Dumb Supper.

[Danustouch]

Do any of you observe the Dumb Supper for Samhain? If so..what do you usually eat? Anything specific..like..a tradition in your house? Or is it whatever you feel like cooking that night.

I would REALLY like to start eating venison on Samhain, to symbolize the fallen stag, but it's a bit pricy around here.

So instead, I usually cook a really good Roast Beef, mashed potatoes, Gravy, Corn, with Corn Bread on the side, and pumpkin pie, or pumkin custard for dessert. Sometimes, Spiced Apples instead of pumpkin. And I always serve Mulled Wine with the meal, as well. I set an extra spot, play some music (usually clannad or loreena) light black and white tapers on the table, and eat in silence. Then, when the meal is done, I leave the extra food out for the "spirits"..it always dissappears, whether because of the animals, or the spirits, (maybe the spirits in animal form?) I don't know :)

[Rick]

Please explain what "Dumb Supper" means.

We like to do something like a Thanksgiving meal for Halloween. A turkey, or maybe a pork roast (mmmm... truly the meat of Celtic kings!), with the usual trimmings (oooooooooooh... pumpkin pie with whipped cream...). Setting a place for 'spirit visitors' is a good idea. Follow the meal with readings for everyone, 'cuz the veil is at it's thinnest...

[Danustouch]

Dumb (meaning silent) Supper. I think it is similar to what you are describing, but, the meal itsself is observed in silence. Perhaps the observance is held in silence, so that you can listen to the voices of the spirit? Or in Sympathy to the Spirits????? Or merely out of respect?

I think this year, I will also put photo's of my loved ones who've passed on, on the table:)

Never thought of Pork Roast...that's certainly a new alternative to my classic Roast Beast! But if I don't cook Roast Beast..hubby might be dissappointed. It's one of my "Star" meals :)

[Rick]

Originally posted by Danustouch
Dumb (meaning silent) Supper. I think it is similar to what you are describing, but, the meal itsself is observed in silence. Perhaps the observance is held in silence, so that you can listen to the voices of the spirit? Or in Sympathy to the Spirits????? Or merely out of respect?

I think this year, I will also put photo's of my loved ones who've passed on, on the table:)

Oooh, cool idea! I'm stealing it, 'kay?


Never thought of Pork Roast...that's certainly a new alternative to my classic Roast Beast! But if I don't cook Roast Beast..hubby might be dissappointed. It's one of my "Star" meals :)

Ya know... cook it long enough at low temperatures 'til it's fallin' apart, & he'll BEG you to never make Cow Roast again... 'specially if you cook it with the usual potatoes, onions, etc/whatever strikes your fancy.

[MystyPines]

Hello!

We have done the dumb supper in our household on Samhain and what we do is set a place setting at the table for a dearly departed family member and everyone eats in silence.

mmmm, roast beast and mash potatoes sounds great!

[Myst]

http://www.thepaganweb.com/cauldron/Samhain2000/celebrate.html

http://www.oracleweb.net/pagansonline/Hallows-alt.htm

http://www.aquarianonline.com/Meaning/Halloween.html

[Danustouch]

Thanks for the articles, Willow...I found this quote, in the second article you posted, to be very interesting:
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Commune with them in your mind as you eat. If you are summoning recent ancestors, picture them in your mind. Or better yet, mark their place at your table with a picture of them. Perhaps you'll want to honor the blessed dead as well. These are friends of yours who have died and with whom you'd like to share a meal and a few memories. They are also the heroes and heroines from your native culture(s), especially those who gave their lives to protect their land and their way of life. Picture them as well
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Maybe I'll incorporate the Hero's who gave their lives in the WTC attacks in this years Dumb Supper!

[amberlaine]

We call it the shrouded supper, and we do it ever year in my house. :)

[Lilu]

Originally posted by Danustouch
Dumb (meaning silent) Supper. I think it is similar to what you are describing, but, the meal itsself is observed in silence. Perhaps the observance is held in silence, so that you can listen to the voices of the spirit? Or in Sympathy to the Spirits????? Or merely out of respect?

I have heard that it's a combination of both respect and also a way of listening to the spirits. :) I can't remember where I read the info I had on this (I checked my books but can't find it, doh!) but I read somewhere, that an extra place is set for the deceased and food also put on a plate for them. I have also heard of some people who set the table in all black - black table cloth, black candles, and black plates and such if you can find it (though I imagine that's not easy to find!) I thought that was a cool idea. And of course, you dress in black too :)



I think this year, I will also put photo's of my loved ones who've passed on, on the table:)

That's a nice idea! I have heard of some people who use the centre of their dining table as an altar, year-round. So photos and other Samhain decorations/symbols could be used to form a sort of mini-altar in the center of the table even!

Great topic!

BB
Lilu

[mol]

Originally posted by amberlaine
We call it the shrouded supper, and we do it ever year in my house. :)

You? Eating quietly? :p

We have never participated in this tradition...but I am reading more about it. Thanks for the info.

[amberlaine]

Bah, shut up Mol :p

Yep, we do it every year. I put on a huge Samhain ritual, which always involved descent into the Underworld. The shrouded supper beforehand is very grounding, very centering, which is necessary for any kind of successful descent. The silence induces a trancelike state--moving and eating in silence is very meditative, allowing one to withdraw completely into his thoughts, his feelings, his true being. And of course, that introspection is necessary for the descent.

so when we do it, its for meditation, deep introspection, grounding and centering before a very emotional and often uncomfortable ritual.

[Teresa]

Bump!