January 2017

So, this is it.  2016 was an annus horribilus all around, and I think many of us are glad to see it over.  It was a year marked by terrorism, recession, the rise of the radical right, and of course the death of so many pop-culture icons.  David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, George Michael, Carrie Fisher, [insert your fave here].  None of us are getting any younger, so I know we’ll lose more legends in 2017.  As many of you know, this hasn’t been a good year for me either. Already out of work for over a year, I lost my wife, had a setback in my health, retired from my responsibilities in the pagan community, and lost several close friends.

For me, I see 2017 as the beginning of my personal turnaround, as I begin to put my grief behind me and take the first staggering steps forward again.  Our neighbours to the south begin a difficult four years under the [cough] Trump administration, but there is still hope for the liberal/progressive/democratic left.  A rumoured  “Freedom Concert”  against the Inaugural, strong voices like Michael Moore and Robert Reich, and media satirists like Stephen Colbert and the Daily Show, will continue to get the opposing message out in the face of Big Brother.  We will survive this.  Happy 2017, everybody!

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. All times MST.

Jan 1:  New Year’s Day.

Jan 7, 7:30 pm:  COGCOA Coffee Cauldron. http://www.cogcoa.ab.ca

Jan 8, 2:43 am:  Mercury Retrograde ends.

Jan 12, 4:34 am:  Full (Wolf or Cold) Moon.

Jan 14, 10:00 am:  Calgary New Age Craft Market at Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Hall.
Jan 15:  Dances With Witches. Info: Calgary Pagan Network on Facebook.

Jan 20:  Sauron’s not-so-smart, but just as evil brother Mauron moves into Barrad-dur.

Jan 27, 5:07 pm:  New Moon. Luis/Rowan lunar month begins.

Jan 28, 7:00 pm: Heathen Meet and Greet. Info: Calgary Heathens on Facebook.

Jan 28, 7:30 pm sharp:  COGCOA Imbolc Ritual.