Samhain

Unless you've been on a retreat in some desolate spot you can't fail to have noticed the shops are full of witchy hats, ghoulish masks and skeleton costumes. Yes, Halloween is here. Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced 'sowin' ) which meant "summer's end". At Samhain people would assess the year's harvest and see what they had and needed to get them through the coming dark days of winter. It was also believed that this was the time when the veil between the living world and the spirit world was at its thinnest. Summer is clearly over, winter has not yet begun: this was very much a time to 'take stock.' And although few of us now live close to the land and the seasons like the ancient inhabitants of this country, this is something we can usefully do in our own way.

You might like to ask yourself:

• What have I harvested this past year? What plans or goals came to fruition? Which didn't - and why?
• What resources (financial, emotional, psychological) do I have right now? Are they sufficient to get me through the coming months?
• What about the ghosts of your past? Literal or metaphorical - what is your relationship with them? Have you laid them to rest or do they haunt you?

Such reflections seem more appropriate this year than in previous ones. We live in a society where materialism tends to covers up the cracks: people can ignore their unhappiness as long as they can go shopping. With the economic downturn - and the shocking suddenness of the meltdown - many people are struggling and feeling insecure, and are finding that when the external world gets turned upside-down it calls for a re-evaluation of our lives and priorities. This is a good time to invest in yourself.

If you are wanting support as you examine your life, I can help you. I work on the basis of ability to pay, so offer reduced fees for those on lower incomes and for long-term commitments. Visit my therapy website http://www.richardlawton.net to find out more.