Pagan Fest sheds light on nature-based community

By Lethbridge Herald on July 16, 2025.

Joe Manio
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

For ages, paganism and its practitioners have existed in the shadows.

 Annual events like the 2025 Pagan Fest at Galt Gardens Saturday aim to bring paganism and its practitioners out into the open light in an inclusive and family friendly day of music, guest speakers, arts and crafts and more in a celebration nature.

“The main purpose is to have a highly-visible event to let other pagans in the area know that we are here. We are trying to build a community, and whether you’re in the broom closet or not, you’re welcome to join us at any of our events,” says organizer Becca Stirling. “We would also like the general public to know that paganism is a nature-based personal spiritual path. There is no devil in it. We don’t believe in that. It’s about reverence of nature, and accountability and growth of oneself.”

Paganism has long been misunderstood, often because of historical bias, pop culture portrayals, and lack of education. The most common misconceptions are: 1) pagans worship the devil, 2) all pagans practice witchcraft, 3) paganism is one unified religion 4) pagan rituals are dangerous or chaotic and 5) pagans are anti-christian.

In fact, many pagans advocate for religious tolerance and coexistence, and some even blend practices from multiple faiths.

“There’s always activities for the kids, which is great. I love it,”  says Sarah Bolokoski, who has brought her three children with her for the last three years. ““I think it would be great if there’s more things, because the kids are learning so much more about it (nature). We teach it at home too. They love nature.”

Paganism is a broad spiritual tradition that typically honors nature, multiple deities, and the cycles of the Earth. It encompasses ancient polytheistic religions as well as modern paths like Wicca, Druidry, and Heathenry. Pagans often celebrate seasonal festivals, practice rituals, and view the divine as present in all aspects of life.

Paganism and Native American spiritual traditions share some similarities, as both are rooted in ancient polytheistic beliefs and honor the divine in nature, spirits, and ancestors.

Thirty-year-old Cherron Desautels and her mother, Tammy Bradley, stopped by the witch Way Intuitive Healing table to have a tarot card reading done by Wiccan Jessica Baziuk. It was Desantel’s first ever reading.

Tarot reading is not the same as fortune-telling. Tarot readings are often used for self-reflection, personal growth, and decision-making, rather than predicting the future. A tarot card reading is a practice that involves using a deck of 78 cards to gain insight and guidance. 

Baziuk, who has been a witch for 15 years, is participating in Pagan Fest for the first time. She runs a business called Witch Way Intuitive Healing where she does massage therapy, reiki healing and psychic readings. 

“Paganism has been underground for so long, and it has had that taboo attached to it. And so many misconceptions especially due to media and movies, and all those kinds of things will definitely put a damper on our name and continue to do so,” says Baziuk. “So the educational purpose of having a festival like this, I feel, is very important to make sure that people know that we’re not casting spells on them.”