Canada

Pagan Community Notes: Dr. Bones, Canada Witchcraft, and more

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This weekend, a now former writer for Gods and Radicals, “Dr. Bones” a self-described anarchist / egoist-communist, occultist, and gonzo journalist, was accused of sexual misconduct in a lengthy Twitter thread. Gods and Radicals promptly responded to the accusation and tweeted a brief statement early Sunday morning supporting the accuser and announcing that they would be removing all of Bones’ articles. Gods and Radicals added that they would no longer be distributing his book. Later on Sunday, Dr. Bones posted an apology on his blog site, The Conjure House, stating “This will be my last post, and it is not to ask for pity. It is to firmly and clearly state I have committed unforgivable actions, and as such will retire completely from both writing and politics.”   He further added that “I have violated not only the trust of my readers, of my comrades, but most of all my wife.

Canada

Canada Set to Remove Witchcraft Laws as Arrests Made

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TORONTO —  The York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau reported on October 25, 2018 that, Samantha Stevenson, alias Evanna Lopez, was arrested and charged before the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket with falsely practicing Witchcraft for allegedly attempting to swindle an elderly victim. The investigation began in November of 2017 and continued until the arrest. The York Regional Police report claims that that the victim lost over $600,000 in an effort to rid himself of evil spirits.  

The York Regional Police made clear in their statement that,
The offence of Pretending to Practice Witchcraft, under the Criminal Code of Canada, specifically deals with individuals who fraudulently portray themselves as having fortune-telling abilities or pretend to use witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment or conjuration in order to obtain money or valuables from a victim. This charge is not connected in any way to any religion.

Canada

Recreational marijuana legal in Canada

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CANADA – The use and sale of recreational marijuana became legal Wednesday, making Canada the second nation behind Uruguay to legalize cannabis. The Cannabis Act, as it is called, was passed by the Canadian House of Common in Nov 2017 and then by its Senate in June 2018, and approved that month. Recreational cannabis became legal midnight October 17 and, according to news reports, there were shops and buyers ready and waiting. Heathen Robert Rudachyk, who lives in Saskatchewan and has been involved in local government for years, told The Wild Hunt: “It is long past time. Whether you choose to smoke it or not is and has always been a matter of personal choice.

Canada

Heathen hopeful joins leadership race in Saskatchewan

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SASKATOON, SK — On May 5, members of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party will elect a new leader. This new leader will represent the party in the 2020 provincial election and, if elected, become the premier of this prairie province. Throwing his hat into the ring for the upcoming contest is Robert Rudachyk, an outspoken member of Canada’s Heathen community. Rudachyk is no stranger to politics. He ran as a Liberal candidate for the Saskatoon Riverside constituency, hoping to be elected a member of the legislative assembly in the 2016 provincial election.

Canada

Canada’s National Pagan Conference Gaia Gathering continues its success

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CALGARY, Alb. – The Canadian National Pagan Conference (CNPC) Gaia Gathering celebrated a successful event in Calgary, Alberta over the Victoria Day long weekend May 19-22. The theme for this year’s conference was “Rhythm and Flow” and featured speakers not only from the Calgary area, but also across Canada as well. The genesis of this event came as a comment, made by Richard James of the Wiccan Church of Canada. In a post made to an email list maintained by the Pagan Federation Païenne Canada (PFPC), James asked: “Could it be that Canada is ready for a national Pagan conference?”

His question inspired two community leaders, Gina Ellis and Kit Morrison, to put the wheels in motion for the first Gaia Gathering (GG), which took place in 2004 in Edmonton.