The role of Timbits in Pagan ceremonies and spirituality

It's pretty hard to define a Pagan.

Ask 20 Pagans for a definition and you're likely to get 21 different answers.

"Paganism as it's evolving today is really a living tradition," said Amanda Zuke, a founding member of Sault Ste. Marie Pagan Association and an organizer of yesterday's Pagan Pride Day at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion. "It's synchretic. It's eclectic. It's always evolving," said Zuke, shown with Lyle Harper, one of three other association founders.

There are some defining characteristics, although none are universal.

One thing that can usually be said about a Pagan is that she or he is following an Earth-centred path to spirituality, Zuke said.

Pagans are also often polytheistic or pantheistic with a feminine and masculine principle of divinity, usually referred to as a Goddess and God, she said.

Because Pagan spirituality is very personal, nondogmatic and noncredal, there are greater variations in its denominations than in other world religions, Zuke said.

Other defining characteristics that local pagan organizer Jennifer Rowe points out are tolerance and creativity.

Rowe demonstrated those when an essential item for the day's closing ritual, a celebration of Mabon (autumnal equinox), was forgotten.

"We forgot the cakes," said Rowe. "So we're using these brownies I baked for afterwards instead."

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As Rowe worked her way through the chewy chocolate delights with a plastic knife (athames and other edged tools were not allowed), she related stories of other last-minute substitutions that were made in a pinch in past ceremonies and rituals.

"Never underestimate the sanctity of holy Timbits," she said with a laugh.

Yesterday's event was the first local Pagan Pride event and leaders of the fledgling group were pleased with the chance to increase a public Pagan presence in the city.

"It's an opportunity for local and area Pagans to get together with each other," Zuke said. "It's an opportunity to raise some money for charity and to enjoy each others' company."

Visitors to were able to participate in workshops on "A Divination Roundtable," "What is Paganism," and "Ar nDraiocht Fein/Modern Druidy."

Rikki-Lee Gibbons was on hand selling Wiccan and ritual and ceremonial tools from Tiny Bubbles and Samantha Astles brought some samples of the jewelry she makes and sells from the shop she recently opened downstairs from Tiny Bubbles.

A number of blankets, toys and other items were collected for the Humane Society, as well as food for the Soup Kitchen and cash donations.

Before serving as the event's official sacred-brownie-cutter and calling the Quarters at the harvest celebration ritual, Jennifer Rowe did some Tarot card readings for visitors.

The first Pagan Pride day was held in 1998 with 18 locations in North America, said Zuke.

"Now it's expanded to 145 events worldwide," she said. "I believe every inhabited continent is represented."

There are more than a few other Pagans in this community said Zuke.

She hopes that the Sault Ste. Marie Pagan Association will provide them with a common ground on which to come together and make the Pagan circle stronger through fellowship.

"In a small community like the Sault it's sometimes hard to find each other," said Zuke.

She said that sometimes it's hard to coax a Pagan out of his or her broomcloset.

"There's a lot of fear," said Zuke. "Sometimes that old collection of myths and stories about what a Pagan is just stands in the way."

Zuke and fellow organizers of yesterday's event hope that other Pagans in the Sault area, as well as folk who are just curious, will check them out and realize that Pagans are people too.

"We are on different paths with the same goal," said a pamphlet from Sault Ste. Marie Pagan Association. "None is more sacred than another."

Learn more

Witchvox Wiccan Church of Canada Pagan Path Sault Ste. Marie Pagan Association The Pagan Pride Project Sault Pagan Pride

Our readers write

Dear Editor:

In this particular article, the term "Timbits" was used both in the body and in the headline. No one I have asked about it has any idea what a "Timbit" is. We still don't. The editorial lesson: Never assume your readers already know what you're talking about. Thanks for your time.

How we responded

SooToday.com is a community news website serving Sault Ste. Marie, Canada.

Timbits are a national icon here, and every Canadian worthy of the name knows about them.

SooToday.com assumes no responsibility for readers who don't get out more than once a year or who do not possess a minimal level of cultural literacy.

If you search the word using the Google search engine, you'll find almost 30,000 hits to assist you in your search for enlightenment about Canadian Timbits.

For even deeper spiritual profundity, I refer you to the wise words variously attributed to the Quakers and to a sign at a coffee dispensary at the 1939 New York World's Fair:

"As you travel on through life, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole."

- David Helwig, news director, SooToday.com