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The Portland All Souls
The All Souls River Procession is both a performance art piece and a community ritual. There are many characters within its framework. Some have specific functions (i.e. Messengers for the Dead), while others are more symbolic (Grandmother Moon). Acting experience is not necessary, just enthusiasm and a willingness to embody the energy of a particular being for an hour or two.
Roles that are unconfirmed include a link to our volunteer form, (current volunteers can just email Moni directly with their request). The previous year's performers are given first pick, then remaining roles are typically filled "first come first served". (Note that we may not be able to update this page as quickly as character requests come in).
We hope you will feel called to join us!
2025 Cast of Characters
2025 Cast of Characters
Photo by Lane Rollins, 2024
Spirits of Light
Spirits of Light
Paper lantern bearers clad in ethereal white robes, the Spirits of Light lead the procession and illuminate the dark night. Local dance and music group Bulla! will form the main part of this group, but we have additional lanterns available to carry by others who would like to join in.
Photo by Mark Asiano, 2024
Ritual Leader
Ritual Leader
Embodying a different form each year, the Ritual Leader might appear as a Water Dragon, a Spider at the center of the web, or the anchor point of a shifting being formed of blood and water. But regardless of her guise, she is the one who guides the ritual and holds the space at its center.
Photo by Mel, 2024
The Blood
The Blood
A chorus of red, a flowing of life through the veins of time. The Blood accompany the Bone Mother, Blood and Bone uniting.
Photo by Anna Androsova, 2024
The Bone Mother
The Bone Mother
A towering skeleton queen. She guides the recently departed Souls to the river where the threshold between the realms of the living and the dead awaits their passage through.
Photo by Samuel Hobbes, 2025
The Autumn King
The Autumn King
With the arrival of the Fall, the Prince of the Greenwood will transform into the Autumn King, symbolizing the shift from the bright colors and abundance of the growing season to the darkness and decomposition that comes after.
Photo Wildland Roots, 2024
The Ancestors
The Ancestors
The Ones that Came Before,
the Ones that we Remember,
the Ones that we Become.
Photo by Risk of Change, 2024
The Messengers for the Dead
The Messengers for the Dead
Crow-formed and mysterious, balancing at the threshold of the realms of the Living and the Dead, the Messengers collect letters to our beloved Dead before the procession and once we reach the site of the Ritual.
Photo by Lane Rollins, 2024
The Reliquary Keepers
The Reliquary Keepers
The Reliquary holds a bowl containing messages to our beloved Dead. The Keepers bear it by wagon float to the river's edge where the bowl is removed then placed into the river. There the Reliquary Keepers set the messages alight above the water.
Photo by Lane Rollins, 2024
River Dragon
River Dragon
Illuminated puppet representing the rippling, flowing river, as well as a nod to our neighborhood cryptid the St Johns River Serpent.
Photo by Mel, 2024
The Undercurrent Chorus
The Undercurrent Chorus
Clad in turquoise, blue and teal, the Chorus accompanies River Dragon's dance to the River with music and song.
Salmon / Guardian of Water
Salmon / Guardian of Water
Calm and flowing. Dressed in watery colors and carries the salmon lantern. Represents Spring, the element of water, and the direction of east during the River Ritual.
Photo by Lane Rollins, 2024
Coyote / Guardian of Fire
Coyote / Guardian of Fire
Sparky trickster. Dressed in fiery colors and carries the coyote lantern. Represents Summer, the element of fire, and the direction of south during the River Ritual.
Photo by Lane Rollins, 2024
Mushroom / Guardian of Earth
Mushroom / Guardian of Earth
Grounded energy. Dressed in earth tones and carries the mushroom lantern. Represents Autumn, the element of earth, and the direction of west during the River Ritual.
Photo via Reigh, 2024
Owl / Guardian of Air
Owl / Guardian of Air
Quiet intensity. Dressed in white and carries the owl lantern. Represents Winter, the element of air, and the direction of north during the River Ritual.
Photo by @adoremire
Grandmother Moon
Grandmother Moon
The Old One who watches over All. Easily carried illuminated paper mache face mounted on a pole.
Photo by @mellorama
Ghost Salmon
Ghost Salmon
The Ghost Salmon originally appeared at our 2021 procession. A large, illuminated willow-frame lantern, the Ghost Salmon was carried through the procession to the river's edge where a tandem kayak awaited to spirit it away downstream. Since then the Ghost Salmon has often appeared at All Souls and other river-themed events.
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