My "State of the Union" 2019

Happy 2019, everyone!   Again, although I’ve listed a lot of events this month, there are not a lot of specifically pagan events going on per se. 

Local pagan history has been on my mind lately as I prepare for a private presentation, so I again have to acknowledge that we’ve been in a lull period the last few years.  Several of us who have been around since the 1990s have either retired from public practice, or become focused on our own groups or other interests.  The Covenant of Gaia still does Sabbats and coffees if you can find it, and Jane still hosts occasional Sabbats and other events through the Calgary Witches’ Meetings Facebook group, in addition to running her MoonFire teaching circles. The Stone Circle Teaching Path, so far as I know, still continues to take students.  Evergreen Tradition continues to educate through its teaching circles, and its initiates – by default, I have to emphasize – are active in the Calgary Pagan Pride Society, working on organizing next September’s event.  Volunteers and contributors from other paths are always welcome.  The Calgary Heathens continue to be very active with their monthly meet and greets, discussion groups, and other activities.

The pub moots put on by the new Witches of Alberta Facebook group here can be useful for people seeking a social outlet.  However, I’m aware that pubs may not be the environment for everyone, particularly those with small children or recovery issues.  Monthly coffees at a consistent location may be more useful for some.  Many of you will remember that I hosted monthly coffees/dinners through the Calgary Witches’ Meetup for ten years, as well as Esbats and other events, but they took their toll on me through my late wife Margarian’s illness and passing.  I’d still be happy to see someone take these on, perhaps under the banner of the Calgary Pagan Network (which I moderate) or Calgary Witches’ Meetings, which Jane now organizes – so please check with her before posting new events in that group.

I really need to update my Calgary Pagan Resource Guide, which can be found in the Files section of some local Facebook groups, so look for that here next month.  In the meantime, Witchvox (a.k.a. “The Witches’ Voice”) is a good venue for posting events.  They did a general culling a few years ago, so the Alberta community page is a bit sparse, particularly where Calgary is concerned.  Still, several seekers continue to find their way to us by that route.

Calgary is still largely a community of solitaries with busy lives, so don’t be frustrated if you see a shortage of public events.  Teachers in the community continue to train students to take on leadership roles, and no one is preventing solitaries from all paths from stepping up and hosting events.  Perhaps in 2019, it will even be you!

January Events:

 Note these events are listed for information purposes only; no endorsement should be necessarily implied. 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.  New Horizons spacecraft reaches Ultima Thule.

Jan 3:  Earth at perihelion.

Jan 4, pre-dawn:  Peak of Quadrantid meteor shower.

Jan 4, 7:00 pm:  Circles of Rhythm Drum Circle at Inglewood Community Centre.  https://www.meetup.com/The-Calgary-Drum-Circle-Meetup-Group/

Jan 5, 6:28 pm:  New Moon.  Lunar Month of Beth/Birch begins.

Jan 11, 7:00 pm:  Circles of Rhythm Drum Circle (see Jan 4).

Jan 12:  Cuddle Party at Scarboro Community Hall, hosted by Numinous Creations.  https://www.facebook.com/events/339382580200166/

Jan 14, 7:00 pm:  Tantric Women’s Circle at Scarboro Community Hall, hosted by Calgary Tantra with Rovena Skye.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1013800068744560/

Jan 18, 7:00 pm:  Circles of Rhythm Drum Circle (see Jan 4).

Jan 19, 12:00 pm:  Women’s March to City Hall hosted by Women’s March Canada - Calgary and March On Canada - Calgary, at Banker’s Hall (or Famous Five monument).  Info: http://www.womensmarchcanada.com

Jan 20, 8:34 pm:  Lunar eclipse begins; totality at 9:41 pm.

Jan 20, 10:16 pm:  Full (Wolf) Moon.

Jan 21:  Celtic Tree-Month of Luis/Rowan begins, according to Graves and Llewellyn.

Jan 25, 7:00 pm:  Circles of Rhythm Drum Circle (see Jan 4).

Jan 26, 6:30 pm:  Tantric Cacao Journey of Love (Heart Chakra) at Scarboro Community Hall, hosted by Numinous Creations.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1144007915757565/

Jan 27, 7:00 pm:  Calgary Heathens Meet and Greet.