CANCELLED DUE TO FLOOD Falling Leaves Moon & Samhain Fire & Sharing Circle

Moon Phase Circles and various moon rituals have been held for many centuries, probably thousands of years, to mark the changing cycles.

Seasonal Celebrations and Festivals too have long been honoured with ritual, providing s9gnificant and meaningful milestones along our annual journey around our bright star, the Sun.

Full moon celebrations tend to focus on gratitude for what we have, or have been given.

The October moon has many names, but my favourite is the Falling Leaves Moon, as this is the season when the trees let go of their leaves. A time for gathering in our resources in oreparation for the coming Winter and for shedding what no longer serves us, so we do not waste energy trying to sustain something that does not support our survival at this time.

The history of Hallowe'en, All Hallows Eve, Samhain, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and Day of the Dead is complex and woven through many nations, societies and belief systems. We'll explore how we came to our modern day Hallowe'en and it's modern traditions, and how this connects us back to Mother Earth and our ancestors.

We will meet at the car park at the School of Sustainable Living & Wellbeing at 7pm.

Then we will walk by candlelight to the fire circle, where we will settle ourselves into a circle around the fire.

You will need to wear waterproof boots or wellies, waterproof outer clothing and bring something waterproof to sit on.

There are wooden benches and chairs to sit on but they may be wet.

You may prefer to bring a small stool or camping chair.

If you would like to bring a small artefact that has meaning to you, to set around the fire, within the circle and under the full moon, please do.

We will open the circle with a greeting and a poem.

Then I will lead us in some mindful breathing and a short meditation.

Coming out of meditation, I will invite everyone to move and stretch

We will then spend a little time considering the meaning Hallowe'en, and of the Moon's name, their recognised spiritual meaning and their meaning to each of us.

We will then share something to eat and drink in circle together.

Afterwards I will invite you to join once again in circle where we will each have an opportunity to speak about something that is on our minds.

We will use a ‘speaking stick’ to show who’s turn it is to speak and then that person can first introduce themselves to the group and then take some time (5-10 minutes) to talk about whatever they want to talk about, with no interruptions, while everyone else listens attentively in silence, offering no judgements, no suggestions, no solutions and no advice. Just holding space.

The circle is intentionally limited in number of people, so that each person has a chance to speak if they want to.

You may want to speak about your life, your thoughts, worries, concerns, successes, hopes, intentions, stories, poems, difficulties, experiences, perhaps something you have never said but have wanted or needed to speak aloud, or anything at all.

Anyone who prefers not to speak, simply passes the stick along.

After the ‘speaking stick’ has completed it’s journey once around the circle, there will be an opportunity for anyone who didn’t speak the first time, to take the stick and speak if they have decided to do so.

All that is said in circle remains confidential and stays in the circle.

If you want to there is also the option to bring paper messages (or sticks imbued with meaning), (about worries, feelings, bad experiences, etc.), to throw into the fire, to clear away unwanted issues and open to new opportunities.

Or you could do this to add fire and energy to new hopes, dreams and aspirations. These can remain private to you or you can share if you wish to.

Then we will invite the spirits of our ancestors to join us as we dance in the Samhain & Moon circle.

Then we will join hands in a seamless circle of community, love and support, and after a closing blessing, for those who want to join in, we will howl at the moon.

Then at around 9pm, we will pick up our belongings, and walk back with our candles to the car park and say our farewells.

OTHER INFORMATION

if you wish to bring additional refreshments we ask that you respect our vegan values and only bring plant based foods and drinks.

We also request that you do not bring single use plastic bottles as we have signed the Dopper Pledge to not have these on site.

HOW TO FIND US – INPORTANT PLEASE NOTE

Access to the farm by vehicle is via Truro Avenue, Murton, SR7 9LG.

(this is NOT the farm postcode, which, in many satellite navigation systems, provides the wrong directions).

On foot or bicycle, the farm can be accessed by various surrounding footpaths from Murton, Seaton, or Dalton le Dale.

Number 61 bus stops in Truro Avenue, near the start of the farm lane, which is located between numbers 42 and 43 Truro Avenue.

There is free parking in the farmyard.

There is a compost loo and outdoor urinals.

Hand washing is available.

There is a small shop where you can purchase our products.