A bad witch's blog

Thursday, 8 January 2026

Witchcraft on a Shoestring: A Swap Shelf Book Find

I'm extremely lucky that my local station waiting room hosts a wonderful community book swap. There are shelves you can browse and take something you want to read, but it's polite to also leave a few that you no longer want.

The other day found this copy of Norfolk Folk Tales in very good condition and I'm looking forward to dipping into it. I'm also having a January declutter at home and will return to drop off some things others might like.

Many stations have places you can leave books you've finished with, then take others that interest you. I often blog about witchcraft on a shoestring - ways you can learn and practice magic without spending much money. Book swaps are worth browsing for witchy tomes. When you find a book on magic or folklore there, it's also a reminder that others in our areas share our interests.

Don't forget that local libraries are a wonderful resource for books you can read for free too. In my borough, you can find my Pagan Portals titles on Candle Magic, Guided Visualisations, and Poppets and Magical Dolls, and my novel Erosion. I've blogged about it in the past, with a link. I'm just as happy when people borrow my books from the library as when they buy them.

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/04/book-swap-find-irish-witchcraft-from.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/06/found-for-free-on-swap-shelf-book-of.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/01/charity-shop-find-hermiticism.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/11/witchcraft-on-shoestring-make-use-of.html

Wednesday, 7 January 2026

Magical Online & London Events in the Next Weeks

Here's a list of events for pagans, witches and those with similar interests over the next couple of weeks. I mainly include in-person things in or near London, because that's where I'm based, as well as online talks and workshops you can do anywhere and a few conferences further afield.

Now to 11 January 2026; Mumbai + London. Free exhibition of new perspectives on the ancient world with a cultural comparison between the British Museum sculptures of the Indian god Vishnu, the ancient Egyptian goddess Sekhmet and the Roman god Bacchus (or Greek Dionysos). Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/mumbai-london-new-perspectives-ancient-world

Now on; Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition. Venue: The Vaults, Leake Street, SE1 7NN. Open Wednesdays to Sundays. Tickets from £21. https://darksecretsexhibition.com/london/

Now to 20 April; Welcome To Fairy Land - Luciana Nedelea Art Exhibition. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: Museum opening hours, free entry https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum/events-exhibitions/

Now – 19 April; Expecting: Birth, Belief and Protection Exhibition. Venue: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. Free https://wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/thirst-in-search-of-freshwater

Now to 16 May; Broken, Burnt, Buried. Exhibition of Egyptians objects deliberately broken as part of ritual and religious practices. Venue: Petrie Museum of Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology, Malet Place, London WC1E 6BT. Free. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-collections/

Now - 31 January 2026. The Medium is the Message. An exhibition at The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Open Tuesday - Sunday daytime. Free entry. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Now to 10 January; Jane and Louise Wilson: Performance of Entrapment. Exhibition investigating parallels between the Roman Temple of Mithras in London and Ise Jingu shrine in Japan. Venue: Bloomberg Space, 12 Walbrook, London, EC4N 8AA. Free. https://www.londonmithraeum.com/

Now – 26 February; Exhibition: Elective Affinities. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH , Time: 10am-5pm Monday - Friday. Free, but book a ticket. https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/events/elective-affinities/

Now – 1 February; Thirst: In Search of Freshwater. Exhibition about humanity’s vital connection with freshwater, including pagan, spiritual and mystical aspects. Venue: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. Free https://wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/thirst-in-search-of-freshwater

Most lunchtimes and some other times: Meditation - in-person or online. In-person venue: Inner Space, 36 Shorts Gardens, Covent Garden, London · WC2H 9AB. Time: 1pm (for lunchtime meditation). Free. https://www.meetup.com/inner-space-covent-garden/events/

Wednesday 7 January; Creativity and the Occult – Talk and Soirée with Pam Grossman. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £10 per person. https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Wednesday 7 January (and other dates); Gong Bath. Venue: Akasa, 5a Prince Edward Rd, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LX. Time: 7pm. Tickets: from £23.46. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sunita-kaur-34415293427

Wednesday 7 January; The Call of the Wild: Ancestors, Dreams and Animal Medicine. Start of 6-session workshop with John Lockleywith via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Wednesday 7 January; The Experience of Mediumship. Start of 8-session workshop with Daniel Pitt via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £280. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Wednesday 7 January; The Science of Weird Shit. Talk by Professor Chris French. Venue: 26 Caledonian Road, Kings Cross, London N1 9DT, Time: 7.30pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1848009293258492?

Thursday 8 January (most Thursdays); Shamanic Dance with Luisa Passalacqua. Venue near Wandsworth Town Station, London. Time: 11am. Tickets donations (or free) https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/luisa-passalacqua-16972493584?

Thursday 8 January; Mindfulness Meditation Online via Rest Less Events. Time: 9am. Tickets £3.99 per class. https://events.restless.co.uk/event-calendar/

Thursday 8 January; Midweek Meditation with the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 3pm. Tickets: free for members/£7.50 non members. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Thursday 8 January; Alla's Energy Prescriptions for 2026. Talk by Alla Svirinskaya via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £35. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Thursday 8 January; Queerness in Modern Witchcraft – Talk and Soirée with Jules McArthur. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £10 per person. https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Thursday 8 January; Opening the New Year. Workshop with Julian Vayne via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 8 January; The Philosopher's Stone. Talk by Cunning Folk at South East London Folklore Society. Venue: The Electric Elephant Cafe, 186A Crampton Street, London, SE17 3AE. Time: 8pm, Free but £5/£8 donations welcome. Email cunningfolkmusic@gmail.com to book a space or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cunning-folk-7829505560

Friday 9 January (usually every Friday); Live Chat hosted by Rachel Patterson, author of Gods and Goddesses of England and the Kitchen Witch series of books. Time: 9am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks/

Friday 9 January; The Magical Diaries of Leah Hirsig with Manon Hedenborg White and Henrik Bogdan. Talk and signing. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Friday 9 January (date tbc); Gong Bath by Claire The Soul Nurturer. Venue: Secret Soul Sanctuary, Sydenham Hill, London SE23 3PH. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets: £20.21. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/claire-the-soul-nurturer-35479207053

Saturday 10 January (and other dates); Drum Birthing Workshop with Lynn Gosney. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain, Minster, Kent. Starts 8.45am. Tickets £225/£250. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain

Saturday 10 January; The Art of Magic workshop with Julian Vayne. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Saturday 10 January; Witches' Tea Party. Drop in for a Cup of Tea and a Tarot Reading. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Starts at noon. Tea free, readings £20. https://www.wiccamooninherservice.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Saturday 10 January; Grounding Rituals, East and West – In-person Workshop with Lucia Ring-Watkins. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £25 per person. https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Saturday 10 January; Forecasting the Year Ahead with Daniel Pitt via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Saturday 10 January; MANIFEST: Witches of Walthamstow New Year Retreat. Venue: St Peter-in-the-Forest, London,. Time: 2.30 pm to 5pm. Tickets: £53.80 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manifest-witches-of-walthamstow-new-year-retreat-2026-tickets-1977630231258?

Sunday 11 January; Group Constellation Workshop by Avideya. Venue: 30 Friern Watch Avenue, London N12 9NT. Time: from 10am to 5pm. From £53.80. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/avideya-30020254011

Sunday, 11 January (and other dates and times); Soul Restore Sound Healing. Venue: The Mandrake, 20-21 Newman Street, London W1T 1PG. Time: 11am. Tickets: £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-mandrake-17825575648

Sunday 11 January; How to Read Auras and Chakras workshop with Nishant Sharmaa. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Sunday 11 January; North West Kent Pagans Moot. Organised by NWK Pagans for members of the group. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, NW Kent. Time: 11.30am. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445487428816887

Sunday 11 January; New Year Labyrinth Workshop. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3, 1NG. Time: 2pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 11 January; Ritual in the Tower (Luna Iter). In-person ritual in Hackney, East London for members of the group, guests and seekers on the path. Meet at the Pembury Tavern, 90 Amhurst Rd, London, from 4.30pm, moving on to a historic site to start the ritual at 6pm. Entry: £9.73. https://www.hildegardmaier.co.uk/luna-iter or https://www.facebook.com/groups/1230392930656154

Sunday 11 January; How to Read Tarot Cards. Online workshop, with Prof Diane Purkiss via Seed Talks. Time: 5pm. Tickets £17 – £26.50 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/seed-talks-in-january-2026-4804431

Sunday 11 January; Shamanic Foundations with Linda Star Wolf via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Sunday 11 January; Divining the Past, Present, and Future: Divination with David Zeitlyn on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. 1st in a series of 4 lectures Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from £3.49. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 12 January; Starting Your Psychic Journey. Start of six-session course run by Gary Wright, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 5pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Monday 12 January; Carter Memorial Lecture: Exploring the Symbolism of the planets in Astrology with Israel Ajose, plus chart discussions. Hybrid talks via the Astrological Lodge of London. In-person venue: Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Starts 6.30pm. Tickets £9. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 12 January; Strange History of Renaissance Magicians. Talk with Rachel Morris. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets from £16.40 include a glass of Devil's Botany Absinthe. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Monday 12 January; Winter Star Goddesses. Class with Rebecca Beattie, author of Planetary Magic, via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Monday 12 January (usually a Monday early in the month); South East London Pagans Moot. Venue: The Ivy House, 55 Stuart Road, London, SE15 3BE. Time: 7.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Monday 12 January; St Guthlac and Miracles in the Fens Talk by Max Adams on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from £3.49. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 12 January (tbc but usually every Monday); Tea With a Druid. Free online event by the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Time 8pm. https://druidry.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/druidry

Tuesday 13 January; Develop the Intuitive Mind: Beginner. Start of six-session course run by Maria Antoniou, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 13 January; How Psychic Mediumship Can Heal. Start of eight-session course run by Daniel Pitt, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £265. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 13 January; The Enneagram: Finding Our Way Home. Talk by Dr Deborah Egerton, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: free. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 13 January; Cleansing, Banishing and Centring – Class with Julian Vayne via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday, 13 January 2026; The Mystery of Changelings: Origins, Geography and Nature. Talk via the Folklore Society online. Time: 7pm. Tickets £6. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-folklore-society-32190494089

Tuesday, 13 January (repeated 18 June); Natalie Haynes – The Myth of Medea Live In Conversation with Robin Ince. Venue: Saint James Church, Clerkenwell Close, London EC1R 0EA. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £35/£15. https://howtoacademy.com/events/natalie-haynes-the-myth-of-medea/?

Wednesday 14 January (and other dates); Tea with a Medium. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 2.30pm Cost £60 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday 14 January (and other dates and times); Viktor Wynd Museum Guided Tour and a Devil's Botany Absinthe. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6pm. Tickets from £12. Price includes a Cocktail with Devil’s Botany. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Wednesday 14 January; Advanced Elemental Magic workshop withy Julian Vayne, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 14 January; The Healing Power of Colour. Start of 6-session workshop with Mark Wentworth via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £180. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Wednesday 14 January; Psychic Mediumship Messages for 2026 with Daniel Pitt. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £30. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Wednesday 14 January (2nd Wed each month); The Power of Water. Training group workshop by the Wytchery. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store St, London WC1E 7BS, UK. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.meetup.com/the-wytchery/

Wednesday 14 January; Winter Witchcraft Practices. Workshop with Levannah Morgan via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 14 January; Winter Home Blessings. Workshop with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 14 January (tbc but usually 2nd Wed each month); Enfield Town Circle Moot. Venue: Crown and Horsehoes, Horseshoe Lane, Enfield, EN2 6PZ. Time: 7pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EnfieldTownCircle/

Wednesday 14 January The History of Mermaids, Sea Spirits and Women. Talk by Seed Talks. Hybrid event. In person venue: The Blues Kitchen BrixtonLondon, England. Time: 7pm. Tickets from £11.50 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/seed-talks-in-london-1252979?

Thursday 15 - 17 January; Reiki and Crystal Healing Level 1 Certified Course . Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 11.30am – 4.30pm. Tickets £350. https://www.wiccamooninherservice.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Thursday 15 January; Tales of the Dark Feminine with Victoria Castro. Talk and signing. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursday 15 January; Where Do I Start? Start of 6-session workshop with Anthony Kesner via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 5.15pm. Tickets: £165. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Thursday 15 January; The Invisible Bridge Uniting the Lost Wisdom of the Templars and the Hidden Light in Freemasonry. Talk by Helena B. Scott, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 15 January; The Medium’s Path: Foundation. Start of 6-session workshop with TJ Higgs via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Thursday 15 January; Poetry Evening. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. Tickets free https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/events/

Thursday 15 January; Tarot workshop on the court cards with Rain McManus. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.facebook.com/events/1645250146853863/?

Thursday 15 January; Fishbourne Roman Palace: the gift that keeps on giving. Online talk via the Folklore Library and Archive. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £6.13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-folklore-library-archive-68703440013?

Friday 16 January (tbc but usually 1st and 3rd Friday each month); Pagan Portal Podcast by Moon Books. Time: noon (or listen to recording later). Free event. https://open.spotify.com/show/11N4kNj65tTz9NFUcZTMa7?

Friday 16 January; Mari Lwyd Wassail 2026 organised by London Welsh Centre / Canolfan Cymry Llundain, London, WC1X 8UE. Time: 6pm. Tickets £5.35 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/londonwelshcentre/mari-lwyd-wassail-2026/e-pbmplo

Friday 16 January; Travel with the Sacred Drum with Heather McDonald. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 6.30pm. Tickets: £48. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 16 January; Way of the Witch monthly online circle with Samantha K. and Jacqui C. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.meetup.com/sammi-k-shamanic-practitioner-psychic-medium/events/

Saturday 17 January; Dive into the Mysteries of the Shamanic Journey. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain Kent. Run by Lynn Gosney. Time: 10.30pm. Tickets £35, email lynn.gosney@hotmail.com for info and to book. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain/

Saturday 17 January; New Year, New Energy workshop with June-Elleni Laine, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 11am. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 17 January; Remote Viewing into Hidden Realms with Ann Théato. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Saturday 17 January; Beckenham Winter Wassail By Permaculture London. Venue: Beckenham BR3 3SE. Time: noon. Free but donations welecome. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beckenham-winter-wassail-tickets-1979266307807/?

Saturday 17 January; Apple Yowling at The Ferry Boat Inn, Tottenham. Time: 5.30pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/724405544032743?

Saturday 17 January; Brothers, Meet Up, Work and Fireside Gathering, organised by Aho. Venue:

Berkeley Farm, Essex, close to Hainault Station on the Central Line. Time: noon 12-6pm. https://www.aho.community/

Saturday 17 January 2026; I'm running an in-person workshop on Magical Ways to Guide Your Life in the Coming Year, inspired with ideas from my books. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £22 per person. Visit https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Saturday 17 January; The Star, The Moon and The Sun in Tarot workshop with Amanda Watson, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 17 January; New Year Energy Palace. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 2.30pm. Tickets: £25. https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Saturday 17 January (every full and new moon); Moon Space online event via She's Lost Control. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15. https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Sunday 18 January; Transmuting Fear with Joan Osborne. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Sunday 18 January; Dawn of the Oak Pagan moot. Venue: The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon Road/Greville Street, London EC1M 3JF. Time: 3pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawnoftheoak/

Sunday 18 January; Planetary Magic: Mars for Passion. Workshop with Dr Vivianne Crowley, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 4pm. Tickets: £105. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 18 January; The Freedom of Uncovering One’s Own World? Talk by Katherine Swancutt on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from £3.49. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

For activities after these dates please visit my events page.

Please note that I am not responsible for the content of these events except my own talks and workshops. Contact organisers directly if you have questions or to check ticket availability. Where a practitioner is offering information about magical healing, this is *not* medical advice. If you're running an event you want included, please email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com Also please note I earn commission for some links.

Tuesday, 6 January 2026

January Folklore: Distaff Day, When Women Get Crafty

Tomorrow, January 7th, is Distaff Day. It was when women were historically supposed to return to spinning after the Christmas holidays, but often got up to more fun and games than work. A 17th century poem by Robert Herrick called St Distaff's Day suggests this was also a time when men and women played pranks on each other, but that might be fakelore. I've also heard it said that the women enjoyed being back in a space away from the demands of men.

One of my resolutions this year was to write about seasonal customs. I was reminded about Distaff Day by my artist friend Su Jolly, who is also an accomplished spinner, weaver and knitter. However much fun women made for themselves on Distaff Day, Su pointed out: "For women in historical times when spinning was relentless work to keep the household clothed, and bring in valuable extra income, the [Yuletide] break must have been invaluable!"

Distaff Day is less famous than Plough Monday, when the men returned to tilling the land, but women's chores have always been less recognised than what blokes did, haven't they?

In medieval times it was called Saint Distaff Day, which was apparently a deliberate joke as there never was a real saint of that name. A distaff is a tool used to hold wool or other fibre when spinning it into yarn. It became a symbol of women's domestic life, as spinning was done almost universally by women of all classes and most cultures. The word distaff can even be a term for the matrilineal branch of a family.

Su mentioned that some modern craft groups celebrate Distaff Day. January 7th is a good time to get on with any creative things you have planned, but especially fibre art.

I will be spinning a yarn tomorrow - but it will be the story kind, rather than wool. I'm taking part in a challenge called Deadlines for Writers, to create a short story every month. January's fiction prompt goes live on Distaff Day.

You can find out more about seasonal customs and crafts in my book Rounding the Wheel of the Year.

The picture at the top is The Spinner by Wilhelm Maria Hubertus Leibl, a Public Domain image shared from Wikipedia The photo right shows Su Jolly's modern spinning wheel. The picture below shows copies of my book.

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/10/su-jolly-i-met-kent-artist-who.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/08/magical-dolls-how-to-make-knotted-wool.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/09/craft-ojo-de-dios-amulet-made-at.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/01/pagan-eye-horse-brasses-in-south-london.html

Monday, 5 January 2026

Pagan Eye: Predicting A Future Map of the World

I photographed this prophetic view of a transformed Earth at the Secret Maps exhibition at the British Library. It's called A Future Map of the World and was created in the 1990s. The description next to it reads:

"This esoteric map envisages a future Earth transformed by cataclysmic magnetic pole shifts, triggering floods and the re-emergence of legendary lost lands such as Atlantis and Lemuria. Rooted in the author's visionary experiences and New Age beliefs, it exemplifies how speculative cartography can lend visual credibility to unverified ideas. Mimicking the style of scientific maps, such works blur boundaries between fact and fiction, offering alternative interpretations of the world's past and future."

Text on it also predicts the appearance of "the Blue Star", which will appear in the Milky Way and be as bright as the sun.

I vaguely recall seeing this map in the late 20th century and feeling a little worried despite being skeptical about some of the claims. Luckily those things haven't happened yet, although floods due to global warming might one day make some of the prophesied submerged areas look not too far-fetched.

Secret Maps is on at the British Library in London until 18th January. You can find out more here: bl.uk/exhibitions/secretmaps

My Pagan Eye posts show photos that I find interesting - seasonal images, pagan sites, events, or just pretty pictures. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself.

Friday, 2 January 2026

Magical Online & London Events in the Next Weeks

Here's a list of online events and activities for pagans, witches and friends over Twelfth Night and the week ahead. I generally list online events and in-person things in or near London. If you know of a ritual, talk, meeting or workshop you want included, please email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now on; Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition. Venue: The Vaults, Leake Street, SE1 7NN. Open Wednesdays to Sundays. Tickets from £21. https://darksecretsexhibition.com/london/

Now to 20 April 2026; Welcome To Fairy Land - Luciana Nedelea Art Exhibition. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: Museum opening hours, free entry https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum/events-exhibitions/

Now – 19 April 2026; Expecting: Birth, Belief and Protection Exhibition. Venue: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. Free https://wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/thirst-in-search-of-freshwater

Now to 10 January 2026; Jane and Louise Wilson: Performance of Entrapment. Exhibition investigating parallels between the Roman Temple of Mithras in London and Ise Jingu shrine in Japan. Venue: Bloomberg Space, 12 Walbrook, London, EC4N 8AA. Free. https://www.londonmithraeum.com/

Now to 16 May 2026; Broken, Burnt, Buried. Exhibition of Egyptians objects deliberately broken as part of ritual and religious practices. Venue: Petrie Museum of Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology, Malet Place, London WC1E 6BT. Free. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-collections/

Now – 26 February 2026; Exhibition: Elective Affinities. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH , Time: 10am-5pm Monday - Friday. Free, but book a ticket. https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/events/elective-affinities/

Now – 1 February 2026; Thirst: In Search of Freshwater. Exhibition about humanity’s vital connection with freshwater, including pagan, spiritual and mystical aspects. Venue: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. Free https://wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/thirst-in-search-of-freshwater

Friday 2 January (tbc but usually every Friday); Live Chat hosted by Rachel Patterson, author of Gods and Goddesses of England and the Kitchen Witch series of books. Time: 9am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks/

Friday 2 January; Full Moon Ritual by the Thames with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at Millennium Bridge, Thames Embankment, · London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £5. https://www.meetup.com/londonwoodlandwitches/

Saturday 3 January; Connecting with Trees, a Call to Arms with South East London Pagans. Venue: One Tree Hill, Honor Oak, South London. Time: 1.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Saturday 3 January; Storytelling Around The Fire – Warm Tales for Winter with Vanessa Woolf and London Dreamtime. Venue: Plot 9 Maze Hill, Greenwich. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £5-£15. https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Saturday 3 January (date tbc but usually first Saturday each month); Gong Bath. Venue: Upminster Sanctuary Pea Lane, Upminster, RM142XH. Time: 7pm. Tickets: tbc. https://upminstersanctuary.com/

Saturday 3 January; Women's Full Moon Gong Bath. Venue: Akasa, 5a Prince Edward Rd, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LX. Time: 7pm. Tickets: from £25.63. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sunita-kaur-34415293427

Saturday 3 January; New Year, Full Moon, Gong Bath and Cacao Ceremony in Lesnes Abbey Woods. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-year-full-moon-gong-bath-cacao-ceremony-in-lesnes-abbey-woods-tickets-1976725166184?

Saturday 3 January (every full and new moon); Moon Space online event via She's Lost Control. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15. https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Sunday, 4 January (and other dates and times); Soul Restore Sound Healing. Venue: The Mandrake, 20-21 Newman Street, London W1T 1PG. Time: 11am. Tickets: £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-mandrake-17825575648

Sunday, 4 January; Twelfth Nigh celebration. Mummers' Play, the Bankside Wassail and more seasonal entertainment with The Lion's Part. Venue: Shakespeare's Globe, Bankside and Borough Market, Southwark, London, SE1 9DT. Starts at noon. This is a free event. https://thelionspart.co.uk/

Sunday, 4 January; Mindful Stroll and Forest Bathing in Crystal Palace Park. Meet at Sydenham Gate, CP Park, London SE20. Time: 1pm. Free, but parking is paid. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/parkbathe-34393467709

Sunday, 4 January; Streatham Common Community Gardens' Annual Wassail. Venue: Streatham Common Community Garden, London. Time: 1.15pm. Free https://www.facebook.com/events/2054932565258909?

Sunday 4 January; Sacred Reset with Crystal Wicca. Venue Crystal Wicca, West Wickham, BR4. Time: 3pm. Tickets: £26. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Sunday 4 January; Full Moon Celebration with South East London Pagans. Venue: One Tree Hill, Honor Oak, South London. Time: 7pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Monday 5 January; Meditative Art and Visualisation: Finding Joy in Winter. Online via Rest Less Events. Time: 10am. Tickets £3.99 per class. https://events.restless.co.uk/event-calendar/

Monday 5 January (tbc but usually every Monday); Tea With a Druid. Free online event by the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Time 8pm. https://druidry.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/druidry

Monday 5 January; Sacred Reset with Crystal Wicca. Venue Crystal Wicca, West Wickham, BR4. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £26. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Tuesday 6 January; Yoga for Mind, Breath and Body. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion, Place Park, The Mansion, Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: 6.15pm. Tickets: £12. https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/

Tuesday 6 January; Witchcraft's Paths to Power: Spells and Charms. Workshop with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday 6 January; Beginner Tarot. Start of 4-Part course with Delphine de la Mar. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £150. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events