Everyone is invited to the OAO Temple Haus (501c3), a nonprofit multicultural Temple located in Missoula, for tonight's Samhain (Halloween) ritual. 18 , unless with written parental consent. 21 strictly for alcohol (BYOB). Please bring a $5 event fee, and please text or call 406.207.1171 if you have any questions :) Here is the event text ......

Everyone is invited to take part in our annual Samhain fire ceremony on Halloween evening, this Friday. The gathering is from 7:30pm onward (please arrive before ritual smudging begins at 9:15).

Be sure to bring your poppet or banishing item to throw on the fire. For those unfamiliar, our annual Hallow's festival includes a two-part fire ceremony. The first part is to burn items to release to the Universe, which everyone is also welcome to bring. This is akin to a cosmic recycling program: by burning old spells, charms, letters or significant items, the energy can carry into the Universe to peacefully weave itself into the universal life-force. The second part is a banishing fire, where everyone chants and projects their energy into the fire while the "banishing" items are burned. These banishing items generally include poppets (dolls that represent a person's dark side, negative thinking, etc.) and other sachet-charms, pieces of paper, and so on. Please note that you do not have to tell others what you are banishing. Cast those negative hindrances to the fire, whatever they are! There is no "right way" to make an item for the fire: do what feels natural and is psychologically cathartic and spiritually significant to you personally. Please ensure that all items thrown into the fire are made of all-natural materials and are combustible. Please email, ring or text for any advice or suggestions. Note: Between 7-9pm we can help people finish up their banishing spells by providing herbs that are magickally aligned to one's purpose. These can be stuffed in one's bag, poppet, or what-have-you. We were sure to stock up on "banishing" herbs for this purpose. This service is free, but donations are accepted to help keep herbs stocked. (We can also help guests with herbs during Thursday's movie night.) Note: Please bring drums or musical instruments if you have any! OAO will also have rattles and shakers available from the Temple Room for public use.

We are happy to announce that the talented Blair Logan will bless us with belly dancing while the "releasing" items are being sent off into the Universe. This will help conduct the ritual energy and get things moving! Blair has been training as a World Fusion belly dancer since 2005 and teaching since 2008. Her training began with Tribal Fusion international instructor Geneva Bybee during her time in Missoula. This introduction to belly dance led to World Fusion belly dance lessons with Geri Rose at the Red Tent Dance Studio. She soon became an instructor and has since studied with many instructors from various stylizations of the dance, was one of the founders of the Hypsy Gypsies troupe in Missoula, and currently teaches and performs throughout Montana.

As always, we ask that guests bring "snackable" food or drink items to share with others if they are able, as well as a $5 event fee to help cover costs. Alcohol is okay. (Please note that no one is ever turned away due to lack of funds; we always have fun work-trade to offer in exchange!)

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN!

Love always,

OAO