Thames River of Souls - Candlelit Walk & Halloween Rite - London

This is a friendly event with an undertone of deep seasonal magic. So Gather ..with costumes & lanterns by Globe Theatre (near Millennium Bridge, south bank).. After a few sips of wine to honour the ancestors, we'll get started with our walk . .

• Bring pumpkins, Lanterns, and battery operated lights.. costumes.. masks etc.
• Thames Tide is high on 31st October 2025 - so we wil not go down to the river bank. Instead we will walk along the banks, and have some time on the pier at OXO tower area.

Thames River of Souls - Myth of Styx & Ferryman
In the old centuries (Medieval times), people would throw dead bodies into the river Thames. Thankfully that doesn't happen anymore.

The old Greek myths say that a figure called Charon - The Ferryman, took the souls of the dead from our world across river Styx to the Underworld. And the Ferryman required payment of coins. In the world of the living, the relatives of the dead would need to do funeral rites and offer coin to Ferryman by placing coins on the eyes of the dead body.

The souls of the people who had no funeral rites .. were said to roam the shores for 1000 years before being taken to the Underworld.

Our small ritual
So as part of our annual Thames walk at Halloween, we perform a small ritual (10-15minutes) and each of us would throw some coins into the river Thames .. as payment for any souls who didn't have the money to pay the Ferryman.

So this is an unconditional service we do for souls we do not know... (am sure most of our own dead loved ones have had funeral rites and their souls are safely across the river Styx or ascended to higher realms).

we find a suitable piere (probably one near OXO Tower) to do a small honouring of the Beloved Dead...( by throwing copper or silver coins (1p, 2p or 5p!) so that the mythological `Ferryman' may take his payment and let those wandering spirits pass to the underworld and rest in peace.

• We gather in a circle, and do consecrations with Sage smudge & incense.
• Circle is cast, and 4 archangels called at quarters east, south, west, North.
• We call upon Dark Lord of Death & resurrection to open the veil between our world & that of the dead.
• We remember our own beloved dead & ancestors- those gone before us.. and raise a glass of wine etc to their memories.
• We throw some coins (1p, 5p, 10p, 20p) into the river Thames that for tonight represents River Styx.. as payment to Ferryman, so he can take any wandering souls to the runderworld,

We then walk away and continue our walk & social & Halloween festivities..

Walking route (tbc)
We begin outside The Shakespere's Globe Theatre, and walk along pavement ( south bank). Our walk usually goes past OXO tower and , Gabriel's Wharf. So please bring snacks & drinks for your self and some to share.

• Check our comments section below on the day for updates, in case we need to change the route .

Free event - some cash donations welcome (£3/ £5 ).
We facilitate rituals all round the year - by Thames for Full moons and seasonals in woods. Due to rising meetup costs (£40+ per month) and keeping fees very low .. Financials are always a juggle.
So please feel free to donate some funds to us so we can keep doing more of our rituals at low fees. Thank you.

Meeting point/ time: 7pm.
Please meet at the riverside entrance steps of

• Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Bankside pier, New Globe walk, SE1 9DT.

Cloths/what to bring:
-Wear warm/ waterproof comfortable cloths... Please check weather for London for this evening and dress appropriate. Wear good footwear..as standing/ walking for longer duration can get hard on the feet.

Safety notes:
Everyone is asked to take extra care with their own personal safety as we'll be in a busy public place. You are responsible for your own good behaviour and health & safety!!

Bright blessings
Mani & Woodland Witches

ps. If you are on Eventbrite, Please follow us on Eventbrite (Look for `Mani-Woodland Witch' )