Here in Scotland there is no doubt that this cross-quarter day in the 8-fold year has been marked since time out of mind. In the Scots Gaelic it is Samhuinn, a festival later Christianised as All Hallow’s Eve, transported over the ocean to the Americas and brought back to us via Hollywood as Hallowe’en.
Stories, meanings and traditions change from region to region and have evolved over time but here on this land, the monuments, myths, lore and traditions all provide evidence of a long-standing marker on the wheel of the year.
That this date marking the absolute end of the Big Sun and the time of the Little Sun is still celebrated with such ebullience by a largely secular populace greatly supports its potency, the continuation of culture being such a major casualty of the colonialist and capitalist systems we’re subject to.
The dark season ahead is heralded by the tricksters, soothsayers and story-tellers who tell of a time long linked to the ancestors, the dead, otherworldly realms, ghosts and ghouls, faeries and other ‘elphin’ creatures – what we might now call the unseen. Fire is the element that reigns and so it is that this ritual begins with fire.
This is an art journal ritual exercise so you will need your usual art supplies – full details will be provided in the ritual guide.
Hosted in my exclusive Patreon classroom, this video demo + accompanying guide will be available from 1st November to Clans Adder, Deer + Beastie and is a perfect solitary or communal activity to tend your soulful Samhuinn. Join us by 31st October to take part.
Would love to participate!
Would love that, Marcia! The ritual is made available in the Patreon classroom for those Patrons in Clans Adder, Deer + Beastie. Head on over to the Patreon to find out more. Any questions, just let me know xo
I would love to join you, how does this work?
Hi Peggy 🙂 This is an offer available to Patrons. Patreon is a platform that artists use to allow folks like yourself to support their work. In return for your patronage, you receive rewards like access to these types of event. This event – ASHES to ASHES – is hosted in the exclusive Patreon classroom and will be available for those folks who are members of Clan Adder, Deer or Beastie (these clans refer to the level of patronage) from 1st November. To access, you’d need to join by October 31st. You can head over to Patreon to check out further info on rewards and see what I’m posting there. There’s an intro video + explanatory text and I’m always happy to answer questions 🙂 Hope that explains things …xo
Will you share something with Clan Salmon ? 🙂
Clan Salmon will receive access to the Ashes to Ashes sonic mandala, Helena + a glimpse of the process + what’s coming next in the studio vlogs 🙂
They also just received an art print + handwritten personalised letter from me, but for access to the ritual itself, you’d need to upgrade to Clan Adder, Deer or Beastie – thanks for asking! xo
Thank you Julie and congratulations for your work ( during allí this years). I follow you each time I can ❤️
Thank YOU – I so appreciate your support (and a big welcome to Clan Salmon xo)