Happy March, everyone.
Robert A. Heinlein wrote, “Climate is what we expect; weather is what we
get.” It’s been on my mind for some time
that paganism is a very climate-driven movement, at least in celebrating the
Sabbats. Yet in an era of increasing climate
change, the weather, and by extension the climate, is becoming more
unpredictable. I’ve only recently
learned that part of the meteorologists’ hype over the “polar vortex” comes
from the fact that the pre-existing vortex, that area north of the east-flowing
jet stream that drives our weather, has currently split in two, one over North
America, the other over Eurasia, buffeted by an air current coming north from
the Pacific.
This all can screw with what was a predictable
agricultural calendar (albeit based in Britain) that’s often the foundation of
the Wheel of the Year. At least the
solar cycle is still consistent; the days grow longer and shorter at the same
rate, and the Sun still makes its slow march up and down the horizon. It seems that, in Alberta at least, we’re
constantly caught in a battle between the cold, wet north winds and warm, dry
west winds that bring the Chinooks.
Alas, we can also note that the west winds bring the smoke from forest fires
during the summer and fall. There’s the
seed here for changing some of the emphasis in our mythologies.
It brings to mind Aesop’s fable of the North Wind and
the Sun, and, with a more Christian bent, Andersen’s tale of the Snow Queen,
and Lewis’ Narnia tale of the battle
between Aslan and Jadis, the White Witch.
Or we can simply declare that the weather is all a cruel joke played by
Loki, or the Trickster god or goddess of your choice.
Of course, it goes without saying that part of our
pagan work, should each of us will it, is working magically and practically to
convince business and government to combat the effects of climate change, and
work for the healing of the Earth. But as
the climate continues to change, and becomes more susceptible to being weather,
the mythos we use in paganism must continue to adapt, so that our celebrations
always remain relevant.
March 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 Mountain.
Mar 1, 7:00 pm:
Circles of Rhythm Drum Circle at Inglewood Community Centre.
Mar 1, 7:00 pm:
Cuddle Club YYC at Scarboro Community Hall. https://www.facebook.com/events/2340047152906461/
Mar2, 10:00 am:
Just Be YYC Market at The Village, 4036 Brentwood Road NW. https://www.facebook.com/events/509444482911123/
Mar 5: Fat
Tuesday. Pancake Day! Mmmm... gluten!
Mar 5, 11:19 am:
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces begins (to Mar 28)
Mar 6-10: Red
Deer Gem and Mineral Show at Harvest Centre, Westerner Park, 4847A-19 Street,
Red Deer, hosted by Silver Cove. https://www.facebook.com/events/335546100587937/
Mar 6, 9:04 am:
New Moon. Lunar Month of Nion/Ash
begins.
Mar 8:
International Women’s Day.
Mar 8, 7:00 pm:
Circles of Rhythm Drum Circle (see Mar 1).
Mar 10:
Daylight Savings Time begins.
Spring forward!
Mar 15, 7:00 pm: Circles of
Rhythm Drum Circle (see Mar 1).
Mar 17: Celtic Pagan Remembrance Day.
Mar 18: Celtic Tree-Month of
Nion/Ash begins, according to Graves and Llewellyn.
Mar
20, 3:58 pm: Vernal Equinox.
Mar
20, 7:43 pm: Full (Worm) Moon.
Mar 22, 7:00 pm:
Circles of Rhythm Drum Circle (see Mar 1).
Mar 24, 12:00 pm: Witches of Alberta Meetup.
Mar 24, 12:00 pm: Witches of Alberta Meetup.
Mar 28-31:
Rock-A-Palooza Gem and Mineral Show at Spruce Meadows Congress Hall,
hosted by Silver Cove. http://www.canadagemshows.com/alberta-events.html
Mar 28, 8:59 am:
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces ends.
Mar 29, 7:00 pm : Circles of Rhythm Drum Circle (see Mar 1).
Mar 30, 10:00 am:
The Witches’ Brew at Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Hall. https://www.facebook.com/events/378028756334280/
Mar 30, 7:00 pm:
Calgary Heathens Meet and Greet.
Mar 30, 8:30 pm:
Earth Hour. http://www.earthhour.org
Mar 31, 6:30 pm:
“Rhythm Cradle: A Night of Musical Healing” hosted by Circles of
Rhythm. https://www.facebook.com/events/2182980862017502/
