R.G. “Rod” Bennien – Tarostar

Rod Bennien, known to the world as Tarostar, passed peacefully onto his next adventure overnight on April 27, 2022 in his 81st year.

A beloved curmudgeon and longtime fixture in the Toronto occult scene, Tarostar was a well-known astrologer, author, tarot reader and magician with over 50 years in the occult supply industry under his venerable belt.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1942, he was a raised in the Re-Organized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, where his many curious questions raised eyebrows to say the least.

In 1967 he got into the occult supplies trade at the Bell, Book and Candle and The Psychic Eye Shop, both of Las Vegas. He was a founder, with Sybil Leek and others, of the North American arm of the Horsa tradition. This tradition was revived after the publishing of its foundational materials and is carrying on with several covens now extant in the United States.

Tarostar published many books with Original Publications, including The Witch’s Spellcraft, The Witch’s Formulary and Spellbook, A Book of Shadows and Spiritual Worker’s Handbook. His “spake in rhyme” poetry on historical figures was featured as Curmudgeon’s Corner in the magazine Wiccan Candles for its many years of publication. A well-read historical scholar, he had much to say about pagan history and comparative religion to those who asked the right questions.

He worked at the Occult Shop in Toronto for many years and up until recently was still reading tarot and doing astrology charts for patrons there. When he led or participated in rituals with the Wiccan Church of Canada, folks were generally in for a divination, traditional observance or a classic ritual, sometimes complete with chorus and theatrical storytelling.

In 2015 his book The Sacred Pentagraph: A Craft Work in Five Volumes – Books I, II, & III, was published by Left Hand Press (a subsidiary of Black Moon Publishing LLC of Cincinnati, Ohio).

In 2020, a second, The Sacred Pentagraph was published by the same company with all five volumes.

Representing the culmination of his life’s work, this collection offers a plethora of Craft teachings and spells from his own personal tomes of shadows, gathered through years or practical working and readings for individuals. As a venerable North American Craft Elder, Tarostar had much to offer the modern Occult community. His legacy survives him and will feed the curiosity and craft work of sincere seekers in perpetuity.

As he wrote, in the epilogue of The Sacred Pentagraph:

“It is a complete path of occult attainment for those seeking spiritual advancement in affecting the Great Work for Self-transformation. It is not for everyone, nor does the system itself maintain that it is the only way, but it offers a path toward Occult Adepthood which is not complicated, nor abstruse, as some other systems, but difficult, requiring sincere effort.

It has been offered for those who feel they can profit and gain thereby, in advancing the Self on the path of esoteric Wisdom. It holds an ideal for the individual and/or group to strive for and embody as best they are able.

If the ideas and organizational methods recommended by the Sacred Pentagraph are able to assist and give deeper insight in the Coven and initiatory aspects of the Old Religion, this work is well served.

Finis. This is my legacy for the Craft. Blessed Be! Tarostar.”

According to his wishes, Tarostar has been cremated.

A community gathering to celebrate his life and works will be held at Maple Leaf House banquet hall on May 28th, 2022 beginning at 4 p.m. The Wiccan Church of Canada will perform a ritual to honour his memory.

Gathering begins at 4 p.m. with a social hour. The ritual will be held at 5 p.m.

Following this, those inclined may stay on to enjoy a meal off the menu in the restaurannt of the Maple Leaf House. We have arranged a bartender for the banquet hall, so we may toast Tarostar’s memory.

Event will continue until close for those who wish to stay on and celebrate Rod’s life by sharing stories and laughter as he would want his celebration to be.