Samhain Ancestor/Banishing Ritual & Silent Feast

Hallow's Blessings to all of our dear community members, friends and family near and far. Everyone is invited to take part in our annual fire ceremony on Halloween evening, Wednesday October 31st. The gathering begins at 7:45pm with a nighttime ritual beginning at 9:15 (please ensure arrival by this time). Please see address and contact info below.

Be sure to bring a poppet or banishing item to throw on the fire. For those unfamiliar, our annual Hallow's festivities include a banishing fire. During this portion of the ancestral ritual, participants chant and project energy into the flames while the "banishing" items are burned. These banishing items generally include poppets (dolls that represent a person's dark side, negative thinking, bad habits, etc.) as well as other other sachet-charms, paper petitions, 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 intended for the fire are made of natural materials and are safely combustible. Please email or call for any advice or suggestions for your spells. (landline: 406-926-1802, cell: 406-207-1171) This is a free event. Donations ($10-20 suggested) are lovingly accepted, as they help keep our temple, farm and community center operating healthfully. (The temple's donation box is located by the front door.)

Between 7:45-9pm, members will be available help guests finish up their banishing spells and poppets by providing herbs that are magickally aligned to the purposes, as well as scrap fabric and creative ideas. Please bring drums or musical instruments if you have any! OAO will also have rattles and shakers available for public use. The evening will conclude with a "dumb supper," which is a traditionally silent dinner ceremony that honors the dearly departed. Guests are invited to bring snack items (sustainable if possible) as well as drinks (alcohol is okay if 21 ) and any offerings one wishes to make to the ancestors and spirits of the land. Please also feel free to bring mementos of loved ones who have crossed the veil.

Blessed be always,

OAO Temple Haus
Opus Aima Obscurae (OAO) Temple, Farm & Community Center

Mission Statement: To serve as a rural temple, ceremonial space and educational resource center for the study of global earth-based spirituality; offering a creative multicultural environment for the practice of esoteric rituals, humanities education & community-supported agriculture.

More information: Opus Aima Obscurae, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is Missoula’s first multicultural Neopagan Temple & Farm. OAO's influences range from Wicca to Hinduism, and members believe that love and wisdom can be found in all spiritual paths. OAO frequently offers multicultural workshops, Open Library Days, community farming and gardening, public seasonal ceremonies, Tarot consultations, healing rituals and personal Rites of Passage. They can be reached at temple@opusaimaobscurae.org

Location: 9463 Upper Miller Creek Rd. (4.5 miles UP from Brooks, on the right)
Landline: 406.926.1802 / Cell: 406.207.1171
Web: www.opusaimaobscurae.org & www.facebook.com/opusaimaobscurae