The following was submitted by Emmanuel Episcopal Parish.

As the days grow shorter, our thoughts naturally turn to remembrance.

Across many cultures, the autumn season is associated with remembering the departed and honoring their lives.

Both the Christian holy days of All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2) are celebrated at this time, and the associated Day of the Dead, a festive occasion in Mexico where people honor relatives by bringing food and flowers to the cemeteries, has parallels in Louisiana and the Philippines.

Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is also a time of remembrance of those who died in the armed services. In the British Isles and elsewhere in Europe, there is a long history of associating the first part of November with the beloved departed.

The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool for contemplation. The outdoor labyrinth at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Eastsound is an ideal place to come and “walk to remember” those who have been a part of one’s life, to pay silent tribute and honor to individuals or groups of people, or to whatever one feels called to commemorate.

While the labyrinth is always open, the days Nov. 1 to 11 have been designated as a Remembrance Walk, and all are encouraged to come and discover how walking the labyrinth can add another dimension to this season.