Charity Shop Find: Giant Candle in Cast Iron Stand

I've just had a brilliant charity shop find - this huge orange candle in a cast iron stand. It was sitting in the window and I think it was probably put just as part of the Halloween display because it didn't have a price on it. I asked the woman behind the counter if I could buy it and she said OK - £2. What a bargain!

I lit it as soon as I got home and it will be perfect to have burning tonight. But candles aren't just for Halloween, especially if you are a witch, and this one has many hours of light left in it. I am delighted.

News: Witches, Wizards, Halloween and Me

Because it is Halloween, newspaper and news website have been absolutely full of stories and witches, wizards and the supernatural. Some are good, some are dreadful. Here is a selection of those I enjoyed reading:

"The real Dumbledore – here’s what magic a wizard gets up to on Halloween" - story at the Metro: http://metro.co.uk/2015/10/30/the-real-dumbledore-heres-what-magic-a-wizard-gets-up-to-on-halloween-5465052/

"Something Wicca this way comes: Witchfest 2015 returns to Croydon for magic day of enchantment" - story at SWLondoner: http://www.swlondoner.co.uk/something-wicca-this-way-comes-witchfest-2015-returns-for-magic-day-of-enchantment/

"The Forgotten Egyptologist and First Wave Feminist Who Invented Wicca" - story at Broadly: https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/the-forgotten-egyptologist-and-first-wave-feminist-who-invented-wicca

"Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch: Our Interview With a Real-Life Witch and Shaman" - story at the gloss: http://www.thegloss.com/2015/10/12/culture/interview-with-witch-shaman-johnna-duke-khi-armand-halloween-quotes/

"7 Last Minute Witch Makeup Tutorials For Halloween That You Can Do At Home" - videos at Bustle: http://www.bustle.com/articles/120341-7-last-minute-witch-makeup-tutorials-for-halloween-that-you-can-do-at-home-videos

"Petition to pardon Essex 'witch' 370 years after her execution" - story at ITV news: http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2015-10-29/petition-to-pardon-essex-witch-370-years-after-her-execution/

"We Spoke to the High Priestess of the Kitchen Witch Coven About Cake" - story at Munchies: https://munchies.vice.com/articles/we-spoke-to-the-high-priestess-of-the-kitchen-witch-coven-about-cake

And last but not least, another look at the interview Metro conducted with me: "This is what a witch gets up to over Halloween" at http://metro.co.uk/2015/10/19/this-is-what-a-witch-gets-up-to-over-halloween-5447776/

Photo taken by www.wimdu.co.uk/

Pagan Eye: Scary Street Art for Halloween

I find this a very scary painting around the fireplace of a derelict down house in Hoxton, East London. I photographed it last year and nearly posted it for Samhain as part of my Wheel of the Year street art posts, but felt the skeleton buzzing with energy was more suitable.

However, I couldn't resist posting this picture too.

I hope you have a happy, but scary, Halloween!

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/2015/10/pagan-eye-ghostly-witch-for-halloween.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/10/street-art-death-and-life-for-samhain.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/pagan-eye-march-hare-in-london-street.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/09/street-art-investigating-autumn-equinox.html

Review: What Dwells Within - Haunted Dolls

A new book called What Dwells Withinis about haunted dolls. It’s subject that has always intrigued me because I've amassed a collection of dolls over the years – some of which you can see in the photo above.

A few I have owned since I was tiny, some have been given to me by loved ones, and they all have sentimental attachment. None of my dolls are haunted, as far as I know, although I like to think some of them have their own personality.

Actually, according to What Dwells Within,“haunted dolls” isn’t really the correct term – and neither is the more scary “possessed dolls”. The correct term is spirit attachment, hence the book’s subtitle: A Study of Spirit Attachment.

Authors Jayne Harris and Dan Weatherer explain what that means in the introduction:

What is spirit attachment if not the very definition of a haunting? It is believed that ghosts haunt areas that the deceased were either fond of or met their demise within, and there are countless volumes dedicated to the documentation of haunted places and the history behind each alleged ghost... If a spirit can attach itself to a place that it once shared a connection with, then why not an object? Why not a favoured item of furniture, artwork or a piece of jewellery? If – like many paranormal enthusiasts believe – a building can record the energy or emotions of an individual and replay that incident at a later date (more commonly known as the stone tape theory), why is it improbable that a wedding ring could hold the essence or emotions of the person who once wore it?

What Dwells Within,is a study of such items - mostly dolls, but also jewellery, a gypsy fortune-telling mirror and a box supposedly used to trap a malevolent entity. But dolls were what originally interested Jayne and for many years she ran a service called Haunted Dolls through which she bought, researched and then sold dolls with spirit attachments. That has since become HD Paranormal Research Ltd, which investigates a wider remit of potential cases.

The book explains the difference between spirit attachment and possession. Possession is when an entity or spirit takes over a person or thing in order to completely control it, but Jayne explains, "Spirit attachment that involves an object relates more in terms of residual energy with elements of individual intelligence remaining after life has expired." The way I prefer to look at it is, if someone hijacks your car, that's possession, if someone hitches a lift in your car, that's attachment.

After giving historical examples and explaining how Jayne investigates dolls, the book offers a plethora of case studies. These include pictures of each one, its past, what was revealed when it was studied, and details of the doll's current location and owner. Occasionally, if the item has a dark or dangerous energy, it is contained or destroyed.

Jayne says most spirits are not dark, they are simply people who have chosen to remain on the earthly plane after death. They do not wish to harm people, they just want to continue to experience the world or to watch over people they are fond of.

What Dwells Within is published by 6th Books and is perfect reading for Halloween. You can also watch a video of a puppet investigated by Jane and Dan here: https://youtu.be/c7cuTZXVdHI

Links and previous related posts
What Dwells Within: A Study of Spirit Attachment
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/10/shop-wonderfully-wicket-witches-craft.html
http://www.hdparanormal.com/
https://youtu.be/c7cuTZXVdHI
http://www.6th-books.com/

Note: I earn commission from some links. This helps subsidise my blog at no extra cost to readers.

Pagan Eye: Ghostly Witch for Halloween

Is this spectral picture of green witch in a south London street proof of the supernatural?

Err, no.

But it isn't done with Photoshop either.

The life-size Halloween figure was in an estate agent's window, and the image of the road and office block were reflected in the glass when I took the photo.

It might be old-fashioned trick photography, but I think the effect is rather spooky.

If you are out and about doing stuff for Halloween - or celebrating Samhain in more traditional pagan fashion - and take a photo of anything witchy that you wouldn't mind sharing on A Bad Witch's Blog, please email me the photo at badwitch1234@gmail.com or post it to twitter with the hashtag #badwitchhalloween

Competition: Win Pagan Portals - Candle Magic

My book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic: A witch's guide to spells and ritualsisn't due to reach the shops for a couple of months, but you could get your hands on a copy early by entering this competition.

I'm giving away a hot-off-the-press paperback copy of Pagan Portals - Candle Magic: A witch's guide to spells and ritualsto one lucky winner who answers this question correctly:

What is the name of a type of candle traditionally lit as an offering to a deity:

A) A spell candle
B) An advent candle
C) A votive candle

Email your answer to me, the Bad Witch, at badwitch1234@gmail.com by the closing date of midnight, Monday, November 30, 2015, to be in with a chance of winning.

The competition is open to anyone living in the UK and there is one prize, which is a paperback copy of my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic. The winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries received.

Please include your name and postal address with your entry so I will know where to send the book.


Links and previous related posts
Pagan Portals - Candle Magic: A witch's guide to spells and rituals
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/10/i-have-first-copies-of-pagan-portals.html

Street Art: Death and Life for Samhain

I've been posting photos of London street art over the pagan Wheel of the Year festivals this year, from last Yule through to the Autumn Equinox so far. Now here is a picture for Samhain.

Although it shows a skeleton, a symbol of death, the flower behind it and the energy coming from its toes and skull represent regeneration - and that's all part of the cycle of life and the message for this time of year.

I photographed the street art shown above in Hoxton, East London.

Here are links to my previous posts on street art:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/06/street-art-solar-image-for-summer.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/12/hugs-under-hood-seasons-greetings-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/05/street-art-beautiful-green-eyed-goddess.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/pagan-eye-east-end-street-art-promotes.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/pagan-eye-march-hare-in-london-street.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/09/street-art-investigating-autumn-equinox.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/07/street-art-sun-and-bird-for-high-summer.html

New Witchcraft Shop Opening in London on Halloween

A new witchcraft shop called Earth Craftes is opening in Tooting on Halloween, Saturday 31st October, at 10am.

The address is 36 Trinity Road, Tooting, just around the corner from Tooting Bec station.

The shop is being run by Annie Bond and she is currently busy painting shelves and organising stock. She will be selling incense blends, incense, candles, soaps, natural body products and other witchy merchandise.

I hope to post a photo of the shop soon.

Shop: Wonderfully Wicked Witches Craft Kit

I saw this kit on special offer at The Works for just £1.99 and couldn't resist buying it.

The box contains all you need to make a witch doll out of felt and also has a book with patters to make a whole coven of other felt witches.

What a bargain.  My little Wicked Witch will now keep my Kitchen Witch company in my kitchen.

Here's a link if you want to buy one too: http://www.theworks.co.uk/p/childrens-interest-books/wonderfully-wicked-witches-kit/9781472352378

If you are out and about doing stuff for Halloween - or celebrating Samhain in more traditional pagan fashion - and take a photo of anything witchy that you wouldn't mind sharing on A Bad Witch's Blog, please email me the photo at badwitch1234@gmail.com or post it to twitter with the hashtag #badwitchhalloween

London Samhain and Day of the Dead Events

Here are events in London over the next week that could be of interest to pagans - and a few events in other parts of southern England.

Throughout October to All Souls Day; London Month of the Dead organised by Curious Invitation and Antique Beat in conjunction with Brompton and Kensal Green cemeteries. Tours, talks, workshops and entertainment on the theme of death. For a full list of the events and to book tickets, visit the London Month of the Dead website: http://londonmonthofthedead.com/index.html

Now to Thursday 29 October.‘Magic and Rituals’ Art Exhibition. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm - 9pm. Free event but advance booking required. After the launch, the show will be up 11.30 am – 6pm. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Now to - Friday 30 October; Half-term activity for families: The world of the Celts. Art, storytelling and other activities. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 11am-60pm. Free event, just drop in. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Wednesday 28 October; Fairytales for Grown-Ups. Storytelling by Ben Haggarty and Sherry Robinson with the Crick Crack Club. Venue: The Forge, 3-7 Delancey Street, London, NW1. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £10. Booking and details: https://uk.patronbase.com/_Forge/Productions/UB/Performances

Thursday 29 October; God's Blueprint.Book signing and talk by Christopher Knight 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/

Thursday 29 October; London Fortean Society: Halloween Gathering: Encountering Ghosts. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Tickets: £4/£2. Time: 7.45pm. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Thursday 29 October; The Day of the Dead. Storytelling by Clare Muireann Murphy, Xanthe Gresham Knight and TUUP with the Crick Crack Club. Venue: Rich Mix Bar, Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £8, £6. Booking and details: http://www.richmix.org.uk/whats-on/event/the-crick-crack-club-presents-the-day-of-the-dead15/

Thursday 29 October; PF-London Samhain Open Ritual. Venue: Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn London. Time: 7.30pm for 8pm start. Ritual ends around 9pm followed by feasting until 10pm. Entrance: £6/£5 PF members. Please bring seasonal food and drinks to share at feast after ritual. For more details, visit http://london.paganfed.org/

Thursday 29 October; 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

Thursday 29 October; Talk: Astrology, Time and Consciousness with Zoe Hind at the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Latvian House, 72 Queensborough Terrace, London, W2 3SH, Time: 7pm. Tickets £10. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality

Thursday 29 October; Earthstars Group open meeting with Chris Street. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT. Time: 7.30pm. Details: http://www.meetup.com/Sacred-Sites-and-Sacred-Walks/

Friday 30 October - Friday 6 November; Samhain with White Horse Camps - druid event with include ritual, crafts, oracular work, dreaming and deep journeying. Venue: Wildways, Borle Mill Bank, Highley, Shropshire Price: Full price: £32 per day, concessions £22 per day, Half day (30 October and 6 November) £15, Children £7/£15 per day. Details: http://whitehorsecamps.co.uk/?event=samhain-2015

Friday 30 October, Art of Witchcraft - talk and look at the paintings of artist Lachlan Goudie. Venue: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London. Time: 6.30–8pm. Tickets: £26/£24 concessions/£22 Members. For more details and to book tickets, visit: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/calendar/friday-lates-social-30-october-2015-18-30

Friday 30 October, The Nine Resonance Patterns. Lecture by Joseph Sylvia Francke at Rilko (Research Into Lost Knowledge). Public lecture. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 6.45pm, lecture starts 7.15pm. Entrance: £7/£5. http://www.rilko.net/EZ/rilko/rilko/home.php

Friday 30 October; Launch Party: The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophyby Dr Liana Saif. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm - 10pm. This event is free but advance booking is essential. Call 0207 419 8507. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Friday 30 October; Druid Samhain Ritual Discussion and Bardic Class with Oak Druid Order and London Pagan and Heathen Circle. Venue: Souk Medina, 1a Short's Gardens, London WC2H 9AT. Time: 6.30pm. Details and reservations: http://www.meetup.com/London-Pagan-Circle/

Friday 30 October; Yoga and Gong - Vauxhall Yoga and Sound Meditation. Venue: Bonnington Centre, 11 Vauxhall Grove, London SW8 1TD. Time: 7pm. Entry: £15. http://www.meetup.com/Vauxhall-Gong-Bath/

Friday 30 October; Ghosts and Monsters of Bankside walk with Scott Wood of the London Fortean Society. Meet at the exit for Southwark Station, 68 - 70 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8JZ. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Tickets: £5. Details: http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Friday 30 October; Silver Chalice Twilight Samhain Ritual in the Sun Circle, Avebury Henge, Wiltshire. Starts at 4pm. All most welcome, but bring a lantern or pumpkin.

Friday 30 October; Group Healing Night with the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Windsor Suite, Columbia Hotel, 95- 99 Lancaster Gate; London, W2 3NS. Time: 7pm. Price: £15. For more details and to book places visit http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality/

Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November; Workshop: Day of the Dead family festival. Art, storytelling and other activities. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 11am-60pm. Free event, just drop in. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org

Saturday 31 October; Wheel of the Year Festival - Resting Meditation at Chalice Well World Peace Garden, in Glastonbury. Gather at the Well Head at noon for meditation until 12.30pm, followed by a chance to chat on the lower lawn. Free admission to the gardens from 10am to noon. http://www.chalicewell.org.uk/

Saturday 31 October; Free and Open Gorsedd of Caer Abiri Samhain Ritual at Avebury Sun Circle, in Avebury, Wiltshire. Open druidic style ceremony to mark Samhain, the end and beginning of times. Meet at the Red Lion Pub, Avebury, around noon for rite at around 1.30pm, ending at around 4.30pm. Contributions of song, poetry, mead and cakes are welcome. There will be music and entertainment in the Red Lion pub in the evening. Overnight camping will be allowed in the nearby overflow car park.

Saturday 31 October; Samhain - Woodland Wicca Seasonal Ritual and Halloween social with Mani of London Woodland Wiccans Meet-up group. Location: Queen's Woods, Highgate, north London. Meet at The Woodman's pub, Archway Road, from 4pm for a ritual talk-through and then a walk to the woods around 4.30pm to start the ritual. Wear sensible clothing and bring food and drink to share. More details and to reserve a place: http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Saturday 31 October; The Halloween of Crossbones. A ritual drama to honour the Outcast Dead of Crossbones Graveyard,with performance from The Southwark Mysteries, Magical poems and songs by John Constable aka John Crow,Moksha, and Nigel of Bermondsey plus a Samhain ritual and procession to Crossbones Graveyard. Venue: The Table Cafe, 83 Southwark Street, London SE1 0HX. Time: 7pm (Doors open 6pm for welcome, bar and snacks). Tickets £10 (+ £1 booking fee) - advance booking essential. For tickets: www.wegottickets.com/event/335617 For more details: http://www.crossbones.org.uk/#/events/4527977528

Saturday 31 October; The Unbelievers Ghost Walk (London EC1) with Scott Wood of the London Fortean Society. Meet outside Farringdon station on Cowcross Street, London EC1. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Tickets: £5. Details: http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Saturday 31 October; The Circle of Ankerwycke will be holding its amazing 12th Samhain Ritual and Celebration near Staines on the evening of October 31st. Attendees are required to arrive by 7.30pm and to wear something warm as the ritual will be held outdoors in the woods. For more information and an invitation, please call 07889 126311 or email ankerwytch@hotmail.co.uk

Sunday 1 November; 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 1 November; Inspired Living - practical techniques to transform your life with New Thought Minister Heather Andrews-Dobbs. Venue: South Woodford Spiritualist Church, Grove Crescent, London E18 2JR. Time: 11am-4pm. Cost: £20 for one person, or £15 each for two people if you book in advance. Bring a packed lunch. Email Heather.Andrews.Dobbs@gmail.com or phone 07773 127178. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Everything-for-The-Goddess-Heather-Andrews-Dobbs-1644965855741568/

Sunday 1 November; Halloween - A Spell to Banish Negative Energies and Protect from Harm with Global Wicca Earth Healing Temple. Meet at the Meet at Italian gardens entrance, Kensington Gardens in London at 2.30pm. For details and to reserve a place, visit http://www.meetup.com/Global-Wicca-Earth-Healing-Temple-London/

Sunday 1 November; Day of the Dead on the rooftop with London Dreamtime. Venue: Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, London E2. Time: 4pm-6pm. Tickets £5, booking essential, For more details, visit http://londondreamtime.com/calendar/ or https://queen-of-hoxton.eventcube.io/events/2481/day-of-the-dead-storytelling-on-the-rooftop

Sunday 1 November; Kali Puuja - A one day workshop to explore the wisdom of the Vedas with ancient mantras and meditation techniques. Venue: Caer Corhrain, 1 Southleas farm cottages, Lower Road, Minster, Sheppey ME12 3SW. Time: 10am-4pm. Bring packed lunch. for booking and more info contact Bruce at auberzone@yahoo.com or phone on 07928 149659 http://www.touchtheearthuk.com/

Monday, 2 November; Understanding the Day of the Dead - An introduction to the Day of the Dead today and its context. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 10.30am-11am. Free event, booking essential. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Monday, 2 November; Group Healing Share with London Energy Share. Venue: Friends Meeting House, 52 St Martins Lane London WC2N 4EA. Time: 7.15pm.
Price: £10 per person. http://www.meetup.com/londonenergyshare/

Tuesday 3 November; 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/

November 3 – November 30; Out of the Fire Exhibition. A photographic installation by Sara Hannant that re-enchants the power of fairy tales. Venue: Oxford House Gallery, Derbyshire St, London E2. Free entry. More details and booking: http://www.oxfordhouse.org.uk/

Tuesday 3 November; Talk on History of Wicca Part 1: Gerald Gardner. Venue: Souk Medina Tea Room, 1a Short's Gardens, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9AT. Time: 6pm-9pm. Free event. http://www.meetup.com/London-Pagan-Circle/

Tuesday 3 November; Cobwebs and Cauldrons Moot. Venue: White Horse Pub, Chadwell Heath, Essex. Moot takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. 7.30pm start. http://www.cobwebsandcauldrons.co.uk/

Tuesday 3 November; Spiritual Messages in Symbols - Gateway to the Heavens. Lecture by Karen French. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £10/£12 Advance booking advised. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 3 November; 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/

Wednesday 4 November; 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

Wednesday 4 November; Taliesin and the Cauldron of Ceridwen. Storytelling – Annette Armstrong. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: Time: 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets £10. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 5 November; Psychic Circle With Jason Anastas No experience necessary. Venue: with Cobwebs at Cauldrons, Unit 137, Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, Romford RM1 3AB. Time: 10.30am. Cost is £7 and places are limited so the first week must paid for with booking www.jasonanastas.com

Thursday 5 November; Trance and Physical Mediumship. Venue: with Cobwebs at Cauldrons, Unit 137, Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, Romford RM1 3AB. Time: 6pm. Cost is £11.50 and places are limited, booking essential www.jasonanastas.com

Thursday 5 November - 3 December; Voices of the Winter Hearth - A mixed media art exhibition exploring the theme of winter in a time of folklore and superstition. Situated in a Grade 1-listed church, in the candlelit and richly atmospheric setting of the belfry, it conjures the bleak yet beautiful landscape of winter, interspersed with images of myth and folk tales. Venue: St John on Bethnal Green, London E2. Opening Times: Saturdays and Sundays 1pm – 6pm; Thursdays 6pm-9pm. Free entry Website: http://www.stjohnonbethnalgreen.org/?p=1879190. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winterhearth?ref=hl Twitter: @thewinterhearth

Thursday 5 November; Talk on the Power of Spells, Curses and Blessings by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki. Venue: Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London WC1A 1LY. To reserve a place, contact Bali on 020 7405 2120.

Thursday 5 November; Mudras for Modern Life.Book signing and talk by Swami Saradananda 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 6 November; Dark Fairytales, Storytelling with London Dreamtime and Bernadette Russell in a crypt in London. Location details given to those who sign up. Tickets £3, booking essential, email vanessa@londondreamtime.com. For more details, visit http://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Saturday 7 November; One-day conference on sleep, co-organised by the APRU and Centre for Inquiry UK. Venue: LG02 - Professor Stuart Hall Building, Goldsmiths University, London, SE14 6NW. Starts 9.30am. Tickets £10/£5. Full details:
https://humanism.org.uk/events/cfi-sleep/

Saturday 7 November; Origins Conference. Ancient Mysteries talks by Graham Hancock, Clive Prince, Lynn Picknett, Dr Danny Hilman Natawidjaja, Andrew Collins, Jim Vieira, and Hugh Newman. Venue: Queen Mary University of London, 327 Mile End Road, London E1 4NS. Time: 10am - 9pm. Early bird ticket £48, thereafter £52 per ticket). Optional Sunday Walkabout of London's East End £14. Early bird combined Saturday and Sunday ticket £62. More details and bookings: www.andrewcollins.com

Saturday 7 November; Seven Tines Conference - Exploring Male Spirituality and the Masculine Divine. Talks from Pete Jennings, David Knight and more. Organised by The Pagan Federation London. Venue: Treadwell's Books, 33 Store Street, London, WC1E 7BS. Time: noon-5pm. For details and tickets visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seven-tines-conference-exploring-male-spirituality-tickets-18439969445 or email london@paganfed.org

Saturday 7 November; Lunchtime Social at Dou-Dou, Oriental Buffet in Camden with London Spirituality Meet-up Group. Venue: Dou Dou Restaurant, 6 Kentish Town Road, London NW1 9NX. Time: 1.30pm. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Saturday 7 November; 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.

Saturday 7 - Sunday 8 November; Workshop on the Mysteries of Orpheus with Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki. Venue: the Islington Ecology Centre, London N5 1PH. Tickets: £140, deposit £70. To book a place, contact Maria-Teresa Harmer at mariateresaharmer@yahoo.co.uk or call 07963428992.

Sunday 8 November; 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 8 November; Witchcraft workshop. Venue: with Cobwebs at Cauldrons, Unit 137, Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, Romford RM1 3AB. For times and other details Visit http://www.cobwebsandcauldrons.co.uk/ or email cobwebsandcauldrons@gmail.com

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

Review: The Light Between Us: Stories of the Afterlife

For many pagans, Halloween - or Samhain as we call it - marks the season when the veil between the worlds is thin. As much as being a time to tell ghost stories, it offers an opportunity to try to communicate with loved ones who have passed into the Summerlands.

The Light Between Usis a new autobiography by a psychic medium who, as the saying goes, sees dead people.

Publisher Century says: "Laura Lynne Jackson is a high school English teacher, a wife and mother of three children, and a psychic medium able to converse with souls from the other side. And this is her story."

The Light Between Usis aimed at quite a wide audience - those who believe in an afterlife, those who are curious and open to the possibility that there is more to this life than what the eye can behold, and also at those who are perhaps a little psychic themselves, but have never done much with their gifts.

I read the book while I was laid up in bed suffering from a cold and I not only found it heart-warming - perfect to cheer me up when was feeling grotty - I also found myself nodding in recognition. In particularly, I recognised some of the things that author Laura said about herself when she was learning to come to terms with her psychic gift while she was young.

While I am nowhere near as psychically sensitive as Laura, I do see spirits from time to time, I can sense energy and auras when I try hard, and I have had some contact with loved ones who have passed on - mostly in dreams. When I was a young child, even though I came from a family that believed in such things, it was uncomfortable realising that I wasn't totally normal. I used to sometimes see a ghostly white cat that no one else could see. I learnt not to mention it in case I got teased and in the end it went away.

In The Light Between UsLaura talks about how she tried to be "normal" at school and college. Eventually a visit to a psychic put her on the right track to develop her gift rather than shut it out. She now does pro bono work for the Forever Family Foundation, where she helps parents who have lost children. She has undertaken analysis of her abilities through the Windbridge Foundation, a scientific organisation that studies paranormal phenomena, and had her brain mapped by neuroscientists.

However, Laura’s message in her book isn’t about proving her abilities, it is about sharing an awareness that we are all connected and that there is more than one way of looking at the world.

I enjoyed reading The Light Between Us.If there is one thing I have taken away from it, it is that I should be more confident about trusting my own instincts. Sometimes, what seems like a message from a loved one from beyond the grave, might actually be what it seems.

Links and previous related posts
The Light Between Us: Lessons from Heaven That Teach Us to Live Better in the Here and Now
http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/editions/imprint/century
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/10/how-to-celebrate-samhain.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/10/a-dream-of-gifts-and-visit-from-dead.html

Speakers Announced for ASSAP's Seriously Bewitched

Some of the speakers have just been announced for Seriously Bewitched - the ASSAP symposium at Goldsmith's College, in New Cross, South London, on 28 November.

ASSAP stands for the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena. Previous events have looked at ghosts, demons and vampires, while this one examines the subject of witchcraft, both ancient and modern, from a range of perspectives.

Here is a list of the speakers announced so far:

Mark Norman
Mark Norman is a folklore writer and researcher based in Devon. He will be talking about traditional witchcraft then and now.

Dr Helen Cornish
Dr Helen Cornish is a lecturer at the Goldsmiths anthropology department: She carried out her doctoral fieldwork among British Pagan Witches, studying the politics of historical knowledge.

Bekie Bird
Bekie is a wonderful witch who happens to be a friend of mine. She knows more about witchy spellcraft than pretty much anyone else I can think of. Bekie is also a DJ on Ridge Radio and you can tune in to hear her on Monday early afternoons.

Charmaine Sonnex
Charmaine is a PhD candidate whose thesis examines the effect of Neo-pagan healing spells on health and wellbeing. She will be talking about successful spell design in three (not so) easy steps.

Deborah Hyde
Deborah Hyde is editor-in-chief of The Skeptic magazine and a great speaker. Her talk will be on totalitarianism, paranoia, and yearnings for empire and the persecution of witchcraft in the 16th and 17th century.

Ethan Doyle White
Ethan will offer an overview of the various different new religious movements – from feminist Pagans to atheistic Satanists – to have adopted the term “witchcraft” over the past century, and why they chose to call themselves witches.

You can currently book tickets at 50% off the price on the door, £15 instead of £30. Here is the link to book a ticket: http://www.assap.ac.uk/bewitched/tickets.html

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/10/event-seriously-bewitched-assap.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/seriously-possessed-day-of-fun-with.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/10/seriously-spooked-assaps-ghost.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/03/seriously-staked-day-with-vampires.html

Pagan Eye: Watching out for Witches over Halloween

This Halloween really seems to be the season of the witch more than, say, the vampire, ghost or zombie. Yes, witch-related attractions are springing up all over the place, as these two posters at my local railway station show.

If you are out and about doing stuff for Halloween - or celebrating Samhain in more traditional pagan fashion - and take a photo of a witchy scene that you wouldn't mind sharing on A Bad Witch's Blog, please email me the photo at badwitch1234@gmail.com or post it to twitter with the hashtag #badwitchhalloween

The links at the bottom show a few pictures blog readers have sent me in the past.

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.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/10/pagan-eye-tower-hamlets-cemetery-park.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/pagan-eye-burning-wicker-man.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/11/pagan-eye-shaft-of-light-in-bryn-celli.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/08/pagan-eye-new-look-gates-at-crossbones.html

A Wonderful Day at the Mind Body Soul Experience

I went to the Mind Body Soul Experience in its new venue at Alexandra Palace yesterday and had a fabulous time. The change of venue has really improved the event.

Alexandra Palace is one of London's great buildings, set in a huge park, which at the moment is beautiful in autumn colours, the so-called "People's Palace" is magnificent outside and in. It has the Palm Court at the entrance and lovely stained glass windows letting light onto the main exhibition space.

The atmosphere at the Mind Body Soul Experience is far more relaxed and friendly than it was when it was at Olympia in previous years. The MBS event runs alongside the Yoga Show and a ticket for one allows free entrance to the other. Both are worth visiting and are on today and tomorrow as well.

As well as stalls selling all sorts of lovely stuff including crystals, essential oils, skincare products, health food and yoga equipment the main hall has experience areas where you can try out yoga and dance, and a stage offering performances throughout the day.

Upstairs there are a few workshop and lecture rooms - all nice and quiet with air-conditioning. Some of them even had lovely views over the park outside.

I went to a free workshop called Connect with the Goddess, run by Heather Andrew-Dobbs (pictured right). She talked about seven goddesses who represent different aspects of the divine feminine and then everyone picked a card to find out which goddess they were most connected with at that time. I got Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom. Heather talked about the colours associated with each goddess and saw Athena's colour as being purple. Purple is one of my favourite colours and I know that in ancient times purple was only worn by those of very high status as the dye was rare.

Heather also has a stall at the event, called Everything for the Goddess. She sells lovely robes and scarves that she specially made. Her idea is that wearing something gorgeous can help you connect to whatever goddess you are working with, especially if you choose something in the colours associated with that deity. I have to say I was tempted and bought a beautiful blue silk robe fringed with gold embroidery. I will happily be wearing it to rituals in future.

The workshop I enjoyed most of all though was at the end of the day. It was Reading Tarot as a Psychic, with Kim Arnold. I've reviewed two of her books on my blog - Hay House Basics: Tarot and The Tarot Masters, both of which I thought were very good. I was delighted to meet her in person and get a lesson. We all picked a card and tried to get an impression from it before turning it over, then we teamed up with another person and did a short reading for each other. The general advice was to trust your instincts more when doing card readings.

Although many of the workshops and talks are free, some have an extra cost. I paid £5 for Kim Arnold's class, but it was worth it.

The Mind Body Soul Experience is still on today and tomorrow, 24 and 25 October 2015, at Alexandra Palace, London N22 7AY. Opening times are Saturday 10am – 6pm and Sunday 10am – 5pm. Online admission costs: Adults £10, concessions £8. On the door: Adults: £12, concessions £10

For more details, a free show guide and to book tickets, visit www.mbsevents.co.uk

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/04/review-tarot-how-to-read-and-interpret.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/09/event-mind-body-soul-experience-moves.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/12/review-tarot-masters-insights-from.html
https://www.facebook.com/Everything-for-The-Goddess-Heather-Andrews-Dobbs-1644965855741568/
www.mbsevents.co.uk