A bad witch's blog

Thursday, 14 August 2025

Pagan Eye: There Be Monsters on a Globe

This globe is an art installation outside the National Archives in Richmond. It's called There Be Monsters, and is inspired by the map collection housed inside the building. It reflects motifs and drawings found in the oldest atlases, often showing strange creatures that were thought to exist in the world.

I took the photo of it when I visited the National Archives this week, and am sharing it as I thought it might interest anyone with a liking for folklore and strange things that can be found in London. The sculpture was created by people who benefit from the services of Workshop and Company, an organisation that helps people with experiences of mental ill health.

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it. I'm not quite sure what I'll be including - it could be a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. 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 and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

Previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/07/pagan-eye-camomile-growing-in-my-local.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/04/pagan-eye-new-green-man-sign-for-anerley.html

Wednesday, 13 August 2025

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. There are online things you can do anywhere plus in-person talks and workshops in or near London, and some festivals further afield.

Now - 19 October; Ancient India Living Traditions Exhibition. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Tickets £20 (free for members). https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/ancient-india-living-traditions

Now - October 31; Alexandrian Witchcraft exhibition. Venue: Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Boscastle, Cornwall. Musueum opening hours: 10am-4.30pm. Entry £10/£5. https://museumofwitchcraftandmagic.co.uk/

Now - 21 August; Whittington: The Man, The Myth and The Cat. Venue: Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH. Time: 10am - 4pm, Mon to Thu. Admission: Free. https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/events/whittington-the-man-the-myth-and-the-cat

Now until 19 October; Edward Burra/Ithell Colquhoun: Two art exhibitions with one ticket. Venue: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG. Tickets: £18 / Free for Members https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain

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 – 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

Most lunchtimes: 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/

Every Wednesday and Friday; College of Psychic Studies - pop in to have a look around the lovely building. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am-5pm weekdays. Free entry. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Now - 21 August; Vanessa Woolf and Diana Olutunmogun storytelling for children in Hyde Park as part of a programme of wellbeing activities for 3-10 year olds and their families. Venue: The Learning Centre, Hyde Park W2 2UH. Times: 12, 1 and 2pm. Free. https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Tuesday 12 - 14 August; Channel the Goddess with Rebecca Campbell via Hay House. A free three-day ceremonial series online. Time: 5pm BST. https://soul.rebeccacampbell.me/channelthegoddess/?

Wednesday 13 August; Welcoming The Lions Gate at the Temple of Wicca Moone. Hybrid event. In-person venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 4pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/

Wednesday 13 August (2nd Wed each month); Enfield Town Circle Moot. Venue: Crown and Horsehoes, Horseshoe Lane, Enfield, EN2 6PZ. Time: 6pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EnfieldTownCircle/

Wednesday 13 August; The Attire of Magic. Workshop with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday, 13 August (every Wednesday); Sound Bath. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15. https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Wednesday, 13 and 20 August; 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, 13 and 20 August; Sound Bowl Meditation with Spiritual Tiik. Time: 8.30pm. Tickets £12.74. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/spiritual-tiik-29294295627

Thursday 14 August; Weather Lore. Online talk with Rest Less Events. Time: 11.30am. Tickets £3.99 per talk. https://events.restless.co.uk/event-calendar/

Thursday 14 August; Daily Glimmers. Talk and signing by Bridget McNulty. 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 14 August; Summer Seance. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £32. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/

Thursday 14 August; Frieda Harris and the Thoth Tarot – Interview and Soirée with Deja Whitehouse. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Thursday 14 August; Calm Within: A Breathwork and Sound Bath Journey. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion, Place Park, The Mansion, Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22.50. https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/

Thursday 14 August; Melusine: Sacred Ancestress of the House of Lusignan, Alchemical Bride and Grail Mermaiden. Talk by Helena B. Scott, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £20. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 14 August; Astro Club Align with Leo. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15-£20. https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Thursday 14 August (tbc but usually every fortnight); Inquisitive Spirit open circle. Learn Mediumship and Psychic development with a group. Venue: Bretons Manor, 411 Rainham Road, South Hornchurch RM13 7LP. Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Cost £10 per session Text 07549 638276 for details.

Friday, 15 August (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, 15 August (1st and 3rd Friday each month); The Pagan Portal Podcast by Moon Books. Time: noon (or listen to recording later). Free event. https://open.spotify.com/show/11N4kNj65tTz9NFUcZTMa7?

Friday, 15 August and other dates; London Witches and Chilling History Bankside Walking Tour. Meet at Southwark View Point, Minerva Square, London, SE1 9DF. Time: 6pm. Tickets from £9.48. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/enthral-experiences-58960674733

Friday, 15 August; Tea Ceremony Meditation. Venue: 19 Castle Close London E9 5TN. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £27.80. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tea-ceremony-meditation-tickets-1480496959259?

Friday 15 August (Every 3rd Friday of the month until December 19); 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 16 August; Foundation in Equine Healing and Communicationg. Workshop with Elizabeth Whiter via The College of Psychic Studies. Venue is at a horse sanctuary in Sussex. Time 10am-5pm. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 16 August; Trance Mediumship: First Steps. Workshop with Sarah Tyler-Walters. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £125. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August; Sacred Space Earth Energy Dowsing. Two-day workshop with Vicky Sweetlove. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £250. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 16 August; Tea and Tarot. Hybrid event. In-person venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: noon to 5pm. Free event but donations welcome. https://www.facebook.com/events/514485038392040/?

Saturday 16 August; Afterlife Tarot. Talk and signing by Ever Orchid. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: noon. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Saturday 16 August; Death and Dreams: Exploring the Liminal Realms. Class with Tree Carr via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 16 August; Hawaiian Healing. Class with Anna Parkinson via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 17 August; Angel Visions through Inspired Art. Workshop with Hanelle Levine. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £125. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 17 August; Crystal Codes: Identifying and Healing with Quartz Formations. Class with Nicholas Pearsonon via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 17 August; Dawn of the Oak Pagan moot. Venue: The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon Road/Greville Street, London EC1M 3JF. Time: 2.30pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawnoftheoak/

Sunday 17 August (and other dates); Soul Restore Sound Healing. Venue: The Mandrake, 20-21 Newman Street, London W1T 1PG. Time: 4pm. Tickets: £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-mandrake-17825575648

Sunday 17 August (date and details tbc but usually second or third Sunday of the month); 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 17 August (every Sunday); Mindfulness Meditation. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3, 1NG. Time: 6pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Monday, 18 August; Unwrapping the Victorian’s Mummy Obsession with Dr Jay Sullivan. Venue: The Last Tuesday Society / Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £16.40. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/the-absinthe-parlour-338339

Monday, 18 August (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, 19 August; The History of Gothic Literature and Feminism. Talk by Dr Emma Liggins. Venue: Arches London Bridge, 8 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 2ER. Time: 7pm. Cost: £10 – £33. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-history-of-gothic-literature-feminism-tickets-1417011402249?

Tuesday, 19 August; Summoning Angels and Demons – Lecture and Soirée with David Rankinee. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Tuesday 19 August (and other dates); Gong Bath / Sound Journey 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

Wednesday, 20 August (tbc but usually 3rd Wednesday each month); The More Mead Moot. Venue: The Hope pub, Carshalton, Surrey. Time: 7pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/Pagan-FutureFests-352385661439366/

Wednesday, 20, 27 August and other dates; Moon Gong. 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, 20 August; Astrological Magic Sound Bath with Nicole Bettencourt Coelho. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £30 per person. https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Thursday 21 August; Big Impact Without Burnout. Talk and signing by Bianca Best. 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 21 August; Drumming for Infinity. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £15. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/

Thursdays 21 and 28 August; CPast Lives: Tap into the Quantum Field. Class with Kim Chestney via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 21 August; Summer Lore. 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. Turn up on the night or email cunningfolkmusic@gmail.com to book a space. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cunning-folk-7829505560

Friday 22 August (4th Friday of the month); The Wild Wood Tarot study group. Free online event. Time: 7pm. https://www.meetup.com/astrotarotkitchen/events/

Saturday 23 August; Sun Goddesses - An experiential day led by Caroline Wise and Carrie Kirkpatrick. Venue: Highgate, North London. Time: 11am - 6.30pm. Price: (Returning priestesses £65). https://www.goddessenchantment.com/workshops?

Saturday 23 August; Runes Workshop: Unlock the Secrets of the Ancients. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 2pm. Tickets 25. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/

Saturday 23 August; Crossbones vigil to honour the outcast dead of Crossbones Graveyard, Southwark. Location: Redcross Way, London, SE1 1TA. Time: 6.45pm for 7pm. Free, just turn up You can also view the vigil online. http://crossbones.org.uk

Saturday 23 August (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

Saturday 23 August; Woodland Cacao Ritual and Indigo Moon Portal Opening with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at the entrance to Queen's Woods, Queen's wood Road, London N6 5UU, to be led into woods to the ritual spot. Bring a torch and wear suitable clothing and footwear. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £13. https://www.meetup.com/londonwoodlandwitches/

Saturday 23 August (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 24 August; Shamanic Group with Les Fuller. All welcome Venue: Woodford Church at 9 Grove Crescent, South Woodford, London E18 2JR. Time 11am-3pm. Tickets: £10. http://woodfordchurch.com/

Sunday 24 August (and other dates); New Moon, Full Moon or Divine Union Cacao Ceremony, Heart Ritual and Gong Bath. Venue: Private Location near Wandsworth Town/Clapham Junction, London. Time: 3.30pm. Tickets: From £32.93 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-moon-full-moon-or-divine-union-cacao-ceremonyheart-ritual-gong-bath-tickets-169545022727

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, 12 August 2025

Announcement: I'm Writing a New Pagan Portals Book

I'm currently writing a new title in the Pagan Portals series for Moon Books. It's on dowsing, or the art of divining using pendulums, rods and a few other traditional things. I actually started the manuscript a few months ago, and I've been telling people about it at in-person events, but this is the first official announcement on my blog.

If you are searching for something, whether that's water, your lost keys, the answer to a question or even the best place for a witchcraft ritual when you're out in the woods, dowsing can help. Between the pages of Pagan Portals - Dowsing I teach how to use pendulums, rods, and the tingles in your fingers to find what you are looking for.

Writing this book is taking me back in my memories to my childhood, because my father was a good dowser and taught me how to do it. The picture above shows some of his rods and pendulums, which still hold his energy. I can feel his hands guiding mine as I use them. They're a bit different from the crystal pendulums we tend to use these days, aren't they?

I'm about half way through completing the manuscript. Over the next months I'll be blogging more about how it's all going.

My Earlier Books

Here's the full list of all the witchcraft books I've written or edited, published by Moon Books:

Pagan Portals - Candle Magic
Pagan Portals - Poppets and Magical Dolls
Pagan Portals - Guided Visualisations
Pagan Portals - Scrying
Every Day Magic - A Pagan Book of Days
Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year

Moon Books also published my Gothic novel Erosion. You can find all of them at my author page here: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/authors/lucya-starza

Previous related posts

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/07/its-official-im-writing-new-gothic-novel.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/08/books-seven-lucky-years-for-poppets.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/02/happy-birthday-to-2-of-my-pagan-portals.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/04/books-my-gothic-novel-erosion-is-one.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/04/video-launch-of-erosion-my-gothic-novel.html

Monday, 11 August 2025

Books: Endorsement for Pantheon - The Irish

I was lucky enough to read Pantheon: The Irish, just as author Morgan Daimler finished writing the manuscript, and before it went to press. I was delighted to write this endorsement for the book:

“Another brilliant book from Morgan Daimler, a leading expert on the traditional lore of Ireland. Pantheon: The Irish covers the history, mythology, cosmology, festivals, and deities of the land’s rich pagan past. It’s packed with superb research in a succinct and easy-to-read style. This is essential reference material for anyone wanting to learn about Ancient Irish beliefs and how people can appropriately use them today.”

Pantheon: The Irish is officially published by Moon Books in September 2025. It is already available for pre-order. You can also view the book on Amazon.

About the Author

Morgan Daimler teaches classes on Irish myth and magical practices, fairies, and related subjects in the United States and internationally. She has been published in multiple anthologies as well as articles in various magazines, and she is one of the world's foremost experts on all things Fairy. Besides the titles available through Moon Books Morgan has a high fantasy novel 'Into Shadow' through Cosmic Egg and has an urban fantasy/paranormal romance series called Between the Worlds. Morgan has also presented papers on fairies and on fairies and witches at several university conferences.

Friday, 8 August 2025

Exhibition: Thirst - Our Vital Connection to Water

Water is not only vital to human life, it's sacred in many spiritual paths. The picture above shows a series of photographs of religious rituals by diverse communities that live along the River Thames. The one on the right shows a pagan Wheel of the Year festival. The photos are by Chloe Dewe Mathews and are on display at Thirst: In Search of Freshwater, an exhibition at London's Wellcome Collection.

Other objects and artworks also show how humans have long held a mystical relationship with water. From ancient Mesopotamia and Victorian London to modern-day Nepal and Singapore, the exhibition highlights the vital role of freshwater in shaping health and ecosystems as well as magical and religious beliefs and observances, including water collected by pilgrims of various faiths. The central panel in the photo below shows a healing spring in Nepal. In the same case are bottles of water from the River Ganges and from the temple to the Goddess Sulis at Bath.

However, Thirst is primarily about the importance of managing our limited water supply. Other parts of the exhibition show suffering caused by droughts and floods, and highlight things we can do to conserve water as well as honour this vital element. The picture below shows a multimedia installation ‘Thirst/Trishna’ by Raqs Media Collective, inspired by the stepwells of Rajasthan and Delhi. The description says:

"These subterranean structures, which can descend up to 100 feet, were built to capture and store rainwater – the watermarks etched onto stone reflect on both the absence and the unpredictable overflow of water."

Thirst: In Search of Freshwater is on until February 2026 at the Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. Entry is free and you can just turn up to see it. https://wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/thirst-in-search-of-freshwater