Autumn is a lovely time of year. The changing leaves create vibrant colours that provides a delightful change to the landscape. In the Estonian folk calendar late autumn marks the end of the harvest season and it then becomes 'soul time'. This is the period when the veil separating the world of the living and the world of the dead is at it's thinnest. It was believed that during this time, deceased souls would visit to ensure protection of crops, sheep, and cattle.
In Estonia Hingedepäev / All Souls' Day is celebrated on the second of November. In days of old families would honour departed souls by heating the sauna and placing a meal for them on the table. Today, people tend to light candles in cemeteries and by the window sill in homes to welcome the souls of departed relatives. The foggy mist of autumn is a clear sign that the spirits are on their way!
