November is different this year. In the Celtic calendar, this is Samhain, a time when the veil between worlds is said to be thinnest, when we honour those who’ve gone before us and turn gently inward for rest and reflection.
In the Celtic imagination, Samhain is the one time of year when we’re invited to sit in the dark without rushing through it, to be with what is ending and what has not yet begun. Celtic wisdom tells us that a beginning starts in darkness, when the seed lies unseen in the soil, gathering strength, dreaming of what it might become. However, before that hopeful rebirth, Samhain is firstly about being still and finding peace and nourishment in the darkness. It's a time to linger and let things be unfinished for a while.
My world got up-ended in October when my family lost our beautiful Mam and Nana unexpectedly. I don't have words to describe how it feels - I'm pretty sure I don't yet feel it fully. After some time out, I've had to accept that all I can do - at home and at work - is show up and trust that it will be enough.
As it happens, this is the busiest time of year in my professional world. To be honest, I've been glad of the distraction of that and the few places I've gotten to travel to. This month's newsletter, albeit late, has some rich content from the past month and I hope it serves you well.
I find myself having to allow things to settle and take whatever shape they will in the dark. The warmth, kindness and patience I've felt from those around me have been a very comforting reminder that we work in an industry where real people are still the primary currency and I'm very grateful for that.
Beir bua
