People that Seem to Commune with the Dead


I never had much interest in hearing about communicating and worshipping with dead people. Several years ago a friend told of trying to exchange predetermined messages with her dead boy friend. It didn't work for her. 

My interest in this phenomenon increased a little recently. A close relative's spouse died. The surviving spouse, who is not especially religious, now tells me during every visit what the deceased spouse has been up to and what the deceased approves of. I don't comment on this news because, first, the survivor is dealing with a lot and apparently this helps. Second, I might learn how it can be an intelligent and non-religious person can come to believe such a thing is reality. 

It seems to me the "communication" my relative is having with the dead spouse is different than the ancient "Day of the Dead," "All Souls Day" or "Veterans Day." These may be like the Celtic practice discussed in the link. Ancient Celtic tradition tells those in the culture that on certain days of the year the distance between the living and the dead narrows. These days are the summer and winter solstice and spring and fall equinox. I've read buildings in ancient pagan Ireland were constructed to achieve a special beam of sun on days honoring the dead. These commemorations are about honoring generations past, not conversations with specific dead people. 

The link talks about carrying the "spirit" of a dead loved one with you. I don't know if there is a difference between carrying the memory of a person and carrying the dead person's "spirit." I have no idea what the latter is.

It seems like some of the practices that honor the dead are close to making the dead into gods. The dead carry on conversations and give or withhold approval. 

While carrying conversations with dead loved ones helps some people and honoring past generations is not a bad thing, it is only available to people who have special kinds of imaginations. The rest of us are left with talking only to people who are alive. 

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