Thoughts from the Dean's Desk

As the wheel turns and the days begin to balance between light and dark, Mabon fades and Samhain approaches reminding us to pause, reflect, and reconnect. For many of us at WSTS, this is a sacred time to honor our ancestors, celebrate our families, and feel the deep spiritual threads that bind us to the Earth and each other.  This season asks us to reconnect with our ancestors and family.  I just returned from a visit with my family and many lessons appeared for me during that visit.  We incarnate in order to learn lessons and our families are often where they begin and continue until we have resolved them.   

This is a time when the veil begins to thin, and many of us feel our ancestors just a little closer. Whether it’s lighting a candle on the family altar, sharing stories around the dinner table, or simply walking in nature and listening for their whispers, this season invites us to remember and consider how our lessons from this year have gone. At WSTS, we encourage students to create a small ancestral space like a photo, a keepsake, or even a favorite recipe passed down. It’s not about grandeur; it’s about connection. 

Sometimes, honoring our ancestors means healing old wounds or simply saying, “Thank you. I see you. I carry you with me.”  Ancestor work can help you with your current lessons and the lessons that you have with your living family. We have classes that deal with these issues. 

In Wiccan households, it’s common to mark this time with shared meals, storytelling, and rituals that honor both the harvest and the bonds we’ve built. Some families bake bread or make cookies together, using recipes passed down through generations. My family has recipes from my grandmother that are popular at this time of year. Other families gather around the altar to offer gratitude that is not just for the physical abundance that they may have, but for the emotional and spiritual support they give each other. 

At WSTS, we’ve seen our student’s families create their own traditions: crafting seasonal decorations, writing blessings together, or even doing a group tarot reading to reflect on the balance in their lives. It’s not about doing things “right” it’s about doing them together, with intention and love. Our students explore this in our Wheel of the Year classes at this time of year. 

This time as we move towards Samhain and our reunion with our beloved dead reminds us that family is sacred. Whether it’s your blood relatives, your chosen kin, or your spiritual community, this is the time to celebrate those connections and nurture them. 

As Wiccans, we often feel the presence of our ancestors more strongly during this time of year. It’s not just about honoring them, it’s about listening. Whether through meditation, ritual, or quiet reflection, many of us use this time to ask for guidance, offer gratitude, or simply feel their presence. 

When we gather, share stories, or perform rituals together, we’re not just celebrating the season, we’re reinforcing the sacred bonds between us. Some families light candles for loved ones who’ve passed, others share memories or create offerings together. It’s a way of saying, “We remember. We’re still connected.”   

At WSTS, we often talk about how spiritual practice is woven into everyday life. The time between Mabon and Samhain is a beautiful reminder that our ancestors walk with us, and our families whether chosen or blood are part of that sacred circle. Join our Seminary circle on Sunday nights where our Junior Class offers rituals exploring these themes. Join Ritual Here  

During this season as the leaves turn and the air begins to cool, may you find balance in your heart and peace in your spirit. May your ancestors walk beside you, whispering wisdom and love. May your family gather close, sharing laughter, stories, and the warmth of connection. And may this season remind you that you are deeply rooted, divinely guided, and never alone.