On Sunday, October 27th, the Divine Warrior Witches gathered at Crescent Moon Gifts in Tacoma, WA, for our Samhain ritual and theatrical performance of "Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds."
Following our 2024 theme of Deity, this sabbat, we welcomed multiple deities into the sacred space for our performance of the myth of Demeter, the Goddess of Agriculture, and how her daughter, Kore, was stolen from her by Hades, God of the Underworld. Demeter's sorrow caused her to neglect her duties on earth, creating a change in the environment that forced the land and its creatures to suffer and perish until she is reunited with her daughter.
High Priestess Serenity invoked the Goddess Persephone.
High Priestess Cawnawyn invoked the God Hades.
High Priestess Heather invoked the Goddess Demeter.
Ceremonial Co-Collaborator Rowan invoked the God Zeus.
Ceremonial Co-Collaborator Jasper invoked the Gods Poseidon and Hermes.
SHOW NOTES
Book & Direction by High Priestess Serenity:
"This Samhain, Divine Warrior Witches offered a re-telling of the story of Hades and Persephone. We considered how the story has traditionally been told from the male gaze but wondered how the story might be told if Persephone and Demeter were the ones creating change. Demeter demonstrates her power by altering the earth’s environment, thus affecting all creations that rely on it to survive. Persephone demonstrates her independence and power by stepping into her womanhood and title as a queen, hoping her influence will guide the souls of the underworld not by loss and loneliness but by love and companionship.
Mask acting was incorporated to honor the acting style of the ancient Greeks who wore masks and billowing robes when they performed."
-High Priestess Serenity
Audio & Visual Production by High Priestess Cawnawyn
"The opportunity to write the music for this production was an honor and a true journey to the underworld.
This entire underscore was born out of the song by Kore and Hades, a venture that was almost a joke initially when conceptualizing the production. It quickly became clear that this song was a critical turning point in Kore/Persephone's journey, and the themes of the underscore were born from the song.
The wooden flutes and mysterious Ocarina tell of Kore's innocence taken from her, and her gradual empowerment and transformation into the Queen of the Underworld, Persephone.
The drama and ache of the Violin underscores Hades' passion and loneliness, while the rumbling drones and descending fountains of the Organ underscore the underground caverns of Hell itself.
Demeter's wrath and anguish are woven through the sorrowful human voices and choruses of skin drums, all instruments made from the human body and the earth.
Zeus always has a chorus of Brass surrounding his every esteemed decision, and Hermes is brought to life with the sizzling sound of the Greek Zourna.
The woeful Duduk, present throughout the production, sings the recurring theme of love, true and pure.
This music will be available for streaming as a Ritual Album, "Kapsoura" by Cawnawyn Mor. (cawnawynmor.com)
Masks Designed by High Priestess Heather
"Crafting the masks for this ritual performance was quite the adventure.
Though I often paint as an emotional and spiritual outlet, I'd yet to do a project such as this before. Because I can't plan art, these masks created themselves.
Layer by layer, they told me who they needed to be; I was simply along for the ride. Watching them come to life as we invoked the deities during ritual was a powerful experience, and I dare say I am proud of myself."
-High Priestess Heather
WATCH THE SHOW HERE
ASTROLOGY
Presented by High Priestess Cawnawyn
Nov 1: New Moon in Scorpio
Nov 2: Mercury enters Sagittarius
Nov 3: Mars enters Leo
Nov 11: Venus enters Capricorn
Nov 15: Full Moon in Taurus
Nov 19: Pluto Enters Aquarius (until 2044!)
Nov 21: Sun enters Sagittarius
Nov 30: New Moon in Sagittarius
Dec 6: Venus enters Aquarius
Dec 15: Full Moon in Gemini
Dec 21: Sun enters Capricorn, Winter Solstice
Watch the Witches New Year As Above Astrology Message from Cawnawyn.
CAKES RECIPE
Our delicious Pomegranate Caramels were graciously provided by Ceremonial Co-Collaborator, Rowan for our Samhain Ritual. The recipe can be found here:
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