better tomorrow.

Many blessings,
Cherokee Billie

Please visit me at CherokeeBillie.com to learn more about my services.

This Season of Change

Now is the time to fully embrace Mother Nature’s wonderful and colorful changes. Be flexible like this season’s and willing to change for the better. Remember it is never too late to change your life.

My wish for you is that something always great and good happens in your life this month and every month… May all your dreams come true …

Sending You Blessings,
Cherokee Billie

Cherokeebillie.com