Sunday, November 04, 2007

Under Occupation

Happy Samhain, everyone.

One pagan year comes to a close, another begins. And what a time it is… [Curmudgeon alert: As usual, the opinions expressed herein are my own, and are not an official "party line" for Evergreen. I just find myself personally frustrated living where and when I do, and I'm sure a number of local pagans must feel the same way.]

After the last municipal election, I found myself under right-wing occupation by all three levels of government. My new alderman is a Conservative stalwart, who trounced the well-meaning but unfortunately ineffective female incumbent; her shyness was apparently interpreted as aloofness. After her defeat, I wrote, “politics is blood sport, best left to liars and thieves, and no place for good people.”

Provincially, Ed Stelmach chose a “compromise” with the new oil and gas royalty regime that has both the oil companies, who wanted the status quo, and his rural base, who wanted even higher royalties, angry at him personally if not at the Conservatives as a whole. I don’t need a crystal ball to predict that if he loses more than a few seats in the next election, he isn’t long for the premier’s office (he may not be, anyway). I would love for the Liberals (or perhaps the NDP) to finally break the one-party system in Alberta, but my cowan alter ego foresees even rougher times ahead under a change of government.

As for the Feds, the Liberals are still hurting from the damage done to the party under the Chrétien regime, and from the ineffectiveness of Paul Martin. Stéphane Dion could do much for the greening of Canada, but the Liberal Party is still in too much disrepair to put up an effective fight against that fascist Machiavellian, Stephen Harper (c'mon, that's "fair comment", isn't it?). But hey, the economy’s good and the dollar’s strong, so no worries, eh?


As some of you may know, Evergreen is offering its Ritual Leadership Workshop on the weekend of Nov. 23-25. This is an intense weekend of lecture, discussion, and hands'-on ritual creation, suitable for anyone considering designing ritual on a scale from small groups to large public events. This workshop is required for Evergreen's First Degree students; a second go-round for Second Degree students is also highly recommended, and participants from other teaching circles/Traditions are welcome (with consent of HPS/HP as applicable.) Hours are 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $12.00 and includes extensive reference materials. Let me know if you're interested, and/or contact me for further information.

November's Birthdays: Helen L., Christine L., and probably some of my Facebook friends. Also Israel Regardie (Nov. 17, 1907) and Oberon Zell (Nov. 30).

November's Events:
Note these events are listed for information purposes only. Dates and locations may be subject to change; see the source for details. If I’ve missed anyone and you’d like to add to this listing, please contact me.

Nov. 3: COGCOA Coffee Cauldron. Info: info (at) cogcoa (dot) ab (dot) ca
Nov. 4: Daylight Savings Time ends. Fall back!
Nov. 9, 4:03 p.m.: New Moon. Ngetal (Reed) lunar month begins.
Nov. 9-11: Taboo Sex Show at the Roundup Centre. Info: http://www.canwestshows.com/sexshow/
Nov. 10, 6:00 p.m.: Diá de los Muertos Potluck. Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/calgarycommunitypotlucks
Nov. 13: Pagan Night Out. Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalgaryPaganNightOut/
Nov. 15-18: Calgary Art Market Art and Craft Sale. Info: http://www.artmarketcraftsale.com/
Nov. 15, 7:00 p.m.: Pagan Paths, at the Witchery. Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the_witchery/
Nov. 17, 3:00 p.m.: Blood Proud – for pagan women, sponsored by Pucchotha Tribes.
Nov. 17, 7:00 p.m.: Terra Firma – for pagan men, sponsored by Pucchotha Tribes.
Nov. 20, 7:00 p.m.: Calgary Witches Meetup, hosted by yours truly, in north Calgary. Info: http://witches.meetup.com/1322/
Nov. 22, 6:00 p.m.: Calgary Druid Meetup, hosted by Athelia. http://druid.meetup.com/93
Nov. 23-25: Evergreen Ritual Leadership Workshop
Nov. 24, 7:30 a.m.: Full (Beaver) Moon.
Nov. 29–Dec. 2: Festival of Crafts at the Roundup Centre. Info: http://ourbesttoyou.ca/calgary.html

Blessings,
Hergest