Marking All Saints Day: A Journey to the Feral Angel Within

The holiday of All Saints Day on November 1st brings a unique opportunity to connect with one's primal self and embrace the spirit of the wild, referred to by some as the 'Feral Angel.' This day serves as a potent reminder of our innate connection to nature and the transformative power within us.

Thresholds Between Ritual and Everyday Life

For many, All Saints Day may seem no different from any other, marked merely by an extra piece of chocolate. However, this day provides a unique context to explore deeper spiritual practices and rituals. For the narrator, who was once more involved in religious practices, attending Mass on this day may have been a familiar part of their routine, especially during their younger years when time was less constrained by work schedules.

The Deceptive Simplicity: A Strategic Approach

During primary school, the narrator and their friends found a way to ensure their correct answers to the daily saints' day questions, which could earn them house points. Instead of religious devotion, they relied on a simple strategy: keeping track of saints' days using a calendar hidden in the staffroom. This incident was not about religiosity, but about outsmarting the system, demonstrating how such dates could be seen through both the lens of spiritual significance and a practical obligation.

Wildness and the Feral Angel

The prose from the book “Wild—-An Elemental Journey” by Cheryl Strayed aptly captures this essence. Strayed's exploration of the human connection to the wild, often described as a 'feral angel,' resonates deeply. She reflects on her quest to reconnect with nature and trust the elements, much like a shaman might. Throughout her journey, she highlights the urgency and primal nature of this connection, urging individuals to live each moment with intensity and authenticity.

“The human spirit has a primal allegiance to wildness,” Strayed writes. This statement encapsulates the essence of the feral angel—our inherent connection to the natural world, our untamed side that thrives in the spontaneous and uncontrolled moments. It is in these moments, when we are truly alive, that we can experience the depth and breadth of existence.

Shamanism and the Feral Angel

Shamans, spiritual leaders in many cultures, often serve as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual worlds. They embody the feral angel by channeling their inner wildness, which helps them connect with nature and the divine. By embracing their primal side, shamans can perform healing rituals and communicate with spirits, further exemplifying the fusion of the feral and the sacred.

Strayed's exploration of the feral angel—living at the edge of the imperative, at the tender fury of the reckless moment—parallels the shamanistic practice of harnessing primal energy for transformative purposes. This practice encourages us to live authentically, to feel the immediate and profound connection to the world around us, and to trust our instincts as we navigate life.

Conclusion: Embracing the Wild Within

All Saints Day, much like a day in the life of a primary school student, can be a time for introspection and connection. Whether it's attending Mass, finding solace in nature, or simply enjoying a piece of chocolate, the day invites us to embrace our wild, shamanistic selves and live more authentically. By doing so, we honor the feral angel within each of us and celebrate the primal essence that makes us truly alive.