Sam Wagar
@samwagar.bsky.social
Canadian Wiccan Priest (Sacred Oak Temple in Edmonton), author, MA in History, ABD in Practical Theology, meadmaker, bibliophile, retired. Democratic Socialist (longtime NDP member).
#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.
November 9, 2025 at 7:26 PM
#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.
October 31, 2025 at 4:31 PM
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.
October 27, 2025 at 6:23 PM
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.
October 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
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!
October 9, 2025 at 10:01 PM
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...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeHv...
How We Beat The Fascists Last Time: The London History Show
YouTube video by J. Draper
www.youtube.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
#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...
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.
September 20, 2025 at 9:13 PM
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.
September 13, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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.
September 7, 2025 at 5:13 AM
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.
August 31, 2025 at 3:45 AM
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!
August 20, 2025 at 10:39 PM
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.
August 14, 2025 at 2:00 AM
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.
August 10, 2025 at 5:17 PM
#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!
August 7, 2025 at 2:57 PM
#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!
August 1, 2025 at 4:14 AM
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.
July 27, 2025 at 11:23 PM
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
July 23, 2025 at 5:54 PM
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!
July 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
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
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www.facingnorth.net
July 14, 2025 at 11:18 PM
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
July 11, 2025 at 5:14 PM
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.
July 10, 2025 at 1:30 AM
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!
July 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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.
July 1, 2025 at 7:24 PM
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.
June 29, 2025 at 5:48 PM