​​Annual Samhain Celebration
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Samhain will be on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis.
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Cultures all over the world have holidays around November 1 honoring and celebrating those who have gone before, such as All Saints Day and Dia de los Muertos, that make up the origins of what we celebrate as Halloween*. Samhain is one of the eight Wheel of the Year holidays, celebrated by many people who practice Pagan or Earth-based spirituality. Full Circle's Samhain event is centered around walking the labyrinth where participants are invited to walk the labyrinth in honor of their ancestors. It is a beautiful, healing way to be present in loss and to honor our beloved dead. Some years, we wept in grief, smiled at memories and others, we have found peace.
About this Ritual
Full Circle has been hosting a Samhain observance and labyrinth walk since 1997. Since then, this solemn ritual has been offered yearly with very little exception. Samhain translates to “Summer’s End” in ancient Gaelic. It is a holiday that reminds us that all seasons come to an end, and as such, it is a holiday dedicated to honoring endings in our lives--including the end of life. In this ritual we honor people in our lives who have passed away--our beloved dead. During our ritual we have time to call out the names of those we are remembering and we participate in a walking meditation in their honor in the labyrinth.
Content Awareness
This ritual is one of remembrance–there may be smiles and laughter as we fondly remember good times; there will likely also be tears and sadness. This ritual may call up strong feelings, please know that these feelings are welcome here. Also that if you choose to keep these feelings at a distance, that is fine, too. It is important to note that tonight’s ritual is offered as a spiritual practice. While spiritual practice can be a part of a person’s overall wellness, it is not a replacement for professional physical or mental healthcare. If you or someone you know needs support, please seek professional help.
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Join Us At The UUCA Labyrinth
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Our Samhain celebration will be on Saturday, November 1st with the ritual beginning at 7:00pm using the outdoor labyrinth & memorial garden on the UUCA grounds. If you can't attend in person and would like your ancestors' names to be read at our in-person ritual, please send them to fullcircleuuca@gmail.com.
This year, in lieu of ancestor altars, we will create nature mandalas. You’re invited to bring natural materials (flowers, pinecones, leaves, etc.) to add to this shared work. You are invited to bring a small/easy to eat sweet or savory food item for shared feasting afterwards.
​Please dress for the outdoors and bring a camp chair if desired. In case of rain, we’ll move the celebration indoors.
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This event is open to all adults, due to the solemn nature of this event, we recommend adults only.
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Email fullcircleuuca@gmail.com with any questions.
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Other Solar Holidays
We periodically host additional Solar Holidays as the group's energy permits.
Check the Facebook Event's page for upcoming dates.
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*"Halloween... has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “SAH-win”), a Pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor saints. Soon after, All Saints Day came to incorporate some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before All Saints Day was known as All Hallows Eve, and later, Halloween.” (Thomas, 2021).
Thomas, H. (2021) The origins of Halloween traditions: Headlines & heroes, The Library of Congress.
Available at: https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2021/10/the-origins-of-halloween-traditions/
(Accessed: 20 October 2024).
