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First Light Interview

© Jodi Wetherup

An Interview with Valery - Hostess of the First Light Pagan's Healing Festival

When I first heard of the First Light Festival, I was intrigued with the idea. If only I could get to Toronto in mid-winter, I'd sign up and be on my way! Unfortunately, with the weather being as unpredictable as it is around here, I won't be going, but my company is donating some items for the guests, and I felt that interviewing Valery for WPSHM would not only give my readers some information, but give the Festival some promotion as well.

Jodi:
Tell us how you came to organize what is coming to be a fascinating event, FIRST LIGHT Pagans' Healing Festival.

Valery:
Originally, I wanted to organize something small that would be available for people in the Toronto area. Just an informal get together for the growing Pagan community to meet and greet. It gets so cold and grey in February, and it's a looong way to the spring and summer festivals. As I work in healing industry, I wanted something that would tie together pagan peoples and our healing practices. In my mind, the two philosophies are closely connected so it seemed natural to have a Pagans' Healing Festival! In addition to providing an event that everyone could enjoy, I wanted us to be able to give as a community. The PAGAN community, providing for others. Sounds nice, doesn't it? This year I have decided to donate proceeds raised to Amnesty International, as I appreciate their cause. However, there are so many wonderful organizations that can benefit from our assistance, so I think we may donate to a different cause each year.

Jodi:
What sorts of response have you had thus far? Is there more interest than you had hoped for?

Valery:
We have had a response from one side of the country to the other. Literally, we are expecting attendees from Moncton, NB and Victoria BC. The response from the States has been excellent as well. The majority of visitors to the FIRST LIGHT website are from the U.S. There is definitely more interest than I had originally expected. People are incredibly generous and are coming out from all over Southern Ontario to attend, others are volunteering to help ensure the show runs smoothly and still others have donated items for our attendees to enjoy when they arrive! Although the response is greater than I expected, we are still limiting the number of attendees to 100. I want to provide an intimate and safe environment where people will feel free to approach others and introduce themselves. Especially for those new to the path, I want them to feel the warmth of the community and not feel like they are lost in a sea of chattering pagans. I think INTIMACY and PERSONAL SPACE are key words that keep coming up in my mind. The venue is a beautiful historic ballroom and it will be lit by over 120 tealights. On a cold February night, it will provide the perfect backdrop for a spiritually moving growth and healing ritual.

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