Samhain Night: a Night of the Sacred, a Night of the Profane

Samhain with younger kids is always a balance between the sacredness of the thinning of the veil and the profane (everyday or non-sacred) of dressing up in silly costumes to collect as much candy as possible. Neither is more or less important to the joy of the holiday.

That is a contradiction that I have learned to embrace. The kitschy, even materialistic, aspects of a Holy Day can be as spiritually and emotionally satisfying as any ritual in the heart of a child.

Combining the two will leave the spiritual forever entwined with costumes at Samhain, or (conscientious) gifting at Yule, or feasting at any of the Sabbats.

Isn't that what the goal really is? To make the spiritual so much a part of life that is a natural part of it?

That's what I'm hoping for. No matter if the kids stay Pagan throughout their lives, they will always feel that extra awe of the sacred in the midst of holiday minutiae.