Witchful Thinking: Samhain, the “Veil,” and Liminal Spaces

Ask a pagan about Samhain and at some point they will tell you that during this time of year, “the veil between this world and the next becomes thin.” This is why, they’ll tell you, the holiday often focuses on communication with ancestors and lost loved ones who have gone “Beyond the veil.”

Okay, so what the hell is this veil, anyway? Why does it get thin and what does that mean for a real person living in the real world?

The Veil, in pagan parlance, is the border between the world as we know it, the “real” world, and the world of spirit. And when we talk about the Veil “becoming thin” what we’re really saying is that it becomes much easier for beings to transition between these worlds, to be part of both worlds and be interacted with by beings from both worlds.

Easier, of course, is the key — the fact is that beings pass back and forth across the Veil all the time. Many of us have had that sensation that a relative or close friend who has passed away is present with us during a critical moment. There are mediums who regularly experience contact with beings who have “crossed over.” The point isn’t that this ONLY happens during Samhain, but rather that this space where one can experience beings from the “other side” is easier to access and more evident. These places and spaces that seem to…