This time of year marks a turning of the wheel - when the veil between worlds grows thin and we’re invited to slow down, remember, and honor the ones who came before.
Across many cultures, late October and early November are seen as a sacred threshold - a moment to reflect on life, death, and renewal through ritual and remembrance. It’s a time when candles are lit, stories are shared, and gratitude becomes the bridge between generations.
Keep reading to explore the deeper meaning of this season and a cacao ritual to honor those who came before.
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Gateways of Remembrance: From Samhain to Día de los Muertos
As autumn deepens, the natural world mirrors the mystery of transformation. Leaves fall, seeds rest underground, and the light wanes, reminding us that endings are woven into life’s rhythm.
For the Celts, Samhain (pronounced Sah-win) marked the close of the harvest and the descent into the darker half of the year - a time for fires, storytelling, and honoring those who had crossed the veil. This celebration was the origins of what we know as Halloween.
In Mexico, and in many communities with roots in this tradition, Día de los Muertos grew from pre-Hispanic Indigenous roots and later intertwined with All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. Families build ofrendas (altars) adorned with marigolds, candles, and foods once loved by the departed - including cacao, long revered as a sacred offering that bridges worlds.
Each of these traditions reminds us that remembrance is not sorrow alone… it is celebration, gratitude, and continuity. Through ritual and offering, we weave connection across generations - honoring the living thread that binds us to all who came before.
Cacao Ritual for Honoring the Ancestors
During these threshold days, cacao can become a gentle ally - helping us open the heart, listen deeply, and offer gratitude to the lineages that shaped us.
Before you begin, create a quiet space. You might light a candle, place a few photos of ancestors or meaningful objects nearby, and let the atmosphere feel both simple and sacred.
You’ll need:
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Your favorite Ora Cacao - we recommend Oaxacan Spice, rich with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cayenne to awaken the senses
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A candle or incense
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Symbols or photos of loved ones
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Flowers, marigolds, or autumn leaves
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A journal or paper for reflection
Create your altar.
Arrange your items with care, placing your cup of cacao at the center. Take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to arrive fully.
Offer and invite.
Before your first sip, pour a small offering of cacao or water to the earth or to your altar. Speak the names of those you wish to honor, or simply hold them in your heart.
Sip with remembrance.
As you drink, feel gratitude move through you - for the lives that made your own possible, for the wisdom passed down, and for the unseen support that continues to guide you.
Reflect and integrate.
When your cup is empty, write or meditate on what surfaced.
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What gifts or lessons have I inherited from those who came before me? How is my expression of these gifts an honoring of my ancestors?
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What am I ready to release or transform within my lineage?
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How can I embody remembrance through the way I live today?
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How does my life become a gift for the next generation?
When you feel complete, thank the energies you’ve invited. Blow out your candle, or let it burn as a small beacon of gratitude.
These days when the veil is thin invite us into a celebration of life - acknowledging our gratitude for the gift of being alive and praising the lives of our ancestors (either by blood or our chosen family), who made our lives possible. May our lives be a gift for the next generation.Through ritual, reflection, and a warm cup of cacao, we honor the continuity between worlds and the life that flows on in each of us.
