A Quarter to* Dark November 1, 2011
Posted by indigobunting in Uncategorized.trackback
It’s Samhain, truly summer’s end. There was no denying it as the snow fell on Thursday and on Saturday night. I had wisely scheduled my snow-tire changes for Friday and Saturday mornings. Goodbye to all-weather radials!
It’s Samhain, which means it’s a quarter to dark, but the cold makes it feel even darker than it is, and it will feel this dark (and darker) until it’s three-quarters to light.
We’ve had a busy, celebratory weekend. I never have time or energy to deal with costumes; still, we managed to visit a haunted house, attend a party and walk in the dark woods, clean out a very scary closet, view the fantastic Frankenweenie (a tradition!), crawl out from our baseness long enough to participate in a neighborhood salon, and tag-team Halloween night, one of us appeasing trick-or-treaters, the other tippling across the street.
It’s Samhain, and my pagan friend Craig and I will exchange small gifts. With four quarters and four cross-quarters to the year, it’s like Hanukkah, but spread out. (The gifts part.)
It’s Samhain, and Sunday night the coyotes yipped and howled. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
*or til, if you like. I have no real preference.
Route 153 
Last night I followed a tradition that was developed about ten years ago, when Mom was still with us and relatively hale, if not hearty. Tasha would charge the door and dash out when trick-or-treaters came, though when she died, and we had the more complacent and obedient Goldie, we no longer got too many kids coming to the door. One year we decorated and bought candy and carved a pumpkin, but not a single kid knocked. So after that, we’d turn off all the lights and watch TV in the bedroom until all kids were sure to be off the streets, just in case: we didn’t want to buy candy we would be obligated to eat if there were no becostumed creatures begging at the door, nor be caught off guard with no candy should some happen to appear. Hiding in the dark seemed a more appropriate solution.
OMG I love this – “A quarter to dark” – beautiful.
I like Craig’s idea too.
Pagans are so poetic!
I love this — I had no idea about Samhain. Thanks for educating me!
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I remember my first Samhain back in college. It was a somewhat creepy introduction to paganism but also cozy? Is that strange?
I love this too, especially the title. And I have weekend envy: a haunted house, a walk in the dark woods AND a Frankenweenie?
i’d never heard of Samhain … but I’m fascinated. and this was lovely.
Didn’t I comment on this? Better late than never. It’s a beauty, Bunting.
Thanks, D.