Join us for a beautiful & spirited celebration that honors our ancestral connections & those who have passed. Wear your costumes, bring your offerings for the spirits, and any photos or symbols for those you would like to commemorate. We dance for those who no longer can. This is a moment to cherish life!

Samhain is a Celtic tradition that celebrates the midway point between Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice when the veil to the Spirit world is the thinnest. During this day, our ancestors and deceased loved ones beckon us to open our hearts, remember them, receive messages, and to celebrate the life we are able to live here and now.

In some calendars, Samhain is the end of the old year and the mark of the New Year. It is the moment where we are heading into the Winter Solstice to hibernate. We make peace with the past year, and prepare our selves to rest with the winter.

In Latin America, Day of the Dead reigns. Cacao is often brought into these celebrations as a symbol of the cycles of life, fertility, death, and rebirth. It is also a powerful heart opening medicine. When our hearts are open, we are able to truly listen to the messages that are offered to us from our spiritual allies.

Whether you know someone who has passed, or you desire to deepen your ancestral connections, this is a safe space to honor those allies and to celebrate the invaluable and impermanent gift of life.

We will open the space with a Cacao Ceremony led by Dorothy Morganna. A specially crafted brew will support your heart and intuition. This ceremony will anchor the frequency of our ancestral connections and loved ones. Through an embodiment practice, you will be held in a safe space to open this channel.

A specially curated soundscape will bring you through a sonic trance designed to move from stillness to celebration. An ecstatic dance will invite you to dance with the spirits of those you love. Ecstatic dance is a free form modality of dance that encourages full expression in a non-judgemental space.

Costumes are highly encouraged!

Traditional costumes channel animals & supernatural spirits to offer protection & confuse dark spirits. This practice of disguising oneself to blend in with or ward off spirits is believed to be one of the origins of modern Halloween costumes. You’re also welcome to dress in clothing that connects to your ancestral roots, or anything else that feels inspiring to you! Let those creative juices flow!

You are also welcome to bring photos and symbols for a communal altar. There will also be a small fire to burn offerings to our spirit allies. Welcome to bring any herbs or written prayers you would like to send to the spirit world. There will also be offerings available.

About the venue:

Wild Nature Retreat is tucked into the forests of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. It features a gorgeous ceremonial yurt that has been charged with countless healing portals and activations. For those who are interested in staying night, a glamping campsite is available.

FAQ:

What should I bring to the event?

Wear a costume! Also welcome to bring a photo or item for the altar to call in the energy of your ancestry or someone you love who has passed. Also bring a cushion to sit on, a water bottle, a journal, and a mug for cacao.

You are also welcome to bring offerings for the fire (such as magical herbs you connect with) and special items for the altar (like crystal, poems, and pictures).

What is cacao?

Cacao is the seed from a tree that grows in the tropical rainforests. Guatemala, from where this cacao is grown, is the home to strains of cacao that have been selectively bred for thousands of years by the Mayans who revered cacao and wove it into their ceremonies. The spirit of cacao is loving and nurturing, like a mother. It contains theobromine, which opens your heart and increases your heart rate. It also contains a small amount of caffeine.

Who should not drink cacao?

If you are taking SSRI medication, low blood pressure medication, or are undergoing chemotherapy, or are in your first trimester of pregnancy, just take a few sips of cacao. It is advised by western medicine that women who are pregnant should just have a small amount, though in the Mayan tradition, cacao is a useful ally for pregnancy (after the first trimester.

Is this event child-friendly?

If your child can sit quietly for 45 minutes for the opening and closing of the ritual, then your child is welcome to be part of it.

How do I give back to the land and guardians from which the cacao is grown?

You are welcome to make a contribution to this medicine work directly to the lands and people who steward this medicine through the NGO Give Back to the Source. https://givebacktothesource.or...

Do you offer scholarships?

If you are in a place of financial hardship and feel that this event would benefit your well-being, we invite you to reach out to talk about possible scholarship opportunities.