This year TAPA joined forces with Durham’s local conjure shop, Thaumaturgy 777. We helped out with the shop’s 2nd annual Halloween/Samhain festival, and at the end of a fun and busy day we facilitated a multi-tradition Samhain festival.
The festival featured vendors, diviners, children’s activities, and food and snacks. But most of all, the festival presented an opportunity for Pagans and other friendly people to just get together to hang out. Samhain is considered by many to be a major holiday, and it’s important to share meals, conversations, and laughter during holidays. What a blessing to be able to gather with dozens of beautiful, magical people!
Since TAPA’s steerage committee is comprised of individuals from different traditions, our ritual structure is a combination of elements from many ritual formats. We gave offerings to land and local spirits, ancestors, and Deities. We called the names of our Blessed Dead, and we walked the directions, giving honor to our homes and communities. Blessings were offered during the ritual (featuring a special oil blend prepared by Magus of Thaumaturgy 777) as people pondered the gifts to be offered from the past, present, and future.
At the conclusion of the ritual (with everyone huddled around the fire!) we drew runes, giving the group an oracle to help guide them into the New Year. The runes offer a challenging but essentially straightforward guidance. Things may be cold, yes. Things may be challenging, yes. It may seem like we are not moving forward. But in the end, the ice will thaw. The crops will grow. And most of all, the sun will return, shine brightly, and give us the strength and power we need to preserve and be fruitful.
We also met some really great and friendly people. We’re excited to make connections with others in the Triangle area, and we’re glad to offer support in the ways that we are able to solitaries and to groups. If there’s something TAPA can help you with, let us know! We are pleased to contribute to a healthy and vibrant Triangle Pagan community, and we can’t do it without you!
All in all, it was a lovely day and a lovely ritual, and we’re very thankful for Magus and Kate over at Thaumaturgy 777. Thank you for providing a Pagan-friendly space for us to gather in and to celebrate together. Thanks to all who attended the festival and to those who participated in the TAPA ritual. We hope to see you again soon at our Hecate at the Crossroads Ritual, which will be Sunday November at Thaumaturgy 777. Gather at 1pm, ritual at 130pm. (We will be announcing more details of this soon, closer to the date!)
Most of all, Happy Halloween, Blessed Samhain, joyous Day of the Dead, happy new year, and glorious turn of the seasons!
Blessings to all, on this day and all others!
with love from your friends at the Triangle Area Pagan Alliance