photos-Ann Wodziak, following Salicrow's Spirit Gallery in September 2022
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep,
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
-Claire Harner
I have always been comforted by the idea that my Beloved Dead are in spirit watching over me. Growing up in a family that lived in relationship with their dead, I recognized them as active members of our family who no longer had a body. This understanding that my ancestors were watching over me made it hard to feel that I was 'alone'.
As my great-grandmother, Grammy Brown was the 'matriarch extraordinaire' of our family, the traditions she carried from her Irish Traveler Father and Blackfoot Mother were the basis of our belief system. We learned to not only honor our Beloved Dead but to celebrate them. Stories of their accomplishments and foolish antics filled our family time, recipes were prepared for family meals seasoned with tales of overcoming famine, perseverance, and the wild and wily ways of those who lived close to the land. Sometimes these stories came with visuals as I saw the shadows of the family she spoke of standing in the corner near the stove, and my mind drifted along filled with daydreams of the loved ones she spoke of. Later in life, after fully stepping into my ability as a Spirit Speaker, I recognized those dreams for what they truly were...communication!
When forming a relationship with our Beloved Dead, it is important that we remember that they are always around us...simply a thought away! Thinking of our dead, talking about them, and sharing stories of their trials and tribulations, brings them to us much in the same way that we would place a phone call to our living loved one. While we must mourn in order to process the grief of no longer sharing the physical realm with our beloved dead, it is important to celebrate them as well! Sing their favorite songs out loud as it plays on the radio, tell your children and grandchildren stories of them as you make their favorite holiday recipes, and remember how much they loved burning things; as you start a fire in your woodstove. CELEBRATE YOUR DEAD!
At Samhain/Halloween, the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. This is the perfect time to sit and share about our Beloved Dead.
HERE IS A SIMPLE WAY YOU CAN HONOR YOUR BELOVED DEAD-
*Gather family and friends together for a night of remembrance. Ask guests to bring a dish to share that reminds them of their beloved dead (family recipes are a bonus!).
*Create a Beloved Dead altar, inviting all guests to bring photos and items of memorabilia to add to it.
*Turn down the lights, preferably sitting with a firelight from candles or a fireplace.
*Invite guests to share stories of their Beloved Dead as you sit and feast them with their favorite foods, drink, (and smoke)
Remember this is not a solemn affair, it is meant to be filled with love, laughter, tears, and celebration! While Halloween is the optimal time to do such, it is not always practical in our world of costume parties and candy...so any time from now until Halloween would be perfect!
spreading love-salicrow
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UPCOMING EVENTS w/Salicrow
OAKLEDGE MYSTIC MARKET, Oakledge Park, Burlington, VT
October 21st, 2022 7-10pm
Salicrow and her sister Sandycrow and Magpie will be set up at the 1st MYSTIC MARKET! Salicrow & Sandycrow will be doing Psychic Readings (first come first serve/no appointment reservations), while Magpie runs the EMPORIUM OF MAGICAL DELIGHTS! This will be a festive celebration of magic, hope to see you there!
THE BETWIXT & BETWEEN...Spirit Dancer, Burlington, VT...October 22nd, 2022
Join Salicrow, Psychic Medium for an afternoon of ancestor honoring, education, and messages passed from Spirit.
PSYCHIC READINGS...Spirit Dancer, Burlington, VT...October 22nd, 2022
(appointments are limited)
Individual Psychic Readings with Salicrow, Psychic Medium by appointment only!
SPIRIT COMMUNICATION CLASSES w/Salicrow, Psychic Medium
OPENING TO SPIRIT
A spirit communication intensive
November 6th, 13th, and 20th on ZOOM
SPIRIT CIRCLE-
Continuing Education for
Developing Mediums
November, 8th, 15th, and 22nd on ZOOM
SPIRIT SESSIONS w/Salicrow-
Individual and group sessions are available in person and on ZOOM
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER (coming April 2023)
SPIRIT SPEAKER, A Medium's Guide to Death and Dying
In this compassionate and straightforward guide to the spiritual process of dying and what happens after death, psychic medium Salicrow answers the most common questions asked by her clients over her decades of work as a spirit speaker.