spiritual

Death can be a morbid and solemn subject in many cultures, but in Mexico, it’s a cause for celebration — at least for two nights a year. From November 1-2, people throughout the country deck their homes, streets and relatives’ graves with flowers, candles, confetti and colorful skulls for the Day of the Dead. The traditional festival honoring the deceased centers around the belief that the living and the dead can commune during the brief period. With faces painted as skulls and bodies made up like skeletons, throngs of performers marched through the streets of Mexico City in a Day of the Dead parade. Thousands of onlookers cheered and applauded as a giant raised fist constructed out of hard hats and pickaxes led the procession, signifying the defiant spirit of a country hit with one of its worst calamities in decades.

People across the world are gathering together today to light lamps, feast on sweets and set off fireworks. It’s to mark the most important day of Diwali, the five-day festival of lights. Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which translates as “rows of lighted lamps”. It marks the beginning of spring in the southern hemisphere and coincides with the Hindu New Year. It also celebrates the spiritual triumph of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali’s Light Festival is celebrated everywhere with Hindu, Sikh or Jainist populations, most notably in Asia.

Fairy tales convey life’s magic, reflecting the deep psychological themes that govern the outcomes of our lives. Written in simple language, these stories take us along soul’s path once more, revealing how the issues of today can still yield new restorative meanings. This fresh set of tales introduces characters who invite the reader to think the unthinkable, explore the unknown, and feel what is irreconcilable—resulting in a deeper experience of life itself. Staged in remote corners of the world where healing mysteries can be summoned when life’s dilemmas emerge and right and wrong are no longer clear, Dr. Jacqueline Gerson’s fairy tales show that there are still Gods and Goddesses who can intervene when humans lose their way on life’s journey.

Quinta da Regaleira is an exquisite estate located in the charming town of Sintra, Portugal. Designed by Italian architect Luigi Manini, the estate features a palace, chapel, and extensive gardens, all with intricate designs that blend Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline styles. However, what sets Quinta da Regaleira apart are its extensive gardens, which include a maze, a lake, and a stunning waterfall. The estate’s underground tunnels, initiation wells, and grottoes are also a major highlight, offering visitors a glimpse into the mysterious and mystical side of the estate. Quinta da Regaleira was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Sintra.

Lights have been a very important element of many festivals. Even before the discovery of electricity, rather more so because of the lack of it, lighting lamps or lanterns was a significant part of celebrations. In fact, some festivals are known as festivals of lights. There are many such light festivals across various cultures in the world, which have been illuminating our surroundings year after year. From Berlin to Bangkok, cities across the world have different festivals of light through the year. Lights and fireworks not only dispel darkness, they also hold different meanings in various cultures. Further more, many of them are celebrated even outside the countries of their origins.