Below is the video of the Samhain Celtic Ceremony by Dr. Karen Ward and John Cantwell, originally aired live on October 31st, 2024.
THE CELTIC FESTIVAL OF SAMHAIN
Join SSP Board Member Dr. Karen Ward and John Cantwell of Ireland for Samhain, our next Cross-Quarter Celtic Holiday Ceremony.
If there is a glorious moment where all the energies of the Celtic seasonal festivals end and enter a new cycle, it is at Samhain. Unique energies of Nature that embrace us halfway between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice deliver us into Samhain, (pronounced Sow-whin). While the light in our days has been fading since the Equinox behind us, our Ancestors held the coming of darkness as the setting for new life to begin, we remember their wisdom. Just as they saw dusk as the true beginning of a new day, so Samhain’s delivery of us into darkening days is a delivery into Nature’s New Year. We are born in darkness during the nine months or thereabouts in our mother’s womb. The darkness is where life begins, quietly, beautifully and to the ordinary eye, unseen. The experience of Samhain is a profound festival of renewal, our Ancestors spoke of “the veils between the Worlds being thin”, their eloquent vision of a change in the weave of time and space at this special moment in the year’s turning. Samhain is a portal as much of death as birth, with the wet, decomposing leaves on the ground as the seeds germinate in the dark soil.
Samhain’s guide and guardian at the true beginning of Winter is An Cailleach, The Crone (On-Kal-y-ack), the personification Winter’s expressions as we, like animals and plants, are called to quieten, rest, go within and ease into the contemplative rhythm of hibernation. We are delighted to offer you a unique opportunity to join us live online from your home for ceremony to lift you into harmony with the colder, darker evenings with some of the many wonderful rituals associated with the Crone An Cailleach, Samhain and the Winter season.
HOW TO PREPARE
Create sacred ceremonial space in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed by other people or loud noises. Make a small altar, light a candle and have your drum, and rattle available if you would like, as well as paper and pen. Darken your room if possible and allow yourself to be fully present.