As autumn settles in, something magical fills the air. The days grow shorter, pumpkins appear on doorsteps, and neighborhoods begin to glow with orange lights and playful decorations. Laughter echoes from haunted houses, and costume ideas come alive with imagination. For many, Halloween is a time to enjoy creativity, laughter, and a hint of mystery — a chance to step outside of daily life and into a world of pretend.
But across cultures, this same time of year carries a deeper, more spiritual significance. As October turns to November, many people believe the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds becomes thinner — a time when we can feel closer to those who have passed on. This is the heart of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a Mexican tradition that transforms remembrance into celebration.
The Playful Spirit of Halloween
Halloween’s origins trace back to ancient Celtic harvest festivals, particularly Samhain, when people believed spirits could cross into the human world. Costumes and bonfires were used to ward off unwanted energies — practices that later evolved into the candy-filled, lighthearted holiday we know today.
While its modern form centers on fun, Halloween still invites us to explore transformation. Whether through dressing up, carving pumpkins, or watching a spooky movie, we symbolically face the unknown. The laughter and jump scares remind us that fear can be playful — a safe way to dance with the darkness instead of running from it.
The Sacred Celebration of Día de los Muertos
Observed on November 1st and 2nd, Día de los Muertos is often misunderstood as “Mexican Halloween.” In truth, it is a sacred and joyous remembrance of life and lineage — a way to honor the dead with love rather than mourn them with sorrow.
Families create ofrendas (altars) adorned with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, food, and photographs. Each item carries meaning: marigolds symbolize the beauty and brevity of life, while candles help guide spirits home. Food and favorite treats remind us that the connection between the living and the departed continues through memory and offering.
Rather than focusing on loss, Día de los Muertos celebrates continuity. It reflects the belief that love never ends — that those who came before us walk beside us in unseen ways.
Between Worlds
When viewed together, Halloween and Día de los Muertos reveal two sides of the same truth: transformation is part of life. One invites us to laugh at what scares us; the other encourages us to honor what we love. Both remind us that endings and beginnings are woven together — death and rebirth, letting go and remembering.
Not everyone marks this time of year with costumes, altars, or large gatherings. For some, the acknowledgment itself is enough — handing out candy, lighting a candle, or simply pausing to remember loved ones who’ve passed. Life often moves quickly, and it’s easy to realize the season has arrived before we’re ready for it, yet even quiet awareness can hold its own kind of sacredness.
Reflection and Renewal
Spirit season is a reminder that we are never truly alone. Whether you find joy in spooky decorations or comfort in honoring loved ones, this time of year holds space for both fun and reverence. It teaches that light and shadow coexist — and that each has something valuable to show us.
Affirmation:
I honor what was, celebrate what is, and trust what is becoming.
Reflection Prompts:
- Who or what would you like to honor or remember this season?
- What fear are you ready to face or release?
- How can you bring more light into the darker months ahead?
Theresa
Flexible Being
Empowering Your Journey to Healing, Clarity, and Self-Discovery.
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Email: theresa@flexiblebeing.com
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Theresa Martinez-Shapiro
Hello! I am Theresa Martinez-Shapiro; Wife to Robert. Founder of Flexible Being. A Master Reiki Therapist, Certified Oracle Guide, Spiritual Mentor/Guide, Intuitive Empath, Coach, and Educator. I am a fur mom to 3 cats and 1 dog – Sonny, Patches, Ryelee, and Winnie. We currently live and practice in Stockton, California. We operate three businesses – Shapiro Holistic Health and Chiropractic, Fusion Health APC, and Synergy Health MSO, where we seek to improve and change the lives of our patients and those we have the privilege of crossing paths with. My healing and mentoring journey began around 5 years old when I discovered that I was put on this planet to help others. I knew I was different, unique, and gifted. I did not see the world the same way everyone else did, and recognized I was meant to do so much more. I began to research, spending a lot of time reading & asking a lot of questions to anyone that wanted to share stories about their life experiences. I am a dreamer and had a unique relationship with the dream world. My very real, vivid & lucid dreams began turning into out-of-body experiences and unexplained occurrences. I began doing my own dream interpretations to look for patterns & a new way of deciphering life. Family members were part of many different religions, so I was educated in Catholicism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, and Native American culture & beliefs. Along the way, I took up multiple mentors that cultivated my growth and expansion of my gifts, allowing me to focus on my potential and purpose. As an adult, coworkers were unloading their life stories, internal secrets, and things that had not been shared or even spoken out loud. I began to share those experiences with my aunt & Reiki Master/Teacher, Carmen. In 2012, Carmen told me, “I think you are ready to walk the path I always knew you were meant to walk”. That saying began my obsessive journey into Reiki, Spirituality, Psychology, Intuition and Psychic gifts, Meditation and Mindfulness, Past Lives, Consciousness, Energy Medicine, Mysteries of the Universe, Moon and Sun cycles, Astrology, Numerology, Oracle Cards, Shamanism, & so much more. My journey has helped me to assist patients, clients, families, and friends discover who they have been, who they are, and who they want to become. I am expanding my reach and educating others by authoring Musings of a Flexible Being, and I look forward to sharing my journey with you. Thank you! Theresa Martinez-Shapiro Flexible Being Website: www.flexiblebeing.com Socials: Facebook: @flexiblebeingonline Instagram:@theresamartinezshapiro Instagram: @flexiblebeing
