Samhain 2024 Recap
The veils between the worlds are visible here. This was taken in our Druid Circle built by the ADF members a few years ago. A spectacular photo by member Mary Frampton.
Good morning, everyone! Quill here and at your service. This last weekend, we had a tremendous time during our delightful Samhain celebration, filled with laughter, reverence for our ancestors, and of course the awesomeness that only Deeply Rooted Church can provide! I’d like to do a short recap for those in our online community who couldn’t attend.
The pictures taken were by Quill (me) member Mary Frampton and Ali.
On Friday night, I thought I was prepared for the weekend. As folks began to trickle in steadily, I knew we were in for a big weekend! Friday is usually slow, however, more folks came in than expected!
On Saturday, we had a potluck breakfast full of delicious foods. More people steadily arrived. Alittle later than usual, we took our tour of the land. This is a time for new and old members to get a full visual experience of the 160 acres of Deeply Rooted Church. Tour guide Wade Mueller spoke of the history of the church, before when it was owned by his ancestors. Did you know Deeply Rooted Church was a barley farm at one point?
After our exclusive tour of the land, we broke for lunch. When our stomachs were full and happy, it was time for pumpkin carving and making effigies (dolls) to represent our ancestors. Materials for the effigies were thoughtfully donated by our long-time members, John and Kristen. Thank you!
As you can clearly see from the delightful pictures, we had a wonderful mix of folks from various age groups. From our enthusiastic youth to our wise elders, and truly everyone in between, it was a veritable tapestry of community! There was engaging and thought-provoking conversation covering a range of topics, from Samhain practices to fascinating stories of our cherished ancestors, along with discussions about the fun and imaginative books we’ve read throughout the sunny summer months. We also eagerly shared our plans for the upcoming winter season, full of hope and excitement!
Our newest member, Ali, hailing all the way from the vibrant and bustling Twin Cities, took the fantastic photos which are coming up next. I truly can’t thank Ali enough for her generous contribution to our blog. She captures the unique essence of our community while providing a delightful array of different views of the property that truly highlight its charm.
Samhain Ritual
This year, I had an astounding number of wonderful people volunteering to help with the ritual, and that’s always a major and heartfelt contribution. Running a ritual, especially when drum roll—53 enthusiastic people show up—is both exhilarating and quite challenging! We had an amazing turnout of individuals, a delightful mix of familiar faces and brand new ones that brightened the day! I want to personally extend my heartfelt thanks to all the incredible members who made it happen: Paisley Woodside, Mary Frampton, Ali, Kristin & John, John Robinson, Mindy Murkley, Phoebe & Miranda Frank, and so many more! Your support means the world!
Our ritual went off without a hitch, like a well-oiled machine functioning with perfect precision. We called the names of our ancestors with reverence, made thoughtful offerings to honor their memories, participated in a serene guided meditation, and reminisced about all the wonderful good times we shared with them. One of the enlightening ideas that I would like to leave with everyone is that Samhain isn’t just the only time we can talk to our dearly departed; it's more like a glorious reminder!
All year long, no matter the season or occasion, our ancestors - intricately connected to us through our very DNA and shared experiences - can help guide us if we’re willing to take the time to pause and remember them in our hearts and minds.
As you can see, we had a full weekend. Another thank you to all who came! Don’t forget that the Artio Writing Retreat is in 11 short days! See you there!
