Ante Mortem means before death. Ante Mortem (sometimes antemortem) is derived from the Latin ante (before) and mortem mors (death).
Ante Mortem is not necessarily morbid, it’s more of a reminder of the time before death when life is still present and aware. Autumn is truly a season of ante mortem since it is the time that falls before the Earth goes into the stillness and quiet of Winter. It’s a naturally occurring seasonal death and Fall is it’s perfect ante mortem – a celebratory send off into slumber before it bursts to life again in the Spring.
An ante mortem season wrapped up in red and golden tones/ a season filled with spirits and the souls that choose to roam/ a celebration of life and of hope to bar the cold/ A season overripe with splendors that provide a joyous tone… That’s Autumn. ~ Ella
While there can be a rather negative and heavy aspect to ante mortem, I feel like it really should be more of a celebration. A reminder of a life that has been lived, a soul that will continue on just in a different way beyond this fragile mortal shell. To be able to celebrate Nature’s ante mortem season in Autumn each year is such a beautiful gift and one that is needed more than ever this year. Life, after all, begins anew in the Autumn for death is only a beginning…
Namaste ~ Ella
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Lawhimsy 