A bad witch's blog: January 2018

Wednesday, 31 January 2018

Pagan Eye: My Altar After an Imbolc Rite

Imbolc might not officially be until February 1, but sometimes busy witches have to fit their celebrations in around other things. I honoured the Goddess Brigit and first signs of spring yesterday and here is a photograph of my altar after the ritual was over. I would never take photographs actually during a ritual - that would be rather disruptive of the energy - but there's nothing wrong with taking a picture afterwards.

For my ritual I used one of Wicca Moon's Imbolc Ritual Boxes, which I was sent as a gift a few weeks ago. I'd really been looking forward to doing it and I have to say it was just as lovely as I hoped. The rite was slightly different from rituals I've created myself in the past and it is always good to try out new things.

Wicca Moon is at 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham, London, SE9 6SH and you can visit the shop's website here: http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk/

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/2018/01/review-wicca-moon-imbolc-ritual-box.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/01/pagan-shopping-wicca-moon-imbolc-ritual.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/02/imbolc-altar-and-poem-to-goddess-brigid.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/02/pagan-eye-daffodil-and-snowdrops-in-my.html
http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk/

Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Imbolc Pagan Events in London & Elsewhere

Imbolc is on February 1 and is a celebration of the first stirrings of spring, as well as traditionally being the time when new lambs are being born. Here is a list of some of the paan events in London plus a few in other parts of the UK over that time. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now - 8 April; Exhibition: Living with Gods: peoples, places and worlds beyond. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Tickets: £15 standard, members free but booking essential. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Now - Wednesday 28 February; Harry Potter: A History of Magic. Venue: PACCAR Gallery, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB. Timed slots every day. Tickets £16 adult, £8 child. Enquiries: 01937 546546. https://www.bl.uk/

Now - Wednesday 28 February 2018; The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic: An exhibition dedicated to Cornwall’s most magical Museum, featuring photographs from Of Shadows: One Hundred Objects from The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic by Sara Hannant and Simon Costin. Last Tuesday Society. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/

Tuesday 30 January; Blue Moon Ceremony and Solar Eclipse Magic with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Meet at the cattle trough on Wimbledon Common, SW19, at 7pm to walk to the ritual site. Fee: £3. You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring something to sit on and food and drink to share. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Tuesday 30 January; Making Sense of Changing Times - a Spiritual View. Talk by James Philip. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £12/£14. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 30 January; The Tarot suits of Cups and Swords with the Tarot and Esoteric Discovery Group. Venue: Artillary Arms (private space upstairs), 102 Bunhill Row Nr Moorgate/Old St, London EC1Y 8ND. Time: 7pm. Entry: £5, but you must be a member of the meetup group and reserve a place in advance. https://www.meetup.com/Tarot-and-Healing-Group/

Tuesday 30 January; Rendlesham - Deconstructing a Myth. Talk by Ian Ridpath at The London Fortean Society. Venue: Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £5.87. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rendlesham-deconstructing-a-myth-tickets-38473595560?

Tuesday 30 January; So Moot It Bee Imbolc Open Ritual. Venue: The Good Intent pub, John Street, Me11yl Rochester, Medway, Kent. Time: 7.30pm. Entry £2. https://www.facebook.com/events/356477638154064/

Wednesday 31 January; 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 31 January; Full Moon Magic Ceremony. Venue: Hazelwood Crescent, London, W10 5FT (Exact address will be provided after booking). Time: 7.15pm. Tickets: £16. http://uk.funzing.com/funz/full-moon-magic-ceremony-11769?

Wednesday 31 January; Path of Bride: Candlelit walk from St Bride's Church to the Thames with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Meet by the main gate of the St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8AU at 6pm. There is also a Thames full moon ritual at 7.30pm. If you want to take part in the ritual as well as the walk, the fee is £3. You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes. Details and bookings for both the walk and the ritual are here: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Wednesday 31 January; Study Group - Ancient Myths with David Lowe. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7.15pm. https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/

Wednesday 31 January; 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 meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 8pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/104788436218047/

Wednesday 31 January; Wolf Moon Remote Rite with the Order of the Horse and Moon. The closed coven will be doing a private rite in woodland, but seekers are invited to tune in to the energy wherever they are. Details: https://www.meetup.com/Londonpagancommunity/events/246943316/

Thursday 1 February; Wheel of the Year Festival - Imbolc 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/

Friday 2 February; Full Moon 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 8am and 4pm PDT (US) time, which is between 4pm and midnight (UK time). You can light a candle just for an hour or so and state the intention: “Let there be peace on earth and love for one another.” Details: http://peacefires.org/

Friday 2 February; Folk Customs around Imbolc and Candlemas. Seminar Evening with Will Hunter and Ellie Hughes. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets £20. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Friday 2 February; Holistic Sound Bath Meditation - Summoning The Sacred (fortnightly 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/

Friday 2 February; East Meets West. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary, Pea Lane, Upminster RM142XH. Time: 7.30pm. Entry: £15/£18. For further information or to book call Rain on 07786328908 http://www.healingandteaching.co.uk/

Saturday 3 February; Drum Birthing Workshop with Heron Drums. Venue: 3 Prince Edward Rd, London E9 5EU. Time: 9.30am-5pm. Cost: £200. http://www.herondrums.co.uk/shamanic-drum-birthing/4594020591

Saturday 3 February; AnderidaFest 2018. Venue: Southwick Community Centre, 24 Southwick St, Southwick, West Sussex BN42 4TE. Time: 10.30am-10pm. Tickets: £20 in advance, £25 on the day (if not sold out). https://www.facebook.com/events/1598437100212844/

Saturday 3 February; Digital workshop: Teens code the collection: lucky charms. For ages 13-15, but must be accompanied by an adult. Venue: Samsung Centre, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 11am-4pm. Free, just drop in. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Saturday 3 February; Sacred Feminine: The Art of the Goddess with the London Drawing Group. Venue: The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 11am. Tickets: £26.71. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sacred-feminine-the-art-of-the-goddess-tickets-41089354365?

Saturday 3 February; Celtic Spring Festival at Butser for Imbolc. Venue: Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Petersfield PO8 0BG. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £12. http://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/2088-2/

Saturday 3 February; Tarot Cards for Absolute Beginners - Major Arcana. Afternoon workshop with Sue Terry. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Tickets £40. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 3 February; West African traditional religions. Gallery talk. Venue: Room 25, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 1.15pm. Free, just drop in. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Saturday 3 February; Free and Open Gorsedd of Cear Abiri Imbolc Rite at Avebury stone circle, Wiltshire. Time: Meet at the Red Lion pub from noon to start the ritual at 1.30pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/143313086369458/

Saturday 3 February; Public Imbolc Rite organised by New Dawn Pagan Kinship. Venue: tba. Time: 1.30pm. https://www.meetup.com/New-Dawn/

Saturday 3 February; Imbolc Ceremony with Watchers of the Old Ways. Venue: Rollright Stones
Chipping Norton OX7 5QB. Time: 2pm. Entry: £1. https://www.facebook.com/events/1945308175796504/

Saturday 3 February; Imbolc Ceremony with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Meet in the heated patio area of The Woodman's Pub, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6 at 3.30pm to walk to the ritual site in Queen's Woods for 4pm. Fee: £5. You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring something to sit on and food and drink to share. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Sunday 4 February; North West Kent Green Pagan Circle Moot. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, Bromley, BR7 5NL. Time: 10am-noon. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445487428816887/

Sunday 4 February; Imbolc Blessing Ceremony - Sacred Union. Venue: Greenwich Park. Time: 11am. Cost: £25. https://www.facebook.com/events/879894872191221/

Sunday 4 February; Imbolc 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. Starts at 1pm, ends at around 3pm. Nearest tube: Chalk Farm. https://www.facebook.com/events/792282144229769/

Sunday 4 February; Ageless Wisdom for Everyone. Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 2pm. Donations welcome. https://www.meetup.com/Theosophical-Society-in-London/ and http://www.theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Sunday 4 February; Wild Women’s Temple: Celebrating moon blood with Wild Women Gatherings London. Venue: Private address in Forest Hill, SE18. Time: 3pm. https://www.meetup.com/WILD-WOMEN-CIRCLES-LONDON/

Monday 5 Feb to 25 March. Exhibition: Safeguards Against Witchcraft. Venue: The Museum of Cambridge, 2/3 Castle Street , Cambridge, Cambs CB3 0AQ. Museum entry £4/£2. http://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/

Tuesday 6 February; Let’s Talk About Death with Rachel Bass at Romford Moot organised my Mamma Moon Magic. Venue: The Golden Lion, Romford. Time: 7.30pm. Entry £4. https://www.facebook.com/events/338297959984343/

Tuesday 6 February; Magic as Treason. Talk by Francis Young, author of Magic as a Political Crime, which can be viewed at Amazon. Venue: The London Fortean Society, Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £5.87. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/magic-as-treason-tickets-39517410639? Info: http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Tuesday 6 February; Witches' Inn Gathering. Venue: Red Lion, 48 Linkfield Lane, Redhill, RH1 1DP. Starts at 8pm. Moots are the first Tuesday of each month. For more details visit: https://www.facebook.com/The-Witches-Inn-1568424150049437/

Wednesday 7 February; 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/

Thursday 8 February; Shamanic Witchcraft. Talk by Barbara Meiklejohn-Free and Flavia Kate Peters. 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 8 February; First Steps in Thelema. Evening workshop with Marco Visconti. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets £20. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 8 February; Our personal stories of ancient stone mystery centres. Talk by Mary Anne Paterson at Earthstars. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 4SH. Time: Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Entry £12. https://www.facebook.com/Earthstars-Sacred-Space-104790729559515/

Thursday 8 February; PFL Imbolc Open Ritual with the Kith of the Tree and the Well. Venue: Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. Time: 7.30pm. Entry: £6/£5 (PF members and concessions). https://www.facebook.com/events/388240274979390/

Thursday 8 February; Ghost hunting in the Magical Library: Harry Price and the Ghosts. Talk by Sarah Sparkes at South East London Folklore Society (SELFS). Venue: The Old King's Head, Kings Head Yard, 45-49 Borough High St, London SE1 1NA. Entry: £5/£1.50 concessions. Time: 8pm. (Meetings are normally the second Thursday of each month.) https://www.facebook.com/groups/2438110887/ To guarantee a seat, email nigelofbermondsey@gmail.com

Friday 9 February; A Demonstration of Mediumship with Q and A: Anthony Kesner. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £12/£14. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 9 February; Turning points in our Biographies. Talk by Julia Dvinskaya. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/whats-on/

Friday 9 February; Oasis of Sound - Sound Bath and Mantra with Anne Malone. Organised by the Oasis of Sound Meetup Group. Venue: The Life Centre Islington, Brittania Row, North London. Tickets £15. Time: 7.30pm. Details: https://www.meetup.com/Oasis-of-Sound-Sound-Bath-n-Sound-Scape/

Saturday 10 - Sunday 11 February; The Enchanted Market. Two-day pagan festival with talks, workshops, entertainment and a market. I will be giving a talk based on my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic. Venue: The Enchanted Market, Garth Hill College, Bull Lane, Bracknell, Berks RG42 2LN. Tickets: £15. Tel: 07916173517 http://www.theenchantedmarket.com/

Saturday 10; Heart Beat - Drumming Collective for February with Gong Master Olaf Nixon Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £20/£22. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 11 February; The Bleeding Heart Walk with Scott Wood of Haunt London and London Fortean Society. Starts: Bleeding Heart Yard, London, EC1N 8. Times: 2.30pm. Tickets: £7.70. http://www.wegottickets.com/event/427250

Note: I am not responsible for any of these events except my own talk on candle magic at the Enchanted Market. I try to make sure the details on my listings are accurate, but do not necessarily know about any late changes or ticket availability. Please contact the organisers before attending any event. If you spot something that needs correcting, please email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com Note: I earn commission from some links. This helps subsidise my blog at no extra cost to readers.

Monday, 29 January 2018

News: Occult, Paganism and Witchcraft

Here's a round-up of news stories about the occult, paganism and witchcraft from the past week:

"Dan Brown Donates €300,000 to Ritman Library to Digitize Occult Books" - blog post at Good E-Reader: https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/dan-brown-donates-e300000-to-ritman-library-to-digitize-occult-books

"Forest watchdog calls for protection of Estonia's pagan heritage" - story at Climate Home: http://www.climatechangenews.com/2018/01/23/forest-watchdog-calls-protection-estonias-pagan-heritage/

"Student accuses Trinity Hall June Event of misrepresenting Pagan beliefs" - story at Varsity Online: https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/14534

"Trinity Hall June Event committee responds to claims of religious misrepresentation" - follow-up story at Varsity Online: https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/14553

"Ask a Witch: Witchcraft's Most Confusing Sayings" - story at NYLON: https://nylon.com/articles/ask-a-witch-crossroads-philosophy-where-to-start

"Pam Grossman Brings Modern Witchcraft to a Podcast and Emojis" - story at the Observer: http://observer.com/2018/01/pam-grossman-brings-modern-witchcraft-to-a-podcast-and-emojis/

"Is It The Year Of The Feminist Witch?" - story at Refinery29: http://www.refinery29.uk/2018/01/189035/charmed-reboot-gets-pilot-order-cw

"Surveyor cracks mystery of 'Witch's Castle' near Cameron Park" - story at Waco Tribune-Herald: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/waco_history/surveyor-cracks-mystery-of-witch-s-castle-near-cameron-park/article_8532f0e2-d188-5ad3-b92b-6c12cf8fc3cf.html

Saturday, 27 January 2018

Craft: Handmade Beeswax Candles for your Altar

How about making yourself some lovely beeswax candles to put on your altar?

It is a particularly appropriate craft for this time of year because Candlemas Day, on February 2, was traditionally when candles were made and blessed. Pagans also often like to burn candles to celebrate Imbolc, on February 1, to symbolise the first signs of spring returning to the land.

Rolled candles from beeswax sheets are really easy to make. You can buy packs of beeswax sheets and lengths of wick from craft and hobby shops or. If you are a complete beginner and feel you would like extra instructions, you can order a beeswax candle kit from Amazon (among other places.)

To make a candle, you can simply place a wick on one end of the wax sheet, then roll it up into a neat tube around the wick. Do leave a little of the wick poking out of the end though, so you can actually light the candle. Fold a little wax on the tip of the wick to prime it before lighting it to help it burn smoothly.

If you fancy a candle that's a little bit more decorative, cut your beeswax sheet diagonally across so that you make two triangles, with one triangle slightly smaller than the other.

Lay the smaller triangle over the bigger triangle. Put the wick along one edge with a bit poking out of the top. Roll the two triangles up around the wick so you get a conical candle with a spiral pattern like the one in the photo to the right. Again, prime the top of the wick with a tiny bit of wax by folding a little around it.

Make sure the bottom of your candle is completely flat so that it stands up properly. Put it in a suitable fireproof container or candle holder before lighting it.

You can find out a lot more about candle spells and rituals in my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic: A Witch's Guide to Spells and Rituals.

Please note I earn commission from some links.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/01/candle-magic-recycling-candles-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/05/craft-using-wax-sand-for-candle-making.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/02/imbolc-altar-and-poem-to-goddess-brigid.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/01/craft-my-straw-brigid-doll-for-imbolc.html

Friday, 26 January 2018

I'm Giving a Candle Magic Talk at the Enchanted Market

I'm going to be giving a talk on candle magic at the Enchanted Market in Bracknell on Saturday 10 February. Here are the details:

The Enchanted Market is a place of magical market stalls with pagan spiritual and hand-crafted goods. There will also be fantastic live music all day and into the evening as well as workshops, thought-provoking speakers, healers, tarot and angel readers.

My talk will be on using candles for spellcraft, rituals, meditation and scrying at 3pm in Studio 2. You should be able to buy copies of my books Pagan Portals - Candle Magic and Every Day Magic - A Pagan Book of Days at the event - although, of course, you can also view my books on Amazon.

Several of my fellow Moon Books authors will also be giving talks and workshops, including Cat Treadwell, Rachel Patterson and Barbara Margaret Meiklejohn-free. Copies of both my books and Rachel Patterson's books will be on sale at Rachel Patterson's stall in the market on Saturday.

The Enchanted Market is at Garth Hill College, Bull Lane, Bracknell, Berks RG42 2LN on February 10 and 11. Daytime entrance only is £2, but you can get tickets for the two days and the evening entertainment for £15. You can find out more details here: http://www.theenchantedmarket.com/

Thursday, 25 January 2018

Witch Room Tales: What Occult Bums Sat Here?

This ancient sofa is one of the things in my witch room.

Yes, I know, I am pretty lucky having an entire room where I keep my witchy things and work magic. This sofa is certainly not one of the most attractive items in the room though. It isn't even a very comfortable sofa. It is quite literally about 100 years old. It is very hard to sit on, rather itchy because it is stuffed with horse hair, and has been well and truly scratched by cats over the decades.

So, why do I keep it?

Well, it belonged to my grandma, so partly I keep it just for that reason. But I also keep it because it has a bit of a magical past. As I've mentioned before, my grandma was an astrologer who worked for Alan Leo and moved in occult circles. She did Gerald Gardner's horoscope, for example.

Imagine all the famous magical people from bygone times who might have rested their bottoms on that sofa. It might not be very comfortable, but it has history.

One of my new year resolutions for 2018 was to blog about some of the items in my witchy room. I first did a post of that kind back in 2016, when I wrote a post called Tales from the Witch Room - about decorating the room. This year, each month I will focus on a different aspect of the room and the items in it.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/11/tales-from-witch-room-cracks-in-walls.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/12/tales-from-witch-room-decorating-done.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/01/the-bad-witchs-10-new-years-resolutions.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/12/a-happy-solstice-with-alan-leos-sun.html

Wednesday, 24 January 2018

London Pagan Events Over the Time of Imbolc

Here are pagan events in London plus a few in other parts of the UK over Imbolc and the next couple of weeks. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now - Wednesday 28 February; Harry Potter: A History of Magic. Venue: PACCAR Gallery, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB. Timed slots every day. Tickets £16 adult, £8 child. Enquiries: 01937 546546. https://www.bl.uk/

Now - 8 April; Exhibition: Living with Gods: peoples, places and worlds beyond. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Tickets: £15 standard, members free but booking essential. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Now - Wednesday 28 February 2018; The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic: An exhibition dedicated to Cornwall’s most magical Museum, featuring photographs from Of Shadows: One Hundred Objects from The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic by Sara Hannant and Simon Costin. Last Tuesday Society. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/

Wednesday 24 January; 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 24 January; Study Group - Ancient Myths with David Lowe. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7.15pm. https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/

Wednesday 24 January; Astral Projection Workshop with Jade Shaw. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London E9 7AD. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £30. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk

Thursday 25 January; Zen Practice for a Soaring Life. Talk by Daizan Roshi. 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 25 January; Charms with David Halpern. Hogwarts Curriculum Lecture - part of a series running alongside the Harry Potter Exhibition. Venue: British Library Knowledge Centre, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15/£10. Visit https://www.bl.uk/events/hogwarts-curriculum-lectures? or call 01937 546546

Thursday 25 January; Is it Time for Sirius Renewal? Talk by Mark Herbert at Earthstars. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 4SH. Time: Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Entry £12. https://www.facebook.com/Earthstars-Sacred-Space-104790729559515/

Thursday 25 January; Herne the Hunter – From Ghoul to Godhead. Talk by Dr John Callow at The London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets: £2/£4. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Friday 26 January; Sacred Feminine: The Art of the Goddess with the London Drawing Group. Venue: The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 11am. Tickets: £26.71. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sacred-feminine-the-art-of-the-goddess-tickets-41089354365?

Friday 26 January; The Power and Purpose of 5 Basic Geometric Shapes in the Gateway to the Heavens. Talk by Karen L. French at Rilko (Research Into Lost Knowledge). Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 6.45pm. Entrance: £8/£10. Details: http://www.rilko.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/rilkotrust/

Friday 26 January; Turning points in life. Talk by George Schad. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/whats-on/

Friday 26 January; Inner Silence Through Movement Meditations. Talk by Katrin Jonas. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £12/£14. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 26 January; Coming of the Light with London Dreamtime and John Constable. Poetry and magical storytelling with live music around the fire. Venue: A garden in Glengall Road, London
SE15. Entry £6, advance booking essential. Time: 7.15pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/coming-of-the-light-london-dreamtime-john-constable-tickets-41214068388

Friday 26 January; AMeTh Lodge Journal III Launch. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, London WC1A 1LY. Time: 7.30pm. You must reserve a place in advance. For more details, email atlantis@theatlantisbookshop.com or call 020 7405 2120

Saturday 27 January; Basic Astrology for Tarot with the Tarot and Esoteric Discovery Group. Venue: The Knights Templer, Carey Street, London, WC2A 1DT. Time: 11.45am-3.30pm. Entry: £7, but you must be a member of the meetup group and reserve a place in advance. https://www.meetup.com/Tarot-and-Healing-Group/

Saturday 27 January; Shakti Sings January Rehearsal with Shakti Sings Choir. Venue: The Hythe, Staines, TW18. Time: noon. Rehearsal fee £13 (£8 concession), guest fee £15 (£10 concession), yearly membership £25 (£15 concession). https://www.facebook.com/events/529994754026246/

Saturday 27 January; Sacred Geometry with Pam El-Hosaini. Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 2pm. Free entry but donations welcome. https://www.meetup.com/Theosophical-Society-in-London/ and http://www.theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Sunday 28 January; The Ageless Wisdom for Everyone study class. Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 2pm. Free entry but donations welcome. https://www.meetup.com/Theosophical-Society-in-London/ and http://www.theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Sunday 28 January; Kith of The Tree and The Well Moot. Heathen moot with talk and Blot. Venue: The Horseshoe Inn, 26 Melior Street, London SE1 3QP. Time: 2pm. Entry £2. https://www.facebook.com/events/384905188602537/

Sunday 28 January; Luna Iter Imbolc Celebration for pagan/Wiccan seekers. Venue: Pembury Tavern, 90 Amhurst Road, London E8 1JH. Time: 4.30pm. Entry £4/£5. You must reserve a place in advance: https://www.facebook.com/events/548985782104638/

Sunday 28 January; Movement Medicine Women's Circle. Venue: The Arc Centre, 98B St Paul Street, Islington, London, N1 7DF. Time: 6.30pm. First class free, after that £13 per class. https://www.meetup.com/Movement-Medicine-Womens-Circle/

Monday 29 January; Radiant Body, Awakened Mind. Talk by Jason Chan. Organised by Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LL, Starts: 7pm. Tickets £10/£15 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Monday 29 January; Druids in Britain Today. Lecture by Dr Jonathan Woolley. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £9. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Tuesday 30 January; Blue Moon Ceremony and Solar Eclipse Magic with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Meet at the cattle trough on Wimbledon Common, SW19, at 7pm to walk to the ritual site. Fee: £3. You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring something to sit on and food and drink to share. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Tuesday 30 January; Making Sense of Changing Times - a Spiritual View. Talk by James Philip. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £12/£14. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 30 January; Rendlesham - Deconstructing a Myth. Talk by Ian Ridpath at The London Fortean Society. Venue: Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £5.87. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rendlesham-deconstructing-a-myth-tickets-38473595560?

Wednesday 31 January; 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 31 January; Full Moon Magic Ceremony. Venue: Hazelwood Crescent, London, W10 5FT (Exact address will be provided after booking). Time: 7.15pm. Tickets: £16. http://uk.funzing.com/funz/full-moon-magic-ceremony-11769?

Wednesday 31 January; 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 meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 8pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/104788436218047/

Thursday 1 February; Wheel of the Year Festival - Imbolc 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/

Saturday 3 February; Drum Birthing Workshop with Heron Drums. Venue: 3 Prince Edward Rd, London E9 5EU. Time: 9.30am-5pm. Cost: £200. http://www.herondrums.co.uk/shamanic-drum-birthing/4594020591

Saturday 3 February; Tarot Cards for Absolute Beginners - Major Arcana. Afternoon workshop with Sue Terry. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Tickets £40. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 3 February; AnderidaFest 2018. Venue: Southwick Community Centre, 24 Southwick St, Southwick, West Sussex BN42 4TE. Time: 10.30am-10pm. Tickets: £20 in advance, £25 on the day (if not sold out). https://www.facebook.com/events/1598437100212844/

Saturday 3 February; Digital workshop: Teens code the collection: lucky charms. For ages 13-15, but must be accompanied by an adult. Venue: Samsung Centre, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 11am-4pm. Free, just drop in. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Saturday 3 February; West African traditional religions. Gallery talk. Venue: Room 25, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 1.15pm. Free, just drop in. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Saturday 3 February; Public Imbolc Rite organised by New Dawn Pagan Kinship. Venue: tba. Time: 1.30pm. https://www.meetup.com/New-Dawn/

Saturday 3 February; Imbolc Ceremony with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Meet in the heated patio area of The Woodman's Pub, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6 at 3.30pm to walk to the ritual site in Queen's Woods for 4pm. Fee: £5. You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring something to sit on and food and drink to share. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Sunday 4 February; North West Kent Green Pagan Circle Moot. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, Bromley, BR7 5NL. Time: 10am-noon. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445487428816887/

Sunday 4 February; Imbolc 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. Starts at 1pm, ends at around 3pm. Nearest tube: Chalk Farm. https://www.facebook.com/events/792282144229769/

Sunday 4 February; Wild women’s temple: Celebrating moon blood with Wild Women Gatherings London. Venue: Private address in Forest Hill, SE18. Time: 3pm. https://www.meetup.com/WILD-WOMEN-CIRCLES-LONDON/

Note: I do not organise any of these events and am not responsible for them. Please contact the organisers of any event before turning up.

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Shopping: Harry Potter Hogwarts Candle from Primark

I don't think it is a secret that I'm a bit of a Harry Potter fan.

When I was on my way home from teaching candle magic at Treadwell's earlier this month I couldn't resist popping into the big Primark on the corner of Tottenham Court Road because it has a massive department selling Hogwarts-themed items. I bought the candle on the right.

Primark currently has a range of various coloured/scented candles with the Harry Potter brand, which is pretty appropriate as Imbolc and Candlemas are coming up soon. Both of these festivals are often honoured by lighting candles to represent the first signs of spring returning and blessing candles for use throughout the year.

To be honest, I probably won't use my Harry Potter candle for any of my spiritual Imbolc devotions. There are two reasons for that. First, I already have a lovely ritual kit already. Second, I prefer to use unscented candles or ones that contain pure essential oils for my real magical work. Neverthless, this Harry Potter candle will still be a lovely thing to burn to cheer myself up on a cold dark evening.

My own book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic contains a variety of candle spells and rituals you can do for Imbolc or at other times of the year. You can buy copies at Treadwell's or view the book at Amazon.

Links and previous related posts
https://www.primark.com/en/store/oxford-street-east
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/01/review-wicca-moon-imbolc-ritual-box.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/10/how-to-make-wizard-school-style.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/10/a-fantastic-day-with-harry-potter.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/05/harry-potter-and-bricket-wood-coven.html

Monday, 22 January 2018

Catching Up With Witchcraft News & Occult TV

I've had the flu and been too ill to blog over the past week, but I'm on the mend now and catching up with things. Talking of catch-up, if you missed the BBC quiz show QI's episode on the occult at the weekend, you can still watch it via BBC IPlayer. Here are some links to news stories from the past few days about druids, witches, pagans more TV and movies:

"Rude Brittania! Top druid says Sky Atlantic's new Roman TV epic is an insult to peace-loving Celtic holy men" - story at the Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5292737/Top-druid-says-new-insult-peace-loving-druids.html

"Witch-swinging: Tales of witchcraft and torture" - A look at attacks on women accused of witchcraft in colonial India. Story at Livemint: http://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/svrJW51AYt8PNG9hkfWjUN/Witchswinging-Tales-of-witchcraft-and-torture.html

"Why is Papua New Guinea Still Hunting Witches?" - story at The Diplomat: https://thediplomat.com/2018/01/why-is-papua-new-guinea-still-hunting-witches/

"Highland Views: Witches, Wicca and a pagan view of the world" - A Protestant minister and interfaith chaplain's look at pagans and witches, at Asheville Citizen-Times: http://www.citizen-times.com/story/life/2018/01/19/highland-views-witches-wicca-and-pagan-view-world/1037899001/

"Crystals, potions and tarot cards: the mystical rise of new age businesses" - story at The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2018/jan/18/crystals-potions-and-tarot-cards-the-mystical-rise-of-new-age-businesses

"Mail-order magic: the rise of subscription witchcraft" - story at The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2018/jan/16/mail-order-magic-the-rise-of-subscription-witchcraft

"Movie Review – Curse of the Witch's Doll (2018)" - review at Flickering Myth: https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2018/01/movie-review-curse-witchs-doll-2018/

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Sorry - No Post Today, I Have the Lurgy

Sorry folks, I've been in bed feeling rough with a cough and a fever. Not up to blogging today. I've only just felt well enough to turn the computer on. Normal service will be resumed asap.

Monday, 15 January 2018

Esoteric London: Free Book on London's Pagan Events

This little printed booklet listing all the best regular pagan events taking place in London during 2018 is so delightfully old-school - and it is free!

Esoteric London, which was put together by Hendon Heathens, is described as: "A small guide to some of the public meetings, events and shops in the primary occult city in Europe."

It lists the dates for meetings and open rituals held by major pagan, heathen and druid groups in London for the year ahead. These include the Pagan Federation London, Nova Stellar, the Loose Association of Druids, Children of Artemis, London Fortean Society, Dawn of the Oak, South East London Folklore Society, Kith of the Tree and the Well, Hendon Heathens, Pagan Futurefests, Deptford Jack-in-the-Green and London Pagan Pride. The booklet also mentions Central London's best occult bookshops - Treadwell's, Atlantis and Watkins.

I'm also rather chuffed that my own blog gets a mention at the end. It says: "Also check out A Bad Witch's Blog at www.badwitch.co.uk who does a weekly events list of just about every esoteric meeting going on in London. Highly recommended!" I have a big smile on my face over that!

I was given my copy at Treadwell's bookshop yesterday and there was a pile of them by the front counter. They are free to take, so do pop in and pick up a copy if you are in the area soon as I suspect the booklets will all go quickly and probably end up being collectors' items.

Treadwells is at 33 Store Street, London WC1E 7BS. https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday, 13 January 2018

News: Death Pose Druid, Paganism & Witchcraft

"Police called out to reports of dead body by motorway - only to find it was a druid doing yoga" - story at Manchester Evening News: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/police-called-out-reports-dead-14133817.amp

"Party like a Russian (peasant): Christmas festival mixes Orthodox and pagan rites" - story at RT: https://www.rt.com/news/415297-svyatki-pagan-festival-christianity/

"Giant squid and sexed-up druids: is Britannia Jez Butterworth's mad masterpiece?" - story at The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jan/11/mackenzie-crook-druids-britannia-jez-butterworths-mad-masterpiece-tv-series

"Witch Hunts Today: Abuse of Women, Superstition, and Murder Collide in India" - story at Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/witch-hunts-today-abuse-of-women-superstition-and-murder-collide-in-india/

"How Medieval Churches Used Witch Hunts to Gain More Followers" - story at History: http://www.history.com/news/how-medieval-churches-used-witch-hunts-to-gain-more-followers

"Self-proclaimed 'blood witch' smears period blood on her face to break stigmas around menstruation" - story at The Scottish Sun: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/2069446/

Friday, 12 January 2018

Pagan Eye: The Museum of Witchcraft in London

Last night I went to a wonderful party at the Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities in London to celebrate the exhibition of photographs by Sara Hannant of items from the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. The picture above is one I took of Sara standing by a display case of some of her work and items from the MWM's collection.

Sara is such a brilliant photographer that I always feel a little bit embarrassed when I take pictures myself around her, because I know I don't have anything like her level of skill. I really do recommend going to the exhibition if you haven't done so already to see her amazing photographs. They are all also printed in the book Of Shadows, by Sara and Simon Costin.

The exhibition also includes some fascinating magical items including a wax curse poppet, a witch mirror, spells and charms.

The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic's London exhibition is on until Wednesday 28 February at the Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. You can find more details here: http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/

You can read my review of Of Shadows here: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/10/of-shadows-objects-from-museum-of.html and you can view Of Shadows on Amazon.

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.

(Please note I earn commission from some links)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/10/of-shadows-objects-from-museum-of.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/11/brooms-wands-cauldrons-with-simon-costin.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/08/boscastle-and-museum-of-witchcraft_3235.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/10/of-shadows-objects-from-museum-of.html

Thursday, 11 January 2018

Review: Wicca Moon Imbolc Ritual Box

As a solitary witch, I sometimes need a little extra inspiration for my rituals. That's fine - we all feel that way occasionally. No one can write perfect ceremonies for themselves all the time. Even gathering all the components can be a chore, especially if you are busy. For novice witches, having help getting started is even more important - and Wicca Moon's new Wheel of the Year Ritual Boxes are perfect.

Wicca Moon's Imbolc kit is the first in the series, for the pagan festival on February 1 to celebrate the first stirrings of spring. You can buy just one kit at £45.99 or subscribe to get the whole eight, plus a ninth dedication ritual box.

I was sent the Imbolc Ritual Box as a gift last week. It was such a lovely thing to receive in the post and the contents exceeded my expectations. As well as lots of information about traditional ways of celebrating Imbolc and what the festival means as part of the Wheel of the Year, what you get in the kit is:

Ritual bath salts - handmade at Wicca Moon and perfect to cleanse yourself before a rite.
A hand-stitched white altar cloth with a coloured border, to represent the snow and frost that can cover the earth at this time of year. I was delighted to find it was the perfect size to cover the top of my coffee table, which I often use as an altar.
Ritual feather fan. This represents the element of air and can be used to waft sacred smoke.
Yellow and green candles to represent the first shoots of new growth and the returning light of the sun, as well as the element of fire. You will need your own candle holders to put these in.
Smudge stick. Many cultures use the smoke of burning herbs to suffumigate sacred space. Tied bundles of dried herbs, sometimes called smudge sticks, are one of the most popular methods of doing this.
Abalone shell. This represents the element of water. You can use it to put your smudge stick in after you have finished suffumigating your room.
A pentacle. This is a symbol representing the element of earth, among other things. In Wiccan rites it is traditional to place things on a pentacle to be blessed or charged.
Loose incense. This is handcrafted at Wicca Moon and contains ingredients that represent the season. You will need to put this on a charcoal block in an incense burner, which is not included in the kit.
Ritual oil. Again handcrafted at Wicca Moon, it can be used to anoint yourself and your ritual tools and symbols.
A picture of the Goddess Bridget, often honoured at Imbolc.
Chalice. This is probably my favourite part of the kit. It is a delightful little hand-thrown pottery goblet. Chalices represent the womb of the Goddess. For this ritual it should be filled with sheep or goat's milk, which you can get at supermarkets.
A clear quartz crystal to use in the ritual.
A scroll containing the words and instructions for the rite.

The ritual itself is beautiful. I'm not going to go into too much detail about it, as I don't want to give away any spoilers.

Over the years I've done numerous outdoor rituals or travelled long distances to covensteads at Imbolc and nearly frozen my toes off in the process. I took the snowy photo to the left before one of them.

This year, I'm looking forward to staying at home in the warm for my Imbolc ritual and using my kit from Wicca Moon to celebrate the season.

If you are a novice witch and want more help about how to go about doing the rite, Shirlee from Wicca Moon will be running a podcast to give more information via the shop's website: http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk/.

Wicca Moon is a lovely, friendly pagan shop at 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham, London, SE9 6SH.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/01/pagan-shopping-wicca-moon-imbolc-ritual.html
http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/02/imbolc-altar-and-poem-to-goddess-brigid.html

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London

Here are events in London over the next week or so plus a few in other parts of the UK that could be of interest to pagans. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now - Wednesday 28 February; Harry Potter: A History of Magic. Venue: PACCAR Gallery, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB. Timed slots every day. Tickets £16 adult, £8 child. Enquiries: 01937 546546. https://www.bl.uk/

Now - 8 April; Exhibition: Living with Gods: peoples, places and worlds beyond. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Tickets: £15 standard, members free but booking essential. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Thursday 11 January; The Grail. Talk by author Lars Muhl. 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 11 January; Women Who Run With Wolves Healing Circle. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London E9 7AD. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £30. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk

Thursday 11 January; Earthstars Group Meeting. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 4SH. Time: Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Entry by donation. https://www.facebook.com/Earthstars-Sacred-Space-104790729559515/

Thursday 11 January; Geomancy: An Old Art of Fortune Telling. Lecture by Dr Al Cummins. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £9. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 11 January; Urban Legends 101. Talk by Scott Wood, author of London Urban Legends (viewable on Amazon), at South East London Folklore Society (SELFS). Venue: The Old King's Head, Kings Head Yard, 45-49 Borough High St, London SE1 1NA. Entry: £3/£1.50 concessions. Time: 8pm. (Meetings are normally the second Thursday of each month.) https://www.facebook.com/groups/2438110887/ To guarantee a seat, email nigelofbermondsey@gmail.com

Friday 12 January; You are the Cave You Must Find and Enter. Talk by Lars Muhl. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-.8pm. Cost: £12/£14. Advance booking essential. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 12 January; Psychic Circle - Working with Spirit. Hosted by Mamma Moon Magick. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary, Pea Lane, Upminster RM142XH. Time: 7pm. Entry: £15/£18. For further information or to book call Rain on 07786328908 http://www.healingandteaching.co.uk/

Friday 12 January; Oasis of Sound - Sound Bath and Mantra with Anne Malone. Organised by the Oasis of Sound Meetup Group. Venue: The Life Centre Islington, Brittania Row, North London. Tickets £15. Time: 7.30pm. Details: https://www.meetup.com/Oasis-of-Sound-Sound-Bath-n-Sound-Scape/

Saturday 13 January; Ritual: its Relevance and Resonances. First part of two-Saturday course with Kenneth Rees. Venue: The Mary Ward Centre, Queen Square, London WC1. Time: 10.15am – 5.30pm. Course No: 444. Fees: £54 Cons: £19. Enrolment: 0207 269 6000 (or online). Website: www.marywardcentre.ac.uk

Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 January; Two days of 30-min taster workshops for longer courses hosted by Clearly Destiny. Subjects included mediumship, tarot, channelling, Egyptian deities, Enochian magic, spiritual healing and Reiki. Venue: Clearly Destiny, 12 Woburn Walk, London WC1H 0JL London. Half hour sessions running at various times between 11am and 3.30pm. Each session costs £5. https://www.facebook.com/events/155807058387321/

Saturday 13 January; Working Magic in the Landscape: Psychogeography. Day Workshop with Julian Vayne. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 11am-5.30pm. Tickets £75 (£40 deposit). Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 13 January; History of Magic with Irving Finkel. Hogwarts Curriculum Lecture - part of a series running alongside the Harry Potter Exhibition. Venue: British Library Knowledge Centre, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB. Time: 2pm-3.15pm. Tickets: £15/£10. Visit https://www.bl.uk/events/hogwarts-curriculum-lectures? or call 01937 546546

Saturday 13 January; Scrying Workshop with Shirlee Moon. Venue: 50 Well Hall Rd, London SE9 6SH. Time: 3pm. Cost: £15. For further details call on 0208 8507 803 or email shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/WiccaMoonEltham/

Saturday 13 January; A Magical Cacao Celebration of Songs and Stories hosted by Aho and Mischief Maker. Venue: 13 Prince Edward Rd, London E9 5LX. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £20. https://www.facebook.com/events/1835485419794939/

Sunday 14 January; Shamanic workshop. Venue: Woodford Church at 9 Grove Crescent, South Woodford, London E18 2JR. Time 11am-4pm. Cost: £10, bring your own lunch. http://woodfordchurch.com/

Sunday 14 January; Candle Magic Workshop - I am running another session of my candle magic workshops based on my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £20 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/events/ or reserve a place by calling 020 7419 8507, emailing info@treadwells-london.com or visiting the shop. (View my book at Treadwell's)

Sunday 14 January; Public Readings from the Poetic Edda. Venue St Peters Church, London SW4 6BX. Time: 1pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/335250783597629/

Sunday 14 January; Music and Mythology. Storytelling and music by The Embers Collective. Venue: Balabam, 58-60 High Road, London, N15 6JU. Rime: 7pm. Tickets: £8. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/music-and-mythology-tickets-41703541415

Monday 15 January; Young Urban Witch Workshop: Element of Water Evening Mini-workshop with Rebecca Beattie. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £20. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Monday 15 January; Opening The Doors of Perception. Talk by Anthony Peake. Organised by Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LL, Starts: 7pm. Tickets £10/£15 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Monday 15 January; LDN Talks: What Do Your Dreams Mean? Venue: Number 177 Bar and Kitchen, 177 Hoxton Street, London N1 6PJ. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £12. https://uk.funzing.com/funz/ldn-talks-what-do-your-dreams-mean-11026/

Monday 15 January; Talk on the Gods of Winter at Pagan Pathfinders. Meeting suitable for all pagans in Finchley, London N3. Time: 7.30pm. (Meeting is usually on the 3rd Monday each month.) Contact Pagan Pathfinders for more details: https://www.facebook.com/PaganPathfinders/

Tuesday 16 January; London Sister Circle - New Moon in Capricorn. Venue: Gayatri's Grace, Flat 19 Bath House, Bath Terrace, London, SE1 6PU. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £10/£12. https://www.meetup.com/conscious-creations/

Tuesday 16 January; Did Matriarchy Ever Exist? Lecture hosted by Radical Anthropology Group. Venue: UCL Anthropology, 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW. Free. Time: 6.45pm. http://www.radicalanthropologygroup.org/

Tuesday 16 January; Science and Spiritual Practices. Lecture by Rupert Sheldrake. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-.8.30pm. Cost: £12/£14. Advance booking essential. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 16 January; Witches 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 17 January; 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 17 January; New Moon Ritual with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Meet in the heated patio area of The Woodman's Pub, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6 at 7pm to walk to the ritual site in Queen's Woods for 7.30pm. Fee: £3. You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring something to sit on and food and drink to share. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Wednesday 17 January; Women With Golden Scars Circle (Monthly Meeting), hosted by Women Who Dance With Their Souls. Venue: The Whole Health Centre, 78 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 2DP. Time: 7pm. Donation welcome of £10. https://www.meetup.com/Women-Who-Dance-With-Their-Souls/

Wednesday 17 January; Greenwich Skeptics in the Pub - Near-death experiences: Real or imagined? Talk by Dr Vanessa Charland. Venue: The Star and Garter, 60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NY. Time: 7.30pm. Details: http://greenwich.skepticsinthepub.org/

Wednesday 17 January; Urbain Grandier the Witch: History, Literature and Film Lecture by Dr John Callow, author of Embracing the Darkness. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets £9. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Wednesday 17 January; 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/

Thursday 18 January; Psychic Development with Judith Freeman. First part of four-week psychic development workshop for beginners. Time: Noon-2pm. Cost £90 per person for the complete course. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk or call 0208 850 7803. https://www.facebook.com/WiccaMoonEltham/

Thursday 18 January; Healing for the Dying and the Dead. Lecture by Edwin Courtenay. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-.8.30pm. Cost: £12/£14. Advance booking essential. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 18 January; Secret Powers of Attraction: Folk Horror in its Cultural Context. Organised by The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies London. Venue: The Horse Hospital, Colonnade, Bloomsbury, London, United Kingdom. Time: 7pm Tickets: £10/£11/£8. http://www.miskatonic-london.com/events/secret-powers-of-attraction-folk-horror-in-its-cultural-context/

Thursday 18 January; The Search for the Deep Self - Spirit in Action with Deborah Ravetz. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7.30pm. Cost: £7/£5. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/whats-on/the-search-for-the-deep-self/

Friday 19 January; Ghosts of Wapping Walk: witches, demons, hauntings. Storytelling walk with London Dreamtime. Venue Wapping. Time: 7pm. Price: £11.05 advance booking needed. https://londondreamtime.com/calendar Bookings https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ghosts-of-wapping-walk-witches-demons-hauntings-tickets-39405410644

Saturday 20 January; Making Blended Incense for Magic. Afternoon Mini-Workshop with Rebecca Beattie. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Tickets £20. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Sunday 21 January; Roman London: A walk around the Roman city of Londinium with the Museum of London. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £12.50. https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london

Sunday 21 January; The Ageless Wisdom for Everyone study class. Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 2pm. Free entry but donations welcome. https://www.meetup.com/Theosophical-Society-in-London/ and http://www.theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Sunday 21 January; Dawn of the Oak. Pagan moot on the third Sunday of each month. Venue: The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon Road/Greville Street, London EC1M 3JF. Time: 3pm-6pm. https://www.meetup.com/The-Kith-of-The-Tree-and-The-Well/

Note: I do not organise any of these events except my candle magic workshop at Treadwell's. Please contact the organisers of any event you wish to go to before turning up.

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