Soul cakes and munchkin pumpkins. Boo.
Welcome gentle souls,
When I discovered the ancient tradition of Soul Cakes, I knew I had to make them. So, yesterday morning, I took my homemade soul cakes along to the yurt to share with my yoga community and share the story of how these soulful wishes came about. This lovely tradition dates back to medieval times and it may have been the precursor to modern-day-trick-or-treating. The tradition is still observed in Cheshire and Sheffield. Soul cakes called ‘souls’, were offered to the ‘soulers’ calling at your door, who were mainly children and the poor during the days of Allhallowtide. In exchange for a soul cake the ‘soulers’ would sing songs and send prayers for the souls of your dearly departed relatives. I love this, that their voices would carry up and call in remembrance. Allhallowtide is the three days beginning on October 31st of honouring saints, spirits and the departed.
It is believed that All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween) or Samhain is when the veil is thinnest between the worlds of the living and the dead. It then seems like the perfect time to ring out their name, acknowledge their existence in your heart and keep their memory alive in your soul.
We can light candles, make an offering and send our own prayers to our ancestors and those that have trod the path before us.
Perhaps that is how traditions remain alive. Through the simplest of gestures, an offering made, a story shared, a name remembered. Small acts that connect us not only to one another, but to those who walked before us.
Until next time,
Blessings,
Stephanie
If you enjoyed this exploration of soulful moments, I’d love for you to come and join me for some yoga practise, breathwork and a little more space to send some soulful wishes.
Soul to Soul Yoga classes every Friday, 10am-11am, at Whiteleaf Yurt, Oxmoor Farm. Great Missenden.
Or join my seasonal soul letters for a monthly note on the season and what is coming up.
May your light shine brightly.