Thoughts on Mortality & the Samhain Season
Growing up in a Roman Catholic church, I was presented death as scary and full of guilt. However, my dad talked openly about death, helping me shift to a more Pagan outlook. He wasn’t a Pagan in name, but I believe he would have liked it if he knew it was an option. Learning about my Pagan ancestors’ views taught me that death is a natural part of life, not something to fear. This understanding brought me much comfort, knowing that one day I'll return to the earth.
So, what are some Pagan views on Death? I certainly don’t speak for everyone nor is this a comprehensive list of all beliefs, however, I wanted to throw some concepts out there to ponder.
Death is a cycle, not an end-point.
For folks who were raised some brand of Christian, many of us were taught that death was the end of the body. I think as a Pagan - and also spending a lot of time wandering the land of Deeply Rooted Church - that Death is really part of a cycle or transition in which yes, our bodies cease to function however, there is a significant transformation that occurs and continues long after we die.
I prefer being Pagan over Christian because some Christians interpret the Bible literally, which often clashes with science. Science helps explain the cycle of death instead of just seeing it as an end. A few years ago, a car hit a deer in front of my house, which is common in Wisconsin. My kids asked what happened to the deer, and I used the moment to teach them. I explained that after the deer died, its body would be eaten by insects, birds, and other animals. Even the tiniest organisms would break down what's left. The deer would turn into food and energy for other life, and its remains would enrich the soil. My kids learned a lot from this lesson and so did I.
Instead of believing that life stops when I die, I wondered if maybe reincarnation happens right before us. Now, I’m a worm, then eaten by a bird, which is eaten by a cat, and so on. Science shows that cycles are everywhere in nature; for instance, winter doesn’t last forever, it’s just part of the earth’s cycle.
What are some other scientific examples of cycles that you have observed?
Reincarnation & Rebirth are fascinating topics
Proving reincarnation is hard. Many stories online involve kids recalling details of past lives accurately. At Pagan gatherings, I often hear about experiences with past-life regression or dreams of another life. These tales vary from believable to outrageous claims like “I was once Cleopatra.” I enjoy these stories because it’s difficult to disprove someone else's experience.
Some people believe we all agree to our life circumstances like a karmic "contract" to learn lessons in each lifetime. Others think we pay for our ancestors' actions, experiencing "ancestral blessings," like intuition, or "curses," like family struggles with alcoholism or mental health. Rebirth fascinates me; I see traits of my grandmother in my youngest child and my dad’s observant nature in my middle child. I think there's more memory in our DNA than we realize. I'm open to scientific explanations while my Pagan beliefs stay intact.
Do you have experiences with past-life memories? What are they? Do you think we are “reborn”?
Ancestral Veneration is almost Universal between spiritualities within humanity.
Honoring ancestors looks different across cultures but usually involves remembering those who have passed. Here are some important dates and traditions:
October 31st: Catholics celebrate “All Hallow’s Eve” to remember deceased family and venerate Saints, giving rise to the secular “Halloween.”
April 15th: In China, families observe Qingming Festival or Tomb-Sweeping Day, visiting ancestor graves to clean them and offer food, incense, and joss paper.
August 13th: Japan's Obon festival honors the spirits of ancestors, who are believed to return during this time. Parts of East Asia also celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival then.
Beyond these days, practices like Hoodoo, Granny Magick, and Appalachian Witchcraft focus on ancestral respect and guidance. The closed religious practice of Haitian Voodou also places significant emphasis on honoring ancestors.
Modern Pagans set up ancestor altars, sacred spaces with pictures and offerings like food, alcohol, and tobacco for the deceased.
Do you have an ancestor altar? What is it like?
Preparing for Death during Life
Writing a will, hiring a death doula, and settling affairs can be comforting for those nearing death. Taking charge of your end-of-life plans may feel morbid, but talking openly about death can make it less scary. For instance, I want a green burial at Deeply Rooted Church and have shared my wishes with my kids about my grave and ancestor altar.
When my dad died when I was 15, I was blindsided because I didn't know he was sick. I told him, after he died, I didn’t want him near me, which is a normal reaction for a teenager or anyone coping with grief. For years, I didn't dream of him.
After studying Folk Magick, I realized I needed to allow myself to mourn and accept his death. I apologized to my dad and asked him to visit me in a dream. He did! He told me he respected my boundaries and would only return if I invited him. This changed my understanding of boundaries beyond life.
Have you ever reconnected with an ancestor? What was your experience?
Samhain isn’t the only time to think about mortality, legacy, and what happens beyond life.
The Pagan Wheel of the Year affords us many opportunities to think about the many blessings and transitions that occur within our physical lifetimes. I think we might be cheating ourselves if we only think about death when someone dies or around the month of October. It’s perfectly valid to explore mortality at your own pace. It’s valid to feel scared, excited, anxious, or at peace with it. Death is a subjective experience and no one person or religion has all the answers for you.
So, what questions do you have about this subject? How can we keep the conversation going?
