Celebrating the Wheel of the Year: Samhain, Embracing the Cycles of Death and Rebirth

What is Samhain?

Samhain marks both the end and the beginning of the Celtic New Year—a profound and transformative period in the annual cycle. It symbolizes the affirmation of rebirth amidst the darkness and passage into a new year, offering opportunities for renewal and fresh beginnings.

Historically, Samhain (pronounced Sow-ein) held significance as a time when the boundary between the visible world of matter and the unseen realm of spirits grew thin, akin to Beltain. It has long been revered for delving into inner mysteries, practicing divination, and communing with ancestors and spiritual realms. Samhain invites reflection, contemplation, and a deep connection with inner wisdom.

For the Celts, darkness was as revered as light, embodying its own power and significance. At Samhain, as the Earth entered its darkest phase, they honored the seeds blessed to germinate in the dark, promising life anew with the return of the Sun. Ceremonies were conducted at burial mounds, tumuli, and barrows—sites where life and death intertwined in the Celtic worldview. These sacred places, with their tunnel entrances leading to dark inner chambers, served not only as resting grounds for the departed but also as centers of Earth energy, aiding in spiritual journeys.

During Samhain, the Celts believed the veil between worlds allowed deceased ancestors to revisit loved ones. Tables were set during feasts to welcome them, blending the notions of "ghost" and "guest" from the German "geist," symbolizing the spirits invited to join in Samhain's sacred celebrations.

Take this time for rest and rejuvenation. Move beyond the confines of rationality and logic, and venture into the unseen realms. Listen to your intuition and recognize it as an integral part of your being. Use this period for learning, gathering, organizing, and internalizing information. This knowledge will be invaluable when action is required.

Reflect on and assimilate the lessons from the active phases of the year. From challenging experiences emerge strength, hope, renewal, and wisdom. Nourish emerging visions, dreams, and ideas during the dark winter months, preparing them to blossom and be realized at the Winter Solstice.

Embracing Darkness and Renewal

An Evening Celebration in Nature for Women

Samhain is such a rich and profound celebration, marking a pivotal moment in the natural and spiritual cycles. It's a beautiful time to honor ancestors, reflect on the year's harvest, and embrace the coming of winter. Embark on a journey of self-discovery and harmony with the natural rhythms of the world, as we uncover insights and tap into the transformative essence of autumn. Regardless of your beliefs or how you choose to celebrate, it’s a great time to reconnect with nature – to the ever-renewing cycles of life to which every one of us is connected. It is a cycle where life and death are two sides of the same coin, so whether you practice solo or with others, take the time to contemplate the endings and new beginnings in your life and to reconnect with the sacred.

What To Expect

• A Meditative Journey Through Nature’s Tapestry
  Join us for a meditative journey through the vibrant autumn landscape, mindfully immersing ourselves in the season's rich tapestry of colors, scents, sounds, and textures. Tuning in with all our senses, we will focus on one at a time to fully experience the richness of the moment. Recognize yourself as a vital part of nature’s ever-evolving cycles. The trees in this season offer a profound lesson in the art of release. As we witness the decay of foliage, we will reflect on the profound significance of death in nature and how it paves the way for rebirth.
  
• Nature Spiral Ritual Experience
  On our walk, we will gather fallen leaves and prepare a sacred space in nature, symbolically shedding aspects of our lives that no longer serve us. The spiral pathway we create will symbolize our journey from outer consciousness to inner soul, while the acorns represent seeds of new beginnings. After connecting deeply with our higher selves, guides, nature spirits, elements, and the divine, each of us will choose a decaying leaf to represent stagnant energies hindering our progress. With mindful steps, we will walk to the center, contemplating these aspects before burning the leaf to transmute its energies.

  Selecting an acorn, we will imbue it with intentions for the upcoming year as we spiral outward, expressing gratitude to the earth for its support and nourishment. Finally, we will plant our acorns, symbolizing the planting of seeds for our future growth and aspirations.
  

  This ritual honors the ancient wisdom of Samhain, embracing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, while invoking clarity, inspiration, and new beginnings aligned with the natural rhythms of the season.

• Seasonal Living Discussions
  Join us to learn practical ways to live in harmony with the seasons, enhancing your well-being.

• Bonfire Alchemy

  As the night draws to a close, we stand on the brink of profound transformation during Samhain. Gathering around a blazing bonfire, we will witness fire's transformative power, symbolizing both the light of the sun and our inner illumination. Each of us will take turns placing something written on paper or an object into the fire, symbolizing, something we wish to let go of, transform, or heal. As we release these into the flames, we symbolically offer them for transformation; our wishes and intentions for the coming year. Speaking these aloud will amplify their energy and set our intentions firmly into the universe.
  

  Following this ritual of release and intention-setting, we will engage in Pyromancy, the ancient art of divination by fire. Gazing into the flames, we will ask questions of the fire spirits, seeking symbolic answers in the flickering dance of light and shadow. This evening ritual honors the profound symbolism of Samhain, inviting us to harness fire's transformative energy, let go of the old, and invite in the new, guided by the wisdom and insights offered by the elemental spirits of fire.

• FAQS

  • Please remember to bring your own bug spray, although we will also have some available.
  • For your comfort and protection, wearing long pants, closed-toe shoes, and socks is advised.
  • Note that this offering includes periods of time sitting on the ground - we have mats available.
  • Please remember to bring your journals and a pen for writing.
  • You are welcome to bring water and any snacks you may require.
  • Please plan to arrive by 4:15 so we can start prompting at 4:30 pm.
  • This offering is open to eight women, creating an intimate and supportive space for us to connect with each other and the natural world.
  • $40 investment