Samhain 2007 'Festival News' by Sarah Partridge

Contents of Festival News

Sarah writes about Samhain
How have YOU grown this year - an exercise to review your personal development
Create a Gateway to Winter Mandala
Honour your 'Ancestral Gifts'
Samhain poems
Kaaren writes more about this Celtic Festival
Page down for Samhain gatherings and workshops, and advance notice of our Winter Solstice celebrations
News from Orchard Barn

Kaaren writes more about this festival

'Samhain, "summer's end" to our fore-farmers, now comes at a time when daylight is even less usable as the clocks go back and darkness seems to swallow us up. If we follow nature's pattern we too will begin to withdraw from outer activity and start our inner work: reflection on the year past, what needs to be discarded, what we wish to bring forward into the coming year. Hence the bonfire – burning rubbish and illumination.

Also embracing the darkness at Samhain allows us to make contact with those who are no longer active in this life, those who have passed on, who have given us our inheritance. By remembering them we contact the wisdom in ourselves which they gave us.' Kaaren Whitney 2006



	Contents of Festival News Sarah writes about Samhain How have YOU grown this year - an exercise to review your personal development Create a Gateway to Winter Mandala Honour your 'Ancestral Gifts' Samhain poems Kaaren writes more about this Celtic Festival Page down for Samhain gatherings and workshops, and advance notice of our Winter Solstice celebrations News from Orchard Barn Kaaren writes more about this festival 'Samhain, "summer's end" to our fore-farmers, now comes at a time when daylight is even less usable as the clocks go back and darkness seems to swallow us up. If we follow nature's pattern we too will begin to withdraw from outer activity and start our inner work: reflection on the year past, what needs to be discarded, what we wish to bring forward into the coming year. Hence the bonfire – burning rubbish and illumination. Also embracing the darkness at Samhain allows us to make contact with those who are no longer active in this life, those who have passed on, who have given us our inheritance. By remembering them we contact the wisdom in ourselves which they gave us.' Kaaren Whitney 2006 Samhain celebrations Saturday 20th (7pm) - Sunday 21st (10am) October at Sanctuary in Suffolk. Dance Journey overnight quest - 'Honouring your Ancestral Wisdom' PAUSE - reflect on the passing year, take time to connect with your latent gifts, celebrate where you are in your life. Small, supportive group. Led by Sarah Partridge and Peta Jane £39/28 before 1st October or £35/44 after (includes refreshments and breakfast) Bookings Sunday 28th October 4 - 7pm celebrate Samhain with like-minded others at HEARTH, heart-centred council, shared lunch, ceremony, no cost. Email Jackie for more details Sunday 11th November afternoon/early evening community ceremony to celebrate Samhain, in beautiful meadow, North Suffolk, no cost, email Kaaren for more details Winter Solstice celebration Saturday 15th December 7 - 10pm -Fund raising evening for OBee. Poems read by Kaaren Whitney, Songs, Circle Dance and Ceremony at Sanctuary, Suffolk. Bring supper to share. Email Sarah Photographs by Tony Mounter Click here to Do you have any news, photos, poems you would like to contribute? Or advance notice of festival celebrations. If so, please contact Sarah
Edible ways to mark Samhain Be creative with apples Go on a Fungi Foray and learn what is safe to eat Collect Sweet Chestnuts and roast over an open fire Pick some Sloes and soak in gin and sugar. Shake daily for the first month, then attempt to forget till next Samhain! Wrap some large potatoes in foil and bake in a wood fire