Samhain is a Celtic annual festival and heralds the end of the year. It is celebrated on the night of 31 October to 1 November. The Celtic New Year begins on 1 November. It marks the end of summer, the entry into darkness and the end of the light-filled period. It is now about resting, regenerating, drawing on success, reflecting and coming to oneself, withdrawing and enjoying the darkness.
At Samhain, we find ourselves in an in-between time. The veils become thinner and thinner, the spiritual world comes closer to the human world. The connection to the other world becomes more intense. It is a magical in-between time.
The ancestor festival
Recently, I have been intensively studying different cultures and traditions. Ancestor worship in particular is something that people all over the world have in common and is practised with varying degrees of intensity. In modern times, remembering ancestors and their importance is increasingly being forgotten.
Samhain is a festival of the dead. The dead come closer and in ancient tradition food was placed before the deceased. The apple in particular symbolises life due to its rich ingredients and was an important source of vitamin C and minerals for the people of old. It was considered sacred and was therefore also used to honour ancestors.
When the dead are fed with special food, the dead bless the house so that its inhabitants get through the winter well.
Why is ancestor worship important?
Although the bodies of our ancestors, personalities and historical figures are no longer there, their energy remains. It transforms into transmitted energy, which in turn generates cosmic energy. When people forget their ancestors, their family and/or their nation, they throw away their original energy. However, it is this energy that carries us through life.
A connection to our ancestors also brings us back to our original energy, which strengthens our energy centres (chakras).
Samhain - honour your ancestors and celebrate the night
Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival that has shaped our western culture. Halloween is an offshoot of this, but its original meaning and the actual ritual behind it has been reversed and turned into something ‘scary’. People forget what it is really about.
I would like to bring back memories and give you a few tips on how you can celebrate the festival of the ancestors.
Come to terms with your own mortality
Find a quiet and, if possible, dark place. If the complete darkness is too much for you, light the room with a candle.
Ask yourself the following questions:
If I were to die today, would I be satisfied?
What would I be missing?
What would I want to do, organise or experience?
Take notes, thank yourself and let the answers to your questions sink in.
Be aware of the value of life
Look at your life so far, all the good and the not-so-good. Realise how you really want to use your time from now on. What is important to you? What is life for you?
Ritual action
You reinforce your intention with a ritual action. Fill a bowl with stones to inform them of what you can now draw on and be proud of.
Realise what you want to let go of and what no longer belongs to you. In a ritual fire outdoors or with toothpicks at home, you can burn everything that is old and no longer belongs to you in a fire ceremony.
Build a small altar indoors or outdoors, which you dedicate to the spirits of nature and the ancestors. Place nuts, apples, flowers etc. on it.
Once you have completed your ritual actions, make yourself comfortable. Find a nice place in your home with a blanket, a nice book, tea or similar and perhaps a fragrant oil. Revel in your successes of the past year.
Honouring ancestors
Between 31 October and 1 November, the veils to the Otherworld are thin. It is easier to make contact with our ancestors. Connect with your ancestral lineage by building an ancestral altar, for example. You can collect natural materials that represent your ancestors. Place a candle in the window and light it with your ancestors in mind. Talk about your ancestors with your family and remember them.
In Catholicism, it is customary to go to the grave on 1 November. We only recently discussed this in my family. I realised that the reason for this burial and where it all comes from is not known at all. ‘It's just the way it's done’. It is therefore no longer a ritual act and sinks into insignificance.
Wolf-Dieter Storl writes in his blog ’THE SMOKE OF THE ANCESTORS‘ which incense mixture you can use and light at your ancestral altar, for example.
Peace time
In the Celtic tribes, this was a time of peace. Misrule and contradictions were discussed and resolved.
Ask yourself the question:
Who or what do you want to reconcile with?
With what or with whom do you want to make peace?
Would you like to find out more about the annual cycle?
I was able to experience a special healing experience with my soul singing in Dover Castle. Following my healing mission, I went to the Romanesque church of St Mary and allowed myself to be guided by the energy. Be there too and let yourself be enveloped by the healing sounds of Dover Castle.
What is so special about Dover Castle?
Dover Castle sits on the chalk cliffs of the English coast and marks the shortest sea route between England and the continent. Also known as the ‘Key to England’, this impressive fortress has played a crucial role in the defence of the kingdom for more than 9 centuries.
The castle hill was already inhabited in the pre-Roman Iron Age. Defences and a fort were built in the Dover area as early as Roman times.
The church of St Mary in Castro dates from around 1000 AD. Its extraordinary size suggests that it may have had a royal patron - Godwin, Earl of Wessex (reigned 1020-53), father of King Harold (reigned 1066), is one possibility. A cemetery discovered during archaeological excavations in 1962 suggests that a community lived nearby, perhaps in a fortified bailey.
The history of Dover Castle as a fortified castle on the English coast began with William the Conqueror.
Dover Castle and its significance in the Second World War
During the Second World War, the castle served as headquarters for the army garrison that defended the town and for the Royal Navy's re-established base.
Underground tunnels were built, where bomb-proof offices and later a hospital were set up. The hospital can still be visited today and bears witness to the inhumanity of war.
What exactly is soul singing?
A few years ago, I discovered that I have the gift of perceiving energies and singing them. These are energies from places, animals and, above all, people. Every place and every living being has its very own sound. With soul singing, I transport the emotions of every soul to the outside world through my voice. Everything has a soul - even places!
You can find more information in my interview with Michaela Lechner HERE.
Healing of places and living beings through soul singing
Music is the most primal expression of life and all that is. Music has always been used for healing purposes, because everything is energy and frequency.
Places can also be injured, get sick and need healing as a result. A place like Dover Castle has experienced a lot of suffering over thousands of years and has been repeatedly injured, e.g. by tunnelling.
Healers around the world are and have been called to heal places and the land with their abilities. It is often the case that a single healer alone cannot heal the entire place. Healers also have different gifts and talents. The union and healing energy of all of them can make places shine anew and heal.
My gift is soul singing. I always make myself available for healing and when I am asked, I connect with the place and give it a voice.
What makes the soul song at Dover Castle so special
The soul singing in Dover Castle was very special for me because I searched for a long time in the church until I found the right spot. We wanted to make a video and I initially chose the spot based on where it would be best to film. But it didn't feel right. In the end, I let myself be guided and found my place on the side altar, adjusted by millimetres. The singing energy (as I always call it) was particularly strong here and I started to sing.
It was only when I watched the video afterwards that I realised exactly where I was standing. I was exactly parallel to a work of art made of iron bars that symbolised a soldier.
Listen to his music and feel free to leave your impressions in the comment bar below.
Ayurvedic philosophy knows no boundaries and can be used in any cuisine. The important thing is to use the right ingredients and spices, to round off the flavours sweet, sour, salty, hot, bitter and tart and to take the 5 elements into account. Try the gluten-free Ayurveda burger and immerse yourself in the world of Ayurveda.
How did the recipe come about?
I had a real craving for bread or rolls. As I have to be very careful what I eat and where I buy it, I decided to search my kitchen cupboard and fridge to satisfy my craving for bread and my lunchtime hunger. The result is the following recipe.
What makes the Ayurveda burger Ayurvedic?
Ayurveda is all about balance and the right combination of ingredients and spices. Ayurveda is based on the season, as the weather influences our energetic principles, the so-called doshas. The hot summer has irritated the PITTA dosha with its element of fire and needs some balancing before we move into autumn/winter, the VATA and KAPHA season. PITTA Dosha needs the flavours sweet, bitter and tart to balance it out. The spices and ingredients in this burger have been matched accordingly.
What exactly are doshas?
The doshas originate from the five elements and can be understood as three superordinate energetic principles. They are forces that control all processes in organisms. A good interplay of the three forces results in a balanced state of the living being.
VATA
means ‘that which causes movement’. VATA is the force that moves the other two doshas. VATA is responsible for all physical/mental movements and sensations in the body. VATA = the principle of movement
PITTA
means ‘that which digests, transforms’. It controls all of the body's metabolic processes and heat production. PITTA = the principle of metabolism and dynamics
KAPHA
means ‘that which holds things together’. It gives everything a structure - from the cell to the skeleton and muscle structure. KAPHA = the principle of conservation and structure
You can find more information about Ayurveda and the doshas here.
Would you like to know more about Ayurveda and your very own constitution and doshas?
In 2021, I was allowed to walk my own personal path through the dark night of the soul and be reborn. It was a year full of darkness, heartache and hopelessness. An extremely important experience that I would like to share with you today, 3 years later, and encourage you. A journey through the dark night of the soul is labelled as depression because of the similarity in symptoms, but it is not actually depression. In this article I would like to explain it to you:
what exactly is the dark night of the soul
the difference between the dark night of the soul and depression
my very personal experiences of the trip
my rebirth
If you also find yourself in the dark night of the soul, don't be discouraged. It is an important transformational step for your future spiritual and earthly life.
What does ‘The Dark Night of the Soul’ mean?
The dark night of the soul refers to a period of intense inner challenges, transformation and spiritual awakening. The term ‘dark night of the soul’ goes back to the Spanish mystic St John of the Cross, who was imprisoned at the instigation of his order and was only able to escape after almost a year. He wrote in various manuscripts about his very own journey through the dark night of the soul. During his imprisonment, in which he spoke to no one, sat in complete darkness and was not allowed to change his clothes, he experienced the presence of God and managed to escape.
Symptoms
collapse of one's own reality in relation to the meaning of life.
a deep feeling of insignificance
hopelessness and the feeling of being lost
nothing makes sense anymore
lack of understanding in relation to life, work, relationships, etc.
nothing is important any more and everything loses significance
What can trigger the dark night of the soul?
The dark night can be triggered by external circumstances, such as
the death of someone close
loss of the job
termination of a long-term relationship
health problems
the life you have built and imagined is collapsing
It can also be triggered when something happens that you cannot explain. A catastrophe that seems to invalidate the meaning your life had before.
2 Phases of the dark night of the soul according to St John of the Cross
The dark night of the senses
feeling of spiritual emptiness
separation from myself, from life, from the higher self and the divine connection
State of confusion, all convictions are put to the test
feeling of abandonment, loneliness, being cut off from life
lack of motivation and enthusiasm
a feeling that life challenges and tests you
St John of the Cross describes this phase as a condition for spiritual growth. It helps to let go of the old and free oneself from thought constructs and beliefs.
The dark night of the spirit
intensive spiritual transformation
confronting inner fears, doubts and attachments
a new view of oneself, all parts of oneself are seen, the light and the darkness
This phase is also known as the death of the ego.
For St John of the Cross, this phase is important for spiritual growth. It helps to build a new relationship with yourself and your environment.
This phase can also be described as a spiritual awakening for people who have not yet labelled themselves as spiritual or have not yet engaged with spirituality.
Challenges during the dark night of the spirit:
struggling with intense emotions and psychological pain
Feeling of losing yourself and your own identity
questioning one's own values, realities and beliefs
the feeling of detachment from the self, from others and from life
Dark night of the soul versus depression
As a 20 year old, I went through a severe depression that was very different from my journey through the dark night of the soul 3 years ago. Here I would like to share my personal experiences and my research on the differences.
Depression
is a gradual process
mostly in connection with physical complaints
mood disorder characterised by a recurring feeling of sadness and disinterest
Dark night of the soul
comes suddenly and unexpectedly
psychological, emotional and mental ‘pain’
spiritual despair, detachment and emptiness
painful elimination of a former life construct
My personal journey through the dark night of the soul
The dark night of the senses
I actually entered the first phase overnight from 31.12.2020 to 01.01.2021. It felt like a switch had been flipped in my system.
The trigger for me was probably the coronavirus year 2020. I was deeply shocked by what people do to each other out of fear, how families, friendships and relationships were broken and how old people had to die alone in isolation and without care.
I woke up on 1 January 2021 with the question of the meaning of life and a deep world-weariness. I felt lost and asked myself the question:"What am I doing here?" "What is all this good for?"
I could no longer feel any connection to myself, to the universe and to my surroundings. I felt abandoned, empty and helpless.
I could no longer get out of bed, I could no longer do my work, I could no longer cook anything and I could no longer talk to anyone or chat via e-mail or chat. I had phases where my husband had to pick me up from the bathroom floor and carry me to bed, where I remained paralysed in the same position for hours.
Any attention from outside was repugnant to me and I didn't feel I belonged in this world. I wanted nothing to do with this inhuman world.
I questioned myself, my actions, my being here.
The dark night of the spirit
Entering the second phase was characterised by unspeakable heartache. A deep feeling of homesickness and the loss of something deeply loved. Even before my dark night, I kept having visions in meditations and dreams of a wonderful place that I could describe in detail. The visions intensified and the place was also shown to me again and again with images from outside, e.g. in a pack of cards or an online message.
I wanted to dissolve and become stardust, I prayed every day not to have to wake up again. I wanted to go to my beloved place full of love and freedom.
The heartache was followed by reincarnation experiences such as I had never experienced before. This was followed by emotional pain, the feeling of being lost and a complete loss of control.
I travelled through different lives, dissolving old connections, beliefs and thought constructs. I travelled into the darkest depths of myself and was confronted with my fears, hurts, life constructs and longings.
Confrontation with death
I have encountered death 3 times in my life. The first time as a young woman during depression, the second time during my shamanic training and the third time during the dark night of the soul. This confrontation was the most important and decisive in this process. I was able to let go of many of the fears that had paralysed me for decades once and for all. This included the fear of death.
Transformation
Freed from old burdens, fears, beliefs and life constructs, a certain serenity and healing set in. All the ‘must’ had dissolved. It was about ‘being’. All the obligations I had imposed on myself dissolved into nothingness. It was the hour of rebirth.
A dear friend has it compared with ‘The adventures of the strong Vanya’ who takes seven sacks of sunflower seeds and seven sheepskins with him to the oven, where he is to spend seven years without speaking a word. This is his first test before he has to face further dangerous adventures.
So I lay on the couch eating sunflower seeds (in my case) and waited for rebirth and new adventures.
Rebirth
The intensive process took 1 year. I spent most of that time in bed or on the couch. I was reborn as a Maria who has found a new connection to herself, to the universe and to her surroundings. A Maria who is aware and clear about her purpose, her task and her meaning of life on earth. I was reborn as Maria The Voice.
New adventures
A connection to China became apparent in my reincarnation experiences. Chinese music was suddenly suggested to me on the internet. I resonated with the music and the language. Following an impulse, I began to learn the Chinese language. I now had something that brought me joy and helped me overcome my psychological pain. The music helped me to heal old wounds and I also began to sing again and raise my voice.
A lot has come together in the last 3 years, a few life decisions had to be made and new paths had to be taken.
Learning the Chinese language has opened up completely new doors to opportunities and, above all, wonderful people. People who continue to accompany me in my spiritual growth and people who allow me to see the world with completely new eyes.
I have immersed myself in other ancient teachings such as Daoism, Qi Gong and meditation teachings. All of this serves my further spiritual growth and my calling to accompany people on their spiritual path.
My conclusion
2021 was a deeply painful year for me, but one that I would not want to have missed. Through this experience, I got to know myself and the meaning of spirituality in a whole new way.
If you are also in this process, don't despair! Something wonderful is waiting for you!
Wenn Du Begleitung durch die dunkle Nacht der Seele benötigst, melde Dich gerne bei mir!
Hui Chun Gong (回春功) means ‘back to spring’! This Daoist qigong stimulates blood circulation, metabolism and the immune system. It strengthens hormonal power and supports hormone production. This was a secret of success for the legendary health and longevity of the Daoists.
Limited number of participants
If the maximum number of participants is exceeded, the chronological order of receipt of the account applies.
Experience the special effect of Qi Gong exercises on your body. The 3 treasures in the human being are combined and can be found on a physical, energetic and spiritual level. Meditative exercises, building up a Qi field or sitting in silence lead to deep inner peace. Hui Chun Gong allows you to feel and experience your body in a completely new way. Hui Chun Gong stimulates blood circulation and metabolism. It supports the immune system and strengthens the hormonal power. The endocrine system (thyroid gland, pancreas, sex glands, pituitary gland and hypothalamus) is strengthened and stimulates hormone production, which is important for our vitality. This was a secret of success for the legendary health and longevity of the Daoists.
Seminar content
Learning Hui Chun Gong exercises
Familiarisation with different forms of Qi Gong
Connecting Qi Gong exercises with nature and the environment
Merging with nature and the elements
Sitting in silence (non-representational and with imagination)
Sound meditation
Walking meditation
In good weather, most of the seminar will take place outdoors.
Who is the seminar suitable for?
The seminar is suitable for anyone who wants to recharge their batteries, try a new form of exercise, enjoy the peace and quiet in the midst of idyllic nature and strengthen their health and vitality. No prior knowledge is required.
If you are not able to stand well or your mobility is restricted, it is also possible to do some of the exercises sitting down.
Seminar venue
The Höllbachhof is located in the middle of the Höllbach valley on the Höllbach stream. We have the Höllbachhof seminar house all to ourselves during the seminar. The owners of the farm have created a place of peace, strength and clarity. We utilise this gift to allow the life energy Qi 气 to flow both from the inside out and from the outside in.
Accommodation
The Höllbachhof offers the following accommodation options:
Bed in shared dormitory with 10 beds per night 27,00 €
Double room per night 64,00 €
Single room per night 38,00 €
It is also possible to spend the night in a tent/car on the property. 17 € per night and person
Showers/toilets are located in the seminar house by the group dormitory and by the single and twin rooms. There is another well-equipped shower block with toilet opposite the seminar house.
Notes
Bed linen is included in the price, please bring your own towels.
The waste water is treated in a small sewage treatment plant on site, so please only use biodegradable cosmetics (soap, shampoo).
There is no general internet access at the farm, no Wi-Fi and only moderately good mobile phone reception. Please take this into account when planning your time at the farm.
Please pay the accommodation fee in cash on site.
GrouproomExample single roomCommon roomRelaxation corner
Catering
Elisabeth from Höllbachhof spoils us vegetarian with her own farm produce.
Full board is paid in cash on site and amounts to 40€/per day = 120 € gesamt
What to bring for the seminar
If available, seat cushions/meditation cushions (some are also available on site).
Please bring slippers or thick socks to enter the seminar house.
Flat shoes for indoors and outdoors (preferably indoor shoes or barefoot shoes. Trainers with thick soles are not suitable)
Comfortable training clothing (long trousers, T-shirt etc.)
Arrival and departure
On the first day of the seminar you can arrive from 3 pm and move into your booked room/bedroom. The seminar begins at 6 pm with dinner together.
On the last day of the seminar, we conclude the seminar with lunch together, after which you can clear your room in peace and make your way home.
Registration modalities
Click on the ‘Go to registration’ button to access the registration form. There you can choose which type of accommodation you prefer. Please note that the number of single rooms and twin rooms is limited and will be allocated chronologically according to receipt of payment.
Once you have registered, you will receive further information and the bank details for binding payment and registration for the seminar.
Cancellation policy
Sometimes a cancellation and deregistration from the seminar is unfortunately unavoidable. Please understand that due to the preparation and planning time the following expenses will be charged:
Cancellations up to 4 weeks before the start of the course will be charged a flat processing fee of €40.
Cancellations up to 1 week before the start of the course will be charged at 50% of the course fee.
Cancellations within 1 week before the start of the course will be charged in full.
In the event of cancellation on the day of the course start or non-arrival, the course fee plus accommodation and catering costs must be paid.
In the event of an unforeseen cancellation by me, the seminar fee already paid will be refunded in full. There are no further claims.
