Soul Retrieval for Sin Eaters

Soul Retrieval for Sin Eaters: updating a powerful Druid ceremony for modern societal concerns

In historical times, when oral tradition was valued more than the written observations of conquering empires, Druid shamans worked within multiple Celtic tribes to bring healing, understanding of shared ethics, and community support. One of the mysteries shared among tribal ritual leaders was the ritual of Sin-Eating*. This ritual was performed by tribal members who would volunteer to “eat” the energetic residue of the community’s pain, disappointment, power struggles, malicious behavior, and misalignment in order to return the community to “right relationship.” This increased the health of the community, the sharing of resources, and the ability to survive hardship.

Throughout the centuries, this ritual has continued, although it has been twisted and misappropriated in modern times. Today, 4 July, the 250th anniversary of the creation of the States (through war, violent crimes against indigenous and enslaved people, and religious zealotry towards all non-Xian peoples), I am reflecting back on all of the ways that evil people in power violate the boundaries of marginalized folx by forcing us to swallow the truth of their actions and lack of consequences. The Epstein Predators, ICE thugs, Catholic molestors, cultural genocide, Hispanic concentration camps, and too many more to cite.

The health of the community, society, and country has been utterly destroyed by these actions, and the forced-ignorance and forced-apathy placed upon the public has completely corrupted the original healing ceremony of Sin-Eating. We have been gaslit into broken systemic trauma and made to believe that the simple act of learning about it is enough to restore faith, justice, balance, and equitable interactions. We are non-consensual “eaters” of the Sins of others, and it has damaged our Souls.

This year, I am facilitating Soul Retrieval ceremonies for communities to heal from this damage, regain their Hope, and work towards truly dismantling these corrupt power-systems and create new ones. Most recently, I and one of my students offered this ceremony at MAGUS Druid Gathering (now Wildcraft Gathering), and they will be offered for free at upcoming Pagan Pride Day gatherings throughout the East Coast, Mid Atlantic, and Mid West areas of the States.

Join me in ceremony to receive healing from this complex, ongoing trauma, and let us work together to take care of each other in Community!

*Sin-Eating is a Xtianized term for the original shamanic healing ritual. Sadly, as with many written records from colonizer religions, the original names of these Druid mysteries were lost as Celtic tribes were either slaughtered or “bred-out” by the dominant over-culture, i.e. the Roman Empire.