Witchcraft On The Rise In Canada
2017 has been a big year for those who practice Witchcraft in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he would make provisions to legalize the practice of Witchcraft. The changes made by Trudeau altered the ban under section 365 of the criminal code. A major reason for the ban in Canada is due to fraud related crimes, however it is important to keep in mind the real practice of Witchcraft is not that of fraud or the devil but a practice of worship for non-conformists and should be of just as much value as today’s mainstream religions.
For Monica Bodirsky, a practicing Witch from Toronto, this law change is a huge win “addressing a very archaic and outdated law.” (Toronto Life, 2017) Bodirsky has been practicing Witchcraft for over 40 years. She is the founder of Dark Moon Coven and recently founded a festival in Toronto called Witchfest North, to join together Toronto’s growing witchcraft practitioners. Many practicing witches like Monica feel the law has only stayed in place so long because many people see Witchcraft as a practice of devil worship, but for them it has never been about the devil and should not be viewed in such a way.
Bodirsky runs an 8 week course for women called ‘Dark Moon Wise’. The certification course runs Wednesday evenings beginning in May and ending on the summer solstice. The course offers women a “a solid foundation in Witchcraft, Wicca & the Wise Woman traditions” (MonicaBordirsky, 2017) in a sacred space with personal attention. Classes are $65 per session plus a $100 deposit, a total of $520 for a rewarding educational and spiritual opportunity of a lifetime.
Monica says there has been an incline in young women looking to practice Witchcraft in recent years and she can understand why. It helps women who seek positive change feel empowered. Historically, Witches have been persecuted for being financially-stable, single women who embrace their sexual positivity and are good with their herbs - ironically, all of the things today’s women strive to be. A Witch worships herself as her own God, creator and healer. “[Witchcraft] is a space where you have total freedom of expression as far as clothing and practice” and this is why it can be highly sought. For Cassandra Thompson, a 27 year old queer Afro-Diasporic Folk Magic follower, witchcraft “allows [her] to claim control over [her] body, spirit and emotions” (Flare,2017).
Some witches practice in different ways and follow different things. For an example there are Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca philosophies, which connect religion with Witchcraft practice. There is folk magics, Voodoo, Paganism, Obeah and Kulam. Then there is the Earth-based spirituality Witchcraft which thrives off elements and nature. Bodirsky practices Earth-based spirituality. To her, this means being “a steward of the environment” and “the right use of intent”.
Witchcraft has become so popular in today’s culture that there is even a BC Witchcamp. Like-minded Witches of all levels and practice have the opportunity to come together for one week at the conclusion of summer in the Squamish Valley. For summer 2018, there are 4 main focuses for the camp: (1) alchemy of ancestral magic (2) Priestessing skills and raising energy (3) animal spirit magic and shamanistic practices (4) elements magic. The camp is clothing optional and accommodates guests over the age of 18. Witches will stay in electrically heated cabins equipped with bunk beds or those seeking a more outdoorsy experience may opt for a tent instead! Witchcamp provides 3 nutritious meals a day on site. There is also a marketplace for fellow Witches to sell their products, a sex positive temple space and a private recreational area for indoor practice. Fees for Witchcamp range from $699-999 and the camp even offers scholarships.
If Witchcraft sounds so peaceful and earthy, than why is it perceived as such a scary thing and why are witches still persecuted today? Perhaps because we grow up viewing witches in the same way we view ghosts and ghouls, scary Halloween props. Maybe people are still eerie of the myth that Witchcraft is devil worship. Or maybe it is not because people fear witchcraft at all, it is because people think the non-conformist practices make you look a little off the rocker. Either way, Witchcraft is a magnificent study of it’s own.
Resources:
https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/xw8m8n/double-double-trudeau-and-trouble-canada-legalizes-witchcraft
https://torontolife.com/city/life/qa-monica-bodirsky-witch/
http://www.flare.com/news/millennial-witchcraft/
http://bcwitchcamp.ca/general-information/
http://www.monicabodirsky.com/earth-based/