October: When the Veil Grows Thin

I love October.

Yes, there’s Halloween, Spooky Season and all the fun that comes along with it. But there’s another side of October that we talk about quite a bit here at The Village Mystic.

It’s the time of year when you start hearing people say “the veil is thinning.”

We’ve already been talking about it while planning our October classes, and it got me thinking—what does that really mean? And why has October been associated with spirits, intuition, ancestors and magic for so long?

So I thought it would be fun to dig into it a little more.

What Does “The Veil Is Thinning” Mean?

The veil is basically a way of describing the separation between our physical world and the spirit world.

For centuries, this time of year has been associated with that separation becoming a little thinner, making it easier to feel, sense or connect with things we normally might not notice.

I asked Shaman Jeff how he would explain it, and his take is pretty simple: the spirit world is always there. We may just become more aware of it at certain times.

And I think that’s an important distinction.

Maybe it isn’t that suddenly everything changes on October 1. Maybe we’re simply paying closer attention.

Spiritually

October has long been a time for remembering and honoring the people who came before us.

And that doesn’t have to mean setting up some big ceremony or doing anything complicated.

• Light a candle for someone you miss.

• Put out an old photograph.

• Make your grandmother’s recipe.

• Tell your kids or grandkids a family story they’ve never heard before.

  
  

There are so many simple ways to honor the people who were part of our lives and the generations that came before us.

It’s something Shaman Jeff talks about often: our connection with our ancestors doesn’t end just because they are no longer here physically.

That feels especially meaningful this time of year.

Energetically

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt that something was off?

Or met someone and had a feeling about them before they even said very much? That’s energy.

During October, some people say they feel things a little more strongly. They may feel more reflective. Their dreams may be more vivid. Memories may suddenly pop up. They may find themselves thinking about someone they haven’t thought about in years.

It’s also a good month to clear some things out—physically and energetically. Clean out a drawer. Open the windows. Burn some incense. Sweep the house. Move some things around. Get rid of something you’ve been holding onto for absolutely no good reason.

Sometimes clearing energy can be very practical.

Psychically

This is where things get really interesting.

Your intuition doesn’t necessarily show up as a booming voice telling you exactly what to do. Most of the time it’s much quieter than that. It can be a gut feeling. A dream. A thought that keeps popping into your head. A song that comes on at just the right moment. An animal that keeps appearing. A familiar scent that reminds you of someone.

And sometimes a coincidence is just a coincidence.

But sometimes you stop and think, Okay...that was interesting.

Shaman Jeff is always reminding people not to work so hard at it. Pay attention to what you notice naturally. The more you learn to recognize those little nudges, the easier it becomes to understand your own intuition.

October is a great month to practice doing exactly that.

And Then There’s the Magic

Of course we have to talk about a little magic. It’s October!

Candles, herbs, crystals, Tarot cards, pendulums, brooms, scrying—many of the things we now associate with October have histories that go back much further than modern Halloween.

But magic doesn’t have to be complicated.

• Lighting a candle with an intention can be magical.

• Sweeping your home while thinking about clearing out old energy can be magical.

• Pulling a Tarot card and spending a few minutes thinking about its message can be magical.

• Carrying a crystal because it reminds you to stay grounded or protected can be magical.

• A lot of what we call magic really comes down to intention, energy and awareness.

  
  

And maybe that’s part of what makes October feel so different.

So What Do You Do With All of This?

Have some fun with it: 

• Keep a notebook by your bed and write down your dreams.

• Pull a Tarot card in the morning.

• Get your pendulum out.

• Light a candle for someone you miss.

• Learn a little about your family history.

• Clear the energy in your house.

• Carry a crystal that makes you feel grounded.

  
  

And pay attention to those little moments that make you stop for a second. October doesn’t have to be scary to be magical.

Maybe the veil really does grow thinner this time of year. Maybe we simply become a little more tuned in to what has been around us all along.

Either way, October gives us a pretty good excuse to slow down, listen to our intuition, remember the people who came before us and add a little magic to everyday life.

And around here, we’re all for that.