The day of the dead...or, remembering your ancestors

        I think this is a Japanese custom, or perhaps not quite correct in this case. The church celebrates a holy man, so It's an offshoot of a Japenese man. Now called The church of Igreca, or Johrei. Or perhaps the Johrei part is the actual healing offered. I'm sorry, I just don't know enough of Portugese or the history of the church. Or the man to tell you the full absolutely correct story. I felt I needed to talk of it nevertherless. Primarily it's a cult....a Brasilian word without the connotations we in the West give it. It deals primarilly with healing, you know the 'hands on' healing...well actually, it's hands off, but held up, palms facing you. The gist of this blog is that this church celebrates Ancestor Day on the 2nd November Maybe you guys out there will tell me if this is a bona fide Brasilain day, or not. I could find nothing on Google. But then. Sometimes, I'm 'pants' on Google. I try, not always successfully.

      The nice little building committed to healing. Nearly always manned, by dedicated people.

          After the children's Halloween on last day of October and grown ups Halloween parties on the first day of November, yesterday, the second of November, was 'celebrate your spirit family day.' Or, in other words to remember and call out to your loved ones in the family, who have passed. 'Day of the Dead, someone told me..of course that name stuck.

        The idea is, the names of your passed loved ones are written down, a celebration is held in the evening, in the church. Then......the spirits of your ancestors visit...you there, as you stand in the church. So, you better be ready. That was told me very seriously. That they come to visit....a lovely idea. They say it's rude to call them and then not be there to greet them. As with invites to any guest I suppose. I am not a full member, so forgive me if I get it wrong. They are kind enough to let me attend such things, and give me healings for free, which is wonderful. They can obviously see I am in need. Ha ha. No, really, I'm sure they can. Who of us is not in need of something...even of some sort of healing. I am certainly here in Brasil at this time 'to heal' from all sorts of things, in all sorts of ways. I can only say, it's working for me. Who knows which part of it, so I take it all. The healing from the church, a better diet, of the spirit, more excercise, relaxation, the sun and especially laughter. I feel like a million dollars if I have a good laugh.

              I think the idea is, that by having the church service, we wish the dear departed all the best. Gifting them energy, or love, which it is hoped will provide whatever it is they are missing in their existence right now. If already involved in another life, it may be peace, or water, or help they need...who knows. Life can hit you, or help you all sorts of ways, can't it. If still residing in spirit, it may be strength, or endurance or any of a hundred and one other things that may be lacking for you, or within you. Isn't that a wonderful idea! I believe in re-incarnation, in an after life...but strangely enough I have never thought that someone I know, or have known may already be embroiled in their next life, or in need of help...that I could actually give them that from here. From here with my puny energy, isn't that an amazing though. I know it may be a step too far for some of you, but I am what I am. As with all good or intriguing ideas, you must back them, get involved, so I did.....you know, if you are going to live this life, you may as well live it fully. Give it all a 'GO' as they say nowadays. Throw yourself right in, boots an all.

               At the end of a busy day, it was a hassle to actually get there. It was tempting to give up, not to make the effort, but how cold you leave a church full of guests waiting? The trip involved a walk away from a very comfortable position on the beach, a taxi, a ferry, and another walk. With all the usual waiting and organision such group things demand. Finally, at the start of the evening, we were there, six o clock start... I wonder who told spirit? Sorry, I'm being facetious. The church was crowded, with extra seating throughout, we were packed in like sardines in the heat, the fans were started, which spoiled quite a few hairstyles. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday Best. They all looked lovely, you could see how special they thought the celebration. Many people acknowledged me, I obviously know more people in the church than I think. Me...I had no idea what to expect, I was along out of respect, as well as along for the ride.

               There was the 'too loud' microphone beloved of the Churches and even private ceremonies  of Brasil. Someone made the witty comment...is God deaf then? I put in temporary ear plugs of tissue (having very sensitive ears) and settled down to make what I could of it. There was a nice little ritual, with very austere persons carrying in beautiful china dishes to place on the alter. Like a pagan ceromony I was intrigued to see. One of salt, one water, one rice (instead of rice, it would have been soil, and fire, representing the elements) a similar idea I suppose, having the staples of life offered, or, given thanks for. Music...'Enya'....is played. Suitably ethereal and very loud. Although the song they sang in English, was about chimney sweeps, there could be a slight connection. With cleaning and making ready. More likely though, no one understood the words correctly. But it doesn't matter, the soul of the ceremony was beautiful. Everyone, very respectful and serious.

             Someone important in the church, young, suited and booted, called Junior......something, gave a speech. A long speech. Of which I understood many words, but not the whole story behind them. Obviously I still have a long way to go before I am fluent in Portugese. My friend tried to explain once what he was saying, but it was too much for her to keep up to speed with. By then, I didn't care anyway. A sensitive, psychic and medium from way back, I was already looking around the church with some trepidation. I have not practiced mediumship since 2000 when I was told and felt it was time for the World to change tack. For humanity to become more positive thinkers and creating their own reality. As well as World health and Eco health. Instead of asking 'what has fate in store for me?' no more passivity, being pro-active in your lives, with the world.

               So, there I stood, in a Japenese founded, Brasilain church, on the coast of Brasil, ready to welcome the deceased. With some trepidation as I say, the lists of names, we had all written of our deceased families in the days previous, were on the alter. Who, if anyone would I see.? As always, there were many I would like to see again, I am only human....honestly....despite the rumours. I lost a beloved brother early, a dear cousin I grew up with. My father, who is always chatting away in my ear, even now. So familier is he in my head, I often wonder who is in there...him, or I? Any of those others I was ready for, as well as half expected my Pa to show.

                My last deceased family member was my Mother, only three months back. She lived until ninety years old, was very ill at the end, it was definitely her time. Also, we had a difficult relationship, she and I, with years living in separate countries. But more than that, I did not please my Mother, in fact nothing I did pleased her. She spent most of her life shaking her head over me. From the time I was little, to the time she left. She finally said she loved me in her final days...when drugged out of her head. But I was lucky to have that, many don't. My brother who deserved it more, did not get it. I'm sure she loved me, loved us, as I loved her. Just situations and circumstances, upbringing...you know. Life is difficult very often. To walk a mile in others shoes...and all that.

                   So, who did I see? Who was the first person to show, about fifteen minutes into the ceromony...with a flounce of a brightly coloured/patterned dress. She loved flirty, floaty clothes, glitter and kitten heels, yes, it was my Mother. I have to say, quite unexpectedly, but the energy she gave out was full of life, happy. My Mother who's energy was mostly low level and passive. She was so close, in my face and I was happy. Happy for her, happy she came, happy she felt so good, so different. Behind her, hanging back, with her, but only guiding her. Obviously taking care of her was her son, my brother. The very one I said often to her, who would be the one to meet her when she passed over. Only hoping he would, wanting to give her hope of an after life, which she did not have. She lost it when he died. I could not have seen anything, or any one better really. By then, the tears were streaming down my face, it's an emotional experience seeing a loved one. Towards the end I had a quick flash of my cousin, not as close by as Mother. She was obviously given the real visit, my Mum came to see me. She said if there was anything in this stuff I had been telling her, she would come and visit....and there she was. 

             Bless you Mother, may you keep that bright and happy energy. You deserve it. You gave me the joy of seeing you....of being answered on Ancestors day. I only hope my/our prayers give you something back too. Now, I know you are content, and know my brother is with you....I shall worry no more of you perhaps being lost......really, I should know better. I'm not religious in the true sense of the word, but none of us are left floundering. All of us are scooped up, protected as we need.

              I'm glad I made the effort to travel that evening and to go to meet my ancestors, for how lucky am I...

May you all be as lucky.....

              Brasil is a country that gives and gives to me...I'm definitely in the right place right now. I think that's the secret if life, to be in the right place, at the right time.