It is only Nov 2nd and I am already starting to see the shift away from the world of spirit, of shadows, and the things that lurk in shadows. It’s not uncommon in our societal culture that I live within, to see this shift right after Halloween is done. October seems to be the center of it, and then November starts more festive, feasting type of energy.
My people have a long history in the Ozarks, Appalachians, and the foot hills in-between them. For them, the world of spirit, of shadow, is just beginning. They really saw it more like a season of time between the 4th and 1st Cross-Quarter day (near the beginning of November till the beginning of February).
Even though general societal culture has shifted this view, especially in younger generations, I feel it still holds true. The challenges and physical danger have shifted with modernization, but the beliefs, stories, and understanding of this time have not – at least for those who still live here.
In the Past
The time frame we are talking about really happens after the last harvest and before a noticeable difference in the gaining daylight giving Hope to the coming spring. It is also generally the coldest parts of winter. Yes, I realize the seasons have shifted a bit over the years, but I feel this still applies.
I think there are several aspects that contributed to seeing this season of time as the more of an extended version of Samhain/ Halloween season.
First, it was a time where people seemed to have a higher chance of dying. If the harvest wasn’t good or plentiful, they would have to scrape through until the spring/ summer. Hunger and starvation were real possibilities for them. Colds, Flu and other germs like the cold, and thus illness was more common in the colder months. Heat and staying warm was another consistent task and worry on the mind. For those up in the mountains, hills, and countryside who didn’t have easy access to other outside resources – winter held a host of dangers and survival was always on the mind.
With the cold and winter weather, people spent a lot more time indoors. Families spent more time together, telling stories, reliving memories, and signing songs. Many in these areas were also immigrants from Scotland and Ireland, so they brought legends and stories of their homelands, blending them into their new lives here. This did happen in all the seasons, but it was more during this time.
There were more hours of darkness. Even as cities became more lit and electricity became common – it took longer to reach many of these outlying communities. So when the sun set, it was firelight and candles. The outside was darker because there was little to no light pollution, at least on the scale we see today. It is quieter because you do not have all the hustle and bustle of people, machines, and so forth. Animals tend to make more noise in the un-raked fallen leaves of the forest floor, to where a squirrel can sound like a large predator animal. The screech of the Barred Owl can sound like a woman screaming in the night. That hasn’t even started to touch on the real dangers lurking and waiting.
The Spirits Walk
Now some will call it superstitions, or just stories to entertain or warn away from unwanted behaviors – but those who live in these places know better. There are things that are seen, heard, and experienced that can not be explained away. They are not just stories from the past, but events that occur even to this day.
People also seem to report seeing more spirits and having more spirit interactions during this time. Loved ones or friends who have passed that come back to check in. Shadows that dance in the moonlight beckoning for us to join. Whispers in the dark either trying to pull you in or scare you away.
This was a time of spirits before technology provided a distraction. We were more still, more patient, more quiet, and more apt to listen in the darkness for them. There was more space for them to connect, and we were also more open for it. Technology didn’t just give us new entertainment, it also gave us more disbelief. Dismissing or rationalizing away our experiences away as if they never happened.
The spirits are still there though. They are still reaching out. All we have to do is make room and time for them. Winter provides us with more opportunities for that kind of time. We tend to spend more time indoors and less outdoor occupies our attention.
Cryptids and Monsters
Everyone will have their own opinions here. As we all tend to be more open minded and magically inclined here, I would assume our minds will at least lean towards the possibilities.
For many of us in the Ozarks, Appalachians, and land between – we seem to give these things more credence. Many have had personal experiences or seen things that, at least to us, have no other explanation. We have family who have had their own and passed the stories along. You will hear us say certain things such as “Do not follow anything that says your name” “Do not whistle or make calling sounds at night” “If you hear the Howler get inside.”
Dependent on the area you are in, or live in, there will be different cryptids. Some are similar with different names, and some are completely unique to their area. I have heard stories from both mountain ranges but probably more so from the Ozarks.
One of my favorites is the Howler. A large cat or bear like creature, with long dark/black fur, and many times has horns on the top of its head. It has a very distinct call or howl. It has a long history of sightings going back generations. In some circle, they even believe some disappearances, coinciding with times of hearing or sightings of the Howler, may be attributed to the Howler. Brandon Weston wrote the book Ozark Folk Magic which contains some personal stories collected from a variety of people about the different spirits and unknown. I highly recommend checking it out if this type of material interests you.
My son loves cryptids and has spent the last couple of years researching all the ones he can find around the world. Due to his interest, I have been learning more. I still have a lot of questions on cryptids but I am keeping my mind open. There are stories that I can not deny – and my own experiences that give me pause. It would be nice to have some more concrete proof – but in the end, there is much in life that we can not prove but it doesn’t make them any less real.
It is Just Starting
For those who are saddened that our witchy and dark season seems to be so short from a society/ community standpoint – keep in mind, that shift has only been very recent in our history. There is no reason we can not resurrect this kind of mindset and thinking in this day and age. Bringing the dark and cold of the winter months back to a place where our focus drifts back to the spirits around us. Spending more time listening to and sharing stories of old and new. Connecting to each other and the elements of this time of year.
These sacred days are not just one day – they are a longer season of time. This is how I view them, celebrate them, and bring them into my life. Experiencing the entirety of them and all they may have to offer.
Late Fall and Winter offers an interesting mix and blending of energies. How will you experience it?
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