Samhain Ritual 2026

Sunday 1st November 2026

10:30 for 11:00 start - 13:30 (approx.)

About Samhain

The word Samhain is pronounced Sow (as in Cow) Inn, and is sometimes written in the Old Scottish Gaelic form as ‘Samhuinn’. It is said that at this special time of Samhain, the veil that separates the worlds is at its thinnest. So our world, the world of Faerie, and that of the dead, blend as one. On this night, the Cailleach (the Crone) comes to strip the leaves from the trees, to quicken the decay of the flesh of the year, so that it may feed the new life to come. We can also ask Her to take the unwanted aspects of our personal year away, so that these too might be transformed. (from the OBOD website)

The days start to shorten as the balance of light and dark, witnessed at Alban Elfed (the Autumn Equinox), gives way to the oncoming night and we turn inwards to look for warmth and shelter away from colder, crueler weather. Our flocks and family are our priority for the Winter; survival is now the spiritual focus of our minds and bodies. Those that have passed on before us return to strengthen our resolve and show us that with inevitable decay must come new life in the spring.

Meeting place

Meet us at: Either The 'Meeting Location' (in blue) at 10:30, outside the Cambridge Museum of Technology, facing the river. If you're new, you may wish to meet us and any other newcomers beforehand.

OR

The 'Gathering Location' (in yellow) at 10:45/50 on Stourbridge Common itself.

Running late?

To join us if you are running late, walk straight into the Common with the river on your left, keep straight as you pass a children's playground to your right and as you enter the open fields down a wide dirt track, look to your left for a group of trees. Hopefully, you won't miss us!

First time with us?

If you have never attended or taken part in a pagan/druidic/OBOD ceremony, worry not! Our ceremonies are flexible, open to whatever you would like to contribute and are proudly inclusive of all identities. There are simple ceremony roles to have a go at, with pre-prepared lines to read out, but there is no obligation whatsoever to do so. Details of the roles will be sent out in advance of the ceremony. If you'd like to have an idea of what's involved, please get in touch with us.

Preparation for the day

All registered attendees will be sent a link to the ritual script booklet online as well as a preparation coversheet containing details of what to prepare/bring a week before the event and parts that are available to take on. Volunteers will need to bring key ritual items for the ceremony, though all are welcome to lay any personal items in the altar space we create.

Please do print your own booklet for the day, once you've registered and have received the ceremony pack nearer the date, especially if you have a speaking role in the ceremony or if you would like to read along with us. This is not essential as you are welcome to come and simply soak up the words and actions performed by others. As 'herald' at each event, I will lead the ceremony and ensure everything runs smoothly.

We are mindful of the weather and dress appropriately, bringing water, a hat, suntan cream, coat, warm layers and/or waterproofs, etc. Come rain or shine, hail or snow, we meet! In periods of continued heavy rainfall, the common can become waterlogged and boggy so waterproof footwear, for this time of year, may be required.

After the ceremony

After the ceremony has finished, we may head over to the Green Dragon pub for a drink, a possible bite to eat and to further ground our energies. You'd be most welcome to come with us or join us later: https://goo.gl/maps/U2LAsxYC4eUVkPEFA

Eisteddfod

In keeping with the practices of Welsh Druidry, we host a small eisteddfod after each ceremony, perhaps with some mead! This is a relaxing way to ground ourselves after working up energies in the rite and it gives us an opportunity to simply share social space with everyone.

'Eisteddfod' simply means 'to sit' in Welsh, or more accurately in this context, 'sitting and sharing together', to enjoy a festival of creativity. Those that wish to perform, talk or play for those gathered are warmly encouraged to do so and as bardistry forms such an integral part of practising Druidry, this is a great way to share your latest creative musings, on whatever journey you might be taking, with a very appreciative audience.

Our grove song

Prior to Samhain 2024, a grove song was suggested by one of our members and together, we sang this tune: 'Follow the Heron' by Karine Polwart. Have a listen if you'd like to join us in singing this song once again.

Keeping in touch

The grove has an Instagram page (@corrreiscgrove) and a personal Whatsapp group that we are happy for you to join, once we have met you in person. Through both channels, we communicate our ritual events and other activities though Instagram allows us to connect with wider pagan/druidic/environmental ideas and issues whereas our Whatsapp group remains a decluttered space for simple sharing of pagan events, personal recommendations and thoughts on books, walks, films etc.

Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with this and future events and please do get in contact if you have any questions.

We look forward to seeing you for our first celebration of the year,

Corr réisc Grove.