Tag: dia de los muertos

Culture, holidays, Literature

‘A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding’ Teaches Kids About the Day of the Dead

by Jennifer Vasquez9 Comments on ‘A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding’ Teaches Kids About the Day of the Dead
Woman holding a kid's picture book
Vamp Jenn reading A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding

El Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries between November 1st and 2nd. It’s believed that the spirits of loved ones come back to visit the living. The occasion, which has roots in indigenous Mesoamerican traditions, is meant to honor the memory of the deceased and embrace death. While many adults look forward to the Day of the Dead, the concept behind it can be difficult for children to grasp, especially when they believe death is meant to be feared. However, a children’s book titled A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding sets out to change that.

Continue reading “‘A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding’ Teaches Kids About the Day of the Dead” →
Culture, occult, spirituality

Connecting with the Beloved Dead Through ‘The Ofrenda Oracle’

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on Connecting with the Beloved Dead Through ‘The Ofrenda Oracle’
Vamp Jenn with The Ofrenda Oracle
Vamp Jenn with The Ofrenda Oracle

When we find ourselves needing deeper insights into a particular aspect of our lives, we search for ways to attain that insight. Some go for a long walk to think, others seek advice from a mentor, and certain individuals turn to cartomancy. This form of divination involves using a deck of cards and is believed to have emerged centuries ago in Europe.

Tarot is perhaps the most popular type of cartomancy today, but there are also Oracle cards and Lenormand cards. The Ofrenda Oracle utilizes the Lenormand method while also possessing characteristics associated with Oracle cards. I used the deck for the first time and want to share my experience with it.

Continue reading “Connecting with the Beloved Dead Through ‘The Ofrenda Oracle’” →
Culture, Events, spirituality

Hollywood Forever’s Dia de los Muertos Celebration

by Jennifer Vasquez8 Comments on Hollywood Forever’s Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Vamp Jenn celebrating Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever
Vamp Jenn celebrating Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever

A tradition that pays homage to the dead and began in Mexico with the Aztec and Nahua tribes is alive and well today. I’m referring to Dia de los Muertos. The holiday is a mix of Mesoamerican and European customs and celebrates the memory of those who’ve departed from this earthly realm. Hollywood Forever Cemetery held their annual Dia y Noche del los Muertos event and this was my second year attending the latter. I’m here to tell you all about it and share photos from the evening.

Continue reading “Hollywood Forever’s Dia de los Muertos Celebration” →
Culture, Events, spirituality

Hollywood Forever Hosts a Day of the Dead Preview Event

by Jennifer Vasquez9 Comments on Hollywood Forever Hosts a Day of the Dead Preview Event
Máscaras de México at Hollywood Forever
Máscaras de México at Hollywood Forever

For more than 20 years, Hollywood Forever cemetery has established an annual tradition that celebrates the Day of the Dead during the last Saturday of October. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a press event where they gave an exclusive preview of this year’s festivities and introduced the theme. It was an evening filled with delightful music, beautiful rituals, delicious food and vibrant décor.

Continue reading “Hollywood Forever Hosts a Day of the Dead Preview Event” →
Events, Lifestyle, spirituality

Celebrating El Día de los Muertos at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery

by Jennifer Vasquez17 Comments on Celebrating El Día de los Muertos at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Vamp Jenn at the Dia de los Muertos event at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Vamp Jenn at the Día de los Muertos event at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Since 2000, Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles has been home to the largest Día de los Muertos celebration outside of Mexico, and I attended for the first time this year. For 2022, the festivities centered on Mayahuel, the Aztec goddess of fertility and the agave plant. There were separate daytime and nighttime events happening, and I went to the latter, Noche de los Muertos. It was an evening filled with beautiful performances, rituals, altars, and so much more.

Continue reading “Celebrating El Día de los Muertos at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery” →
Events, Travel

Celebrating Halloween Around the World

by Jennifer Vasquez21 Comments on Celebrating Halloween Around the World

Halloween Aound the World

Although these days Halloween has become known for costumes, trick-or-treating and haunts, the history behind the holiday stretches far back in time, nearly 2,000 years ago with the Celts who celebrated Samhain between October 31st and November 1st. Eventually with the spread of Christianity, the Celtic tradition would be absorbed into All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd).

Interestingly, the Christian Church celebrated All Souls’ Day in a similar way to Samhain, maintaining customs such as building bonfires and donning costumes. The origin of the term “Halloween” is the Middle English word meaning All Saints’ Day, “Alholowmesse.” In time, the night before November 1st would be referred to as All Hallows’ Eve and then as Halloween.

From America to Asia, celebrations of this holiday have spread worldwide with countries commemorating the day in diverse and fascinating ways. Following is just a small fraction of what Halloween festivities take place. Continue reading “Celebrating Halloween Around the World” →