February is referred to as the month of love. It is traditionally symbolized by hearts, harps, cupids and roses and celebrated among us, the living. Imagine if, during the month of February, we resurrected an ancient tradition and honored our loved ones in spirit as well?
Ferālia was an ancient Roman public festival which was celebrated around the 21st of February and was the closing ceremony marking the end of Parentalia.
Parentalia was a week-long observance conducted privately among Roman citizens in observance of loved ones who passed from the physical plane.
Behind closed doors, words of honor were spoken in reverence to ancestors, special meals were eaten in observance of transitioned souls and ceremonies were held within the family to pay tribute to loved ones of days gone by. After a week of somber devotion, Feralia sparked a public festival.
Feasts were consumed and offerings were left at gravesites to publicly convey love, honor and remembrance of the dead.
There is legend that states Romans eventually neglected the public feast of Feralia, and ultimately, the result was Rome’s decline. Perhaps the symbolic lesson here is to remember the spirits of kin and clan and honor them, otherwise succumb to a life of ambiguity and decrepitude.*
This got me thinking. February is referred to as the month of love. It is traditionally symbolized by hearts, harps, cupids and roses and celebrated among us, the living.
Imagine if, during the month of February, we resurrected an ancient tradition and honored our loved ones in spirit as well?
I am all for celebrating our ancestors and loved ones in spirit each and every day and especially during the holidays.
I say we choose February 21st as a day to celebrate our own unique everyday version of Parentalia and Ferālia. Are you in?
Following suit with the ancient Romans, we gather our family and/or friends around a table replete with the finest of ‘comfort foods’. You know what I’m talking about – food that warms the cockles of your heart and induces fond memories, perhaps a favorite recipe or two of the dearly departed. Take turns and share your funniest, most meaningful stories, while you bestow words of honor upon your ancestors and loved ones. Play music, the sentimental, happy tunes of days gone by – sing and dance.
Believe me when I tell you – those in the afterlife love a great get-together. They revel in the merriment and bask in the memories just as much as we do.
Everyone loves to be remembered – but even more so, those in spirit adore being sought out and invited into the lives of the living.
So much so that they invite themselves into our lives every day.
A client of mine had lost his wife of many years and was experiencing deep grief. She was ever present and ever encouraging during each and every session, assuring him he would ‘get beyond his grief’. She even reached out to me with an unusual request. She felt the need to write him a poem, yet did not know how to get her thoughts onto paper and then deliver it to him. I agreed to not only take her dictation – but to read it to him as well. It was a brilliant, meaningful collaboration!
Many of you are open to making the connection and many are in-tune with the connections you do make. If that describes you – simply follow their lead. If you feel you are unable to connect, I recommend you pay attention to the thoughts and feelings that may course through your mind and body.
Listen. Be still and hear them. They will tell you what to do.
Most likely they will suggest a celebration is in order and will assist you with the party preparations!
(*Adapted from Wikipedia and Whats-Your-Sign.com)