From a young age, I learned that reality should not be mixed with fantasy, as it can be dangerous. I also learned that being born with special gifts does not guarantee success, nor does it make one immune to pain. However, if you learn to control the desires of your heart and the thoughts in your mind, you can create a fantastical reality around you.
Some people believe that when a loved one dies, they become a near-diabolical ghost, capable of destroying anyone who harmed them while they were alive. Others believe that when someone dies, they go to heaven to rest in peace. Still others believe that a spirit does not depart from this world until it has fully fulfilled the purpose for which it was born. For some, death is simply a process that must be undergone. Nowadays, many people even view death as a playmate. But who truly knows what lies beyond death?
The Day of the Dead is a tradition I have known since I first became aware of the reality of the world I live in. I don’t recall exactly how old I was—just a child, beginning my life—when I was warned never to cross the boundary between reality and fantasy. I was taught specific rules to keep my reality safe, ensuring I wouldn’t get lost in the traumatic darkness of whatever I might see, hear, or feel while I slept. Here are some of those rules:
– Never leave a candle burning while you sleep, because candlelight guides spirits back to you. There are malevolent spirits drawn to the light that can cross the veil of reality by way of these candles.
– When you visit the Spirit World, NEVER eat their food. Because the food of the dead, in their realm, dulls one’s awareness of reality; should you fall ill, it would take a long time for your spirit to return to your body—and an empty body is an invitation for something else to inhabit it.
– Always respect their rules. The Spirit realm is highly ordered, and every Spirit has specific tasks or responsibilities to fulfill. (I cannot elaborate here on the consequences of breaking this law.)
– NEVER SEEK OUT OR INVOKE THE SPIRIT OF A DECEASED PERSON. (There is one exception to this rule, but it requires obtaining permission from the guardian of the gateway; furthermore, the Spirit must seek permission from their Creator to speak with a living person. Ignoring this WARNING leads to dire consequences.)
Nevertheless, the Day of the Dead holds something truly special. Amidst the colorful, fantastical imagery, there lies an undeniable reality: families are eternal. Consequently, the bond of a family can be sealed forever here on Earth, continuing from eternity to eternity. While traditions observed in various countries—sets the date for November 2nd, in my reality, the Day of the Dead is a 24-hour period that can occur anytime from the final days of October through the first days of November.
It is during this window that the magic of a reunion between the living and the dead unfolds—experienced through a dream. Many Spirits are granted the opportunity to visit the living while they sleep, allowing them to relive the experience of spending an entire day alongside someone they still love within the reality of the life cycle.
Please do not mistake what I have written here for the film *Coco*; this is not mere fantasy. It is reality—regardless of any coincidences you might find between my words and the movie. The spirit of a loved one can manifest in our dreams, cooking, playing, laughing, taking a stroll, teaching, offering love or advice, or simply sharing anecdotes that bring us joy in their company. While this experience might last only twenty minutes to three hours in waking reality, within the dream, it unfolds as a vivid, 24-hour-long fantasy. Upon waking, however, we may find ourselves in tears as we open our eyes and realize it was all just a dream. A dream born of the Day of the Dead.
According to tradition, *Catrinas* can serve as a bridge between the dead and the living, ensuring that those who have passed are not forgotten. This is why I craft *Catrinas* to sell during the Day of the Dead—with the hope that those who purchase them might reconnect with their departed loved ones. Yet, reality extends far beyond our worldly understanding, for the ultimate truth resides solely within the unshakeable plan that God has created for us. But tell me: isn’t it a beautiful thing—this opportunity that arises each year, between October and November, to live out a 24-hour dream?
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