What is a Spirit Walk?

A spirit walk is a gathering of people who come together to represent the spirit world, and walk as a group, during the darkest part of the year. They walk to emphasize the dark during the “season of light.” Not a Halloween concept, but a Yule one, the spirit walk honors the beings of the Winter Solstice: elves, fairies, ancestors, house spirits, Krampus, Belsnickle, land wights, and yes, even St. Nick. Dressed as those spirits, they carry lanterns and trudge silently toward the Winter Solstice and through the bustle of holiday shoppers, a quiet reminder of the “spirit” of Yule

Although costumes and masks are often associated with Halloween, folklore holds that this is only the beginning of the season in which the spirits are restless. Those abroad on the long winter nights might come upon a strange procession. Spirits were believed to race through the countryside, visit the homes of the living, and ride through hidden forest hollows. The most active time for these phenomena was around the shortest day and longest night of the year: the winter solstice.

Join us as we bring folklore to life and process through the streets of Ventura and Ojai.

On November 12 and 26, 2022, there will be mask making workshops at 5200 Valentine Road, Ventura, CA. 93001 from 11:00 to 1:00. These workshops are free and will include materials needed to create a suitable mask. In the first workshop on November 12 we will shape and form our masks, and in the second workshop on November 26 we will add paint and other decorations.

The Ventura Spirit Walk on December 3, 2022, will gather in the alley behind the parking structure on Santa Clara and Main at 5:00, and walk in silence to the mission and back.

The Ojai Spirit Walk on December 16, 2022, will meet at the post office on Ojai Ave and Signal, and walk in silence east to Montgomery and back.

Please register for the series of mask making workshops. Anyone can show up for the Spirit Walk events. Wear and mask and join in the silent revelry!