February, 2013

Happy Imbolc, all.  The days are getting longer, mainly from the evening side, and we’re enjoying the pleasant Chinookish weather that seems to come every year at this time. We’re past the January doldrums, February is a short month, and celestial Spring is starting to come into view!

Hope some of you managed to make it out to see Balzac Billy on Saturday; to my mind it’s the closest thing to a “traditional” Imbolc experience you’ll get around here.  And the Balzac Business Community Association usually puts on a pretty good breakfast. If not, there’s always next year… or not (because…):

On February 15, we have another anticipated near-miss with an asteroid. 2012DA14, discovered just last year, will reportedly pass within .07 Lunar Distances of Earth, closer than some geosynchronous satellites. Let’s hope it doesn’t hit anything up there, or have its trajectory altered by its proximity to Earth. Just sayin’… Fnord.

As some of you know, I got hit by the nasty cold or flu bug that’s been making the rounds in Calgary lately. It knocked me flat for several days, and now about two weeks later I may finally be getting over the worst of it. It makes me wonder if viruses are getting stronger, giving rise to superbugs that will take their toll on humanity one day.  Apologies if I’ve been crankier or more irritable lately, as that’s part of it.

The Great Work continues slowly. I emptied out a storage locker over the Yule break, and am beginning the slow process of Dealing With It. The ailing Mazda has been donated to the Kidney Foundation (appropriately enough), and I’ve made plans to return Margarian’s unused dialysis supplies to the distributor. Her doctor is recommending she convert to hemodialysis, which she may be able to do at home. We hope there will be fewer supplies, and be able to use our front room for more than storage.

February Birthdays:  This month, Hergest’s Magick Mirror sees Ary W., Mandy C., Margarian, Lana W., Tavey, Selena, Meg, Bryn, Morgan, Sandra, Judi, and Rikki. Happy Birthday, everyone! Let me know if I’ve missed yours.

 

February 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.

Feb. 2, 7-9 a.m.: Groundhog Day Breakfast with Balzac Billy at Blue Grass Garden Centre near Crossiron Mills. Billy emerges at 8:07 a.m.  Info: http://balzacbilly.webs.com

Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m.: COGCOA Coffee Cauldron. Info at cogcoa dot ab dot ca.
Feb. 9, 1:00 p.m.: Beyond the Book of Shadows presents “Books for Witches” – The Way of Wyrd by Brian Bates.  Info: http://www.meetup.com/Beyond-the-book-of-Shadows/
Feb. 9, 7:00 p.m.: Angels Among Us presents Introduction to Wicca.  Info: http://www.meetup.com/myownlight/events/100590422/
Feb. 10, 12:20 a.m. New Moon. CelticTree-Month of Nion (Ash) begins. Chinese Year of the Snake.
Feb. 15, 12:26 p.m.: Asteroid 2012DA14 passes Earth.
Feb. 15-17: COGCOA Winter Mysteries.
Feb. 18: Family Day (Alberta).
Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.: Calgary Witches’ Meetup, in north Calgary, hosted by moi. Info:  http://www.meetup.com/Calgary-Witches
Feb. 23, 2:41 a.m.: Mercury Retrograde begins (to March 17).
Feb. 24, 1:00 p.m.: Cochrane Wiccan Meetup, location TBA. See Feb. 19.
Feb. 25, 1:26 p.m.:  Full (Snow) Moon.

Blessings,

Hergest