Sam Wagar
Canadian Wiccan Priest (Sacred Oak Temple in Edmonton), author, MA in History, ABD in Practical Theology, meadmaker, bibliophile, retired. Democratic Socialist (longtime NDP member).
- Living my life, having weird algorithymic blips - I do recommended reading videos that usually get 20 or so views (which is okay since I just like talking about interesting books) but the latest one has almost 6 K and I did nothing different! Oh well, just keep doing them.
- Being aware of the state of the world as it is currently unfolding, it is difficult for me to have hope. On the individual level, my life is going okay. I have enough money, a decent place to live, a sweetheart, good health. But I cannot live isolated from other people or the world around me.
- The USA has kidnapped the President of a sovereign country, Venezuela. Should Canada's PM worry as well? We have natural resources the billionaires could loot, like Venezuela. Despite Trump's glee, the USA has not installed compradors yet. Can anyone spell Afghanistan, or Vietnam?
- May the candle I light at sunset burn all night to keep the light of hope alive through this longest night of the year. May the sun, unconquered, rise again tomorrow, renewing my life and carrying me forward into the new year. All Hail Sol Invictus! All Hail the Unconquered Sun!
- A little Christmas music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9_Y...
- Mourning the horrific anti-Semitic attack in Australia. Celebrating the courage of Ahmed al-Ahmed, who disarmed one of the murderers and was shot several times by the other.
- #booksky Just a reminder of the excellent 'alt-spirituality' book review site Facing North. www.facingnorth.net
- Bluesky started off with such promise but appears to have fizzled right out. That's a pity. We need alternative social media and lines of communication to those the billionaires own. I'll see what I can do to spark discussion and move things forward.
- #esotericbookchallenge Now that winter is beginning, I'm hunkering down in my library with a substantial pile of interesting new esoteric books to read. Writing reviews for the 'alt-religion' review site Facing North enriches my library.
- Samhain is coming and I'm pulling together a list of dead from the Pagan communities over the past year for my coven. We will recite thir names (and those of our personal Ancestors and Honoured Dead) because what is remembered lives on.
- Arrived home to 7 new esoteric books to review! I know what I'll be reading in the next month or two. Autumn has set in, winter is coming, and I have tea and books to keep me going.
- Thrifting, bought nine books! Schroeder's Theosophical classic "Man - His Origin, History and Destiny", Kelley's "The Black Donnellys", Atwood's non-fiction "Moving Targets" with reflections on the writing process for several of her finest works, including Handmaid's Tale and Oryx and Crake!
- #antifa History lesson about the last time the fascists were organizing (in the 1970s in the UK) and some tactics that worked to defeat them. (warning to liberals - it wasn't polite 'debate'). www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeHv...
- Met with two Priestess apprentices yesterday and I am very pleased. As an Elder, my task is not to lead but to mentor this next generation, and I am delighted to be able to do it. Autumn's starting, too, a less outward, more contemplative turn of the Wheel.
- The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! For this, for everything, we are out of tune; It moves us not.
- Sort of nice to be back as an avid reader. Really just needed a series to devour, Charlaine Harris' Southern vampire series down in a book-a-day binge and I have a nice big TBR urban fantasy pile here still.
- One of my favourite things - I performed a wedding / commitment ceremony today. It's been a couple years since I've had the honour. I was glad to have a Priestess-in-training help out, part of what she'll eventually have to do in service to the Wiccan communities.
- Edmonton Fringe theatre festival this week. Taking it easy - only one play a day. An assortment of interesting looking stuff - drag kings, burlesque, Electra rethought, Witchy punk rock MacBeth. Senior's discounts! (Even full-price this is a bargain!) So, if you see us out and about, say hi!
- Went out to our MP's summer BBQ today - relocated indoors because of the rain and was crowded. Heather McPherson is an excellent MP. The "Forever Canadian" petition team turned out in force, ten of them, and I signed up. They've got to collect 300K signatures in 90 days, but seem to be doing well.
- #booksky As a big fan of the True Blood TV series, I was hesitant to pick up Charlaine Harris' books because I feared disappointment, but I'm finally reading them and loving them. Sly humour, deadpan description of outrageous situations, loads of fun!
- Academic articles may pay nothing and take years to publish but at least they're read by virtually no one. Same is true of my books of Pagan theology. Oh well, intrinsic rewards!
- One thing that happens as you get older, after you retire, is that connections with people, acquaintanceships that develop naturally into friendships, don't just fall into your life. You need to consciously reach out, seek out opportunities to hang around with people that you might like.
- Prerecorded New Moon rite honouring the Moon on Lunar Landing Day for Sacred Oak Wiccan Temple. It'll be up tomorrow at 7. A non-traditional Sabbat I like, to remember one of humanity's greatest achievements. #lunarlandingday
- First meeting of the new coven last night, performing an initiation. Went exceptionally well and I'm really looking forward to where we go from here. Happy Lunar Landing Day, everyone!
- Bibliophile Sam here - three short new book reviews published, giving a quick idea of what's in the books. I like doing reviews and keep up with current 'alt-spirituality' publishing. There's a whole group of reviewers, with different interests, so check it out! www.facingnorth.net
- My regular weekly zoom is a lifeline and I need more of them. Plus in-person chats and ritual work - visiting with friends, building a new coven. Recorded tomorrow's FM rite today for Sacred Oak Temple (Youtube and FB page). Emerging from my shell.
- Get your community where you can - today I visited with the local Soka Gakkai temple (their Wiccan regular guest). SG is an international Buddhist association that started in Japan. Multi-ethnic, multi-racial and just the nicest group of people, about 50 people in today's meeting. Check them out!
- Dominion Day and I'm increasingly glad to be Canadian. Nothing I earned or deserved, but purely from my ancestors' good choices (or, from the Loyalist side, being refugees) and I am grateful to them. I owe them and my children my efforts to improve our country and preserve our freedom.
- Positive news: Today, Court of King’s Bench of Alberta granted an injunction to block the Government of Alberta’s denial of gender-affirming care for gender diverse young people in the province. The Court concluded that Bill 26 would cause irreparable harm to gender diverse young people in Alberta.
- At loose ends, things coming up but nothing today. Stop doom-scrolling, focus, organize my bookshelves, read a book from the pile. I have copies of my various books of Pagan theology and history here cluttering up the library which I'll be delighted to pass along to good homes for $10 each.
- The by-elections are over, NDP kept the two Edmonton seats but were defeated in Olds, no surprise. 82% in Strathcona, 51% in Ellerslie, 20% in Olds. Now the leader has a seat in the Legislature, after a year.
- One way that I work out my anger and disgust at the conservative politicians in Alberta and elsewhere is going out and campaigning for my local NDP candidate, Naheed Nenshi. A couple of hours of canvassing this afternoon, in a solidly NDP neighbourhood, did my heart good. Although my feet are sore.
- And it's raining in Edmonton! Get a bit of water on the parched forest and reduce the smoke, quench the fires (for now). Busy weekend ahead - Yank friends keep safe! And G7 in Kananaskis, where we may get some idea of a new balance of powers.
- I am sick at heart watching what is happening in Los Angeles, the thugs kidnapping brown people with, now, the backing of the military. "What is to be Done?" indeed. From far away, in another country (never the 51st state!).
- After canvassing (Go Naheed!), dropped by the beer store for some new local micros. The weissbier with raspberry, meh, but Bent Stick Brewing has a definite winner in "Throwin' Shade" Cascadian Dark Ale - a toasty, rich, dark beer with nice mouth feel, lots of hops but not overall bitter.
