#005: Ancestors, Death, & Grief (With Special Grief Ceremony Following)

💀 Exploring Death, Grief, & Ancestors - Together

In this opening of the Deep Dark Library we'll dive into themes of death, grief, and our ancestral connections. In the US, grief is often unspoken, and many struggle to express it. As a culture, we tend to avoid conversations about death and the deep emotions that come with it. 

Yet grief, in all its forms, is a vital part of the human experience—something that demands space, expression, and acknowledgment. This gathering offers an opportunity to explore these themes, creating space to talk, feel, and remember that no one has to carry this burden alone.

Grief Ceremony Afterwards

Following the Deep Dark Library, we will hold a Grief Ceremony—a sacred space for honoring and expressing grief in its many forms. A grief ceremony is a guided process that allows participants to move through unspoken or unexpressed emotions in a supportive environment. Through meditation, creative expression like painting and dancing, and gentle support from guides, the ceremony offers a space for release and healing. 

This is an opportunity to acknowledge the weight of grief, let it surface, and begin the process of emotional transformation with the care and comfort of a compassionate community.

🌙 The Deep Dark Library

The Deep Dark Library is a ritual community storytelling gathering where we crowdsource deep dark questions, discuss them in intimate groups, and invite brave souls to share their stories on stage.

But there’s a twist… storytellers can ask for anything they need while telling their tale. Maybe they’ll request complete silence, a round of applause, or thought-provoking questions. 

Or, they might ask for backup dancers, someone to hum an epic soundtrack, or even a volunteer to play the mischievous cat in their story, slinking across the stage.

Here, the silly meets the serious, the sacred dances with the profane. Together, we embrace both the absurd and the profound, breaking down barriers to go deeper & darker, together. 

🪐 Beyond Space & Time

Stories hold immense power—they connect us, offer wisdom, and remind us that we're not alone. Yet, many who need these stories can’t be with us in person. That’s why we offer to record stories live (with the storyteller’s consent) and add them to our online library.

Through the online library, we capture the raw, unfiltered essence of human experience and create a timeless archive that anyone can access, anytime. In this way, we break the laws of space and time to collect, organize, and share the wisdom of stories—ensuring that every human may discover the true possibilities of their own story. 

🕯 More Than Just a Gathering

The Deep Dark Library is more than just a gathering—it’s a journey into the heart of what it means to be human. It’s a place where we reclaim the lost art of gathering and wisdom sharing through stories. Whether you share your story or simply listen, together, we rebuild the bonds we so deeply desire—one story at a time. 

⏳ Event Schedule

6:00 PM – Doors Open
Arrive between 6:00 and 6:30 PM to settle in, find a seat, and connect with others.

6:30 PM – Deep Dark Library Storytelling
The storytelling begins at 6:30 PM sharp. We will gather in small groups to explore our deep dark questions through discussion and storytelling until 9:00 PM.

8:30 PM – Grief Ceremony
From 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM, we will transition into the Grief Ceremony. The ceremony will include opportunities for creative expression, such as painting, dancing, and sharing. Angels will be present to offer support.

10:30 PM – Event Close
The event wraps up at 10:30 PM. Feel free to linger and connect with others as the evening comes to a close.

🙌 Heard At The Library

🎩 Hosts

Chris Orcutt (He/Him) - Deep Dark Library

A community weaver with a deep passion for creating magical places and experiences that connect people to themselves, others, Earth, and whatever lies beyond. With a decade of experience crafting intentional living communities, Chris’s mission is to rebuild our villages—reviving the community, connection, and wisdom that once thrived. As the vision holder and creator of the Deep Dark Library, he designed this place to make the transformative moments of community living accessible to all, inviting people into deeper connection through the power of storytelling.

Grief Ceremony Friends

The grief ceremony will be led by a group of talented healers & space holders working together including:

Tyson Wilson (He/Him)

Mana Rose (She/Her)

Taj O'Brien (He/Him)

Liam Woods (He/Him)

📍 Venue

We'll be at Flow State Art Collective at 1227 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97214, next to Velvet Elvis Piercing. Flow State is a beautiful indoor venue with lots of art & nooks for storytelling groups.