The Wheel of the Year and Hot House Flowers

Over the Summer Solstice I noticed prominent pagan groups using the sunflower as a symbol for their seasonal rites or suggesting them as a suitable flower to put on the altar. This jarred with me.

In the UK, sunflowers don't normally bloom until August. Pagan Wheel of the Year ceremonies are a celebration of each season in turn. They usually reflect what is going on in nature at that time of year - often featuring what flowers are in bloom or what is being harvested. Imbolc is traditionally associated with snowdrops, at Spring Equinox we see daffodils, on May Day the hawthorn is traditionally in blossom, for example.

At the Summer Solstice things that are blooming in London gardens include roses and honeysuckle. Yellow St John's wort flowers are out too, and in folklore are said to be best harvested at midsummer, in late June.

Sunflowers are in bloom at Lammas - the next festival in the Wheel of the Year.

I posted something about this on Facebook earlier this week and asked people what they thought. Most people agreed with me and said they try to put seasonal flowers on their altars, but a few didn't.

One point made was that people use sunflowers because they are beautiful representations of the sun.

That is true - sunflowers are beautiful solar symbols. They have the word "sun" in their name and the flowers look large and sun-like. They even appear on the Sun card in tarot.

I would certainly agree that if you are not specifically doing a ritual to honour nature's seasons, but are instead doing a ritual just to honour the sun, then a sunflower makes sense. However, the pagan groups I was commenting on were putting on Wheel of the Year rituals, not rites of purely solar worship.

Others people who replied to my comment on Facebook said it didn't matter what flowers you put on your altar. One person said: "Why get hung up on it anyway, does it really matter what flowers we use? All of nature is beautiful, as long as we are respecting her is the most important part of any ritual regardless [of] what time of the year it is."

Well, I would say that if you feel respecting nature is the most important part of any ritual, then choosing something that is naturally in season still seems best. I'm sure you can buy sunflowers in June, but they will have been imported from abroad or grown in man-made hot houses. Shipping long distances by train, plane or massive lorry doesn't seem particularly natural, neither does forcing plants in artificial environments where they might not even get any natural sunlight.

That certainly doesn't mean I would never put out-of-season flowers on my own altar. When my mother died I wanted pink roses on her coffin and on the altar for her funeral. My mother loved roses and pink was her favourite colour. There were none in bloom in my garden at that time of year, so I happily asked an independent florist to source them for me. She made a beautiful floral arrangement and I was happy to support a local small business. 

But, in that instance, the rite was to honour my mother, not specifically to honour the season.

I also realise that we all lead busy lives and if we are asked to bring flowers to a ritual it can sometimes be easier to pick up a bunch at the supermarket with the groceries than go out and pick them ourselves. The supermarket also might not offer much in the way of local, seasonal blooms. We have to be realistic and don't always have the time or energy to make our rituals exactly the way we would like them.

Of course, we are all free to do what we want in our own personal rituals, so long as we don't harm anyone in the process. But, if I was doing a rite specifically to celebrate the season, I would still feel uncomfortable putting a sunflower on my altar long before it was in season.

The wise old witch who trained me, back when I was a lot younger, used to say: "The first thing you do when you are writing a ritual for the Wheel of the Year is look out of the window. What can you see growing there? What's happening in nature? Use that for inspiration."

I think that is still good advice.

Music: Nine Inch Nails - Bad Witch Released Today

Well it seems an old Goth band that I rather liked back in the day has released a new album called Bad Witch. I reckon I ought to buy it, even if just for the name.

Here are some links to articles and reviews of NIN's Bad Witch:
https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/06/nine-inch-nails-bad-witch-stream/
https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/nine-inch-nails-bad-witch-album-review
https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/cd-nine-inch-nails-%E2%80%93%C2%A0bad-witch

You can view Bad Witch on Amazon.

Book Review: A Pilgrimage in Japan by Joan Stamm

This book is perfect summer reading.

A Pilgrimage in Japan takes you on a delightful journey to the 33 temples of Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, through the words of Joan Stamm.

This is an ancient pilgrimage route in Western Japan, which has been travelled for over a thousand years. It is a Buddhist pilgrimage, but honestly you don't have to be a Buddhist in order to enjoy the delightful and evocative descriptions of travelling to places of historic interest and natural beauty in a far-off country.

Nevertheless, publisher Mantra Books concentrates on the spiritual aspects of A Pilgrimage in Japan on its website, where it says:

Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is the one who “hears the cries of the world” and vows to “assist anyone in distress.” As the author embarks on the pilgrimage route that extends from the Japan Sea to the Pacific Ocean, through the ancient city of Kyoto and the modern city of Osaka, and to the many mountain tops in between, she allows the special characteristics and sacred presence of each place to bring forth relevant Buddhist teaching; letting go of attachment, contemplating impermanence, engaging in right livelihood, being of service, and other teachings found in classic Buddhism. The dharma, or doctrines of Universal Truth, intertwines with rich descriptions of mountain hikes, remote temples, modern Shugendo practices, sacred icons and the author’s spiritual insights.

Journeys change us. Those embarked on especially to contemplate or confront specific concepts can change us even more. However, Joan Stamm's contemplations aren't preachy - she isn't trying to convert anyone to Buddhism.

She describes the thoughts she has as she takes difficult routes to remote sacred sites, and well-travelled paths to quiet sanctuaries within busy cities. She contemplates the messages associated with each one when she arrives. She makes it clear that these are her own thoughts and feelings.

Through her beautiful descriptions she has inspired me to look for my own pilgrimage route; to seek answers to my own spiritual questions by travelling in body, mind and spirit to those ancient and sacred sites that call to me, on my pagan path.

You can view A Pilgrimage in Japan on Amazon.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.mantra-books.net/books/pilgrimage-in-japan
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/02/ley-line-pilgrimage-to-brides-well.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/12/lot-of-bottle.html

Witch Room Tales: My Sun Light for the Solstice

Here is one of my favourite things in my witchy room. It is a lamp designed to look like the sun. Although I might not really need to turn it on today - the Summer Solstice - I'm blogging about it because it is the item I own that most evokes the sun for me.

It cheers me up on darker days and longer night, reminding me that the sun will shine again.

Like quite a few of my belongings, it came from a charity shop. Unlike the three-legged stool I blogged about last month, this is a purchase I don't regret. However, I nearly didn't buy it.

I saw it at at time when I was seriously skint. It was priced at £10 and although I loved it as soon as I saw it, I didn't get it immediately. I had a tenner in my purse, but it was better spent on food.

Nevertheless, I kept thinking about it. I asked my husband if he minded me buying something totally frivolous. He said that if I really wanted it, I should get it. I rushed back to the charity shop the next morning, expecting it to have already gone to a new home, but I was in luck.

I don't for a moment regret buying my sunny table lamp. Witchy friends who come round to visit nearly always comment on how lovely it is and ask me where I got it. They seem disappointed that it was a vintage item and the only one like it I have ever seen in a shop. Online searches for "sun lamp" just reveal things that turn you orange ;)

Here are some of my previous Tales from the Witch Room posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/05/tales-from-witch-room-three-legged-stool.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/04/tales-from-witch-room-pointy-hats.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/03/tales-from-witch-room-cauldrons-big-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/02/witch-room-tales-saving-alan-leos-papers.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/01/witch-room-tales-what-occult-bums-sat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/12/tales-from-witch-room-decorating-done.html

Summer Solstice: Respect the Power of the Sun

I hope everyone who wants to gets to see a beautiful sunset tonight and a glorious sunrise tomorrow, the Summer Solstice.

However, do take care and respect the power of the sun all summer long. We all know that we should cover up or put on sunblock to avoid burning on hot, clear days. We all also know to avoid staring directly at the sun for any length of time, as it can damage our eyes. What I'm writing about here is to also be aware of how the sun can cause fires or other damage inside our homes.

If, like me, you have a crystal ball or two, don't let sunlight shine directly on it. Crystal balls can refract the light and focus it on flammable objects, sometimes causing serious fires. The same can happen with other crystals, glass ornaments, mirrors and even bottles left on windowsills.

The picture above shows my collection of scrying balls in a basket by a window in my witchy room. You can probably also see a black cloth in the basket. It is there to protect the crystals and glass from getting scratched and I used to put it on the table before doing divination too. The last time I went to use it I realised the artificial fabric had melted and stuck together under one of the crystals!

I was really surprised because I normally have the basket of crystal balls covered up with a cloth - because I am aware of the fire risks. (See the photo at the bottom.) The sun must have caused the problem on one of those rare occasions when it is wasn't covered.

The sun can bleach crystals too, so aim to keep yours in a dark place as much as possible. Things like fabrics and pictures can also be bleached by the sun. Candles and other wax objects left in windowsills can melt.

Now I know some witches like to leave magical items out in the sun to charge them with energy - and the Summer Solstice would seem the perfect time to do that. But do be careful. Even a glass bottle filled with water could refract the strong rays of the sun and set light to your curtains. You don't need sun-charged items so much it is worth risking a house fire.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/05/be-safe-with-candles-after-my-beltane.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/04/tales-from-witch-room-pointy-hats.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/09/pagan-eye-my-two-new-quartz-crystal.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/11/shop-animal-totem-orbs-message-of-cat.html

London Pagan Events over the Solstice & Midsummer

The Summer Solstice is on Thursday, 21 June while Midsummer's Day is on Sunday 24 June. There are lots of things to do over the next week or so to mark these traditional festivals. Most of the pagan events I list are in London, because that is where I am based, but some are in other parts of England including the stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury.

Now - Saturday 30 June; Summer Solstice Celebration of the Goddess Juno at Wicca Moon in south London. Each year Shirlee and her fellow witches raise awareness of the Divine Goddess of 10,000 names and funding for charity with a series of events including talks, ceremonies and workshops. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Some events are free. Tickets can be bought for individual activities, or you can pay a special price of £165 for the entire month. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/591360514554349/ or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk

Now - 28 October. Roman Dead. Exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands. Venue: No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL. Free entry.  https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands/whats-on/exhibitions/roman-dead

Tuesday 19 June; Rite of passage Life / Death / Rebirth From a Witches’ point of view - part of  the Summer Solstice Celebration at Wicca Moon. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Time: 2pm-4pm. Free event. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/591360514554349/ or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk

Tuesday 19 June; Mental Illness as Shamanic Initiation. Talk by Jez Hughes. You can view his book The Heart of Life on Amazon. Venue: 69 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3QQ. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £12. https://uk.funzing.com/funz/funzing-talks-mental-illness-as-shamanic-initiation-14945/

Tuesday 19 June; The Art of Receiving. Lecture by David Manning. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm start. Cost: £14/£12. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 19 June; Witches of London Gathering. Venue: front bar of the Cittie of Yorke, 22 High Holborn, London WC1V 6BS. Starting for 7.30pm. onwards. Meets on the third Tuesday of each month. For any questions email coacentral@witchcraft.org or visit http://www.witchfest.net/

Wednesday, 20 June; Daily Ceremony - part of  the Summer Solstice Celebration at Wicca Moon. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Time: 2pm-4pm. Free event. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/591360514554349/ or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk

Wednesday, 20 June; Time to Meditate - group meditation. Venue: Buddha on a Bicycle, Covent Garden, London. Arrive 6pm for 6.10pm start. Donations of £3 recommended. Details: http://www.meetup.com/meditation-trust-london/

Wednesday, 20 June; Candle Magic Workshop - I am running a special Summer Solstice Eve candle magic workshop at Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £20 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/event/practical-candle-magic-11/ or reserve a place by calling 020 7419 8507, emailing info@treadwells-london.com or visiting the shop.

Wednesday 20 June; Midsummer Night's Dream Goddess Circle with Lucy North. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London E9 7AD. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £35. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk

Wednesday, 20 June; Midsummer Eve Walk with a look at the folklore of wild plants including St. John’s wort, mugwort and orpine. Organised by the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Venue: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Southern Grove, London, E3 4PX. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £11.43-£19.62. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/midsummers-eve-walk-tickets-46259966806?

Wednesday, 20 June; Shamanic Breath Ceremony. Venue: Aho Studio, 13 Prince Edward Rd, London, E9 5LX. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £30. www.aho.community

Wednesday, 20 June; More Mead Moot promoted by Pagan FutureFests. Venue: Hope Pub, 48 West Street, Carshalton SM5 2PR. Time: from 7.30pm. Meets on the third Wednesday of each month. https://www.facebook.com/Pagan-FutureFests-352385661439366/ http://www.meetup.com/Londonpagancommunity/

Wednesday 20 - Thursday 21 June; Stonehenge, the 5,000-year-old megalithic monument on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, is the most famous place in England to celebrate the solstices. English Heritage, which manages the site, allows free "managed open access" to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice. English Heritage allows individuals and groups to conduct their own ceremonies and rituals during the opening times, from 7pm on 20 June until 8am on 21 June. No camping is allowed. There is a car park (charged) and buses run from Salisbury railway station. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/plan-your-visit/summer-solstice/

Thursday 21 - Friday 22 June; Summer Solstice Peace Fires. Light a candle or fire for peace wherever you are in the world, for as short or long a time as you like between  2am PDT (US) time, which is from 10am UK time on 21 June until 4am US time/noon UK time on 22 June. You can light a candle just for 10 minutes or an hour or longer and state the intention: “Let there be peace on earth and love for one another.” Details: http://peacefires.org/

Thursday 21 June; Solstice Ritual and World Peace Day Celebrations at Avebury Stone Circle in Wilthsire. A Solstice sunrise ceremony will be conducted by local elders at dawn, followed by a Druid ceremony in the Sun Circle. There will be a closing ceremony at 11.45am. The ceremonies are free to attend. From noon, there will be a World Peace and Prayer Symposium at Avebury Sports and Social Club. Tickets for this are £29. https://www.facebook.com/events/372575339888098/

Thursday 21 June; Wheel of the Year Festival - Summer Solstice at Chalice Well World Peace Garden, in Glastonbury. Gather at the well head for midday meditation until 12.30pm, followed by conversation on the lower lawn. Free admission to the gardens from 10am to noon. For more details, visit the website http://www.chalicewell.org.uk/

Thursday 21 June; Litha Summer Solstice Ritual (free event) at noon followed by Emotional Freedom Technique workshop (tickets £15) at 2pm. Part of  the Summer Solstice Celebration at Wicca Moon. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/591360514554349/ or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk

Thursday 21 June; Being Present. Talk by Darren Cockburn. Venue: Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Thursday 21 June; Into the Woods and Out Again. Talk by Dina Glouberman at Alternatives. Venue: The Columbia Hotel, 95-99 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3NS. Doors open 6.30pm. Event starts: 7pm. Tickets £10/£15 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Thursday 21 June; The Secret History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult. A walking tour with storyteller Nigel hosted by Funzing Talks. Meet at Saint Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8BX. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £10. https://uk.funzing

Thursday 21 June; PFL Summer Solstice Open Ritual facilitated by Snow Wolf Coven. Venue: Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. Time: 7.30pm. Entry: £6/£5 (PF members and concessions). https://pflondon.info/

Thursday 21 June; The Secret History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult. A walking tour with storyteller Nigel hosted by Funzing Talks. Meet at Saint Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8BX. Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Tickets: £12. https://uk.funzing.com/funz/the-secret-history-of-magic-witchcraft-the-occult-17554

Thursday 21 June; The Wild Hunt Bedlam Morris Summer Solstice Celebration. Dance at Addington Hills Viewpoint from 8pm then watch the sunset.  Free, just turn up. https://www.facebook.com/events/215933525678405/

Friday 22 June; Goddess Juno Workshop to Celebrate the Solstice Goddess - part of  the Summer Solstice Celebration at Wicca Moon. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Time: 2pm-5pm. Tickets £35 inc ritual kit. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/591360514554349/ or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk

Friday 22 June; Midsummer Gongbath with Diana Vernon MCSH. On this first day of midsummer after the summer solstice, in a beautiful period candle-lit hall, allow the sun energy of this time to combine with the resonance of the gongs to promote peace, tranquility and relaxation. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £20/£22. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 22 June; Holistic Sound Bath Meditation - Summoning The Sacred (weekly ceremonial gathering). Venue: Training Points Fitness and Therapy, 5-6 Coopers Yard, Crystal Palace, London SE19 1TN. Time: 7pm. Entry £15/£13. https://www.facebook.com/summoningthesacredsound/

Saturday 23 June; Special morning tour: an introduction to ancient Egypt. Venue: Room 4, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 8.50am. Tickets £30.. For more details visit: http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Saturday 23 June; Drum Birthing Workshop with Heron Drums. Venue: Aho Studio, 13 Prince Edward Rd, London E9 5EU. Time: 9.30am-5pm. Cost: £200. http://www.herondrums.co.uk/shamanic-drum-birthing/4594020591

Saturday 23 June; Kabbalah, Astrology and You. One-day workshop with Rev. Maggy Whitehouse. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 11am start. Tickets: £50. Tel: 020 7405 2120. http://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Saturday 23 June; Free and Open Gorsedd Summer Solstice Rite by the Free and Open Gorsedd of Caer Abiri at The Sun Circle, Avebury, Wilts, Avebury, United Kingdom. Druidic style open ceremony to celebrate summer - all faith paths welcome. Meet at the Red Lion pub from noon for ceremony from 1.30pm. Offerings of bread or cake, mead, poetry and song are welcome. https://www.facebook.com/events/1213809608753855/

Saturday 23 June; Woodland Midsummer Gathering 2018 - Ceremony and Social with London Woodland Witches, Pagans and Ritual Magicians. Venue: Queen's Woods, Highgate. Meet in the garden area of the Woodman pub at 2pm to walk to the woods at 2.45pm. Cost: £3.· Wear outdoor clothes, something to sit on and bring food and drink. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Saturday 23 June; Crystal Angel Activation workshop - part of  the Summer Solstice Celebration at Wicca Moon. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Tickets £35 inc ritual kit. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/591360514554349/ or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk

Saturday 23 June; Portals of London: Abney Park. Storytelling for adult audiences with London Dreamtime. Venue: A secret location in North East London. Time: 5.45pm for 6pm start. Price: £8 - you must book a place in advance.  For more details, email vanessa@londondreamtime.com or visit https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Saturday 23 June; St John's Eve Vigil at Crossbones to honour The Goose and the outcast dead of Cross Bones Graveyard and the dead and wounded of the London Bridge attacks. Bring a flower, a ribbon, a totem or memento to tie to the shrine. Gather from 6.45pm for a 7pm start in Redcross Way outside the Memorial Gates, London SE1 1TA. For more details, visit  http://crossbones.org.uk/

Saturday 23 June; Heart Beat - Drumming Collective with Gong Master Olaf Nixon. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm start. Cost: £20/£22. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 June; Mystical Market - Summer Solstice in Whitby. Stalls, talks and a workshop with Edwin Courtenay. Drumming on the beach on Saturday night. Venue: Whitby Pavilion Complex, Whitby, YO21. https://www.facebook.com/events/525927724472533/

Sunday, 24 June; London Rathayatra 2018 - Krishna Chariot Festival. Annual festival with procession, music and free vegetarian food. Procession starts at Hyde Park, London, at noon and goes to Trafalgar Square. Festival ends at 5pm. Free event. Details: https://rathayatra.co.uk/london/.  London Woodland Witches and Outdoor Pagans will be attending, to join them sign up here: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Pagans-Magicians/

Sunday, 24 June; Summer Solstice on Primrose Hill with the Loose Association of Druids. Open ritual hosted by Jeremy Morgan, the Druid of Wormwood Scrubbs. Venue: The Hawthorne Grove, Primrose Hill, Regents Park, London NW1. Gather at 12.45pm for 1pm start. https://www.facebook.com/LooseAssociationOfDruidsOfPrimroseHill/

Sunday, 24 June; Anderida Gorsedd Summer Solstice open ritual at the Long Man of Wilmington, Wilmington, East Sussex. Meet near the car park between 1.30pm and 2pm, walk up to the chalk hill figure at 2pm. Afterwards, the Giants Rest pub. https://www.facebook.com/groups/anderidagorsedd/

Sunday, 24 June; Barefoot in the Woods - Secrets of the Womb with Wild Women Gatherings London. Venue: Hackney (details sent to those attending - advance booking essential). Donations welcome. Time: 3pm. https://www.meetup.com/WILD-WOMEN-CIRCLES-LONDON/

Sunday, 24 June; Luna Iter - Journey of the moon - for Pagan and Wiccan Seekers with Luna Iter- Wiccan Seekers London NE. Pub moot followed by a ritual close to each full moon. Venue: Pembury Tavern, 90 Amhurst Road, Hackney. Moot starts at 4.30pm, then at 6pm moving to a historic site for the ritual. Fee: £4/£5. https://www.meetup.com/Luna-Iter-WiccanSeekersLondonNE/

Sunday, 24 June; Summer Solstice Wheel of the Year ritual at Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3 1NG. Time: 7pm. (At lunchtime there is also a picnic to celebrate the sun.) Tel: 020 7433 3267. http://www.rosslynhillchapel.com

Monday 25 June; The Inner Temple. Talk by Rebecca Campbell at Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LL. Doors open 6.30pm. Event starts: 7pm. Tickets £10/£15 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Monday 25 June; Living with Magic: the Occult Sun Evening. Seminar-workshop with Rebecca Beattie. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm start. Tickets £20. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Tuesday 26 June; Candle Magick workshop - part of  the Summer Solstice Celebration at Wicca Moon. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Time: 2pm-4pm. Tickets £15 inc kit. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/591360514554349/ or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk

Tuesday 26 June; Enfield Town Circle Pagan Moot. Venue: Crown and Horseshoes pub, 12-15 Horseshoe Lane, Enfield, Middx, EN2 6PZ. Time: 7pm. Free to turn up. https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Wiccans-Pagans/

Tuesday 26 June; Magick and Power in the Age of Trump. Talk by Gary Lachman. You can view his book Dark Star Rising: Magick and Power in the Age of Trump, on Amazon. Organised by The London Fortean Society. Venue: Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. Time: 7.15pm. Tickets: £5. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Wednesday 27 June; Hertford Pagan Moot. Venue: White Horse Pub, 33 Castle Street, Hertford, Herts SG14 1HH (45 mins from central London). The pub does not have disabled access. This moot usually meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 8pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/104788436218047/

Thursday 28 June; Talk on Old fashioned Charms and Amulets - part of  the Summer Solstice Celebration at Wicca Moon. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Time: 2pm-4pm. Free event. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/591360514554349/ or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk

Thursday 28 June; The Art of Limitless Living. Talk by Melissa Joy Jonsson. Venue: Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Thursday 28 June; Full Moon Magic Ceremony. Venue: Hazelwood Crescent, London, W10 5FT (Exact address will be provided after booking). Time: 7.15pm. Tickets: £18. http://uk.funzing.com/funz/full-moon-magic-ceremony-11769?

Thursday 28 June; Super-Recognisers: Spotting Faces in a Crowd. Talk by Psychologist Dr Josh P Davis at The London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets: £4/£2. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Thursday 28 June; Elsa Schiaparelli’s Pagan Collection: 1938 Nature Magic. Lecture by Dr Sabina Stent. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm start. Tickets £9. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 28 June; Capricorn Full Moon Ceremony by the river Thames with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Venue: Meet at Tate Modern green outside Tate Modern and Bankside Gallery, London SE1 at 8pm for a Wiccan circle ritual on the banks of the Thames. Cost: £3 You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring food and drink to share. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans

Friday 29 June; Animal Speak Working with your Animal Guides - part of  the Summer Solstice Celebration at Wicca Moon. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Time: 2pm-5pm. Free event. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/591360514554349/ or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk

Saturday 30 June; Beautiful and Terrifying: Encounters with Hindu Gods - gallery talk. Venue: Room 33, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 1.15pm. Free, just turn up. For more details visit: http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Saturday 30 June; Aphrodite workshop followed by closing ritual for the Summer Solstice Celebration at Wicca Moon. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Workshop time: 2pm-4pm. Closing ritual at 4.30pm. Tickets £12.99 for the workshop. The closing ritual is free. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/591360514554349/ or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk

Saturday 30 June; Celtic Traditions of Creativity: Bardic Inspiration. Workshop with Dr Jonathan Woolley. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm start. Tickets £40. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 30 June; Magical Bloomsbury Walking Tour with Christina. Starts at Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm start. Tickets £18. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 30 June; Mindful Improvisation in Nature. Venue: Ravenscourt Park, London, W6. Time: 1pm. Free event, but you must book a ticket in advance: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mindful-improvisation-in-nature-tickets-46947772050?

Sunday 1 July; Get to Know Wild Plants - The Pea Family. Walk organised by the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Venue: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Southern Grove, London, E3 4PX. Time: 10am-4pm. Tickets: from £26.79. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/midsummers-eve-walk-tickets-46259966806?

Sunday 1 July; North West Kent Green Pagan Circle Moot. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, Bromley, BR7 5NL. Time: 11am. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445487428816887/

Sunday 1 July; The Ageless Wisdom for Everyone. Talk at the Theosophical Society in London. Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 2pm. Donations welcome. http://theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Please note that I am not responsible for any of these events except my own candle magic workshop at Treadwell's. I try to ensure my listings are accurate but do not always know of late changes, cancellations or ticket availability. If you do spot anything that needs correcting, please email the details to badwitch1234@gmail.com