Magical Mischief

The Spirit of the Land: 2800 McCurdy Road

​A Journey from Ancient Waters to Modern Magic

​I. The Ancient Guardian: Mill Creek & The Syilx
Long before the roads were paved, this land was a lush sanctuary for the Syilx (Okanagan) people. Sitting on the banks of Mill Creek, our seminary rests on a natural "pharmacy" where the Syilx gathered willow, medicine, and water. The creek behind us is the lifeblood of this property, carrying the ancient energy of the valley's mountains down to the lake. We acknowledge that we are guests on this unceded territory and strive to be worthy stewards of its waters.
​II. The Pioneers: The Lofthaug Legacy (1946–2000s)
In 1946, Ole and Olga Lofthaug chose this "wedge" of land between the highway and the tracks to build their life. For over 60 years, the Lofthaugs raised cattle and tended gardens here. They were the ones who first heard the steam whistles of the CN Railway rumble past their bedroom windows.
When you stand in our seminary today, you are standing in a place that was built on the values of sustenance and hard work. The Lofthaugs were the last guardians of this soil before it transitioned into the spiritual home it is today.
​III. The Gift of the Water: The Iron Cauldron
In the winter of 2025/2026, the land gave us a sign. Buried deep in the silt of Mill Creek, we discovered a century-old cast iron cauldron. Likely used by the pioneers for rendering lard or making soap, this vessel spent decades "baptized" by the creek.
​Here it is, unearthed from its watery grave:


Its discovery at the exact moment Star Sapphire became Canada’s first pagan church is no coincidence. Though the iron is thinned by time and the water, it remains a symbol of transformation and rebirth. It is the physical anchor of our seminary—a bridge between the farming families of the past and the spiritual seekers of the future.
​Further along the creek, the elements of magic and intention are evident. This is where we tend to the energy of the land, honouring its natural spirit:


Here, a symbolic gateway to the unseen world is maintained, adorned with offerings to the land spirits, and a hand-crafted besom hangs ready, a tool for cleansing and intention, mirroring the dedication found within the seminary itself.
​Help Us Keep the Magic Alive
Operating a seminary and a historical space comes with great responsibility. As we move into 2026, we are working to:

​Restore and Protect: Stabilizing our historical artifacts and preserving the riparian area of Mill Creek.

​Educate: Providing a safe space for traditional witchcraft and pagan studies in the heart of the Okanagan.

​Community: Keeping the "Old Kelowna" spirit alive in an ever-changing urban landscape.

​ Blessings to all who walk this path.