Wicca Wiccan

Question:

Hello fellow Wiccans, Peace and Joy be with you during this time of birth! I’m a student of Wiccan philosophy… I daren’t call myself Wiccan yet as there is too much I don’t know. I do know that nature and life is precious to me and I want to learn. My dearest frient showed me the path and instructed me to follow my heart. I have recently moved to a new city, and don’t know if anyone who believes is here. I’m looking for a place to learn, to find knowledge and to meet others. Does anyone know if such exists in Ottawa, Canada? May the Sacred Oak shelter you in times of trouble! – an Initiate

Response:

I’m a student of Wiccan philosophy… I daren’t call myself Wiccan yet as there is too much I don’t know. I do know that nature and life is precious to me and I want to learn. My dearest frient showed me the path and instructed me to follow my heart. I have recently moved to a new city, and don’t know if anyone who believes is here. I’m looking for a place to learn, to find knowledge and to meet others. Does anyone know if such exists in Ottawa, Canada?

        Believe it or not you are in a community of great size and diversity there in Ottawa. There are lots of Witches there, but they may prove hard to contact, depending on your methods.         Probably the best first step you could take would be to go to The Occult Shop on Bank St. downtown, from the staff there you will be able to find out about local Pagan/Wiccan events, and you should ask about the Meed & Greet in particular (if its still happening) – which usually occurs once per month. There was also a Pagan Discussion group which met periodically when I was last there (about 4 years ago).         There is another shop in town as well, but I can’t remember the name of it (Its new and was started up after I left). Its over near the market I think.         The Occult Shop is also connected with the Wiccan Church of Canada, as the Ottawa Branch. The rest of the WCOC is located in Toronto and Hamilton I believe.         The local community in Ottawa is pretty varied, and as I am Alexandrian/Gardnerian that is the section of the community I am most familiar with. They are a less evident portion of the community. I do not know if there is much of an eclectic community (a la Starhawk) or Dianic (a la Budapest) community and have had no contact with them per se. If your interests and beliefs lie more in these areas, you might find more information through Carleton University, which has a strong Wiccan presence in the Women’s Studies department (I think, I am not sure). There have been some interesting papers comming out of Carleton on Wicca, in the past few years.         You might also get a subscription to Hecate’s Loom Magazine, which although it is published in Victoria BC (by friends of mine in fact), does cover the Neo-Pagan/Wiccan scene across Canada, and has a useful contact advertising section. You can probably get the Loom at the Occult Shop, but you can also reach them by snailmail at: Hecate’s Loom Box 5206, Station B, Victoria, B.C. V8R 6N4 Canada or electronically at: Web:    http://www.hecate.com Hope this information starts you on your way to meeting those with whom you will find friendship and community. Blessed Be, and happy hunting! Warren Grant

Response:

I’m a student of Wiccan philosophy… I daren’t call myself Wiccan yet as there is too much I don’t know. I do know that nature and life is precious to me and I want to learn. My dearest frient showed me the path and instructed me to follow my heart. I have recently moved to a new city, and don’t know if anyone who believes is here. I’m looking for a place to learn, to find knowledge and to meet others. Does anyone know if such exists in Ottawa, Canada?

Try looking up The Occult Shop in the phone book. Whether or not the Odyssean tradition is your style (and many people find  that it is not), the store should be a good place to start networking.                                 — Margarian

Response: