Dia De Los Muertos & Our Current Reality

The reality of tragedy, and how to respectively honor the lives of those we've lost, individually and collectively, especially in this time of conflict.

Image Courtesy of Vidanta Magazine Online

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I have sat on this essay for days now - if not well over a week. I had over 1,700 words written highlighting the various elements and traditions surrounding this beautiful Mexican holiday; its rich history, and how you can join in on the celebration.

Then, I decided to delete it all and take a whole new approach.

Why?

Because, as much as my works and brand thrive on being uplifting and magical.. sometimes our reality calls for us to be more than just positive — while still holding true to our very nature of conscious content with an elevating & unifying message. 

With so much of our world afire, and as we watch helplessly from afar (namely with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so prominently in our view) — I felt it necessary to share a bit more of a focused essay to help guide those of us who are feeling helpless, confused, saddened, and at a loss for words at this time.

Perhaps this upcoming tradition can act as a ceremony to hold space for us to process some of this grief and sadness.

What is Dia De Los Muertos?

Image Courtesy of National Geographic

When it comes to celebrating life and honoring the departed, few traditions are as colorful and captivating as Dia De Los Muertos. This Mexican holiday (also known as Dia De Muertos in some regions or translated to Day of the Dead in the States), is a vibrant and joyous occasion that takes place annually from October 31st to November 2nd.

It's a time when families come together to honor and remember their loved ones who have passed away. But don't let the name fool you, it's not a somber occasion. In fact, it's a vibrant celebration filled with music, dancing, and delicious food.

But where did this fascinating tradition originate, and how has it evolved over time?

A Brief History

This ancient tradition can be traced back thousands of years to the indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica Mexico, such as the Aztecs and Maya. These ancient civilizations believed that death was not the end, but rather a continuation of life in a different form.

They viewed death as a natural part of the cycle of existence and embraced it with reverence and celebration. Because of this, they believed that the souls of the departed would return to visit their loved ones during this special time of year.

I could go a LOT deeper into this rich ancient history. How the Aztecs recognized a wide pantheon of gods which included a goddess of death and the underworld named Mictecacihuatl. How she was sacrificed as a baby and grew in the underworld. How she grew up to marry the god of the underworld where they ruled. How she was celebrated the entire ninth month of the Aztec Calendar by burning incense, song and dance, blood sacrifice.. where the origins of Dia De Los Muertos was birthed.

However my focus is on another path today — but if you’d like to read more, I found this article quite well written.

Mictlantecuhtli (L) based on Codex Borbonicus pl. 10 and Mictecacíhuatl (R) based on Codex Fejérváry-Mayer pl. 28; illustrations by Miguel Covarrubias

How Did Dia De Los Muertos Evolve Over Time?

With the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, Catholicism was introduced to Mexico. The indigenous traditions of honoring the dead were blended with Catholic customs, giving birth to the modern-day Dia De Los Muertos. This fusion of cultures created a unique and vibrant celebration that is now recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

How Dia De Los Muertos Is Celebrated Today

As mentioned above, modern-day celebrations of Dia De Los Muertos are a vibrant fusion of ancient traditions and contemporary influences. Much like my family and I did in my childhood, people gather in cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, share stories and memories, and enjoy the favorite foods and drinks of their departed loved ones. Parades, music, dancing, and elaborate costumes are also common sights during this festive occasion.

Image courtesy A City A Month

Key Elements of Dia De Los Muertos

Dia De Los Muertos is characterized by several key elements that make it a truly immersive and enchanting experience. One of the most iconic symbols is the calavera, or sugar skull, which represents the departed loved ones. These intricately decorated skulls are often made from sugar or clay and adorned with colorful designs.

We have now also seen the uprise of La Calevera Catrina, the female skull figure which has become an icon and almost a Mexican emblem for our culture and identity. This original etching was actually created posthumously in a satiric broadside (a newspaper-sized sheet of paper) as a photo-relief etching by Mexican printmaker and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada, but made famous by Diego Rivera himself a few decades later.

If you’d like to read more about this, Wikipedia has a nice write-up.

Altars, or ofrendas (which translates to ‘offerings’ in Spanish), are another essential component of Dia De Los Muertos. Families create elaborate altars in their homes or at the gravesites of their loved ones. These altars are adorned with photographs, favorite foods, marigold flowers, and other items that hold significance to the departed.

So, How does this Relate to Current Events?

Well, for starters, what many may not know is that there is significance to each day of celebration.

One can play to the beat of their own drum, starting earlier and leaving their altar up a bit longer if they so wish — I have personally chosen to decorate and start my ofrenda as of October 15th to get a couple weeks of beautiful colors and memories to fill my home, but will light my veladoras (candles) on my altar next week.

However, timeline wise, this is usually how it goes…

October 31st, is actually a day of preparation. On this day, you prepare your altar and offerings as the veil between worlds becomes thin. Many do choose to prepare earlier, but may not light their candles and place their offerings out until this day.

November 1st, also coined ‘El Dia De Los Inocentes’ (day of the innocent/children) ‘All Saints Day’, is actually dedicated to the children that have passed on from this world/plane. On this day at midnight, it’s believed that the spirits of the angelitos (little angels) return so we pray and pay tribute to honor the loss and celebrate the transition of these young souls - newborns (and stillborn), toddlers, etc.

November 2nd is the main celebration. The ‘Dia De Los Muertos’ day itself, also known as ‘Day of The Dead’ or ‘All Souls Day’ in other cultures and religions. It is the day to welcome the spirits of the adults that have passed, as well as all others - pets, livestock, and any soul you wish to remember.

It is said that at midnight, the gates of heaven open so that our ancestors may share 24 hours with us again.

The holiday consists of three major themes: Remembrance, Community and Celebration.

With that said..

I wanted to take the time to share all of this information because not everyone on your altar has to be someone we know personally, as there are many people who pay tribute to their idols, icons, or favorite artists (for example Frida Kahlo graces numerous ofrendas and is a common costume to see on this day, as you can probably imagine).

Perhaps you can see where I am going with this —

In a time of great suffering, and loss (with death tolls still rising) I couldn’t help but think of all the innocent souls we have lost in the past couple weeks alone.

Be it children, women, men.. there are so many prayers and offerings to be made as we remember, honor and celebrate the lives of so many now transitioning from the plane of existence to the next.

So, with that in mind, if you did wish to remember those we’ve lost I wanted to offer some simple suggestions along with how to respectively celebrate and create your own ofrenda for your loved ones and those we’ve lost if you so wish.

Again, one of the most important elements of Dia De Los Muertos is the ofrenda (Spanish for ‘offering’), a colorful altar that is set up to honor the deceased. Creating your own ofrenda is a beautiful way to remember your loved ones and keep their memory alive.

Here's How You Can Make Your Own:

You'll need a table or a flat surface to set up your ofrenda. Then, gather photos of your loved ones, their favorite foods and drinks, colorful flowers (marigolds are traditional), candles, and any other items that hold special meaning for them.

If you wish to make some space for those you may not have known, symbolism plays a great role and serves as a beautiful conduit here. Be creative - perhaps a picture of earth, a globe, a flag, or images of those you wish to honor while they were alive, well and thriving. This is a sacred celebration, so please always remember to hold respect and create from the heart.

Regardless of what you choose to do or who you wish to create space for — This is a time to remember their LIVES and celebrate good times and moments while they were still here. Allow their memories to live on through you and how you cherish them.

Set the Stage

It's now time to set the stage for your ofrenda. Start by covering the table or designated area with a vibrant tablecloth. Then, arrange the photos of your loved ones in a prominent place. Surround the photos with their favorite foods and drinks, as well as any personal belongings that remind you of them. Again, here you may simply add things that remind you of who you wish to honor at this time.

Do not stress if you can not find the ‘perfect’ picture, don’t know their favorite foods, or any of those things.. keep it light and make this unique and YOURS. No two altars will look or feel the same, because they are intimate and personal to you, your story and for who you wish to honor and share your love to.

Bring on the Decorations

No ofrenda is complete without some festive decorations. Add a splash of color with papel picado (traditional Mexican paper banners) and flores papel de china (tissue paper flowers). Light some candles to guide the spirits of your loved ones back home. And don't forget to sprinkle some marigold petals around the altar to create a path for the spirits to follow.

Celebrate and Remember

Once your ofrenda is complete, take a moment to reflect on the lives of your loved ones. Light some incense to purify the air and create a welcoming atmosphere. Play their favorite music and share stories and memories with your family and friends. This is a time to celebrate their lives and remember the joy they brought into your life!

Remember

Despite its association with death, Dia De Los Muertos is a celebration of life and a testament to the enduring power of love, remembrance, and community. It serves as a reminder to cherish every moment and honor those who have come before us. So, why not embrace the spirit of Dia De Los Muertos and embark on your own journey of self-discovery and celebration?

Step out of your comfort zone, explore new horizons, and embrace the vibrant traditions of Dia De Los Muertos. Let the colors, music, and joy of this captivating celebration inspire you to live life to the fullest and honor the memories of those who have passed and let the spirits of our loved ones know that they will never be forgotten.

Remember, life is an adventure, and Dia De Los Muertos is your invitation to join the celebration.

Dulce Ruby is an international speaker, lucidity researcher/developer, artist, and writer within the realms of awakening and dreams. She creates works and tools to awaken the masses into remembrance of who they truly are through exploration of both our inner & outer worlds. Explore her tea brand Despierta, and Substack here.