Ghosts, Goblins and Saints: The Hidden Messages in Rituals

'Tis the season here in the United States when we ward off ghosts, ghouls and goblins on Halloween and Christians commemorate the saints on All Saints Day. Like most rituals, I believe these celebrations serve as a profound metaphor for our human nature. To me, they act as a reminder of the dualities within each of us, representing the part that mirrors our darker side – the aspects that are fearful, flawed, and sometimes ghoulish – as well as the part that embodies courage, love, and saintliness.

In my work as a Positive Intelligence® coach, we often refer to the disconcerting, imperfect part as our "Saboteurs." These Saboteurs, as the name suggests, undermine our thinking, well-being, work, and relationships. Conversely, we label the saintly part as our "Sage." 

Both these aspects engage in an ongoing struggle for our attention in our daily lives. The Saboteurs epitomize our inner "darkness," while the Sage embodies the "light" within us. Our practice revolves around continually fortifying our Sage selves to fend off the Saboteurs that can lead to burnout, unhealthy conflicts, stress, lack of purpose or productivity, and a vast array of negative emotions that hinder our progress. Instead, we strive to continuously nurture our saintly, Sage-like selves.

Much like Halloween, which eventually gives way to the dawn of a new day, the result of our efforts against our Saboteur selves is a heightened sense of inner lightness. The challenges we face seem less burdensome, easier to manage, and open to a big picture perspective, fostering greater peace and tranquility amidst adversity, and even improved sleep.

Just as goblins lurking in the night exhaust us and keep us fearful, the Sage knows there is an alternative perspective that can be adopted.  The duality within us will always exist, but the extent to which it influences us is within our control. This control is achieved through practice and continuous reinforcement, which is the essence of ritual.

We are all a mixed bag of Saboteurs and Sage, and it's in our imperfections that we find our shared humanity. These flaws grant us the capacity for compassion and empathy towards others who, like us, have their own imperfections. They create bonds of friendship and support, reminding us that it's our imperfections that make us relatable, preventing loneliness that would inevitably result from an unattainable state of perfection.

This period of ritual marks the midpoint between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, offering a reminder as the days grow shorter and darker. It's a call to appreciate the entire spectrum of "tricks and treats" that define who we are. It encourages us to summon forth our inner Sage, and immerse ourselves in our unique light.  Because in a world in need of it, our Sage-like selves are a beacon of hope and positivity.

If you’d like to learn more about how to bring forth more of your Sage self for greater productivity with less stress, get in touch.  

Private coaching, workshops and group or individual immersion programs are available to help you and your team improve wellbeing, build trust, and be more productive.  

[email protected]