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White magic in Black Creek: Wiccan church congregation seeing growth
Have you ever wanted to delve into the world of Wicca?
If you live in the Comox Valley, or Campbell River, you don’t have to go far.
The Aquarian Tabernacle Church of Canada (ATCC) is one of the country’s few Wiccan churches, and it practises out of Halbe Hall, in Black Creek.
Mary Malinski is the high priestess of the Circle of the Sacred Muse – the circle she started upon her arrival to Vancouver Island, more than a decade ago. The congregation has been growing ever since.
“Active members, we probably have about 20, but we probably have about 80 that kind of sit on the fringes… they come and participate every once in a while, or they check us out, but are not actively participating all the time,” she said. “There is an active group in Victoria as well, but they are a little more quiet about it.”
The ATCC began in 1990.
Wicca is described as a modern Pagan religion, whose followers worship a goddess and a god (duotheistic), although Malinski said that definition over-simplifies the practice.
“I don’t like to limit it to duotheism,” she said. “In general, we honour both the masculine and feminine principles of the divine. However each member relates to that in different ways. Some people connect very strongly with the Greek gods and goddesses, some connect very strongly with Norse, some with Sumerian… and some just like to keep it general. But what makes Wicca unique is that we make sure we balance both the masculine and feminine faces of the divine.”
Wicca is a religion connected with nature. As opposed to worship on a certain day of the week, Wiccan services are planned in connection with the phases of the moon and the cycle of the sun.
“We have public rituals at or around every full moon … on the Saturday closest to the full moon,” said Malinski. “We also have public celebrations around the solstices and equinoxes, and the cross-quarter days that happen halfway in between. So there are eight solar festivals that we celebrate every year, with a potluck and ritual.”
Wicca and witchcraft
No discussion about Wicca can be complete without addressing the subject of witchcraft.
While popular belief is that Wiccans practise witchcraft, Malinski said that is another over-simplification of the religion.
“The two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Many people who see themselves as Wiccans also practice witchcraft; spells, herbs, oils, using the tools of nature to create magic; using our will to create change in the universe,” she said. “But this is where Wicca and witchcraft differ. Witchcraft in its purest form could be beneficial, or it could be harmful, depending on the intent of the user. For those who are followers of Wicca, we have a rule, kind of like the Golden Rule. Ours says ‘an it harm none, do what you will.’ So we have that ‘harm none’ rule in place. We cannot use our magic to harm other people, or harm ourselves. It has to come from that place of benefiting ourselves, benefiting the community, benefiting the people around us.”
A reasonable analogy would be comparing Wiccans to the Good Witch of the North in the Wizard of Oz.
“Kind of, yes,” said Malinksi, chuckling and adding there is nothing to be fearful of, when it comes to Wicca.
“I would say it’s very much a path of personal growth. As Wiccans we take personal responsibility very [seriously]. It’s very similar to the law of attractions. We are responsible for everything that happens in our lives. So if we don’t like what we are experiencing, it’s our responsibility to make changes.”
Another rule of the Wiccan religion is that all magic used must be consensual.
“One of the rules that our church follows is ‘cast no spell, for good or ill, on or about, or against, any other living being without their knowledgeable approval.’”
The local congregation is family-friendly.
For more information on the ATCC, Malinski can be contacted at 250-897-8761.
The start of a new decade also marks a new era for the ATCC. Malinski will receive her elevation to Archpriestess of ATC Canada at the annual Spring Mysteries Festival hosted by the ATC Mother Church (https://www.atcwicca.org).
Malinski founded the Circle of the Sacred Muse in Courtenay more than a decade ago, thereby becoming a priestess. She has been working on her path to archpriesthood since 2006.
In this photo Mary Malinski (centre) and her congregation are “drawing down the moon” during a Circle of the Sacred Muse worship session. Photo supplied
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About the Author: Terry Farrell
Terry returned to Black Press in 2014, after seven years at a daily publication in Alberta. He brings 14 years of editorial experience to Comox Valley Record.
From Devout Catholic To Wiccan Witch— Why I Traded In A Cross For A Pentagram
The moon hangs high over Toronto’s Serena Gundy Park, a thriving forest tucked away in Leaside, one of Toronto’s wealthiest neighborhoods. As people begin to file in, the tall trees that separate the woods from the street sway rhythmically with the gentle push of the September wind. Everyone is preparing themselves for the nights events— the hum of voices can be heard from the beaten path that leads to this large clearing in the middle of the forest. A man walks off into the trees and a few minutes later, he emerges adorned in a floor length hooded brown velvet robe. Three years ago he would have never imagined himself abandoning his pursuits of becoming a Catholic priest in order to join the Wiccan faith.
Dan Finn is the epitome of average modern man. He wakes up in the morning, goes to work at his 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. government job where he files documents and deals with mail, among other things. At the end of the day he comes home to his family of two; his boyfriend Joseph and his white Burmese cat, Cotton.
By night, Dan praises the Gods and Goddesses worshipped in Wicca, attends rituals and even goes by the pseudonym Anura.
“Growing up, my mom had occult books and I remember just looking at them, flipping through them, even before I could read. At one point I was a seminarian, on track to become a Roman Catholic priest. I’ve always had an inkling to be in some sort of clerical duty.”
The pagan religion of Wicca has been around since the early 20th century, but the religion first found footing in Canada in 1979 when Richard and Tamarra James, along with a few other members of their coven founded the Wiccan Church of Canada in Toronto. Richard and Tamarra moved from California and brought with them their vast knowledge of the occult, opening up a small store called the Occult Shop on Vaughn Road, that has since relocated to 1373 Bathurst, Toronto.
The goal of starting the church was to make it easier for newcomers to find their way into the craft and to add legitimacy to the religion. As the church grew, the members of the original coven scattered, creating covens of their own with the new members. The church offers weekly classes focusing on different aspects of the religion, from tool making to ceremonial magic. As the popularity of Wicca grows, a Hamilton church was created to service the needs of practicing witches in the area.
What causes someone who has dedicated their life to Christ, to drop everything and pursue witchcraft? According to Dan the answer is simple—diversity. “Every ritual is so radically different, all the priests and priestesses are different, and it gives you a good snap shot of different faiths and that’s what kind of reels me into coming every week. Love it or hate it, witchcraft is an art of diversity.”
Lined up one by one in the moonlight, 45 witches in velvet robes and silk gowns begin to walk slowly towards a roaring fire. In front of the fire is a circular black wooden altar with a white pentagram painted on its face. The altar lies flat on the ground supporting the ritual tools: a chalice, wine, a sacrifice, candles, an athame, a sword, salt, and water. In the grass beside the altar lies three broomsticks. The witches enter the ritual space chanting in unison, eventually forming a large circle with the high priest and priestess in the centre facing the north, singing the words, “May the circle be open, but not unbroken, may the peace of the Goddess be ever in your heart.”
Richard James raises his hands to the sky, silencing the circle as he begins to speak, “After much consideration it is with great honour I appoint our new summoner.” Silence. Even the hum of the mosquitoes seems to cease, “Anura, please step forward.”
The job of the summoner in the Wiccan Church is one role the community does not take lightly. The duties include protection of everyone participating in rituals, screening newcomers and evaluating potential threats. If needed the summoner must be willing to lay down his life in protection of the high priestess. Although the church has never faced more than “drunk kids throwing rocks,” at them, if the time ever came, the summoner must be ready to fight for the lives of Wiccan community.
The previous summoner of the Wiccan Church of Canada is a sturdy Italian man named Jackson Fig who also had his doubts with Catholicism. “I couldn’t get over the fact that I was so Christian, and so in love with God, and the people that claimed they did too were sinning left right and centre and were still coming to church like everything was okay.” After this realization, Jackson decided that although Catholicism is the path his family chose, it just wasn’t for him. Conflicted by his love of religion and his newfound rejection of Catholicism, Jackson knew a change had to be made, “I took a step back and said ‘The only way I’m going to be okay with religion is if I can find one that matches what I believe in.’ So I took a pen and paper and wrote down everything I believed.” And for Jackson, Wicca happened to hit more points on his list than any other religion.
“After careful deliberation, the high priesthood has decided to appoint you as the new summoner of the Wiccan Church of Canada.” Richard pauses, and the crackle of the fire fills the void of silence. “Should you accept this position, the safety and security of everyone participating in rituals within the church is in your hands. You will be our guardian, our protector against any harm that may threaten us. Do you accept this position?”
Dan’s feet resemble cement blocks as he drags himself into the middle of the circle to join the priesthood. Seconds feel like minutes as all patrons hang on the edge for a response. With a deep breath he says simply, “I accept.” Applause echoes through the trees as previous summoners from the past 40 years begin to line up to exalt words of wisdom upon him. Next the priestess fills a chalice of wine, she raises it to the sky for divine blessing taking a long sip and begins passing it around the circle. One by one we drink from the chalice, and I’m reminded of the one word of advice my father gave me before embarking on my journey into witch-hood, “Just don’t drink the Kool-Aid.”
Once this is finished the group contracts to form a tight circle around the fire; with arms draped around one another, Richard begins chanting, “Hey, ho, pentagram glow, guard this hearth, this home, this land….” The group begins to join in. With the glow of the fire illuminating their faces and casting ominous shadows against the trees, everyone slowly begins to sway from side to side in tribal rhythm.
Colleen Shantz, a University of Toronto Theology professor thinks she knows why people like Dan and Jackson have strayed from Catholicism and found solace in Wicca. “We are so dependent on one another to give meaning to our own lives. I think if anyone is attracted to any religious organization it’s partly in search of identity and the social confirmation of identity.”
Dan begins the trek through the woods to get back to the main road with a few witches and his boyfriend Joseph. Dan and Joseph walk hand in hand chatting about the night’s proceedings. Passing a couple walking their pug, they smile and say hello. I wonder if their demeanor would have changed if the couple had known what these Wiccans were up too just 15 minutes earlier?
The group continues walking, a black cat scurries across the road not 20 feet away. “Isn’t that fitting,” one of the witches says with a cackle.
When I Was A Wiccan
Toronto has a plethora of cultures, but there was one I’ve always been interested in. Wicca. What instigated my journey was a school assignment to write a story, but the story was deeper than what I submitted.
After researching I found the WCC, The Wiccan Church of Canada, which has since moved from the St. Clair west community centre it operated from. I began taking classes on Thursday nights about different Wiccan rituals, holidays, deities and so on. It was like being in witch school, for a while anyway.
I enjoyed it. I’ve always been intrigued by the power of nature, astrology, herbs and natural remedies. I wanted to connect with the earth and my own inner power, that’s what drew me in. It was late September that I visited, apparently most “seekers,” i.e. people interested in the religion flock around Halloween.
There was something magical about learning about Wicca and a part of me would like to keep practicing. After all, I bought some Wiccan simple tries—books, candles, incense, herbs and a silver pentagon ring. Have to act the part right?
Photos by, Ruby Wray
Going “undercover” writing a story was cool and nearly worked until some girls from my school showed up with a similar idea. Let’s just say they didn’t really keep their motives on the down-low. Maybe I should have come clean and told the witches I was digging for dirt or at least some treasure.
To my dismay I couldn’t find anything substantially of interest, other than the art of Wicca itself. It wasn’t about the people that practiced it, or the holidays I learned about, it was the feeling. The feeling of connecting with a higher power, the Mother Earth.
When we chanted in the circle outside in the night air, the wind carried our voices like it was meant to. The trees swayed in agreement and it felt like we belonged there. Our feet planted in the damp grass, a fire blazing within a circle of people, songs drifting in the cool autumn air under a bright moon and I felt at home.
Below is an excerpt from my feature article, read on!
Witches may conjure notions of pointy hats, black cats and cauldrons, but modern Wicca is based on ancient pagan religions from Western Europe—primarily Celtic, Greek and Egyptian. Wicca can be practiced in various forms that consist of magick, (not to be confused with magic), as the ability to influence ones environment by casting spells. Wiccan’s have two gods, the sun God and the Goddess of the moon. They also worship various deities, primarily from Greek mythology. Worship is traditionally performed in groups or covens, but many modern Wiccan’s are solitary practitioners and can practice with a meditation, burning candles and incense.
As the only public Wiccan ritual in Toronto, The Wiccan Church of Canada (WCC) is the primary access point to newcomers, known as “seekers,” interested in paganism. In the warmer months, the WCC has public rituals outside in Serena Gundy Park near Eglington Avenue E.
The WCC was founded in 1979 by Richard and Tamarra James because they wanted to establish public rituals with an education base for new members. In order to be accepted into a coven, students must be initiated by vowing their desire to pursue a Wiccan path to their designated teacher. Chris Roberts, an employee at The Occult Shop at 1373 Bathurst St., explains what draws many people to the Wiccan religion. He says, “The neat thing about Wicca is there’s a lot of choose-your-own-path. It’s more personal and focuses on the individual.” Roberts claims that when the WCC started, their mission to host an open circle was controversial. “A lot of people believe Wicca should never become a public religion—it’s more private covens,” he says.
The exposure of the Wiccan religion through public rituals at the WCC may upset Wiccans hiding in “the broom closet,” but they’ve created more awareness of the religion in Toronto. “The stigma has improved exponentially. I’d like to say the WCC has grown that on some level,” says Roberts. There are essentially two “supposed” kinds of witchcraft, white magick and left path, also known as “black magick.” To Wiccans, “A spell is just a complicated prayer,” says Richard James who preaches good intentions. The WCC strictly forbids black magick and exercise strictly “white witchcraft.”
There are a lot of people, who don’t “believe” but yet, a witch is a cultural archetype that you can’t help but be curious about. Some people who go to The Occult Shop say, “I don’t believe in magick,” says Roberts. However, if you ever meet Richard James, the founder of the WCC, you will feel like you are transported to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft. With a striking resemblance to the headmaster from Harry Potter, James is a Dumbledore replica—with round spectacles, a black robe, shoulder-length grey hair and a long grey beard.
In a grove in Serena Gundy Park, bats fly overhead while a circle of witches and warlocks ask the four directions for protection. They thank the elements: air, fire, water and earth and close their circle. The crowd disperses as the hot embers from the bonfire sail into the cool night air.
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