January, 2010

The calendar turns again (and already has, if you have one of the published ones that starts at the solstice). To quote John Lennon, "another year over, and a new one just begun". A time for nostalgia for the year and decade just past, and anticipation for the future. I wish you all health and happiness in the months ahead!

Here are some events and festivals you might want to mark on your calendar, or not... Note that some dates are tentative, as promotion has not yet formally begun.

The Calgary Witches’ Meetup will be having a special meetup on Thursday, January 7, to welcome Helen P., a Witch from Australia, who’s expressed an interest in meeting some of the local people. It will be at the Humpty’s at Macleod Trail and Bannister Road, by the Greengate Garden Centre, starting at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

COGCOA’s Winter Mysteries runs this year on the long weekend of Feb. 12-14, on a Russian Mythology theme. Email: info at cogcoa dot ab dot ca

The Aquarian Tabernacle Church is running its 25th Spring Mysteries Festival, a reconstruction of the Eleusinian Mysteries of Greece, somewhere west of Seattle from April 1-4. Info: http://www.aquatabch.org/spring-mysteries-festival

Gaia Gathering, the sixth Canadian National Pagan Conference, runs May 21-24 (Victoria Day weekend) at the University of Guelph, Ontario. Info: http://www.gaiagathering.ca/

PanFest runs July 30-August 1 on a lake in central Alberta. Info when available at http://www.panfest.ca/

The Gathering for Life on Earth runs July 30-August 2 on a mountain lake an hour north of Vancouver. Theme: “The Enchanted Forest”. Info: http://www.gatheringforlife.org/

BC Witchcamp should be running from August 28-September 3 for a full-week immersion in the Reclaiming Tradition. Info: http://www.bcwitchcamp.ca/

Con-Version 26, the Calgary SF convention, is scheduled for the weekend of October 15-17. Info: http://www.con-version.org/


The coveted No-Prizes this month, for catching the monthly typo, go to Anne W. and Bernie M. They receive free copies of my forthcoming book, when and if I ever write it...

Thanks to Kary Lee and Bill G. for joining me on December 21 for sunrise. The Sun God was hiding his face, but His presence was still felt.

January's Birthdays: Jackie R., Angela R., Henry K., Gayle, Paulie, Margie F., and probably some of my Facebook friends. Also Sir James Frazer (Jan. 1, 1854), Dorothy Clutterbuck-Fordham (Jan. 19, 1880), Robbie Burns (Jan. 25, 1759), and Z. Budapest (Jan. 30). Let me know if I’ve missed yours.

January 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.

Dec. 31, 12:13 p.m.: Full (Long Night’s) Moon.
Jan. 2: COGCOA Coffee Cauldron. Info: info (at) cogcoa (dot) ab (dot) ca
Jan. 7: The Eclectic Circle, led by SpiritnSoul. Info: http://www.meetup.com/The-Eclectic-Circle-TEC
Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m: Calgary Witches’ Special Meetup, hosted by moi, in south Calgary. See above.
Jan. 15, 12:11 a.m.: New Moon. Beth (Birch) lunar month begins. (Solar eclipse).
Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.: Calgary Witches’ Meetup, hosted by moi, in north Calgary. Info: http://www.meetup.com/Calgary-Witches
Jan. 29, 11:18 p.m.: Full (Wolf) Moon.
Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m. sharp: COGCOA Imbolg Ritual.
Feb. 2, Groundhog Day Breakfast at Balzac Community Hall. Info: http://www.balzacbilly.com/


Blessings,
Hergest