Sunday November 1st was All Saints Day and the whole family attended a “celebration” just outside Oslo. It was all so beautiful with lots of lights, music and various artist singing and playing. And there was a lot of people.
For those of you not familiar with All Saints; it is about honoring the dead. For me specifically that means my father who passed away 23 years ago, way too young. And for my kids that also means their grandfather, whom they have never met, but wish they had.
As soul comforting as it was, I could not help wondering why so many people turned up for this event on a nippy Sunday evening, November 1st.
That brings me to transitions. Society has become so hectic, hedonistic and materialistic there is no time for contemplation; pause for thought. We have lost this along the way.
We need rites. We are longing for rites. We used to have them. Primitive tribes have them, but there is no room for them in our hectic lives. Or is there?
Transitions is about letting go of the past and moving on. That doesn’t mean letting go of traditions. Unfortunately that’s exactly what has happened in many areas. I think that is the reason why for instance Norwegians flock to the churches on Christmas Eve. We are not any keen church goers the rest of the year.
It is probably the atmosphere and the collectiveness, being together. In todays strive for whatever, we need a few days every year, or occasions, where we can be together, and being together for the same purpose.
It is a huge help in moving on. Traditions, rites that are familiar help us move on. Rites represent the familiar when the circumstances are unfamiliar. That’s why we have rites, to help us through. All the worse when these rites are gone. We’re on our own. Consequently, we seek comfort in the familiar circumstances, and we’re stuck.
Without rites, transitions and development are for the few.
