Wanting to browse and shop for Halloween items is challenging when the stores have already relegated these things to picked-over clearance shelves or crammed into some small space back with the left-over summer citronella candles and mismatched flip-flops. I suppose a bonus is that some of these things are marked down, but damaged goods are not much of a bargain.
On a positive note, I have not heard Christmas music in the stores yet.
I would like to savor the season of Autumn with its many beauteous offerings, sights, smells, colors and the emotions that come with such beauty. It is a sacred time of year for me as a Wiccan. My thoughts turn inward as reflections of the past year help me to plan goals for the coming year. Wiccans spend this time in quiet contemplation, preparing for the special sabbat of Samhain when we will connect with Ancestors, say a final farewell to this year and begin the plans and goals for the coming year.
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The Wheel of the Year turns and each spoke of that Wheel offers something different to think about and work with, to help us make choices that reflect our Path of reverence for Nature.
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Fortunately we don't get caught up in mass marketing and excessive consumerism. Each day in the life of a Wiccan is a celebration: of Nature, of our planet and all living things upon it. And for that we do not need shopping day countdowns.
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15 comments:
I feel exactly as you do as far as the Christmas invasion. Too much, too long.
You may remember that I am giving GK her 13th year on this orb in learning about "being a pagan". As we settled down to set up our Dia de Los Muertos altar and focus our energies to the end of this year, she gave me her take on this activity. Asked some lovely deep questions and had a couple of aha moments.
The wheel is very much a part of her consciousness and whatever her destiny, she has had the opportunity to learn the whys and that's a pleasure for me as crone.
Long walk in the mountains planned for tomorrow. Connecting with the earth spirits will be a treat.
S&S Blessings, Oma Linda
i went to michaels yesterday and all the halloween was pushed to the side and marked down and xmas was marked down 30%. sort of takes the fun out of things. i remember the days when xmas didn't go on sale until after new years!
I'm with you on this one. I know, from previous years, that before Halloween falls, the stores will start clearing the aisles for Christmas. Thanksgiving? What's that? It seems they skip it year after year. Last night I was watching television and already a Christmas commercial. When my boys were young I remember how we used to await the first Christmas commercial. It meant something back then. And when I was a child? The thrill always was the Santa's arrival at the Thanksgiving parade. That's what signaled the beginning of the season.
Mary
This is such a pet peeve of mine! I think it's so ridiculous and frustrating when they get rid of Halloween decor weeks before the holiday and replace it with Christmas stuff for a holiday two months away!
I get very depressed when I see Christmas items replacing Halloween goodies so soon. I can only think that one day, Yule will be here and not Christmas. I appreciate everything about Autumn like you do. We rush so fast in out society that we need to slow down ourselves.
I concur! Nothing like going into a craft store to look for something perfectly orange and black and stumbling across rows and rows of Santas, reindeer and elves. I don't really like it one bit!!!
A lovely post! I feel the 'modern' world is missing so much by disconnecting from Nature and each other. Brightest Blessings to you! ♥
Oh, I hear ya! And you haven't even had Thanksgiving yet!! I went into my local dollar store and most of the area that the Halloween things were in was replaced with Christmas stuff. WT? I too, love this time of year and want to savor it. But I also feel like Christmas has been kind of ruined for me too - by excess marketing so early in the season I am sick of it before it arrives!! The economy has scared retailers so they are trying any approach -- but I can't help wonder if it has done wonders for the average person - it has been a reality check, and maybe now we can all enjoy these holidays for what they really are about.?
I'm with you! Posted on facebook a photo of xmas trees on display! Let's all take a breath & enjoy THIS fleeting season, please!
Many things to think about and plan for the up coming year! This past year has been up and down! Lots of positive energies being sent to you my friend ;o) (Thanks for the laugh on my blog today!)
Yes Robin...I despise this time of year commercially speaking! I was in Walgreen's the other day and they already had their Christmas stuff out and my head spinned around! Good Grief! Fortunately the Halloween goodies were still out but I bet by the end of this week nothing much will be on the shelves. And as Mary shared I too saw a Christmas commercial on the tele last night. Here we go!
I will take my simple ways, enjoying Mother Nature's cues, and relish each moment.
Hey, did you get my email? I haven't heard from you so I'm just curious. :)
Sending Autumn Blessings Your Way...
xoxoxo
I'm surprised that it isn't worse actually :-) Only a few places has started with Yule things yet and I hope they can wait a couple of more weeks before they start.
I doubt they sell more things by starting early like they do, the only thing that will happen is that we get bored of Yule before November starts :-)
Have a great day!
Christer.
And it is Robin, nothing more than a marketing plot. July is one of the slowest seasons for sales, so some savvy person came up with the idea. Even the casino close to my work decorates as though the world was ending tomorrow....
I quite agree. Every year it is the same thing. The X-mas merchandise is out at our local stores long before Fall even begins.
I keep my Samhain decorations out until Black Friday as to enjoy the season for as long as possible.
Blessings!
Kim
I agree 100%. As early as September, the shelves were filling with Christmas and I just don't understand this Christmas raid. Autumn is my favorite season and each year it gets less and less. Well, look at me ranting on your blog. lol
Like yours, Our household embraces each season and holiday from beginning to end. I had to do a Yule article last week and I can't tell you how difficult it was to get in the mood for. Hugs, sweetie.
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