ART: SYLVIA JI
As many of you know November 1st and 2nd is Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday celebrated around the world that honors and celebrates the lives of those who have passed. It has its roots in the Aztec festival for the Goddess Mictecacihuatl, The Lady of The Dead, as well as Catholic origins from All Saints Day and All Souls Day. You can read more of the roots of this holiday and how it is celebrated around the world in the wikipedia here.
It is also the Celtic and Pagan holiday of Samhain when bonfires are lit to honor the dearly departed and aid them on their journey. In many cultures, this is a period where the veils between the worlds are the thinnest, so it is a perfect time for us to pause, honor and pay homage to our ancestors and our loved ones who have passed on.
Traditionally altars are created with offerings, or “ofrendas” of candles, flowers such a marigold, and favorite foods and beverages.
This is a beautiful time to create an altar/offering in dedication to those whose lives have visibly or invisibly touched our own. For in this web of life, we are all connected and we are here as result of the efforts and energy of those who came before us.
We are the torch bearers of this time and as we honor and integrate the way our lives have been touched by others, we weave our own visions into this collective tapestry of unfoldment.
Consciousness does not die, it transforms. What appears as death in one form dissolves to give way to a completely new form, but this is the cycle of life. And like every living thing on the planet, we too are a part of it.
So with devotion and with gratitude, call on your loved ones, your angels, your ancestors to guide and watch over all of us during these time of collective transformation.
Our hearts united for a greater vision, that honors and cares for our planet Earth and all of its inhabitants, activates our unifying field. We are All children of the Earth. As we awaken to this truth, we awaken the need to care for our Earth and each other.
Connect to the stream of Life Force within you, grow your roots deeper into this Earth and call on your dearly departed and your well ancestors for courage, wisdom and vision.
Blessings to all~
~MM
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14 comments
casimira says:
Nov 1, 2013
so beautiful…thank you…
Eva says:
Nov 1, 2013
Very sweet and inspirational!
Shoshanna says:
Nov 1, 2013
Thank you for these kind hearted words-
Ashley says:
Nov 2, 2013
This gives me so much peace and such a sense of belonging. Thank you.
Lydia says:
Nov 3, 2013
Wonderfully uplifting and filled with “heavenly” love and light!!!! Simply beautiful……
Rebeca Campbell says:
Nov 13, 2013
Beautiful as always x
Kassandra says:
Oct 31, 2015
Blessed be!
Tess says:
Oct 31, 2017
So beautiful….This art is extraordinary!Thank you MM
Ana says:
Oct 31, 2017
Nice but the otomi “art” you put to illustrate this article is contradictory. Otomi tenangos are about life not death, they would never embroider a skull on their tenangos. I do not know who is Sylvia Ji but her drawing seems culture appropriation. They just use the patterns because they think they look beautiful but they do not understand the meaning.
mm says:
Nov 1, 2019
Thanks for sharing. Good point. I posted this in 2013 and I can see things a bit differently now. Although this isn’t an otomi embroidery but a contemporary painting based on similar style, I hear you on the appropriation and perhaps inadvertent misinterpretation of original meaning. Thanks for bringing this to my/our attention.
sylva says:
Nov 1, 2017
Heart felt blessings. May I learn all that I can from them. Mostly they send me messages in my dreams but also when I see the birds flying high in the sky or a beautiful yellow rose growing on the green bush.
Laura says:
Oct 25, 2018
Such a beautiful piece! I really love this, “For in this web of life, we are all connected and we are here as result of the efforts and energy of those who came before us.” This is so true and such a good reminder for all of us. Thank you for all you do to elevate the consciousness of the planet!
Kevin says:
Nov 4, 2018
Our 26 year old son died 6 months ago. Today is a bizarre day. I am literally awake and dreaming at the same time. I cannot explain it. My brain is going berserk. My wife and I went out for breakfast, and I tried to explain what was going on in my head. I feel like I can see through the mist between death and life. What is this? This has never happened before. Trying to sort it out. Something with el dia de los muertos? No clue. Brain is going 100 miles per hour and I am at peace at the same time.
mm says:
Nov 1, 2019
Dear Kevin, somehow I missed your comment and just seeing it, as we return to this time a year later. I’m so sorry about your loss. Wishing you comfort, peace and connection with him through the worlds💗