FAQ about the Festival
We acknowledge the land we are meeting on is the traditional territory of many sovereign nations including the Mississaugas of the New Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Tkaronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the New Credit. This land was stolen and we strive to decolonize thought and action to engender a perspective of equity in the spirit of unity. To acknowledge the land is to acknowledge the original people and is the first and most vital step in decolonization, reconciliation and equity.
WITCHfest North is a month-long Arts and Culture Festival now in its fourth year entirely run by volunteers and an advisory circle composed of a minimum of 15 members of the Pagan and non-Pagan community from a wide variety of cultures, ages, gender identifications and professions who share their vision for our communal future.
Is COVID-19 affecting the Festival?
Yes. We are going online for our 4th year - 2020 to protect our community from potential transmission of this virus but have created an online set of events that will continue to foster our community through sharing wisdom and warmth during this difficult time.
What is WITCHfest North Festival of Arts and Culture?
WITCHfest North is an arts and culture festival that takes place annually in October, and while we feel every season is the season of the witch, we seem to agree that in the Northern hemisphere, this is a time when the veil is thin and ancestral veneration is celebrated for many of us.
Where does it take place exactly?
Normally, throughout Toronto in a variety of small locations. Some events are held in retail spaces, others in rented auditoriums, community spaces and venues. This year all of our events were moved to an online format and changed accordingly, however, you can still get readings and support artisans by purchasing online at one of our markets.
What kind of events do you hold?
Each year, including this year, we hold a curated art exhibition, opening party, divination event, CATS (Coffee and Tarot Society), Witching Wednesdays, and workshops with international presenters. All are programmed to highlight and honour the diversity of practices, cultures and opinions that thrive within our community.
Who is this festival for?
Everyone! Witches and mortals alike. While we predominantly support womxn in the arts and female identified witches, we welcome all genders, cultures, creeds, lifestyles to join in and celebrate. It is a space where everyone can gather and is a rare opportunity to learn about diverse spiritual practices, support witchy crafters, artists and performers and benefit from the wisdom of community members.
This space was created as a safe place to share your thoughts and add your voices, opinions and thoughts on how we can all move forward together as a united and visible community of spiritual practitioners whether you identify as a ‘Witch’ or not.
What does it cost?
Many events are free, some are ticketed and the links are on the event postings, some are PWYC like our opening party, the art exhibition, the Full Moon Market vendors’ and diviners’ market, the witch walk, and closing ceremony. You can check by looking at each event listing for details.
Are you supported by the politicians of your city?
Each year we receive a letter of welcome from Mayor John Tory, the mayor of Toronto. This is welcome but does not mean we support the political stance or views of the current climate, it means we are being acknowledged as a viable arts and culture festival by the current mayor of our city, an important step in establishing visibility and making our views on equity and inclusivity known and heard.
Who is it and who has a say in the events and programming?
The WITCHfest North team is made up of over 40 volunteers and advisors who represent a variety of ages, cultural and spiritual backgrounds, abilities and who believe in the vision of bringing our diverse community together to celebrate each October. The festival founder and programmer is Monica Bodirsky, an artist and author, educator and walker between the worlds. The advisors are welcomed each year from a very diverse set of backgrounds, countries, perspectives, ages and types of pagan and polytheistic backgrounds, and anyone who comes forward to volunteer is asked to add their voices, opinions and abilities to keep the festival growing, improving and communal. If you have interest in the type of programming you would like to see or wish to volunteer, please let us know!
Why don’t I see all of the witchy events taking place everywhere listed on your calendar!?
The WITCHfest North calendar is a list of our signature or ‘in-house’ events. Those are events we’ve created for the month. While we are posting as many external events that occur simultaneously and offer cross-promotions as possible, we will inevitably miss some. We are growing and hope to expand our listings and create a more inclusive space for the month of October to accomodate as many people and events as possible. Please ask if you have an event and we will gladly share yours wherever possible.
Do you pay people and where does the money come from and where does it go?
As a group of working people who are largely in the arts sector and often the lower income strata, we generally offer small honoraria to as many speakers as possible. As we seek to establish ourselves and find arts sector funding, two or three of us generally pay out of pocket for rentals and honoraria, while community members offer some fund raising items and donate to our events in the form of PWYC attendance. When a small amount is charged for an event, the money goes back to honoraria, rentals, minimal advertising and charities which are mentioned within each event.
Surprisingly, we managed to create a full month of signature events for a few thousand dollars and break even or just below. We do this out of the love of volunteering, and we understand that in a climate of too much being asked for free and especially WOC, that many of the speakers, readers and event coordinators we approach can’t offer their services for free and have been asked for far too much emotional labor during difficult times. Despite this, we ensure that the programming includes those voices traditionally marginalized within decision-making capacities.
There already are Witchfests are you affiliated and why are you ‘North’?
No we are not affiliated with other Witchfests. To our knowledge there is one in New York and one in England and we are ‘north’ to the nearest North American festival and are therefore paying homage to the New York festival and Salem, our sister Witch City, by naming ourselves ‘North’.
Can anyone volunteer?
Absolutely. We put out a call every year on Facebook and this next year it will be posted here on our website as well. Because of our schedules we don’t begin programming until January and then more focussed discussions in Spring escalating right up until September before advertising September throughout October. Often people volunteer for one year, others return each year. We have no set policy on volunteer time limits, nor application. You just need to reply to the call or if before we post that, simply send your interest with area of specialty: ie marketing, fundraising, event assistance, performer for the ball (please note, if we are still in a COVID situation and lives may be at risk, next year (2021) we will be holding a virtual club night. Send application to witchfestnorth@gmail.com
Who should I address my comments to regarding the festival?
Please direct any comments, concerns or issues with the festival, programming or any events directly to Monica Bodirsky @ witchfestnorth@gmail.com