Children of earth and starry heaven!
You are invited to
JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNDERWORLD . . .
THROUGH DARKNESS
A Samhain celebration
Thursday, October 12 – Sunday, October 15, 2023
Brooks Memorial Retreat Center & Group Camp – Goldendale, WA
We hope you will join us for these rites of death and rebirth inspired by the Orphic and Eleusinian traditions, and marked by a
SOLAR ECLIPSE!
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The main events: ¨ Dawn on Saturday: drumming out the forces of confusion and disruption believed by ancient people to accompany a solar eclipse. These unwelcome energies were dispelled by making some noise! The eclipse will be visible from about an hour after sunrise to around 10:40 a.m., with 85% – 90% peak coverage. This time will be available to clear our inner and outer space as we watch the eclipse, drink our coffee, and make ourselves ready for the Lesser and Greater Mysteries. ¨ Lesser Rites of Purification: Our Mysteries will be guided by Greek deities associated with rites of death and rebirth. As the eclipse passes, the community will prepare through the Lesser Rites of purification and reclaiming of personal power before undertaking the Greater Rites. ¨ Greater Rites Saturday Night: a facilitated journey into and out of the Underworld, to be reborn under the new moon on Saturday night. (PLEASE NOTE: These Rites are intended to be psychologically intense, and are restricted to adults and mature teens with parental consent. We will offer post-ritual gatherings for those who wish to discuss or process their experiences.) ¨ Sunday offerings: When our time with the spirit world comes to a close, we will gather for ancestor remembrances and offerings at Sunday breakfast and share our final community harvest feast for the weekend. (All ages are welcome to participate in ancestor remembrances and other weekend activities). ¨ Workshops and Friday field-trip: Throughout the weekend we will offer workshops, crafts, meditation areas, and activities to bring you in tune with the season and assist you in your connection with the powers and lessons of your journey through death and rebirth – as well as a Friday trip to the Goldendale Observatory night show! (The Observatory show is free. Parking is free with Discover Pass; otherwise $10 per vehicle.) |
Join us for:
– The Lesser and Greater Mysteries of the Underworld
– Ancestor remembrances
– Solar eclipse viewing
– Friday the 13th
– Goldendale Observatory night show
– The new moon
– Workshops & pagan craft activities
– Community harvest potluck feasts
– Drumming & dancing
– Facilitated meditation spaces
– Devotions to the gods of pre-classical / classical Greece and Rome
This is an invitation-only event and space is limited to 50-70 attendees. If you would like us to extend this invitation to additional friends and members of your tribe, please email journeythroughdarkness2023@
Our Site
features cabins and (limited) tent camping, a lodge and fully-equipped modern kitchen, and modern indoor bathrooms / showers. Cabins are shared and accommodate 10 per cabin. Cabin camping is first-come, first-serve: we recommend you arrive on Thursday to secure a cabin space. Please coordinate with your group / tribe if you want to share a cabin with specific guests. An estimated 40-50 cabin spaces are available. The park does not allow the smoking of anything inside the cabins or lodge space. Cabins are no-fire spaces. Camp stoves are allowed outdoors.
Our site is also located immediately next to the amazing St. John’s Monastery & Bakery, offering a wide selection of Greek meals and pastries including vegan and gluten-free selections! Camp site kitchen, lodge, and other site areas may not be open-access at all times, as some areas will be set aside when needed as sacred spaces for our rites and activities. While we will share several community potluck feasts and a community kitchen, please plan to bring your own food and camp stove / kitchen necessities, your own camp bedding, and eye protection for viewing the solar eclipse.
https://www.parks.wa.gov/482/Brooks-Memorial
COVID
COVID is NOT on our guest list. Please bring dated photo proof of recent negative COVID test (taken within 24 hours of the event, home / rapid test is fine, take a picture with your phone). We will be sharing space, so we ask that all guests be respectful of our community’s health and safety.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN:
PASSWORD: Luna Journey
You will be asked to select cabin or tent camping on your registration. Please be aware that some cabins have bunk beds. If you are able-bodied and willing, we encourage you to select an upper bunk, and thank you for your courtesy towards guests with mobility needs!
Please contact us with RV requests. We will have a limited number of RV spaces. journeythroughdarkness2023@yahoo.com
REQUESTED CONTRIBUTION
$100 per adult
$35 per teen (ages 13-17)
$20 per child (ages 3-12)
Children under 3 are free
**Early registration price: Rates will go up on July 1, 2023**
** Are you inspired to offer a workshop? Please respond to journeythroughdarkness2023@yahoo.com with your proposal! **