The Hall of Masks
Colorado Institute of Shamanic Studies
The Midnight Ritual at the Denver Witches’ Ball is a long standing tradition in the Colorado Pagan community: a large gathering to honor the Turning of the Wheel is hosted by a group/community in the Pagan community and it is free for all to attend! This ritual will be accessible, family friendly and not longer than 1 hour. The ballroom becomes sacred space at midnight and all participants are expected to treat it as such: be mindful of your behavior in Circle and escort yourself out gracefully if you are unable to respectfully share in this sacred ritual space.
This year, join Colorado Institute of Shamanic Studies at The Denver Witches’ Ball for a unique shamanic journey to The Hall of Masks, an upper world journey to the place of our becoming. Dive deep into your consciousness and explore the energy of the Mask, gaining awareness of your true self rather than the personas we adopt in daily life. This is a semi-guided journey with time for self-discovery and reflection. We will utilize drumming to facilitate the journey and will NOT be using any psychoactive substances.
Are you ready to explore your true, authentic self? In this year’s Midnight Ritual, we will move into the Hall of Masks, a mystical space filled with a diverse collection of beautifully crafted masks, each symbolizing various aspects of ourselves that we don and doff daily. This Hall serves not only as a gallery but also as a potent portal for shamanic work, encouraging individuals to uncover their own masks and embrace the many dimensions of their being.
The Shamanic Journey is the core practice of the Shaman. It is rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, individuals enter altered states of consciousness by drumming, chanting and other rhythmic sounds and sometimes psychoactive substances to seek guidance, healing, and insight from the Spirit world. The practice is highly personal, sometimes characterized by vivid imagery, symbols, and sensations but also as clairsentience, or a “knowing.” It emphasizes intuition, and the belief that all individuals are able to access these deeper layers of consciousness. There is Divine Intelligence all around us and the shamanic journey is a direct connection for insight in what the Universe has to offer for our support– if we dare to seek the Truth. Join us in the Main Ballroom to honor our magickal roots and connect with the Divine during this sacred time of year!
Honoring Samhain
The Ballroom will close at 11:30 to transition from dance space to sacred space. We encourage everyone to check out the Magickal Market Space, grab a last minute bite to eat, or get a reading while you wait for the transition. The Midnight Ritual at the Denver Witches’ Ball will always be free to attend: join us at the Ball after 1130 and no ticket is necessary for entry. Samhain is an important high holiday in many Pagan traditions, the last Harvest is honored across the globe and almost everyone feels the shift when the Veil thins. We look forward to celebrating with you!
2023 Midnight Ritual
2023 Midnight Ritual was hosted by Brighid’s Forge Coven
Join Brighid’s Forge Coven as we travel through the veils this Samhain-time. Together, we will co-create a circle of community to recognize and honor those in our Pagan family, as well as our beloved family and friends, who have traveled to the Summerland this past turn of the Wheel of the Year. We will speak their names to invite them to join us for an hour, light candles to honor them, and dance with their spirits. We will end with divination to speak to each of you about what may happen for you in the coming year. All good Pagans, and pagan-friendly folk, are welcome in our circle this night.
Brighid’s Forge Coven is a Celtic Shamanic Wiccan coven. We honor and respect all Pagan paths. You may have shared circle with us when we presented two rituals for Open Full Moon, and when we presented the Main Ritual at Dragonfest in 2019.
2022 Ritual was hosted by DiviNation Academy
The DiviNation Academy is a free pagan academy with professors from all over the world who teach about different forms of witchcraft, metaphysics, and pagan traditions. We host workshops, retreats, rituals, events, and classes both online and in person. We give students the opportunity to complete private apprenticeships with professors, and complete certification programs in their field of interest. We help students grow and pursue their dreams, by giving them the chance to be divination readers, and vendors at events all over Colorado. We believe that education should be free and accessible to all people, so everything we offer is always free, and accessible to all people, no matter their level knowledge or experience.
Here is a description of the ritual we are hosting:
The ritual we are hosting will bring in energy from multiple dimensions beyond the veil. We want to give people a night to dance with the dead. The ability to spend time embracing their loved ones memories, and feeling their presence. Creating a space where people can connect, and communicate with their loved ones who have passed on. Helping everyone to welcome in Samhain by celebrating the unique energy flowing into our world from multiple dimensions and deities. This ritual will include a drawing down ceremony, where participants will get the chance to speak with the divine and receive guidance from the gods. Using guided meditation we will travel to different worlds, and embrace the incredible energy that surrounds us when the veil is thin.
Ritual Guidelines
If you are coming only for the ritual, arrive after 11:30PM for free admission.
Please do not come to the ritual intoxicated. Folx who behave in any inappropriate manner may be asked to leave the ritual at any time.
After everyone has entered the ritual room, the main entrance to the Masonic Event Center will be closed and No one will be admitted after the ritual has begun.
2019 Ritual
The midnight ritual was led by Sára Rain and a motley band of Pagan sistren, brethren and otheren from along the Front Range. In this season, when the veil between the worlds is thin, we look for messages, guidance and insight from unseen realms. Divination through many forms helps us recognize the deep wisdom available to us. Join the circle of friends and seekers. Let’s divine the Divine!
Sara Rain: Water to Wine!
Come for the Celebration and stay for the Ritual!