Pagan Podcast NJ | Halloween, Divination

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This episode may start out with a bit of silliness as a nod to National Knock Knock Joke Day, but the main topic of the day is the reverent observation of Samhain. This most sacred and solemn of the Pagan holidays occurs at the time of the traditional Celtic new year, and for Pagans today it is a time to remember those who have died. For many, the day is a time for communing and celebrating with loved ones who have passed and for seeking insight through divination. It is a time for quietude in the dark time of the year in the Northern hemisphere, a time for reassessment, and for looking forward to renewal. Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée each talk about which Samhain customs speak to them most and how they navigate enjoying the secular version of the celebration, Halloween, in the same time frame. Robin shares a Samhain poem that you can read on her website, and the three co-hosts interpret readings using handmade Viking runes, The Shakespeare Oracle, and The Aquarian Tarot. Wendy gives little-known information about the artist behind the classic Rider-Waite Tarot, Pamela Coleman Smith.

In keeping with the Samhain and Halloween theme, October 31st is also National Magic Day and National Increase Your Psychic Powers Day. It is also Girl Scout Founder’s Day. In the news, there is “creativity” involved in voter suppression and there are dueling hexes and prayers at work fighting a political fight in the metaphysical realm. Birthday shouts go out for Peter Jackson, Ethel Waters, Al Paxton, John Candy, Michael Landon, Neal Stephenson, Bernard Edwards, Willow Smith, and Piper Perabo, who Mary is happy to have worked with on a very funny play by George Bernard Shaw.

Corrections: Mary and Wendy discuss how they were both right in Episode 21 about aspects of the plot of Sophie’s Choice. They each had selective memory, combined with some conflation with Hobson’s Choice.

Blessed Samhain and Happy Halloween!