Writing with the Ancestors

An October invitation

Dear Friend,

Have you noticed a change in your energy over the last week or so?

I ask because many people have mentioned to me that they’re sensing a shift in mood, attention, or energy since October began.

Even before daylight saving time ends, our bodies register the subtle changes—the days grow shorter, the evenings arrive earlier.

It’s not surprising that October, across so many world cultures, is a month associated with connections between worlds: the hidden and the revealed, death and life.

A sukkah has an open roof, connecting earth and stars. On the left is my neighbor's sukkah I helped him to buold last week, in progress; on the right is the sukkah at my syangogue, open roof with branches and decorations

In the Jewish tradition, we’re at the end of Sukkot, the harvest festival. We have a custom of inviting ushpizin—mystical guests—to dwell with us in our sukkah, our fragile nature hut open to the stars. These guests were traditionally Biblical ancestors, but over time the custom has evolved to include loved ones whose spirits we wish to welcome.

In other cultures, days like Día de los Muertos reunite the living with departed family members. The ancient pagan festival of Samhain also focused on connecting with those who had passed on, honoring the time when the veil between the living and the dead was said to be thinnest.

As creative people, we can use our imaginations at any time to reach toward the loved ones we want to connect with—but perhaps this darker month of October offers us a special invitation to explore unseen worlds and build bridges of consciousness.

I’ve been working on a memoir that, in part, explores these ancestral connections. Some days, when I’m writing, I spend hours evoking and communicating with loved ones who have passed on through what pours out onto the page. My writing holds both my grief and my profound love for the ancestors who shaped my life. Recently, I had the opportunity to write an essay for Evolve about memoir as a spiritual practice and share a bit about the story I’m creating:

This is a story about Gabrielle Ariella Shulamit, who wants to know what happened to her grandfather’s murdered family because she thinks that if she finds their story, they will stop calling her from the shadows, and that she will be able to feel safe in the world. But Gabrielle ignores the very abilities that might help her: her connections with her intuitive world, her dreams and her ancestral lineage.

I’m still deep in my first draft, but I’ve found that writing about my ancestors strengthens our bonds and reminds me that those connections continue—across worlds.

In honor of this October season, today’s creative prompt invites you to connect with a wise loved one who has inspired or guided you in some way. By writing about them, allow yourself to sense and celebrate their unique spirit.

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Writing Practice: Set aside 5-7 minutes for this practice. Write in a journal or open a ‘Journey with The Season’ document where you can return each Sunday.

Prompt:

Get quiet and make a list of all the ancestors who have guided or inspired you in some way—these might be family members, figures from history, literary or artistic heroes, or anyone whose life or teaching has shaped you.

Choose one of these ancestors and write directly to them. Tell them what they have meant to you and how their presence continues to guide your life.

You might want to include photos or images of them alongside your writing and place it somewhere you’ll see it—a reminder of their enduring influence and love.

I’d love to read about your Ancestor connections. Leave a comment here or reach me through the messaging app.

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Spiritual Practice for the week ahead: We can strengthen connections between our ancestors and ourselves by keeping them in our consciousness. Writing about them is a wonderful practice—you could also try creating an altar of family photos. Notice if there are quiet times when your loved ones come to mind. When those moments occur, pay attention, pause and listen.

I often display photos of grandparents and other ancestors with my living family, candles, flowers and meaningful words. It’s a visual reminder of our connections.

As the days grow darker, may your words and memories be a lantern, guiding you closer to those who came before you.

Wishing you a week of love and connection, Gabrielle Ariella

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Join the fun!

If you enjoy reading my weekly words, I’d love to invite you to write with me this fall. I’m hosting a four-part autumn writing circle—a gentle, supportive space to explore gratitude, letting go, and transformation through creative prompts.

No experience needed—just bring yourself, a pen, and an open heart.

✨Register here (today 10/11 is the last day of the sale price).✨

And…

Join me for a conversation about a new soul-nourishing guidebook for embracing the aging process with grace, clarity, and wisdom.

12 Steps to Mindful Aging: A Conversation with Authors Marguerite Herrmann Sexton & Patricia Herrmann Conroy
Monday, November 3 | 7–8pm ET
Online | Free Event | Register here

This program is part of my ongoing work creating spaces for spiritual reflection and creative community through writing circles and gatherings—and it is open to all.