Friday, October 30th

1pm Gate Opens for Arrivals

Ongoing: Community Fire for drumming, conversation and warmth

1:30 PM Procession to Cemetery 

Gather by the barn for procession to Cemetery

2pm Opening Circle & Cemetery Cleaning with Lisa & Amy Dove

Join us for our opening ritual at Circle’s Green Cemetery. Here we will begin our weekend by welcoming and honoring ancestors who have shown us how to live in resilience. All those teachers, mentors, friends and relations who have gone before. We remember those buried here on Circle land and those we carry in our hearts. What is remembered lives and we will call their names at this time when the veil is thin, asking them to join us this weekend in community through darkness and into light! Hail the travelers on their day!

2pm Labyrinth Opens

The labyrinth will be open all weekend, allowing participants to walk the path when called.

4pm Praying in Color with Becky Malke in the Temple Room

Since ancient times, people have honored their dearly departed through meaningful acts of remembrance. In this intergenerational workshop, participants will settle their bodies and minds while focusing on a loved one who has passed. We will then create a visual prayer—drawing, doodling, and coloring around the person’s name—to form a beautiful keepsake infused with memory and intention. Participants are welcome to bring a photo or cherished item belonging to their loved one to deepen their connection during the practice.

6pm Dinner served behind the farmhouse

9pm Witch’s Ball in the Temple Room with The Tooles

Let’s party & celebrate the turning of the wheel! Music, snacks, dancing and more. Costumes welcome. Welcome back the Tooles! They have created their own fiery brand of Irish pub music. Combining traditional tunes with powerful originals and a few favorite pub songs, Amy, Peter, and Kurt bring together influences from Dublin to Nashville, with a bit of Midwestern grit thrown in.

Saturday, October 31st

Ongoing: Labyrinth

Ongoing: Community Fire for drumming, conversation and warmth

8am-9am Continental Breakfast in the Summer Kitchen

9am Newcomer Meet & Greet in the Summer Kitchen with Leigh

Join us if you are new to Circle land; if you haven’t been here in a while; and if you have insights that you’d like to share. We will be discussing the land, the space, and the festival.

10am Annual Meeting in the Temple Room

Participate in a review of Circle Sanctuary's activities over the past year, recognition of the contributions of volunteers and staff, and presentation of the Annual Report.

Noon Lunch served behind the farmhouse

1:30pm Making Magic at Samhain & Halloween with Selena Fox in the Temple Room

Explore ways of crafting & evolving personal and household Samhain traditions, meditations, & rituals. Examine differences between Samhain and Halloween as well as some ways of incorporating Halloween lore, symbols, and customs into Samhain celebrations.  This workshop culminates with a Samhain amulet blessing rite -- wear or bring a pentacle pendant or other amulet to energize for protection, resilience, and wellbeing. 

This workshop will be livestreamed.  To register:  https://circlesanctuary.org/event-6849852

 3pm Painting the Cave of the Ancestors with Amy Dove in the Temple Room

This special workshop will prepare us for the intentions of the main ritual. We will share stories of those we honor in memory while we stamp their names and feats of resilience onto our “wall of remembrance”. Be prepared to get a little ‘art messy’ and learn the chants for the main ritual.

4:30pm Silent Auction/Raffle Ends

Meet at the Raffle Tent for the always exciting awarding of prizes! You must be present (or send a proxy) to win!

6pm Dinner is served behind the farmhouse

8pm Main Ritual with Amy Dove in the heated tent

Bring ancestor altar items with you and gather at the entrance of the heated tent where our main ritual will begin. Dress in layers for warmth. Ritual will conclude at the Bonfire Cirlce.

After Ritual: Drumming Resilient Brilliance with Shouting Mountain & the Coven of the Drum

A guided drum circle to draw your inner strength and fire up your blood. Bring your drum, rythm instrument or just yourself as we explore the beats that move us and our bodies.

Sunday, November 1st

Ongoing Labyrinth

Ongoing Community Fire for drumming, conversation and warmth

Ongoing Ancestor Altar Cleanup - please retrieve your decorations & tokens

8am-9am Continental Breakfast in the Summer Kitchen

9am Samhain Mindful Nature Walk with Dennis Carpenter

Join Dennis in front of the main entrance to the barn for a meditative walk to the cemetery.  Along the way, we will explore how connecting more deeply with Nature and being more present in the here-and-now can enhance the resilience to deal with what needs to be done and with approaching Winter.  The walk will culminate with an honoring of the dead in the cemetery.  Be prepared to walk in various weather conditions, including sturdy shoes. 

10:30am Tools for Fostering Resilience with Christopher S.

As we prepare to return to our homes and local communities, this workshop will provide practical skills for maintaining resilience through the dark months ahead.

Noon Labyrinth Closes

Noon Lunch served behind the farmhouse

1:30pm Closing Ritual with Leigh in the Temple Room

3pm Final Departures

Cancellation Policy: Written cancellations with refund requests received five days before the event will be issued after the event, less 15% fee for processing.  No refunds will be granted for cancellations made less than five days before the start of the event. 

TO BRING:

• An item or two to donate for the Raffle/Silent Auction.
• Ritual garb appropriate for the time of the year.
• Your own bottle/cup for water, and/or a mug for coffee & tea.
• Drum, rattle, or other musical instrument.
• A pen and notebook to take notes during workshops.
• Camping gear: tent, sleeping bag, pillow, air mattress, flashlight, personal toiletries, biodegradable soap/shampoo, clothing and footwear for all kinds of weather, insect and tick repellant

DO NOT BRING:

• Any peanut products or peanuts due to severe airborne allergy of several attendees!
• Unregistered people - no at gate registration
• Pets
• Firearms or fireworks
• Illegal drugs  (THC is not legal in Wisconsin even for medicinal use)