Ritual starts at 4:30pm, arrive no later than 3:30pm. The Grove will open at 1pm on November 7th to begin decorating for the high rite. The Pumpkin Carving Workshop will begin at 2 pm. Those who intend to participate in the workshop should bring their own pumpkin/ carving utensils. Candles to light them with will be provided.
Times are subject to change, please check before you leave.

• Lore of the Season
  Come join us at Cedar Light Grove for our 2009 Samhain High Rite as we welcome in the winter season of darkness! A night of magic, honor and reverence is planned. Samhain is one of the four Celtic fire festivals, long celebrated in honor of the dead. It is the beginning of the Celtic New Year according to some sources, and many have adopted the custom of celebrating it as such.

  Our 2009 Samhain High Rite intends to focus on the Ancestors (the Mighty Dead) with Manannan MacLir as Gatekeeper, and The Dagda and The Morrigan as our honored Deities. It is appropriate to make offerings to the Ancestors (either Ancestors by blood or those unrelated who have impacted your life) or to the Deities of the evening. Suggested offerings include (but are not limited to!) the following:

  Offerings to Ancestors: Personalized Gifts such as cigars, favorite beer, favorite dishes, items of importance, reading memoirs or letters, etc.

  Offerings to Manannan MacLir may include: Treasures from the Sea, Song, Skilled Craftsmanship, Silver, Dedicate or offer jewelry, Whiskey, anything hand-crafted, etc.

  Offerings to The Dagda may include: Porridge/Oatmeal, Song and Praise, Treasures of the Earth, Stout Beer, Good Food, Anecdotes, Whiskey, Candy, etc.

  Offerings to The Morrigan may include: Roscana style Poetry, Song, Bull’s Blood Wine, Red Wines, Whiskey, Demonstrations of Skill, Red Roses, Dark Chocolate, etc.

  Important note: Oaths are serious business. It is highly recommended that if you make an Oath to any of the Deities present that you keep to them. For example, The Morrigan will hold you to your promises. Do not make your oaths lightly; they are a very serious matter.

  A note on costumes: If you wish to wear a costume to ritual, please be advised that whatever you wear should not distract you from the ritual’s intention. Costumes should not make noise. Dress warmly; it will be cold.

  Bear in mind, there will be two fundraisers occurring this evening:
  There will be a small auction to benefit one of our local animal sanctuaries, Luna’s House. Monetary donations are also accepted. We will also be collecting canned food items to assist families in need for Thanksgiving.

  

• This Rite is a DRY RITE
  Our celebrations are dry, meaning no alcohol permitted except the Waters of Life during ritual.

• Bring a Dish for the Potluck!
  Bring a dish to share for the potluck feast. Your dish should serve approximately 6-10 people. Please label whether your dish has meat or not for our vegetarians. Ritual goers are encouraged to bring masquerade style masks to be worn for much of the ritual, and their own personal set of divinatory tools. (tarot cards, runes, ogham, whichever you wish to use for the personal magic segment) They should also bring one can of food (that you yourself would eat) to donate to our canned food drive.

  Some suggested dishes include:

  • Various fruits for this time of year (apples, raspberries, etc)
  • Baked breads and pastries
  • Pumpkin dishes or orange dishes in general
  • Lots of apple dishes!

• There are cans of sodas and bottled water available at the Grove for 50 cents each. Feel free to contribute beverages to the Grove!

• Dress Warmly
  Check the weather forecast before the ritual. The High Rite will be done outdoors, and it may be chilly. Bring a light jacket and dress warm. If you have a chair you’d like to sit in during the High Rite, we suggest bringing that too.

• Donations
  All CedarLight events have a suggested donation of $10 per person. This can be contributed to Dagda’s Cauldron either at the Grove, or online.

  All donations go towards CedarLight Center bills and upkeep.

• Who?: Our high rites are always open to the public, bring a friend!

• Children and Pets
  Children are welcome to all CedarLight events, but must be attended at all times If your children start running around during ritual or being noisy, you will be asked to escort them out of the sanctuary. We do not yet have children activities planned for this event. Pets however, are not allowed.