Pagan Eye: Witches Gather at Uffington White Horse

I've just got home from a rather wet holiday, staying at a pub called the Fox and Hounds near the Uffington White Horse. Despite the grim August Bank Holiday weather I felt absolutely at home. Just before I left, I realised why that might be as I spotted a sign in the pub window, through which you can see the famous White Horse on the distant hills. The sign said: "Witches gather here."

Yes, indeed they do.

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.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/pagan-eye-uffington-white-horse-in-rain.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/08/white-horses-of-england.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/10/pagan-eye-westbury-white-horse.html
http://www.uffingtonpub.co.uk/
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-horse-hill/

Pagan Eye: The Uffington White Horse in the Rain

Rain and fog are not the best conditions to climb up to the Uffington White Horse, but they are rather typical weather conditions for English August Bank Holidays.

This was the view I got yesterday. But although visibility wasn't exactly great I'm still glad I made the effort. I also walked around Uffington Castle, which is an Iron Age earthworks, and on to Dragon Hill. Today I am intending to visit Wayland Smithy, a couple of miles from the Uffington White Horse.

Although the weather has been a bit grim, I've been staying at a very welcoming pub nearby, called the Fox and Hounds. As well as offering views of the White Horse from the garden, it serves a really good Sunday lunch and this weekend has a beer festival on. Just the place to warm up and spend the evening.

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.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/08/white-horses-of-england.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/10/pagan-eye-westbury-white-horse.html
http://www.uffingtonpub.co.uk/
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-horse-hill/

News: Witches. Archaeology, Films, Astrology

"Church of ‘witch-slapping’ pastor withdraws application to open UK school" - story at the National Secular Society: http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2015/08/church-of-witch-slapping-pastor-withdraws-application-to-open-uk-school

"Cave Lion Bones May Represent Stone Age Sacrifices" - story at Archaeology: http://www.archaeology.org/news/3636-150825-russia-cave-lion

"10 Bitching Witch Movies" - story at Papermag: http://www.papermag.com/2015/08/best_witch_movies.php

"Banker Turned Astrologer Raises Seed Funding for Astrology Marketplace" - story at PR Newswire: http://www.prnewswire.co.in/news-releases/banker-turned-astrologer-raises-seed-funding-for-astrology-marketplace-522650971.html

The Rochester Catalpa Tree Revisited

After going to see the Medway Megaliths earlier this month, I couldn't resist paying another visit to the catalpa tree outside Rochester Castle, as it is only a few miles away.  I photographed the catalpa tree last year in spring when it was still bare and I wanted to see what it looked like in leaf. To be honest, I was a bit worried that it had died.

Well, as you can see, it is still alive and not only in leaf but also in flower. However, the poor old tree is in serious risk of collapsing. It is now surrounded by a much larger wire fence. Mind you, it reminded me so much of the Whomping Willow in Harry Potter that I did wonder if the sign saying "Dangerous Tree" was there to warn people of a bit more than falling branches.

Links and previous related posts
The Rochester Catalpa Tree
Abney Park Cemetery and Arboretum
Harry Potter and the Bricket Wood Coven
Coldrum Long Barrow
Kit's Coty

This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London

Here are events in London and other parts of the UK over the bank holiday weekend and the following week that could be of interest to pagans.

Now to 29 August; The School of Light - play about spirituality, the occult, astrology, UFOs and a skeptic. Venue: White Bear Theatre, 138 Kennington Park Rd, London SE11 4DJ. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £14 (£10 Concessions). Box Office: 0844 8700 887 (£1.50 booking per call). More details: http://whitebeartheatre.co.uk/event/details/school-of-light/

Now to Sunday 6 September; Power of Poison exhibition. Venue: Old Truman Brewery, Loading Bay, Ely’s Yard, 15 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR. Tickets: adult: £9, child: £5. Open every day from 10am to 6pm/7pm/8pm. Details: http://powerofpoison.co.uk/the-exhibition/

Wednesday 26 August; Free Outdoor Event - Guided Meditation and Picnic Social with Anna and the London Spirituality Meetup Group in Regents Park. Meet at Regents Park tube at 6.40pm to walk to St Johns Lodge. Free event but bring water and a picnic and something to sit on. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Thursday 27 August; Robert Anton Wilson. Lecture by Ian 'Cat' Vincent. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Tickets £7. Advance booking required. Call 0207 419 8507. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 27 August; Divine Goddess Attunement with Mother Mary and Kuan Yin with Lidija of the London College of Spirituality. Women-only event. Venue: Latvian House, 72 Queensborough Terrace, London, W2 3SH. Time: 7pm. Price: £33 per person. http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Thursday 27 August; The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Actually Change You?Book signing and talk by M. Farias and C. Wilkholm at 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/

Friday 28 August; Group Healing Night with Crystal Bowl Bath with Vaz, arranged through the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Columbia Hotel, 95 - 99 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3NS. Start: 7.30pm. Cost: £15. For more details and to book places visit http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Saturday 29 August - Sunday 30 August; Hendon Heathens Summer Thyng - Meeting up for Heathen talks and workshops and good company. Venue: Moat Mount Outdoor Centre, Barnet Way, Mill Hill, London NW7 5AL. Starts at noon. Prices: £5 Saturday, £10 Sunday, £5 camping. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/927414000649726/

Saturday 29 August; Wicca Training Circle and Full Moon Ritual - run by Wiccan High Priest Mani Navasothy. Part of a monthly training group organised through the London Woodland Witches Wiccans Eco-Magicians Outdoor Pagans. Location is on Wimbledon Common, Parkside, London SW19. Time: 3pm-6pm. To find out the exact meeting location and to reserve a place, visit http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Saturday 29 August; Workshop to make your own clay animal orb with Yves Orbs. Venue: with Cobwebs at Cauldrons, Unit 137, Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, Romford RM1 3AB. Price: £25 per person, deposit required to secure a place. Time: 11am to 3pm. Visit: http://www.cobwebsandcauldrons.co.uk/

Sunday 30 August; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Sunday 30 August; Psychometry workshop with Cobwebs at Cauldrons, Unit 137, Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, Romford RM1 3AB. Price: £20. Time: 11am - 2pm. Visit http://www.cobwebsandcauldrons.co.uk/

Sunday 30 August; Occult London: Guided Walk with Delianne Forget organised through Treadwell's bookshop. Meet 2pm at a central London tube station - details given after you book. Price: £10. Call 020 7419 8507. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Monday 31 August; Sacred Walks and The Kingston ZodiacAdventure - walking the Virgo sign in Beddington. Meet at Carshalton Train Station outside the entrance, Carshalton, SM5 2HT, at noon. Walk takes about 2 hours. Cost £15, advance booking required: http://www.meetup.com/Sacred-Walks-Kingston-Zodiac-Adventure/

Tuesday 1 September; Sound Meditation. Venue: Goose Green Clinic, 57 East Dulwich Road, London SE22 9AP. Time: 10.45am. Cost:£12/£10. More information and booking: http://www.meetup.com/Holistic-SoundBath-Meditation-Summoning-The-Sacred-Dulwich/

Tuesday 1 September; Gallery talk - How to read Maya glyphs: Yaxchilan’s history written in stone. Venue: Room 27, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 1.15pm-2pm. Free event, just drop in. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Wednesday 2 September; Free Outdoor Event - Guided Meditation and Picnic Social with Himesh and the London Spirituality Meetup Group in Regents Park. Meet at Regents Park tube at 6.40pm to walk to St Johns Lodge. Free event but bring water and a picnic and something to sit on. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Wednesday 2 September; Justice for Carol: False Recovered Satanic Childhood Abuse Memories. Talk by Dr Kevin Felstead at Greenwich Skeptics in the Pub. Veue: The Star and Garter, 60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NY. Time: 7.30pm. http://greenwich.skepticsinthepub.org/

Wednesday 2 September; The Witches' Inn Gathering. Venue: The Feathers Hotel Merstham in Merstham, Surrey RH1 3EA. Starts at 8pm. Moots are normally on the first Wednesday of each month. For more details and to reserve a place visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Witches-Inn/1568424150049437

Thursday 3 September; Orpheus in the Otherworld. Lecture by Ruth Clydesdale. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm. Tickets £8. Advance booking required. Call 0207 419 8507. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday, 5 September; Journey into Past Lives. Lecture and Meditation with Sensing Energy and Intuition Development Meetup Group. Venue: Latvian House, 72 Queensborough Terrace, London, W2 3SH. Time: Noon. Tickets: £15. Details and booking: http://www.meetup.com/Sensing-Energy-and-Intuition-Development/

Saturday, 5 September; Hendon Heathens Moot, Venue: Greyhound Pub, Church End, Hendon, London, NW4 4JT. Time: 6pm. Hendon Heathens meets at this pub the first Saturday of every month.

Sunday 6 September; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Sunday 6 September; Occult London: Guided Walk with Delianne Forget organised through Treadwell's bookshop. Meet 2pm at a central London tube station - details given after you book. Price: £10. Call 020 7419 8507. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Sunday 6 September; 100 Poets for Peace: Bishop David Parry and 99 other poets (at least) reciting 3 original poems for global peace in central London. Every background, colour, ideology and outlook is welcome. An anthology will be published of the best works, while Coffee and doughnuts will be shared on the day itself (£5 registration to cover costs). Time: noon. For details or to participate, email dparry777@hotmail.com https://www.facebook.com/events/482715088563647/

If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com

Days Out: Little Kit's Coty or the Countless Stones

Little Kit's Coty is walking distance from its more famous partner, Kit's Coty House, which I blogged about yesterday. The large stones of the Neolithic burial chamber were pushed over in the 17th century and are now a jumble of sarsens, but to me the site has more magical energy than the more iconic uprights and a massive capstone of Kit's Coty.

This is the third of the Medway Megaliths that I visited earlier this month, and I've talked about the energy at all of them. Coldrum Long Barrow seemed the most magical while Kit's Coty House felt oddly lacking in energy - perhaps because it is enclosed in an iron fence.

Little Kit's Coty seemed to have an atmosphere of mystery about it. Locals often call it The Countless Stones because, according to legend, it is impossible to count all the stones. According to the tale, they constantly move about. I'm not sure what happens if you do manage to count them - I didn't try. Perhaps I should go back there and have a go, maybe at a time of year when the veil between the worlds is thin. There's something about the energy of the place that makes me want to...

Links and previous related posts
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kits-coty-house-and-little-kits-coty-house/
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=1411
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/days-out-coldrum-long-barrow-on-north.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/days-out-kits-coty-house-and-medway.html

Astrology: What's in the Stars for One Direction?

With today’s report that One Direction will be taking a year out of their schedule, astrologer Russell Grant looks at what the Stars have in store for Harry, Liam, Louis and Niall...

This will have a big impact on Aquarius Harry’s future. 2016 will be a year of personal growth when as well as experimenting with music styles he’ll be getting his pen out and writing songs that are very different and more spiritual than any of his previous work. The future will see him maturing musically and opportunities will seem limitless.

Virgo Liam will use this break to put ideas he has had for some time into action. He will want to prove to himself he can make it on his own. He will enjoy this taste of independence and making his own preferences a priority. An opportunity will be waiting in the offing and he will be quick to take it up. This is the chance he has been waiting for and he will feel as if, at long last, his moment has arrived.

Capricorn Louis wants to further his career and he will give it all he’s got but confusion and conflict is possible. Without the security of the group he will feel lost and at first he won’t seem to be accomplishing a lot. A new wave of social activity will keep him busy but professionally he will seem to lack a sense of real purpose.

Virgo Niall shouldn’t overestimate the amount of effort that’s involved in going it alone. Even so, with steady effort, goals linked with music and entertainment are set to prosper by the end of 2016. He will be making use of this break to work on family relationships and close friendships and even on himself – a new image perhaps.

So it all looks very promising for Harry and Liam especially who will both be working hard during this cycle and neither intend to rest on their laurels. With their birthdays being so close together, Liam and Niall will have a lot in common with Liam being the more focused and practical. Louis, Niall and Harry are all Earth signs which are generally disciplined, determined and reliable. Niall’s chart has a strong Air emphasis suggesting his preference to working as a team as opposed to going solo. Aquarius Harry will have brought an original touch to the group. As a duo, Harry and Liam could make it together. Their success so far has already given them a leg up and none of them want to stop. All will push to be the best that they can be. It is likely that all are serious about getting back together again and there will be a reunion tour but the boys will have moved on during their year apart and will be split 50/50 on whether they should regroup or continue to go their separate ways.

© Copyright Russell Grant Astrology Limited

Credited link: www.russellgrant.com

Book Review: Ways to Wander

Fancy going on a walk with a difference over the bank holiday weekend? Wherever you might happen to be - town, city, countryside or coast - a delightful new book called Ways to Wanderoffers all sorts of inspiring ideas.

Ways to Wanderwas introduced to me by Phil Smith, author of the book On Walking and a contributor to this new one. He said, in an email:

Members of the Walking Artists Network have just published their ‘Ways to Wander’ (to which I am very pleased to be one of the 64 contributors). The book is an invitation to different ways of exploring and responding to the world.

It is intended for anyone who makes, or wants to make, walking art or walk-performances, or thinks and writes about these things, and for anyone interested in psychogeography, mythogeography, site-specific dance and theatre, radical walking, drift and dérive. It is a treasure trove of tactics, and I particularly like the fact that the vast majority of the artists here are people who I had never heard of before I worked on this book.

It sounded just my kind of thing, so I immediately asked for a review copy. But then, I'm ashamed to say, I didn't even open it for a few weeks after it arrived. When I wasn't busy writing my own book, I was too busy being out and about walking for real, going wild swimming and visiting ancient sites like the Medway Megaliths. Then yesterday it bucketed with rain and I'd finished writing my book, so I opened Ways to Wander.

It isn't your average book of walks; it doesn't often say things like: "Start at the car park by the pub, go south down the lane beside the church then cross the stile into the field."

Instead, it offers things like this:

Choose a river in a city or a town.
Decide where the most significant point of the river is in the urban area.
Find out where the river's source is.
Go to the source...
Walk from the source to the point on the river in the town or city you have chosen...

Or this:

Walk as SLOW as you dare. FEEL your SKIN against your clothes as you MOVE. Step with an irregular rhythm.

Or this:

Imagine the following. You go into the countryside and start walking...

Yes, just the thing to be reading on a rainy Sunday in summer to get inspiration for when the skies clear and the world outside once more calls to be explored...

Ways to Wander is published by Triarchy Press and can also be ordered via Amazon.

Links and previous related posts
Ways to Wander
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/07/review-on-walking-psychogeographical.html
http://www.triarchypress.net/waystowander.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/07/psychogeography-full-circle-walking.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/02/psychogeography-by-merlin-coverley.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/01/ley-lines-and-london-walkiing.html

Days Out: Kit's Coty House and the Medway Megaliths

Kit's Coty House, the remains of a megalithic dolmen burial chamber, is part of the Medway Megaliths, which I visited this month for the first time, with some friends. Kit's Coty House is less than 10 miles from Coldrum Long Barrow, which I blogged about on Friday. Actually, Kit's Coty House is one of a pair of Neolithic burial sites that are very close to each other. The second is called Little Kit's Coty - I'll be blogging about that tomorrow.

The huge, iconic, sarsen stones that make up Kit's Coty House are very impressive and are a famous Kent landmark. They are in a pleasant meadow of wild flowers that offers lovely views over the North Downs and Medway Valley, but I didn't feel the site had as much atmosphere - or magical energy - as Coldrum Long Barrow. Perhaps that's because the stones are tightly enclosed in Victorian iron railings and you can't touch them. I guess the railing are there because those pesky Victorians started carving their names in them (see photo below). Obviously, no one should  damage ancient sites.

Kit's Coty House, despite being a famous landmark, is pretty hard to find. The site is managed by English Heritage and the directions on the EH website got us to where we thought the stones ought to be, but at first we couldn't find them. Even after asking in a nearby pub for directions we wandered around for ages without success. One of my friends then managed to get enough signal on his phone to look at the Megalithic Portal website, which had a more detailed map. After that, we spotted a sign hidden in bushes pointing to a promising footpath, which eventually led us where we wanted to go.

Late summer is a great time to visit Kit's Coty and the other Medway Megaliths, but I think it would be impressive at any time of year, despite the railings.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/days-out-coldrum-long-barrow-on-north.html
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kits-coty-house-and-little-kits-coty-house/
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=358
Round about Kits Coty house, an essay in popular topography
The Medway Megaliths: An illustrated guide to the famous Neolithic chambered long-barrows of the Medway area

(Please note I earn commission from some links)

Occult London: Sigil Art at the Cafe in the Crypt

As I was heading into Central London yesterday for the launch party of The Play Goes On at Treadwell's, I thought I'd also stop off at the Cafe in the Crypt for some supper and also to have a look at pictures that are on display there by a friend of mine, Richard Simpson, who is also chaos magician. You can see his two pictures in the photo to the right.

When Richard mentioned the art on his Facebook page, he said: "They are actually Sigils refined into artworks. Picasso, eat yer heart out."

A sigil is a symbol used in magic, particularly chaos magic. It literally means "seal" and refers to a stylised representation of a magician's desired outcome. The technique was popularised by artist and chaos magician Austin Osman Spare. The forms of sigils are often created by condensing words down into graphic art; they are then empowering by the acts of those looking at them.

Richard added: "I must admit I feel a little guilty about using Chaos Magick in the crypt of this wonderful church but I'm sure Him upstairs will understand."

The picture are great, and I am convinced "Him upstairs" will love them.

Actually, the term "Him upstairs" is particularly pertinent, as the Cafe in the Crypt is - as the name suggests - in the crypt of the church St Martin in the Fields, by Trafalgar Square. You can see the cafe in the photo below. The food is excellent and reasonably priced - and I would have to hand in my old Goth card if I didn't enjoy dining in such an atmospheric place.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/cafe-in-the-crypt
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/launch-party-for-play-goes-on-at.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/02/dark-monarch-magical-exhibition.html

Launch Party for The Play Goes On at Treadwells

This is a picture of Zach Cox and Jean Williams signing copies of their book The Play Goes On: The Rituals of the Rainbow Bridge at the launch party at Treadwell's bookshop last night.

The Companionship of the Rainbow Bridge was an experimental ritual group in the Western Mystery tradition, which was run by Zach and Jean in North London from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. This new book, just published by Starfire, offers 24 beautiful rituals devised by the group, which include drama, music and inspiring words.

The launch party was a lovely event - a great chance to meet up with pagan friends from London and further afield as well as to see Jean and Zach and hear about the rituals of the Rainbow Bridge. I'm looking forward to now reading the book and maybe having a go at putting on one or two of the rituals.

You can buy copies of The Play Goes On: The Rituals of the Rainbow Bridge at Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS or order it online at www.treadwells-london.com/shop/ 

Thanks for Helping Me Pick My Book Cover

Thanks very much to everyone who helped me pick the cover for my book, Candle Magic: A Witch’s Guide to Candle Spells and Rituals, which is going to be published in the Moon Books Pagan Portals series.

I posted up four photos I had taken: a single pillar candle; four candles; a pillar candle, lantern and tea-light; and a pillar candle, lantern and taper candle in an antique holder.

Most people seemed to prefer the last one (shown on the right), so that's the one I hope will go on my book.

I'm just doing the last bit of proofreading before my manuscript goes to Moon Books for production and I'm very excited about it. It will be several months before it reaches bookshop shelves, but in the meantime I will regularly post on my blog stuff about candle magic, with a few extracts from my book.

Previous post:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/candle-magic-help-me-pick-my-book-cover.html

Pagan Eye: Tree with Berries in my Local Park

I took this photo of a tree in my local park yesterday while I was walking through it on my way to the shops. The tree was laden with red berries and between the arch formed by the trunk I could see a family with children having a picnic. You can't see that very clearly in the photo and I do wish I had taken more than one snap, but I wasn't really there to take photos and I didn't have my good camera with me.

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it - 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.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/pagan-eye-druid-oak.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/09/pagan-eye-tree-roots-and-high-altar-at.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/11/pagan-eye-autumn-plane-tree.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/12/review-wood-wisdom-guide-to-sacred.html

News: Witchcraft, Occult, Witch Hunts, Trees, Fairies

"Modern-day witch hunt: Author Richard Beck examines the causes and consequences of the ’80s child-abuse panic" - interview with the author of We Believe the Children: A Moral Panic in the 1980sat Minnpost: https://www.minnpost.com/minnpost-asks/2015/08/modern-day-witch-hunt-author-richard-beck-examines-causes-and-consequences-80s

"Tell a witch that witches do not exist" - story at news24: http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/Tell-a-witch-that-witches-do-not-exist-20150819

"Inside the Museum of the Occult: How real-life ghostbuster couple built one-of-a-kind archive below their home filled with voodoo dolls, satanic altars and mummies" - story and pictures at MailOnline: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3204237/Inside-house-horrors-inspired-Conjuring-Occult-museum-basement-Connecticut-home-holds-thousands-relics-infamous-demon-fighting-couple.html

"Mob lynching, witch hunt culprits go unpunished in Gaya" - story at the Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Mob-lynching-witch-hunt-culprits-go-unpunished-in-Gaya/articleshow/48552119.cms

"Gender Minister monitors registration of Ngani Witch Camp inmates onto LEAP" - story at Graphic Online: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/48134-gender-minister-monitors-registration-of-ngani-witch-camp-inmates-onto-leap.html

"19 August 1612: the Lancashire witch trials" - story at MoneyWeek: http://moneyweek.com/19-august-1612-the-lancashire-witch-trials/

"Ancient Trees: Woman Spends 14 Years Photographing World’s Oldest Trees" - story at boredpanda: http://www.boredpanda.com/ancient-tree-photography-beth-moon/

"What fairy circles teach us about science" - story at sciencenews: https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/wild-things/what-fairy-circles-teach-us-about-science

Days Out: Coldrum Long Barrow on the North Downs

Until last weekend, I had never visited the best preserved long barrow in the county closest to where I live – Coldrum Long Barrow, in North Kent. I knew about the Neolithic stones, which are part of a group called the Medway Megaliths, and have posted some lovely photos of them that other people have taken, but for some reason had not gone there myself.

Wow! Had I been missing out on an amazing experience.

The name 'Coldrum', which comes from a now-demolished nearby farm and is possibly derived from the old Cornish word 'galdrum', means 'place of enchantments'. That is totally apt – the place really does feel enchanted. From high up on the North Downs, the ancient tomb offers stunning views over Kentish fields and is a place where pagans today watch the sun rise on the solstices. According to the National Trust, which manages the site, "Every year, on the 1 May at dawn the Hartley Morris Men visit the stones to 'sing up the sun'." I guess that is something to either attend or avoid depending on whether you enjoy Morris dancing.

I visited Coldrum Long Barrow with friends on a sunny Saturday in August, the sky was blue and the fields were golden with ripe grain. I wished we had brought a picnic as it would have been a perfect spot to rest and enjoy the fruits of the harvest. There was one other person there too – a man from Rochester who said that he frequently went to Coldrum to soak up the lovely energy of the place.

The National Trust has ringed the stones in a wooden fence, which seems to act more as a boundary marker than a barrier for those who want to enter. Many people have evidently crossed into the sanctuary within. Coloured ribbons had been hung from the branches of an overhanging beech tree and the remains of a camp fire could be seen in the middle of the grass. These didn’t actually seem to detract from the energy of the place, and I sensed that the ribbons and the fire were the work of people who were trying to honour the place in their own way, but I do think it would have been better undisturbed.

Although ribbons tied to trees can look pretty when there aren’t too many of them and they can easily be removed, the fire had burned the ground, which would take a long time to recover. It is far better if people take home everything they bring with them and, if they choose to light fires, only do so in something that doesn’t leave a mark – a portable fire bowl,for example.

Coldrum Long Barrow is a half-mile walk along a well signposted footpath from a small car park at Trottiscliffe, West Malling, in Kent. If you are going by car, set your sat nav for ME19 5EG.

After visiting Coldrum, I went to find Kit’s Coty, another of the Medway Megaliths. I’ll be blogging about that in the next few days.



Links and previous related posts
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coldrum-long-barrow/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/06/summer-solstice-from-coldrum-long-barrow.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/04/days-out-coldrum-long-barrow.html
Walks Through History: Kent. Walk 1. The Coldrum Stones: Long barrows and mediaeval tracks (6 miles)
Steel Portable Fire Bowl BBQ Firepit With Folding Legs 56cm W x 39cm H

Pagan Events In London and Elsewhere

Here are a list of events over the next week or so that could interest pagans. Most are in or near London, but a few are further afield.

Now to Sunday 6 September; Power of Poison exhibition. Venue: Old Truman Brewery, Loading Bay, Ely’s Yard, 15 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR. Tickets: adult: £9, child: £5. Open every day from 10am to 6pm/7pm/8pm. Details: http://powerofpoison.co.uk/the-exhibition/

Thursday 20 August; Open Day at Crossbones. John Crow will conduct free informal tours and talk about the 'Single Women's Churchyard', the Winchester Geese, the pauper's graveyard and the body-snatchers. Venue: Crossbones Garden, Redcross Way, London SE1 1HA. Time: 11.30am-2.30pm. Free. Donations welcome. For more information on the BOST events contact info@bost.org.uk or visit http://www.bost.org.uk/ Also visit: http://www.crossbones.org.uk/

Thursday 20 August; Croydon CoA Gathering: Social evening open to all Pagan Paths at 1 Mathews Yard off Surrey Street, Croydon. Event held on the third Thursday of the month at 8pm. For any questions email coacentral@witchcraft.org or visit http://www.witchfest.net/

Thursday 20 August; The Circle of Ankerwycke moot on the third Thursday in each month. Venue: Function room at the back of the Two Rivers Pub, 43 Church Street, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 4EN. Time: 8pm.

Thursday 20 August; Fortnightly Druid Order Open Introductory Evening. A chance to learn more about at The Druid Order (A.D.U.B.) at an evening with talks and a meditation. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Price: £5 on the door. For more details, visit http://thedruidorder.org/druidorder/Meetings.html

21 to 24 August; Earth Spirit Festival. Venue: Gavstone Hall, Nuthurst, Horsham RH13 6RF. Tickets from £45. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/340501962776345/ or http://www.skiddle.com/festivals/earth-spirit-gathering/

Saturday 22 August; The Way of the Shaman – Chris Waters and Inca Shamans of the Q’ero Tradition. One-day workshop. Venue: Heythrop College, University of London, 23 Kensington Square, London, W8 5HN. Time: 10.30am - 5pm. Tickets £65/£50 online. For more details and to book tickets: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Saturday 22 August; Free Outdoor Event - Guided Meditation and Picnic Social with Himesh and the London Spirituality Meetup Group in Regents Park. Meet at Regents Park tube at noon to walk to St Johns Lodge. Free event but bring water and a picnic and something to sit on. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Saturday 22 August; Craft of the Wise - first of four classes running in Brixton, south London, offering an introduction to the theory and practice of working as part of the Great Goddess/Green God religion or Witch Craft. Classes run from 4pm to 8pm. Teaching is free with £3 per session asked for expenses. Contact jenny.almeida1@ntlworld.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/926879034020727/ for details.

Saturday 22 August; Launch Party for The Play Goes On: The Rituals of the Rainbow Bridge by Zachary Cox, Jean M. Williams and friends. Hosted by Starfire Publishing. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm start. Free event but preregistration essential email info@treadwell-london.com to RSVP. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Sunday 23 August; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Sunday 23 August; Introduction to Wicca and Witchcraft. One-day workshop by Shamanic Spirit, in Croydon. Tickets: £40. Time: 2pm till 7pm. You can find out more and book for the course here: http://shamanicspirit.co.uk/earth-workshops/introduction-to-wicca-witchcraft/

Sunday 23 August; Crossbones Vigil to honour The Goose and the outcast dead of Cross Bones Graveyard. Gather from 6.45pm for a 7pm start in Redcross Way outside the Memorial Gates, SE1 1TA, opposite the Boot and Flogger pub, just north of the junction with Union Street. Nearest tubes Borough or London Bridge. The event is free, but donations are welcome. For more details, visit http://www.crossbones.org.uk/

Sunday 23 August;  Full Moon Fulfillment Ritual with Global Wicca Earth Healing Temple London. Location: St James Street Park, Walthamstow, London E17 8AX. Meet at park gate or call call 07404899067. Starts at 5.30pm. Free event but donations welcome. To reserve a place and for more information, visit http://www.meetup.com/Global-Wicca-Earth-Healing-Temple-London/

Monday 24 August; Tarot Meditation: The Hanged Man, with Marysia Kolodziej. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £10. Advance booking required. Call 0207 419 8507. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Monday 24 August; London Energy Share meet-up. Venue: Friends Meeting House, 52 St Martins Lane London WC2N 4EA. Cost: £10. Time: 7.15pm. To reserve a place: http://www.meetup.com/londonenergyshare/

Monday 24 August; Divine Goddess Attunement with Mother Mary and Kuan Yin with Lidija of the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Latvian House, 72 Queensborough Terrace, London, W2 3SH. Time: 7pm. Price: £33 per person. http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Monday 24 August; A Shamanic Journey Night into the teachings of the Medicine Wheel with Live Music and druming. Deep Earth Teaching from Leticia and Quinto. Venue: Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, London E8 4AA. Time: 7pm-10pm. Tickets: £7/£10/£13. Tickets: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-shamanic-journey-night-into-the-teachings-of-the-medicine-wheel-with-live-music-and-druming-deep-tickets-17989767880

Tuesday 25 August; Sound Meditation. Venue: Goose Green Clinic, 57 East Dulwich Road, London SE22 9AP. Time: 10.45am. Cost:£12/£10. More information and booking: http://www.meetup.com/Holistic-SoundBath-Meditation-Summoning-The-Sacred-Dulwich/

Tuesday 25 August; Children of Artemis Central London Monthly Moot Meeting. Venue: Counting House, 50 Cornhill, London. Time: 6pm. Gathering meeting up on the last Tuesday of the month, venue permitting. https://www.facebook.com/pages/CoA-Central-London-Gathering/505714086232636?

Tuesday 25 August; Drumming Circle run by Shamanic Spirit at a venue in New Addington, Croydon, South London. Every second Tuesday starting 7.30pm. Cost £10. For more details and to book places call 07952 041477. For more information, visit http://shamanicspirit.co.uk/

Tuesday 25 August; Chertsey Moot. A social moot held on the last Tuesday of the month at the Golden Grove pub, Ruxbury Road, St Annes Hill, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9EN. All welcome. From 8pm to 11pm. For more details, email: sian_ap_pysgotwr@yahoo.co.uk

Wednesday 26 August; Free Outdoor Event - Guided Meditation and Picnic Social with Anna and the London Spirituality Meetup Group in Regents Park. Meet at Regents Park tube at 6.40pm to walk to St Johns Lodge. Free event but bring water and a picnic and something to sit on. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Thursday 27 August; Robert Anton Wilson. Lecture by Ian 'Cat' Vincent. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Tickets £7. Advance booking required. Call 0207 419 8507. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 27 August; The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Actually Change You?Book signing and talk by M. Farias and C. Wilkholm at 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/

Friday 28 August; Group Healing Night with Crystal Bowl Bath with Vaz, arranged through the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Columbia Hotel, 95 - 99 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3NS. Start: 7.30pm. Cost: £15. For more details and to book places visit http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Saturday 29 August - Sunday 30 August; Hendon Heathens Summer Thyng - Meeting up for Heathen talks and workshops and good company. Venue: Moat Mount Outdoor Centre, Barnet Way, Mill Hill, London NW7 5AL. Starts at noon. Prices: £5 Saturday, £10 Sunday, £5 camping. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/927414000649726/

Saturday 29 August; Wicca Training Circle and Full Moon Ritual - run by Wiccan High Priest Mani Navasothy. Part of a monthly training group organised through the London Woodland Witches Wiccans Eco-Magicians Outdoor Pagans. Location is on Wimbledon Common, Parkside, London SW19. Time: 3pm-6pm. To find out the exact meeting location and to reserve a place, visit http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Saturday 29 August; Workshop to make your own clay animal orb with Yves Orbs. Venue: with Cobwebs at Cauldrons, Unit 137, Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, Romford RM1 3AB. Price: £25 per person, deposit required to secure a place. Time: 11am to 3pm. Visit http://www.cobwebsandcauldrons.co.uk/ or email cobwebsandcauldrons@gmail.com

Sunday 30 August; Psychometry workshop with Cobwebs at Cauldrons, Unit 137, Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, Romford RM1 3AB. Price: £20. Time: 11am - 2pm. Visit http://www.cobwebsandcauldrons.co.uk/

Sunday 30 August; Occult London: Guided Walk with Delianne Forget organised through Treadwell's bookshop. Meet 2pm at a central London tube station - details given after you book. Price: £10. Call 020 7419 8507. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/