9 days

The world lost a beautiful soul Monday.  He was smart, funny, irreverent and a joy to be around. Many people loved him and were/are heartbroken at not being able to interact with him on this plane.    While there are those who claim “dominance” of how well they knew him or knew his wishes, sort of like a one-upmanship sort of thing,I leave all that aside and  choose to do what I’ve always done to honor those I’ve lost on this plane.  9 days of prayers. The  lighting of candles and incense to help guide his way to those on the other side.  As one who has a foot on both planes, I recognize that it can be a little disconcerting to find ones self in another realm with no guide book.  Even the gatekeeper isn’t often much help, speaking in riddles.  So the prayers are meant to remind them they are still loved, and grant peace so that they are not as restless in wanting to know all the answers to their questions(and I’m sure there are many).  There are a myriad of ways that people honor their dead, from 40 days of rituals, to a quick burial before sundown of the same day, to the 9 days of prayers.  Prayers…no workings, no interaction with Lwa, but the giving of self to the departed in their honor.  The altar is set with white..a light in the beacon of shadows, candles are lit, and the incense wafts through the air.  One of the prayers already said for my friend is as follows:

May the light be there for you my brother, as you leave this plane for another.  May the Ghede come to you and guide you and assist you in removing your earthly chains.  May the Gatekeeper answer any questions you may have and may you find peace in knowing that even though you are not with us physically, your memory is a cherished one, for you gifted us with love, humor, trust, strength and the unselfish gift of self.  You will be missed.

I allow those candles to burn out completely and while they do so, I will lift my glass in a toast to one of the finest human beings I was privileged to get to know.
à votre santé, avec amour et gratitude