The Spirit of Place: A Witches Dance & Samhain Festival
Oct
15
12:30 PM12:30

The Spirit of Place: A Witches Dance & Samhain Festival

Diversity ~ Equity ~ Inclusion ~ Belonging

“Stories help us to imagine a different relationship where people and land are good medicine for each other. ”
— Robin Wall Kimmerer Braiding Sweetgrass

The Spirit of Place: A Samhain Festival is a celebration and honoring of people who walk in our community with dignity and a passion to be in right relationship with what is good and regenerative.

As the world becomes increasingly more complex and challenging, our communities and our connections are more important than ever for our well being and sense of belonging.

For this year’s festival we have invited local people who have tended to what they love long enough to inspire, heal, and offer just the right medicine for the times we live.

What is The Spirit of Place?

The Spirit of Place is what is unique, distinct, and cherished about a place.

It speaks to the invisible weave of stories, art, memories, beliefs, histories that make up a place.

It includes the tangible physical aspects of a place~ the gardens, the trees, the paths, the views, and architecture of a place.

It also encompasses the presence of relatives, friends, kindred spirits, creatures, and past living souls who made their mark on the land we walk.

The Spirit of Place: A Samhain Festival

Is an outdoor festival unlike any other. We invite our community to come to THE FOREST HOUSE to celebrate the end of the harvest season with music and dance, storytelling and poetry. This year we extend a special bow to storytellers and naturalists. history keepers and whimsy makers to warm our hearts well into darker months of winter.

Join us for outdoor fun with live music and dance performances, storytelling, Contra Dancing, food and drink, crafts, and an open PARADE for your delight and if you’d like, you can be IN the parade, too!

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Dec
20
6:00 PM18:00

Winter Solstice Peace Fire

*** NOTE DATE CHANGE*** Due to the predicted rain on Saturday December 18th, we have decided to postpone our celebration until Monday, December 20th

The Forest House will be hosting our annual Winter Solstice Fire Circle to celebrate the darkest time of the year before the return of the sun.

Across the world our ancestors have held this time with sacred observance. No matter what tradition we observe, the interplay of light and dark, endings and beginnings, birth and renewal, can enliven our hearts and minds with wonder and a hint of magic

This Fire Circle is about tending the embers of our inner light and our community connections. We will honor both darkness and light with the medicine of story and the magic of fire.

An opening celebration and solstice story will start at 6:00 in The Forest House amphitheater. Lighting a community yule fire, song and dance, and other guided fire offerings will follow.

SUGGESTED CONTRIBUTION: $10- here’s the link

We'll have hot wassail drink and a hearty soup available.

YOU MUST let us know you are coming so we can prepare appropriately-- text 860 942 9046, or email eastandwestoftheriver.@gmail.com BEFORE DECEMBER 18

The Forest House Dancers will be de-lighting us with a dance prior to the lighting of the Solstice Yule Fire.

  • PLEASE BRING A LARGE MUG/ BOWL FOR YOUR WASSAIL or soup

  • Bring a chair to sit around the fire

  • Dress warmly, wear sturdy boots, the procession to the fire is in the woodlands.

  • Optional: Bring a flashlight, a poem, a story or anything else your heart desires to offer this community celebration.

We are doing our best to make this celebration an eco-friendly event. Here is how you can help: Carpool, and avoid plastic utensils.

Thanks for your consideration to support our sustainable and green aspirations.

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Oct
31
12:00 PM12:00

A Witches Dance and Samhain Festival

Have you ever seen witches dance?

No?

Well, you’re in for a treat when you come to The Forest House on the eve of All Hallows Eve.

This is a community, family friendly outdoor celebration.

Long before Halloween, the Celtic people had a celebration called Samhain, a Gaelic festival to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. 

Join us for outdoor fun with live music and dance performances, faceprinting, storytelling, food and drink, crafts, tarot card readings, and old world charm. 

We’ll have: 

  • Live Owl Presentation with Rose Cristi @ 12:30 p.m.

  • Live music in THE FOREST HOUSE Amphitheater with Kala Farnham @ 1:30 p.m.

  • A Coven of Witches performing A Witches Dance @ 2:30 p.m.

  • Tarot Card Readings (small additional fees apply)

  • Outdoor Ancestor Altar

  • Crafts- Corn Husk Doll Making,

  • Face Painting and games

  • Storytelling

Wheelchair accessible on uneven lawn terrain. Special parking available, please call when you get your tickets to discuss arrangements.

October 31, 2021 RAIN DATE IS NOW IN EFFECT

Become a subscriber of East and West of the River Wellness (it's free) and get a $10 voucher to be used at this event

  • FEE

  • $15/per person (Children under 16 FREE)

  • Subscribers receive a $10 coupon/voucher to use for a Tarot Card Reading

    • Become a subscriber! (fill out our website’s POP UP form to receive a voucher)

      Please Bring:

  • A lawn chair, if you can

  • Your water bottle

  • Wear sturdy footwear, this is an outdoor event on unleveled ground

  • Location:

    THE FOREST HOUSE - 147 Windy Hill Road, Hampton, CT

    PARKING IN FIELD BEFORE HOUSE

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