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November 2—All Soul’s Day
Zaduszki, Dziady: The Day of the Dead
The Pagan Roots Behind the Ancient Tradition to Honor the Deceased
Zaduszki is a solemn celebration, for it is believed that at this time the souls of the dead return to visit their homes. At twilight the family lights candles, to shine a beacon to the souls as they return.
by Denice Szafran
Since the earliest of times, Poles have honored the dead in celebrations and special ceremonies. Since it is not a common practice to believe in reincarnation,
ancestors are honored highly for their guidance and wisdom, and at these times they are invited to rejoin those who still walked in human form. It is felt that twice yearly the spirits of the deceased had easier
access to the world of the living ... in the spring, right before Equinox, which was rife with ritual bidding death farewell, and at this time of the year, which corresponds roughly to the timing of Samhain in the
Celtic traditions.
Unlike many other pagan traditions, however, this does not mark the turning of the new year, which occurred for the pagan Pole at Yule, when Solstice day if
the shortest day of light ... and all days following it mark the rebirthing of the Sun, and hence the new year. This time of the year is magical and special, the time of spirits and souls, divination and
remembrances.
Days are shorter with every pass of the sun, now, and ruby red sunsets are followed too quickly and too early by the appearance of the looming harvest moon,
low to the horizon. Looking out into the horizon shows evidence of the death and dying of nature around the people of the fields … plants that have yielded their last fruits now lay withered on the ground. The
time of the babie lato (crone’s summer), that short period of warmer weather after the first killing frost, has long since departed. Bright scarlet and orange speckles the trees, where even the slightest
whisper of a breeze now sends them into flight. The gentle dew that drips onto the ground quickly turns to frost, as the nights become tinged with a hint of the winter that is to come. Bundling around the fires to
keep warm against the lowering temperature, there, in the darkness, watching the shadows dance against the walls … it is in this time that every sound, readily identifiable by light, soon become the voices of
the deceased ... stillness embraces the countryside, a vast contrast to the hum of activity of creatures and people a mere month ago.
Zaduszki is a solemn celebration, for it is believed that at this time the souls of the dead return to visit their homes. At twilight the family lights
candles, to shine a beacon to the souls as they return. Extra places are set at the table for the evening meal so that the invisible guests might join in the breaking of the ritual bread, made of rye and shaped in
long loaves that uncannily resemble a wrapped body. Invocations are spoken, imploring the ancestors to partake of the feast that is to be served, and welcoming them in love. Among the foods served for this repast
are very old generational dishes, such as kasza (buckwheat groats), so that all would enjoy and partake of the feast, even those souls that had been gone for centuries. As the meal is passed around the table, the
first servings go always onto the plates reserved for the spirits, and vodka is poured in their honor as well.
After the meal is consumed, all food that remains is wrapped up, and the family proceeds in the inky darkness to the cemetery. Here they offer the food to the
deceased (where the stories of picnicking on the grave sites comes from, by the way), and light candles in their honor. In the midst of the solemnity, in old times at least, the beggars would step forth, playing an
integral part in the ritual. All families who attended grave site rites brought food and drink for the beggars; in return, the beggars agreed to help them get messages to the deceased.
Beggars, in old society, played an important part in the faith-life of the community. Most often, people were beggars not because they didn’t feel like
working or settling down, but because they were special, touched lightly by the hand of the divine. It was said that they more than most talked to the spirits, and connected with the souls … it is my opinion,
shared by few, that this tradition arose around those individuals who were nomad types, the (for want of a better term here) saintly folk, and around those as well that were “different,” not in their
appearance, which by virtue of being alone and without a home was naturally disheveled, but different in the sense of being ... less worldly, less preoccupied with the material plane, those for whom talking to the
Mother was an accepted everyday occurrence, those who heard voices and saw spirits. Shamanic? Perhaps.
In several places in Poland it is customary to launch candles onto the waterways to send messages to the spirits. Wax is melted into half walnut shells, set to
flame, and gently launched onto the river. From here they travel to the other world bearing greetings, asking for guidance, and announcing the coming of the colder times to those who live out-of-time (amazingly,
there is a belief in Slavic tradition in a place that exists with us, but out-of-time ... a world that once was part of ours, but was so disgusted with this place that they “disappeared,”—phased
out—and only those who truly seek it and live a life in connection with the all-that-is can find it. It sounds vaguely like the legends I have heard of Avalon, home of the gods in Celtic cosmology.).
After the cemetery rites are completed, it is time then to return home, and speak both to the past and to the future, for it is at this time that this
world and the spirit world are in closest touch. These are the times of augury and divination.
Traditionally Poles did not use Tarot, depending more often on natural symbols and the rune-like symbols used on items such as pisanki (hand-decorated eggs)
for their messages. It is great fortune to find a natural runic symbol this eve, either in the formation of a tree or in the pattern of color on an animal’s fur ... or in the way the moon rises over the hill.
Animals, it is said, can tell us many things, and since their forms are far older than ours, it is believed that they are wiser, and should be listened to. This day in particular, house-hold pets are either the
bearers of good news, or dreaded as the harbingers of ill tidings. They are watched carefully, and every nuance is noted and interpreted ... and woe be it to the person whose animal friend sleeps the entire day
away!
It is great joy to be confronted this night with an animal or plant spirit, one that perhaps you have an affinity with, or one that is to teach you a new
lesson ... so carefully watch the shadows as you walk this night, for maybe, just maybe, there is a coyote sitting ... waiting ... and laughing as you pass.
Poles practice natural folk magics ... candles, herbs, signs in nature, food magic, sympathetic rites and all
times of the year have their special rituals. It is not surprising then that one of the most common forms of divination this night is a candle rite. In an otherwise dark room, two mirrors are placed facing one
another, and a candle is lit between them. The person seeking to see what is to pass stares intensely at the candle flame, and nowhere else, in absolute silence of environment, thinking no thoughts. (You try it ...
it’s not easy). When all thought has ceased, and the candle flame seems to have a life of its own, move your gaze to the pitch black corner of the room, and study the shadows within it. Here then, you will see
what is to pass.
Perhaps one of the most simple candle divinations done this is as follows: melt some wax in the bowl of a spoon, preferably beeswax, and then pour it slowly
into a glass of water. The shapes it takes as it falls, and then hardens, will tell you what the future brings you, if you carefully discern the runes and shapes it makes. I have been told that some Germanic folks
of my acquaintance do this divination as a family tradition every New Year’s with melted lead ... perhaps a natural growth from this practice?
Beeswax is sacred to the Poles. The bee has an honored household member status because it is Melissa, the Mother in Bee Goddess from ancient times, and making
also the linden tree, their favorite home, sacred as well. The month of July (Lipiec) was named for the Linden. Beeswax is used in almost all magics, most notably the crafting of pisanki in the spring time, the
blessings of fields, the making of thunder candles in February, and the canning of crops in the fall.
On this special night dreams are of critical importance, more so than any other night, for they too will show you where you are to be, and give you messages
from other planes. All who attempt this particular form spend a long period of time before retiring in meditation, asking for guidance, and opening their souls to be receptive to what is to be said.
Owls silently pass overhead ... and we listen to the sound. Mother Moon breaks through the trees ... and we watch her reflection for a sign. Dreams that were
respectfully requested dance in our souls until the light of morning peaks into our windows ... and we try to remember what we have learned. The souls of our departed ancestors and family members return once again
to the place where all is interconnected ... and the family cat turns from sage back into household mouser, as the time of Dzien Zaduszki has passed for another turning.
Denise Szafran is assistant editor of the Polish American Journal.
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