|
| |
The Witches' Gathering, Ottawa
BY The Witches Gathering
About The Witches Gathering
Vikings Invade Barrymores on Hallowe’en
About The Witches Gathering
We are a group of Wiccans and Pagans who have chosen to share our spirituality, and support each other in our quest for deeper insight into ourselves and their connection with the Gods. We are based in Ottawa, but have members elsewhere in Canada and the United States.
The name-sake event, The Witches Gathering, is a party held every year with the following motivations:
To try to dispel some of the negative sterotypes associated with Wiccans and Pagans.
To provide an opportunity for those unfamiliar with how we worship to come and participate, if they so choose.
To provide an opportunity for Wiccans and Pagans to meet and socialize. We are, after all, the Pagan
event in Canada.
To hear cool bands play awesome music.
To give back to the community that we work, play and live in.
And most importantly, to have fun!
When not organising The Witches Gathering, we meet regularly to honour the changing of the seasons, explore the mysteries of life, and deepen our connection with the Gods through magickal rite and worship. We can be describes as eclectic Wiccans who have drawn fromOdyssean Wicca and Asatru, among other traditions. We organise ourselves long a loose temple structure, with a High Priestess who is the source of our knowledge and inspiration.
We are open to new members where there is a good fit between the new member and ourselves. We would ask that anyone who may be interested in learning more about us, be willing to meet us with an open mind and the understanding that relationship flows in two directions. Practically, this means meeting with our summoner first before attending a ritual, getting to know us while we get to know you and understanding that it may turn out that our group is not what you are looking for and there is not fault in this. There are other Wiccan and/or Pagan groups in Ottawa, with different styles and specialties, that may be more suitable. Finally, please be patient; we are quite busy with the Gathering in the months leading up to it and may not have time to meet with you until after Samhain.
You may email The Witchs Gathering summoner at summoner@witches-gathering.com
Adapted from the Witches Gathering Website.
Vikings Invade Barrymores on Hallowe'en
Ottawa's 5th Annual Witches Gathering
It is said that the veil between the living and the dead is the thinnest at Halloween. Join us once again as we cross the veil at Barrymore's. This year we will be entering the ancient Halls of Valhalla where the Viking gods and heroes celebrate their glories in the afterlife. Party with Odin, Thor, Loki and the Valkyries on a night of costumes, live music, dancing and ritual at Ottawa's premiere music hall!
For those who dare to experience the ancient ceremonies of the Vikings and discover what the fates have in store for them, the doors will open at 6:30 before locking tight again at 7:00pm. Wiccan High Priestess, Michelle Hrynyk, will lead a one-hour ritual honoring both our ancestors and the Scandinavian heroes of antiquity. Michelle has fifteen years experience introducing the Ottawa public to the mysteries of Halloween. Come and explore the hidden wisdom and daring achievements of warrior men and women in the distant past.
The doors reopen at 8 pm and the party at Valhalla explodes into frenzy! Grab your horned Viking helmet and dance to the funk rhythms of opening act, Dr. Huxtable! Then prepare to get really lively to the foot stomping sounds of Dave Anthony! Dave is a fixture within the Ottawa music scene and The Witches gathering is extremely fortunate to have him as our headlining act. Compete for prizes in the highly competitive Annual Costume Competition for best, most imaginative, or most alluring disguise (yeah, baby, yeah). Hoist your beer steins and holler! Drink, dance and be merry, for Halloween is but once a year!
As Wiccans and Pagans, we feel it is important to give back to the community that we live in. To that end, proceeds from the Witches Gathering will be donated to the Ottawa Food Bank. The Ottawa Food Bank supplies food to people in our region when they are unable to adequately provide for themselves and their families. Last year, the, The Witches Gathering raised $1,200.00 in support of Brighter Futures for Children of Young Single Parents. Brighter Futures offers a range of services in support of young mothers and fathers and their children, including programs for healthy eating, drug and alcohol education, anger and stress counseling and much more. Brighter Futures is a project of the Young/Single Parent Support Network, a partnership of four agencies: Bethany Hope Centre, Emily Murphy Housing, St. Mary's Home, and Youville Centre. In the past, The Witches Gathering has supported the Ottawa Public Library, The Wild Bird Care Centre, The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and the Ottawa Circle of the Spiral Scouts.
Advance tickets for The Witches Gathering are available from Barrymore's Music Hall, Perfect Books (on Elgin street), and Crystal Dawn (on Dalhousie) for $10.00. Tickets will also be available at the door for $15.00. Watch for posters and Viking ships on the horizon.
For more information about the Witches gathering, email press@witches-gathering.com, or visit www.witches-gathering.com
For more information about the Ottawa Food Bank, visit www.theottawafoodbank.ca or call 613-745-7001
For more information about Dave Anthony, visit www.daveanthony.com
For more information about Dr. Huxtable, visit www.drhuxtable.com
© 2003. This article appeared in the Samhain 2003 issue of WynterGreene. Permission to reprint, with full credit, must be granted by the author. If you would like to reprint this article, please email Wyntergreene.
|
|
|
|
|
|
