Samhain | Celtic New Year | Halloween | All Saints | Half Day Retreat

The Descent into Shadow & the Light Within

Step into the sacred mystery of Samhain, the ancient Celtic New Year — the threshold between worlds, when the veil between seen and unseen grows thin.

This is the time of endings and beginnings, of honoring ancestors, embracing shadow, and awakening inner wisdom.

As the earth turns inward, we are invited to do the same — to rest, release, and listen deeply to the quiet guidance within.

✨ What wisdom lies hidden in my shadow?

✨ How can I honor my ancestors and the path that shaped me?

✨ What intention am I ready to plant in the fertile darkness of the new year?

Samhain marks the turning of the Celtic Wheel, a time of death and rebirth, of descent and renewal.

It is a sacred invitation to move inward — to connect with ancestral wisdom, intuition, and the creative potential that lives in stillness.

Join us for a 5 hour mini retreat as we weave together Celtic folklore, somatic practices, and energy alchemy to honour this powerful seasonal portal.

Through the sacred triad of mind, body, and soul, we’ll explore:

Celtic & Samhain Folklore

Uncover the ancient origins of Samhain — the festival of the ancestors and the Celtic New Year.

Through tales of The Morrígan, Nera’s journey to the Otherworld, and The Deities and cultural celebrations, we’ll explore themes of shadow, prophecy, and transformation.

Mugwort Tea Ceremony & Ancestral Meditation

Sip the sacred herb of intuition and dreaming as we open a gentle gateway to the unseen.

Journey through breath, visualisation, and sound to connect with ancestral memory and the wisdom that lives in your bones.

Shadow Work & Journaling

Through reflective writing and guided inquiry, explore what is ready to be released and what is waiting to be reborn.

Find stillness in the dark and uncover the quiet voice of your own inner knowing.

Intuitive practices

Strengthen the voice within listening to any messages and movements that need to express A true point to slow down and take time to pause and connect within

Somatic Dance & Inner Journey

Through embodied movement inspired by Celtic myth, explore gravity, flow, and surrender.

A movement meditation to meet your shadow, soften into the unknown, and dance your way toward integration and renewal. Working with Fascia lines, Myofascial release and somatic dance you’ll find new ways to understand you and your body.

Belly Dance of the Darkness within

Guided by Itziar, awaken sensuality and strength through circular, grounding movement.

Celebrate the creative fire that glows beneath the surface — the eternal spark that endures through the dark.

Breathwork & Voice Activation

Use breath, sound, and tone to connect to your intuition and inner voice.

Hum, chant, and vibrate through the body to awaken clarity, expression, and ancestral resonance via emotional freedom technique, tapping and nervous system reset practices.

Kundalini Energy Transmission

Receive a powerful energetic activation to awaken life force, be in a deep meditative state to open communication, dream work and integrate the journey.

Expect an afternoon of reflection, embodiment, and reconnection.
Together, we’ll honour the ancestors, embrace the wisdom of shadow, and plant seeds for renewal as we enter the dark half of the year.

This gathering is a space to rest, remember, and return home to yourself — carrying the light of your lineage into the new year.

The descent is not the end — it is the beginning.

3.15 PM – 4.15 PM | MIND: Intentions, Rituals & Reflection
Immerse yourself in the meaning of the Celtic New Year & Samhain. Learn about its history and symbolism, explore journal prompts and guided meditation for balance, and take part in rituals of intuition and pause. Together we’ll embrace the dark half of the year.

4.15 – 4.45 PM | BODY: Voice Activation & Grounding
Activate inner clarity through vocal techniques and breathwork. Explore polyvagal sound practices and grounding breath to connect with your presence and balance.

4.45 PM - 6.45 PM | BODY: Somatic Dance & Belly Dance Awakening
Move through somatic practices that take inspiration from mythology exploring the inner shadow and . Flow into belly dance with Itziar, embodying spirals and undulations that mimic the descent into darkness and yourself, awaken sensual vitality, and connect deeply to your body’s wisdom.

6.45 PM – 7.30 PM | SOUL: Kundalini Energy Transmission
Receive a guided Kundalini energy transmission to awaken life force within, preparing you for the inward half of the year. This is a time to embody inner wisdom, honour the seasonal shift, darkness as we move toward winter.

7.30 PM– 8.15 PM | GROUNDING & Guidance Card Pull
Close the retreat with grounding techniques, integrating the energy of the day. A collective card pull offers insight and guidance for the months ahead, carrying forward the wisdom and intuition practices to move forward.

Finding the location & access information

Tubes/Train/Walking Lost In Yoga is a 10 – 15 minute walk from Elephant and Castle train station and underground (Northern Line or Bakerloo Line) and Kennington tube station (Northern Line). Denmark Hill Station is a 15 – 20 minute walk.

Buses There are bus stops in every direction just a couple of minutes walk from the studio, ask us if you are not sure of the best bus to get.

Cycling There is a railing opposite the entrance for padlocking your bike to.

Driving We do not have parking but there is on street parking before 8.30am (for those early morning classes) and after 6.30pm from Monday to Friday. It is free to park on the street at weekends, always check before you park in case things change!Alternatively you can park in Morrisons car park about 8 minutes away – It is £2 for 2 hours which you get back if you spend £5 in store.

FAQs

1. What is the Samhain? Samhain (pronounced “SOW-in”) is the ancient Celtic New Year — the sacred threshold between light and dark, life and death.

It’s a time when the veil between worlds thins, inviting us to honour our ancestors, release the old, and plant new intentions in the fertile darkness.

A season for rest, reflection, and deep inner wisdom.

2. What is Kundalini Activation? Kundalini Activation involves tapping into your life force energy, often symbolized as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine. Through this yin practice, this energy is awakened and aligned to flow freely through your body and it is your opportunity to surrender. During this session you can express and release in a multitude of different ways and the KA transmission can lead to profound transformation, clarity, and a heightened sense of self-awareness.

This is a gentle energy alignment session which meets you exactly where you need at that point in time. During KA you may experience some movement, emotions, visualisations, feelings of hot and cold to name a few.

3. What is Somatic Movement? Somatic Movement is a form of embodied practice that emphasizes connecting with your body’s innate wisdom. It involves gentle, intentional movements that release stress, break old patterns, and foster a deeper sense of physical and emotional well-being. It’s about tuning in and building awareness of the signals your body sends.

4. What can I expect in terms of benefits following this event? Expect to feel rejuvenated, balanced, and more connected to your mind, body, and soul. The activities—like intention setting, somatic movement, and high-vibrational sound experiences—will help you release stress, ignite your passion, and foster creativity. You might leave with a sense of clarity, purpose, and renewed energy for the season ahead.

5. What if I can't dance? No worries at all! This event is for everyone, regardless of their dancing experience. Belly dancing, for example, is introduced as a playful and empowering practice, with no pressure to be a pro. It’s all about connecting with your body and embracing the joy of movement in a supportive, non-judgmental space.

6. What should I bring or do ahead of the ceremony?

• Journal for reflection
• Warm layers and cover up for the energetic part of the session
• Any imagery or items to honour your ancestor, it could be pictures, trinkets, jewellery, stones etc.
• Shawl or blanket to wrap in case cold
• Water and snacks if required
• Eat light and if possible avoid highly processed foods, alcohol and caffeine
• Scarf for your waist to tie around for the belly dancing

About your Facilitators

Grace has studied and trained in various dance styles for almost 10 years inclusive of swing dance, Lindy hop, Charleston, solo jazz and commercial, alongside practicing and studying with holistic modalities such as somatic movement, kundalini alignment energy transmissions, breath work, vagus nerve regulation, breath work and EFT tapping.

Itziar has danced, taught and performed belly dancing for over 20 years and is passionate about using belly dance to build confidence and help people move their body no matter their age, background or ability.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Lost in Yoga, Arch 265 Urlwin Street, London, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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