Thursday, May 02, 2013

The Boy Who Lived, The Man Who Died

Happy Beltane, everyone! The nighttime activities of former neighbours notwithstanding, outdoor frolics of any kind are best saved for after Victoria Day at this latitude and altitude, as the weather lately (until the last day or so) can attest. But then, I’m just an old f*rt with my frolicking days a distant memory…

I recently finished Joanna K. Rowling’s first mainstream novel, A Casual Vacancy. Alas, this is a book that can be judged by its cover… boring, boring, boring. Forget Harry Potter; this one may be more suitable for fans of Coronation Street or Eastsiders. While the Harry Potter books are about The Boy Who Lived, this one may arguably be about The Man Who Died, and the repercussions of that death on the sleepy English village where he served on the parish council.

Of course, all is not as it seems, and the restless teenage children of a number of those involved in the by-election begin driving the village’s skeletons out of their closets. Unfortunately it’s hard to find a single character with a moral compass here, since the boundaries between good and evil are blurred. I suspect it may have been more a novel of catharsis for Rowling, reflecting on her beginnings after the juggernaut that was Harry Potter. One can only hope her next novel finds a sense of direction.

The Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club’s annual Rock and Gem Show has moved out of Hillhurst-Sunnyside this year. Instead it will be in Cardel East Arena in Country Hills the first weekend in May.

World Fair Trade Day is May 11, and events will be happening at various locations around the city, including Ten Thousand Villages and the Kingsland Farmers' Market.

Gaia Gathering, the Canadian National Pagan Conference, is happening this year in Gatineau (formerly Hull), Quebec, on the May long weekend. It may be too late to register this year, but consider going another year if you’re interested in the state of paganism in Canada. Perhaps if Pagan Pride Day is a success this year, we can consider hosting it here in Calgary in the near future? I can dream, can’t I?

May Birthdays:  Danielle A., Lotte, Kate T., Dodie, Tag, Shae, and probably some of my Facebook friends. Happy Birthday, everyone! Let me know if I’ve missed yours.

May 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.

May 1: Beltane.
May 1: Beyond the Book of Shadows Social Moot. Info: http://www.meetup.com/Beyond-the-book-of-Shadows/
May 4-5: Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show at Cardel East Arena, 11950 Country Village Link NE (at Harvest Hills Blvd. and Country Village Rd NE). Info: http://www.crlc.ca; click on “Annual Show”.
May 4: Be with you. Really?
May 4, 7:30 p.m.: COGCOA Coffee Cauldron. Info at cogcoa dot ab dot ca.
May 5, 1:00 p.m.: Beyond the Book of Shadows: Amulets, Sachets, Mojo Bags, and Herbal Petitions. Info as May 1 above.
May 9, 6:28 p.m. New Moon. Celtic Tree-Month of Uath (Hawthorn) begins.
May 10-12: Spring Festival of Crafts Art and Craft Sale, at the Big Four Building. Info: http://www.festivalofcrafts.ca
May 11: World Fair Trade Day.
May 17-19: Gaia Gathering, the Canadian National Pagan Conference, in Gatineau, QC. Info: http://gaiagathering.ca.
May 21, 7:30 p.m.: Calgary Witches’ Meetup in north Calgary, hosted by moi. Info: http://www.meetup.com/Calgary-Witches
May 24, 10:25 p.m.: Full (Flower) Moon.
May 26, 1:00 p.m.: Cochrane Wiccan Meetup. See May 21.
May 26: Calgary Lilac Festival on 4th St. SW. Mmmmm… lilacs…. Info: http://www.4streetcalgary.com/Lilac-Festival

Blessings,
Hergest

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