Looking at everything around me, I felt connected to all of it, though not in a religious way. It was really more of an artistic connection, and definitely a strong one. My husband and I looked for something to take home with us and landed on a skeleton couple dressed as a bride and groom.
Day of the Dead began thousands of years ago (according to my research) and is the result of Aztec rituals intertwined with celebrations in medieval Spain and the Roman Catholic Church, which celebrates All Saints Day on November 1 and All Souls Day on November 2.
Skeletons and skulls are seen throughout Mexico on Dia de los Muertos during this holiday season. November 1, the spirits of little children are invited into people's homes and adults the day after. People honor the memory of loved ones with altars that have favorite drinks and food of the deceased, pictures, clothing, toys, incense and more. Marigolds are scattered from cemeteries to people's homes to help the dead find their way home.
I don't know why, but it feels like there is much in the holiday that Beat Generation characters in my books would have loved. The word "Beat" as applied to the Beat Generation in the 1990s was partially connected to feeling "beaten" by society -- and what's more Beat than Dead?
I don't know if I would really want the spirits of my family to visit every year, but the idea of being visited is what captivates me. I don't celebrate the holiday, though, because it isn't something I grew up with and celebrating it would make me feel like I was intruding on others' rituals.
At the same time, I love that people are observing this day. I love my little skeleton bride and groom and would like to find one or two more (or maybe a costume). That's about as far as I'll go, but if I ever get the chance to visit a Mexican cemetery on Dias de los Muertos, I'm going to take it. That I can promise you.
Day of the Dead photo: Sheltie Boy
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