The Veil Is Thin
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them.” — George Eliot
Tonight is Halloween. Sunday is All Souls Day. In traditions around the world—from Samhain to Día de los Muertos—this is the time of year when the veil between the living and the dead is said to be at its thinnest. In ancient Celtic spirituality, it was believed that ancestors could walk among us during this liminal moment, offering guidance, warnings, blessings. In Christian practice, All Souls Day became a time to pray for those who have died. In many Indigenous cultures, this is a season of honoring the wisdom of the elders, the spirits of the land, and the continuity of life beyond death.
Perhaps this year, we feel that veil more tangibly than ever.
In this moment of political upheaval, climate grief, and spiritual longing, we are aware of the presence of those who came before: those who endured hardship, fought for justice, planted trees they would never see bloom. We may also feel the quiet company of those we’ve loved and lost. Their memories rise like mist, asking us to remember what matters most.
It’s tempting, in times like these, to believe we are alone. But we are not. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses: people who carried the flame before us, and people whose names we’ll never know who dreamed of a more loving, just world. The veil is thin, not just between life and death, but between despair and courage, between what is and what could be.
So tonight, light a candle. Whisper the names of those you carry in your heart. Let the memory of their courage rekindle your own.
They survived what they did so that we could rise now. They are with us. We are not alone.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
Who are the ancestors—spiritual or familial—you feel closest to in this season?
What qualities or values did they embody that you want to carry forward?
In what ways can you be a good ancestor to future generations, starting now?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for the Ancestors
Spirit of Love, Giver of Breath and Time, Today, we remember those who came before. We remember the dreamers and the doubters, The healers and the heretics, The quiet faithful and the brave troublemakers. We call their names, aloud or in silence— May their memory be a blessing. May we carry their courage like flame in our bones. May we listen when the veil grows thin. May we walk with wisdom, Rooted in love, Ready to build what they could only imagine. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Set a Table for the Departed
Tonight, set a small space at your dinner table or altar with a photo, candle, or item that belonged to someone you’ve loved and lost. Invite their memory to join you. Offer them your thanks, your questions, or simply your presence. Let this be a ritual of connection—not to the past, but to the lineage of love that carries you forward.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
October 23, 30, November 13, 20 2025, 7pm ET - In Search of a New Story: Reimagining What Comes Next, A 4-Part Online Series with Dr. Matthew Fox, Cameron Trimble, Ilia Delio, Diana Butler Bass, Caroline Myss and Luther Smith. We are living through the unraveling of many old stories—about who we are, why we’re here, and how we are meant to live together on this Earth. As these inherited narratives collapse under the weight of climate crisis, social fragmentation, and spiritual disconnection, the question becomes clear: What story will guide us now? REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
October 30 - December 4, 2025 - Online Course “Partnering with Life: Our Missing Ally” with Margaret Wheatley. Meg is launching a new course (and I will be tagging along). Partnering with life means much more than getting into nature to soothe our troubled selves. Life is waiting for us to join her as we struggle to maintain sanity through this dark and destructive time. Learn more and register here.
July 19-24, 2026 - Join me and amazing co-facilitator, Victoria, on retreat in the back-country of beautiful Wyoming. The Art of Wilding is a 5-Day Expedition for Women Leaders. We will spend the week reconnecting to nature, exploring our inner landscapes for change, and engage the wisdom of spiritual teachings. Click here to learn more.
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
If you are a leader or member of a congregation looking for consulting support in visioning, planning, hiring or staffing, please consider Convergence.
That was beautiful way to remember tonight. Thanks for sending that!
I shall indeed light a candle tonight, I will remember oh so many that have gone before, but especially my dad and my brother (who died 40 years ago at much to young an age). It is lives like theirs that continue to give me the strength to stand firm. Thank you Cameron