CONNECTING SAMHAIN REFLECTION with Remembrance Day in Canada

 

Honouring Ancestors and Soldiers: Connecting Samhain Reflection with Remembrance Day in Canada

As the vibrant autumn leaves fade and the air grows colder, we enter a season steeped in memory and reflection. October 31 brings Samhain, a deeply spiritual time in pagan traditions when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Not long after, on November 11, Canada observes Remembrance Day, a day to honour the soldiers who served and sacrificed. While these two traditions come from different backgrounds, they share a remarkable common thread: a reverence for those who came before us, the importance of remembrance, and the gratitude we hold for the lives we live today.

We are a services family ~ Tracey. My uncle, Grampa, Stepdad, Great Uncle, and my son in army cadets.

Samhain: A Time of Ancestral Reflection

Samhain marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter in the Celtic calendar—a time to turn inward, connect with our roots, and reflect on the cycle of life. In pagan traditions, Samhain is the Celtic New Year, a time to honour those who have passed, particularly our ancestors, whose lives and choices laid the foundations for our own.

During Samhain, we might set up altars adorned with photos, heirlooms, and candles as a way of inviting the spirits of loved ones to join us. Through ritual and reflection, we create space to feel the presence of those who have gone before us and to thank them for the wisdom they left behind. There’s a sense of kinship in this ritual—of reaching back through generations and feeling connected to our personal and collective history.

We are a services family ~ Tracey. My father, and my son in army cadets.

Remembrance Day: A National Tribute to Service and Sacrifice

Only days after Samhain, Canadians gather for Remembrance Day on November 11. This day of national reflection honours soldiers who served and sacrificed and continue to do so now for the freedoms we enjoy today. We wear poppies, a symbol of remembrance inspired by the fields of Flanders, and we observe a moment of silence at the eleventh hour to pay respect to those who gave their lives in war.

Remembrance Day, like Samhain, reminds us of the cost of peace and the bravery of those who walked before us, and with us. It’s a time to pause, not only to honour the memory of soldiers but also to reflect on the courage and resilience that allowed our ancestors to face hardship with unwavering strength. Whether it’s through attending ceremonies, listening to veterans’ stories, or simply taking a moment to be silent, Remembrance Day serves as a call to honour the legacy of service and sacrifice.

The Powerful Connection Between Samhain and Remembrance Day

Reflecting on Samhain and then observing Remembrance Day can be a profound experience. Both observances invite us to step back from the busyness of daily life, connect with history, and recognize the value of the lives that shaped our present. Samhain invites us to connect with ancestors and the spirits of the past, while Remembrance Day calls us to honour a specific lineage of courage and sacrifice.

There’s a reverence in both observances that reminds us of the fragility and strength of life. Just as we pay homage to our ancestors during Samhain, Remembrance Day urges us to remember soldiers who faced unimaginable hardships to protect our future. We might see Samhain as a personal connection to family lineage, and Remembrance Day as a collective bond that we share as a nation—each rooted in remembrance and gratitude.

Cpl. Matthew McCully, 1982 - 2007. Died in service in Afghanistan. Matthew and his family are personal dear friends of mine ~ Tracey.

Honouring Through Reflection and Connection

For me, observing both Samhain and Remembrance Day adds layers of meaning to this season. During Samhain, as I light candles on my altar and speak with the memory of my ancestors, I’m reminded of the courage that flows through my family line and the sacrifices made along the way. Remembrance Day, shortly after, brings a broader reflection on the sacrifices made on behalf of society and freedom. Both moments in time are connected by a profound sense of respect, gratitude, and remembrance.

In both practices, we’re acknowledging the impact of those who lived before us—their resilience, their struggles, their stories. We carry their legacy forward, allowing their lives to inspire and guide us. Samhain and Remembrance Day show us the importance of never forgetting the past, of holding onto the wisdom and strength of those who walked before us, and of feeling gratitude for the lives and freedoms we hold dear.

Keeping the Spirit of Remembrance Alive

What traditions or reflections have shaped your season this year? Have you felt that deep connection with the past, or do you have your own ways of honouring those who came before? Whether it’s through celebrating Samhain, observing Remembrance Day, or creating your own rituals, I’d love to hear how you reflect on this season and those who have made an impact on your life.

Share your stories, thoughts, or traditions in the comments below. Let’s honour and remember together, keeping the spirit of this season alive. 

~ Tracey