There’s something about the energy around Samhain that always stirs something deep in me. Most years, I mark it quietly with a small personal ritual that helps me tune into the potency of this time. I like to think about my ancestors; the people, land, and creatures that form my constellation. I invite them closer to remember who, what, and where I come from. It’s a way of honouring the living story that is unfolding through me in this lifetime.
Historically, rituals and ceremonies have been a part of the invisible architecture of our culture in Scotland for centuries. Today, we still observe many festivals that mark the seasonal turning points of nature in the annual cycle, such as Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasa.
Rituals have a way of anchoring us, offering meaning, rhythm, and ceremony in a world that can often feel fast-paced or hollow. Whether it’s the quiet ritual of a morning cup of tea, the marking of a life transition, or a seasonal celebration, these acts help us pause and connect. They remind us of what matters, weaving intention into the everyday and offering a sense of belonging in both personal and collective ways.
In Ancestral GOLD, I share my annual ritual of honouring and connecting with ancestors on Samhain (Sau- ihn), which is the ancient Celtic pagan festival that came before Halloween. I’ll show you how you can gather the stories from your own lineage through creative writing and use your writing as a way to ‘see’ more deeply into the GOLD that exists in the treasures of your heritage.
Why Samhain? Samhain is the perfect time to look for the gold that can be mined from your family and ancestral experiences to learn more about who you are and to explore these stories through writing creatively. There is a potency to this day (and the days surrounding it) as millions of people reflect on the end of the ‘light’ half of the year (birth) and the beginning of the ‘dark’ half of the year (death), consider life/death/mortality, their ancestors, and have an openness to connect with the energy/spirit of those who came before them.
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
Ancestral GOLD is a 2.5-hour online creative and reflective writing workshop held on the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
You’ll receive a PDF of personal reflective writing prompts to explore in your own time before the live workshop.
We’ll tap into the magic of this day through guided meditation and visual journey. You’ll explore the living stories of your unique family constellation and gather the gold or ancestral medicine of these stories to weave into your creative writing.
We’ll work with creative writing as a way to ‘see’ - to develop stories, poems and other forms of writing that reveal the depth and mysteries of your ‘living stories’ through the process itself.
We’ll explore the stories that live within treasured objects.
You’ll generate new writing, for example, poetry, micro fiction, the development of a character in your fiction novel, or insightful pieces of descriptive or reflective writing.
You’ll connect with and receive inspiration from others through their unique stories, with space to share your experience and/or writing at the end (sharing your writing is, of course, optional).
A Gentle Note: Be aware that we will not ONLY be writing. My workshops often include gentle, embodied movement, sound, visuals, meditation or other somatic practices. Please know that all these activities, including any movement, are entirely optional. You are welcome to participate at your own comfort level, ensuring everyone feels welcomed and safe.
The Ancestral GOLD workshop provides opportunities for personal growth and creative inspiration that stem from within your own story.
WHY WRITING?
Writing (and every form of creative expression) can offer us a bridge of connection to ourselves, each other and to life itself.
When we write, we are connecting with ‘something’. That ‘something’ can be a spiritual connection, it can be to the vault of memories and stories that we all carry within us. It can be to the people around us or the environments we spend time in. We write to connect with our creative flow, to feel alive, to reach our grief or open to the world around us.
In Ancestral GOLD, we write to connect with the spirit/energy of our ancestors, to discover the stories in our lineage, and to connect with insights and new understandings of the treasures (GOLD) that sleep within our memories.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
For creatives, writers (of all genres and levels), and explorers of mystery and magic (18+).
You will love this workshop if you:
Are curious to tap into the wealth of stories that live in your lineage.
Want to experience a ritual for personal reflection that honours your ancestors while infusing your creativity with meaning in new and unexpected ways.
Have writing or creative projects in which you’d like to weave the living stories of your lineage.
THIS WORKSHOP IS NOT:
A ‘how to’ research your ancestry or family history workshop. This workshop is focused on creative exploration rather than genealogical research.
A place to work through ancestral trauma if you have any…please see the disclaimers section on this page for details.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Reflective Prompts - A printable PDF of carefully curated reflective writing prompts and questions to help you think about and explore your Ancestral GOLD.
Workshop - A live 2.5-hour workshop on Zoom with guided meditation and creative writing prompts to generate new writing (plus a recording of the workshop available until Sept 2026)
Preparing Sacred Space - tips on creating an atmosphere for your creativity to thrive
How to Connect with the Spirit of your Ancestors - tips on how you can work with the spirit/energy of your ancestors to gather the gold for your creativity and personal growth.
Taking it Further – Resources to go deeper in exploring your ancestral connections.
DETAILS
When: Friday 31st October, 6.30pm-9.00pm UK time.
Where: Online on Zoom - you’ll receive the link when you register with access to the pre-workshop materials.
Investment:
£55 early booking until October 25th
£65 thereafter
I recommend early booking because, aside from the savings, you’ll need time to explore and complete the reflective journaling prompts in advance of the live workshop.
Learn more and book an early spot in this special workshop:
Questions? Pop them in the comments or reply to this newsletter.
I hope to meet some of you there…
mid-week warmth,
Jane
We also have our next HYDRATE online creative writing workshop to rehydrate your writing life on October 21st! Expanding on the Samhain/Halloween celebrations, the theme will be ‘mystical/witchy’. If that calls to you, sign up and join us here.
I'm quite often dancing around this time - and sometimes with a notebook and pen close by. I like the sound of this - thank you for offering it..