A ceremony for Samhain with plant & sound medicine…

Samhain is Gaelic for ‘summer's end’, historically a festive time of feast, fire & remembrance of one’s ancestors. A celebratory honouring of life & liminal space for introspection and release as the veils thins between the physical and spirit world. This phase of the year also aligns with the ancient stories of the descent of the goddess into the mythic underworld.

As the wheel of the year turns towards this darker phase, you are invited to an intimate ritual in the majestic Durbar Hall of Hastings Museum to align with the elemental energies of the season & reflect on the cycles of life, death & rebirth with ancestral remembrance, Mugwort dream potion (see info below) ritual & hypnotic sound journeying with drum evocative of ancient fire ritual, the depths of the sun gong & ethereal drones of crystal sbowls and monochord for both deep restoration & the stirring of inner vision and an altered state of consciousness.

This is an honouring of all which has passed, a recognition of those who came before and invitation to shed what is ready to leave & nurture what remains, a journey intended to gently ground, offering space to receive and settle into however you are & encourage your own inner counsel for guidance if there is a need and for your nervous system to safely drop into deep restoration.

You are invited to bring a photo or symbolic object to place on our ancestors altars to honour a person, pet or aspect of life which has passed.

Please bring an offering dedicated to our ritual & the spirit of samhain such as a crystal, shell or object which can be charged with intention on our altar or beside you.

You will retrieve all of your items to take home with you at the end.

Our evening

• We will open the ritual space with a toast to our ancestors and Samhain as we drink a warming infusion of dream & relaxation enhancing herbs including Mugwort, one of the nine sacred herbs in Celtic history & sideritis, the herb of the Greek mountains.

• You will be invited to place any offerings or photos on our ancestors altar.

• Introduction to the history and British folklore of Samhain & the ancient descent into the underworld found in other ancient civilisations and practices such as the Eleusinian mysteries.

• Settling in for a somatic meditation followed by sound journey with Drum, gong, singing bowls and monochord & stilness at the end to integrate.

What To Bring

An eye mask is recommended and warm layers, body temperature drops once in deep relaxation mode.

If you have purchased a lying down ticket, please bring a mat, blanket, pillow and cushion and all you need to be comfortable and warm.

Seated tickets are cushioned and comfortable but you may wish to bring a blanket for extra comfort.

A bottle for water - this can be filled at reception.

A journal if you'd like to make note of any insights which may come up.

Offerings for the altar.

About Mugwort

Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) has a rich history in British folklore & herbalism for both magical and medicinal practice.

The name Artemisia orginates from Artemis - the ancient greek moon goddess & protector of animals of the wild, women & cycles of nature.

This association with creative energy & the feminine traditionally links Mugwort to the life, death and rebirth cycles of nature.

In medieval folk medicine, it was considered a magical herb for ritual , purification and to enhance dreams. It was also taken medicinally as a digestive or menstrual tonic and prescribed by midwives to ease the transition of childbirth. It is now revered in magical practice as a plant ally for the birthing of vision and new phases of life.

The energy of Mugwort is warming with an earthy mineralised taste and it drives cold and damp from the body. A variety which grows in China is both drunk and burned in Traditional Chinese Medicine close to the skin to drive out dampness and bring warmth into the body and in western herbal medicine it's prescribed for its medicinal effect on the nervous, reproductive and digestive systems.

As a herb connected to dream enhancement, Mugwort is a supportive ally to any meditative or ceremonial practice.

Mugwort Contraindications

Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

SSRI medication.

A diagnosis of bipolar, schizophrenia or psychosis.

Severe allergies.

Please get in touch if any of these apply and to notify regarding any medications. An alternative infusion wth a more neutral plant such as Rose can be provided but this needs to be arranged at least a few days in advance.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Please ensure that all ticket holders have read this information.

Due to it's stimulating effect, shamanic drum journeying is contraindicated during pregnancy & the following,

•Epilepsy at any point in your life.

•Pace maker or cochlear implant

•Severe diagnosed mental health conditions.

•Metal implants - note that sound vibrations may be felt in implants or joint replacements.

•Severe Tinnitus

Your Guide

Maria Chr

Description supplied by the event organiser.