I would like to invite people around the world to join many others on November 1, 9 p.m. your time, in Watchfires. It is to guide wandering souls home, warriors, refugees, the lost. Just light a fire, from a candle to a bonfire, outside, preferably by water. Add whatever other ceremonies you wish. There are all sorts of traditions in many cultures of doing this, and the date of November 1, or thereabouts, has great signficiance in various religions and ancient cultures. (I would appreciate it if any folklorists or historians could elaborate on them...) here are some URLs.

Why November 1 http://www.angelfire.com/wv/watchfires99/wnynovemb er1.html

http://grunt.space.swri.edu/wachfire.htm http://www.magicinterludes.net/snowyowlet/thewatchfi res.html

This has been adopted by the community of veterans and others involved in the Vietnam war, although it did not originate with us. If you do decide to do it, I would appreciate hearing from you, as to where you are located and what kind of a fire....I keep wanting to make a fancy website showing all this...and it is truly worldwide now...but I don't have time yet. My email is mgarvey@pacifier.com. I will have whatever will burn this time of year at Long Beach, Washington. mg