Witch Games: Abracada...What? A Magical Contest

I picked up a copy of Abracada...What? in The Works sale largely because it was cheap. The theme also appealed to me and I'm writing a series of blog posts about the way witches are portrayed in games, so getting it was a no-brainer.

The game is about casting spells. It looked as thought it had some witches and wizards on the cover - as well as having the words Abracada...What? in a font remarkably similar to that of the old TV series Bewitched. Actually, I discovered that inside it talks about wizards, not witches, but I thought I'd blog about it anyway.

Abracada...What? is a family game with simple rules and is quick to play, but it has enough strategy to also make it fun as a light game for adults. I really enjoyed playing it with my hubby yesterday afternoon and we both agreed that we'll happily do so again.

The idea is that the players are wizards competing to be top mage by casting spells at each other. Last one standing wins each round.

Everyone has a set of tiles representing the spells at their disposal. However, they don't know what spells they have because they set the tiles up facing away from them. Everyone can see the other players' tiles and what's been cast already, so they can try to deduce what they are likely to have. If you guess wrong you lose a life and your turn ends.

It is a fun little game for two to five players. If you like board games and can pick up a copy cheaply enough, I'd say get it. It is suitable for children aged about seven or older as well as adults.

You can view Abracada...What? on Amazon and also at The Works.

My Altar Set Up and Ready for my Beltane Rite

Here is my Beltane altar all set up and ready for my celebration of the start of May. I like to set my altar up well in advance of a ritual to check that I have everything I need - and I am very lucky that I have my witchy room where I can leave things out for a few days.

Most of the items you see in the photo have come from the Wicca Moon Wheel of the Year boxes I've been getting this year. They do build up into a really wonderful ritual kit. Starting from the left, the chalice and pentacle were part of the Wicca Moon Imbolc Box, the purple beeswax goddess candle was in the current Beltane Box, the Goddess figurine came in the Ostara kit while the god figurine, green god candle and pine-tipped wand were in thet Beltane Box.

The items are standing on two altar cloths - a white base cloth from Imbolc and the sparkly one on top for Beltane.

A few things on the altar are my own. The twig tree at the back was made by myself from upcycled items - I'll blog a bit more about about how I've decorated it further in a day or so. The candle holders and incense burner are things I've owned for ages, while the lovely Beltane Fire candle was a birthday gift from a friend.

Wicca Moon also supplied a few more essentials: handmade soap for a ritual bath as well as seasonal incense and charcoal blocks to burn it on. Understandably, cakes and wine are things you have to get yourself.

Every box includes a ritual that can be performed solitary or with a partner. The Beltane rite is a celebration of fire and a visualisation of its vitality entering our lives to fill us with abundance, plenty and potency. The ritual can be a celebration of sex if you want it to be, or it can be a celebration of other pleasures of life - including mindful eating of blessed food and drink.

My favourite items in the Beltane Box are the statue of the horned god and the pine cone-topped wand, or thyrsus, which in ancient times was carried by followers of Dionysus, Greek god of wine and ecstasy.

I've been looking for an ideal horned god figure for my altar for some time and this fits the bill perfectly. I love it just as much as the goddess figure from last month's box of goodies. I'm also delighted to have the pine cone wand decorated with colourful streamers. Mind you, my cats love it too and I am wondering if it is going to end up as a magical tool or a cat toy!

You can buy the Beltane Box from Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham, London, SE9 6SH, or order them online via the Wicca Moon website: http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6366939-A-Year-Of-Wicca-The-Wheel-Of-The-Year-Subscription-Box-3-Beltane.html

Links and previous related posts
http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/01/review-wicca-moon-imbolc-ritual-box.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/03/pagan-shopping-wicca-moon-ostara-ritual.html

Seances, Ectoplasm & Brompton Cemetery at Dusk

I took this photo at Brompton Cemetery yesterday evening after a search for ectoplasm in its newly restored chapel.

To be a bit more accurate, I didn't take part in a practical experiment in material manifestations of spirit - although that would have been very exciting. Shannon Taggart, who has spent the past 17 years doing exactly that kind of thing, gave a fascinating talk called Seance: Spiritualist Ritual and the Search for Ectoplasm.

She illustrated her presentation with slides showing historic photographs of mediums producing ectoplasm and modern images taken by herself. She explained that although most mediums these days communicate with spirits in a way that doesn't involve them turning up physically, there are still some practitioners who do claim to manifest material such as ectoplasm. She had even managed to photograph some of them demonstrating their skills.

The talk was at Brompton Cemetery Chapel in Kensington, and was the first event in the London Esoteric weekend of talks, workshops and entertainment involving the strange and unexplained. It is organised by Antique Beat and you can find the full programme here: https://antiquebeat.co.uk/events/london-esoteric

Pagan Shopping: Wicca Moon Beltane Ritual Kit

I rushed downstairs to open the door when the postman rang the bell this morning. I'd been eagerly awaiting a lovely parcel from Wicca Moon ever since I got a message from the lovely people there that one was on its way to me.

I tore the paper off too, because couldn't wait to see what was inside. It was what I was hoping for - a Beltane Box full of exciting things.

Wicca Moon's Wheel of the Year ritual kits are gorgeous. Each one is a box of goodies that any witch would love, including items for the altar and a ritual especially written for the season. This one celebrates Beltane, the pagan festival that celebrates joy, abundance and union of the God and Goddess at the start of May.

As well as original words to use for a Beltane rite, it has handmade soap; incense and charcoal; ritual oil; two beeswax candles; a wand; a long, sparkly altar cloth and a clay figurine representing the Horned God to complement the Goddess figurine that came in the Ostara ritual kit.

This is the third Wicca Moon Wheel of the Year box I've had and I can honestly say they are a Goddess-send for busy solitary witches who lack the time to write and put together a ritual from scratch themselves. The earlier ones were the Imbolc ritual kit, which I used in February, and the Ostara one, in March. I'm really looking forward to using this one for my Beltane rite.

You can order the Beltane Box online here: http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6366939-A-Year-Of-Wicca-The-Wheel-Of-The-Year-Subscription-Box-3-Beltane.html

Wicca Moon is at 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham, London, SE9 6SH.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/01/review-wicca-moon-imbolc-ritual-box.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/03/pagan-shopping-wicca-moon-ostara-ritual.html

Pink Moon or Hare Moon? Which Will You Celebrate?

The full moon in a couple of days has some lovely names. One of them is Pink Moon, which it gets from the pink-flowering phlox plant that covers the ground in parts of North America at this time of year. Yes, you guess it, it could well be a colonial appropriation of an Native American name for the moon at this time.

Phlox plants will grow in England though - and there are many different varieties. I recall that my witchy aunt had loads of them in her garden in the springtime and I loved them.

If you wanted to do some simple candle magic to draw on the power of the Pink Moon, you could try my Big Hugs Candle Magic spell, which uses a pink candle with the associations of the colour to help you feel 'in the pink'.

Pink is also associated with the Goddess Venus - and Fridays - so this would be a perfect time for a love spell.

Another name for a full moon in April or early May is Hare Moon. Many modern witches have adopted the image of the hare and the moon as a symbol of their craft, so perhaps that's a better name to use. Other names for it are Grass Moon, Fish Moon and Egg Moon.

The actual time of the full moon is at 1.58am GMT on April 30, but it will be full enough from now until Monday night for the purposes of pagan celebrations and spellwork.

What name do you prefer to use - and will you be doing anything to celebrate it?

Links and previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/12/spells-big-hugs-candle-magic.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/02/candle-magic-pink-or-green-for-love.html
https://www.space.com/36040-april-full-moon.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/04/aprils-full-moon-pretty-in-pink.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/05/review-moon-hare-oracle.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/03/witchs-niece-and-magical-key-tree.html

Sunshine and Showers in my Local Park

This was a view in my local park yesterday - beautiful and sunny, with the lilac in bloom and a few little white fluffy clouds in a blue sky.

It wasn't like that just a short while earlier - the sky was grey and torrential rain was falling, but it was just as beautiful in its own way.

My route to the shops takes me through the park, along that path you can see in the photo. It is only a few minutes' walk from my house, but it had started to rain between me leaving home and reaching the park.

I wasn't in much of a hurry, so I gratefully took shelter under the leafy branches of a large horse chestnut tree. Its cover kept me completely dry and it was nice to just stand there, watching the rain fall and listening to its gentle pitter-patter on the ground while birds sang in the branches above.

The shower only lasted five or ten minutes. At first, while I waited, no one else was in the park and it was very peaceful.

Two other people entered the park while I stood there though. Both were hurrying along as fast as they could and getting soaked. The first was a youngish man who looked at me as though I was very strange, standing under my tree. The other was an older woman with a shopping trolley, who smiled at me and told me I was sensible to have got out of the rain. She didn't come and join me though - she struggled onwards, by the moment getting wetter and wetter along with her shopping.

Maybe both of them needed to get somewhere for a deadline. Or maybe they didn't, but just couldn't bring themselves to stop, step off the path, stand beneath a tree and wait for the sunshine after the shower.

I made my way to the shops after the rain stopped. The day was glorious by the time I walked back through the park, but I halted there once again - this time to smell the lilac and take that photo.

Beltane Pagan Events in London & Elsewhere

Beltane, the Pagan festival for May Day is on May 1, but there are celebrations taking place during the weeks either side. Here are some of the events in London plus a few in other parts of southern England over that time 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 to Saturday 28 April; Esoteric Harlequinade. Sean Jefferson Art Exhibition. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LY. Private preview on the evening of 13 April (ticketed event); exhibition normally open Monday-Saturday during shop hours, just pop in. Tel: 020 7405 2120. http://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday 25 April; 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 25 April; Psychic Self-Defence talk at 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 26 April; Simply Being and Sparks. Talk by James Low. 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 26 April; Earthstars Group Meeting - Return of the Goddess. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 4SH. Time: Doors open 7pm. Entry by donation. https://www.facebook.com/Earthstars-Sacred-Space-104790729559515/

Thursday 26 April, Blood in the Forest. Talks on fear and fantasy inspired by Britain's ancient woodlands. Venue: William Morris Gallery, Forest Road, London E17 4PP. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £8/£12. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/blood-in-the-forest-tickets-43403034645

Thursday 26 April; Forgetting Ourselves: Reflections on memory and identity. Talk by Professor Chris French at The London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets: £4/£2. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Friday 27 April; Target. Talk by Jérôme Chouchan. Venue: Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Friday 27 April; Rilko (Research Into Lost Knowledge) AGM followed by talk by John R Gordon on Working with the Elemental Landscape. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Doors open: 6.45pm. Entrance: £8/£10. Details: http://www.rilko.org/lectures-2018-spring/ or https://www.facebook.com/rilkotrust/

Friday 27 April; Holistic Sound Bath Meditation - Summoning The Sacred (weekly ceremonial gathering). Venue: Training Points Fitness and Therapy, 5-6 Coopers Yard, Crystal Palace, London SE19 1TN. Time: 7pm. Entry £15/£13. https://www.facebook.com/summoningthesacredsound/

Friday 27 April; Seance: Spiritualist Ritual and the Search for Ectoplasm. An illustrated presentation with Shannon Taggart. Venue: Brompton Cemetery Chapel, Kensington, London, SW10 9UG. Time: 7pm. Tickets £12 including a Hendrick's Gin cocktail. Details here: http://londonmonthofthedead.com/seanceshannon.html

Saturday 28 - Sunday 29 April; London Esoteric. Two days of talks, workshops and concerts focusing on the weird and wonderful. Subjects covered include telepathy, secret societies, LSD, theremins and a possible time machine. Venue: Brompton Cemetery Chapel, Kensington, London, SW10 9UG. Full list of the programme and ticket details here: http://londonmonthofthedead.com/londonesoterichome.html

Saturday 28 - Sunday 29 April; Kent Mind Body Spirit Festival. Venue: The Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6PY. Starts 10am Saturday. Tickets £5. https://www.facebook.com/events/117607922242164/

Saturday 28 April; Study Day - Psi and Lucid Dreaming. Venue: Society for Psychical Research HQ, 1 Vernon Mews, London W14 0RL. Time: 10am-5.15pm. Tickets £38/£42. https://www.spr.ac.uk/

Saturday 28 April; Crystal activation day - initiation into working with crystals through sound, meditation and elemental energies. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Starts: £10.30am. Tickets: £35.99 For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk or call 0208 850 7803. https://www.facebook.com/WiccaMoonEltham/  or http://www.wiccamoon.co.uk/events.html

Saturday 28 April; The Canterbury Mystical Market hosted by The Magical Times Magazine. Venue: The Westgate Hall, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BT. Time: 11am-4pm. Tickets: £2.50 adults, kids free. www.mysticalarts.co.uk

Saturday 28 April; Beltane Ceremony with Watchers of the Old Ways. Venue: Rollright Stones, off the A3400,  Chipping Norton, OX7 5QB. Time: Arrive at 1pm for a picnic, ritual starts at 2pm. Entry £1. https://www.facebook.com/events/1737511456306410/

Saturday 28 April; Free and Open Gorsedd of Caer Abiri Beltain ritual at Avebury Stone Circle, Avebury, Wiltshire, SN8 1RF. Time: 1.30pm. Free event. https://www.facebook.com/events/186958078480446/

Saturday 28 April; Dream Analysis and Interpretation Workshop with the Tarot and Esoteric Discovery Group. London venue to be confirmed. Time: 2.30pm. Entry: £7, but you must be a member of the meetup group and reserve a place in advance. https://www.meetup.com/Tarot-and-Esoteric-Discovery-Group/

Saturday 28 April; Dancing Under the Full Moon with Wild Women Gatherings London. Venue: Forest Hill (details sent to those attending - advance booking essential). Suggested donation from £10. Time: 6pm. https://www.meetup.com/WILD-WOMEN-CIRCLES-LONDON/

Sunday, 29 April; Shamanism and Evolving Consciousness. Venue: Neal's Yard Meeting Rooms, 14 Neal's Yard, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9DP. Time: 10.15 to 5.30pm. £75. https://www.meetup.com/Shamanism-and-Evolving-Consciousness/

Sunday, 29 April Earth Day/May Day Celebration with Maypole dancing. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary, Pea Lane, Upminster, Havering, RM142XH. Time: 11am-3pm. Free entry. https://www.facebook.com/events/419501945169754/

Sunday, 29 April; Anderida Gorsedd Beltane open ritual at the Long Man of Wilmington, Sussex. Meet near the car park between 1.30pm and 2pm for a walk up to the chalk hill figure at 2pm. Afterwards back to the Giants Rest pub in Wilmington for a social drink together. https://www.facebook.com/groups/anderidagorsedd/

Sunday, 29 April; Luna Iter - Journey of the moon- for Pagan and Wiccan Seekers with Luna Iter- Wiccan Seekers London NE. Pub moot followed by a ritual close to each full moon. Venue: Pembury Tavern, 90 Amhurst Road, Hackney. Moot starts at 4.30pm, then at 6 pm moving to a historic site for the ritual. Fee: £4/£5. https://www.meetup.com/Luna-Iter-WiccanSeekersLondonNE/

Sunday, 29 April; Pink Scorpio Full Moon Sound Activation hosted by Tim Wheater and Cherub. Venue: The Pirate Castle, Oval Rd, London NW1 7EA. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets £20+ https://billetto.co.uk/en/e/scorpio-full-moon-sound-activation-with-reflexology-energy-healing-tickets-274077

Sunday 29 April; Full Moon Ceremony by the Thames with London Woodland Witches, Pagans and Ritual Magicians. Venue: Meet outside the Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG at 8pm. The ritual will be on the bank of the Thames before low tide and will start at 8.30pm promptly.· Wear outdoor clothes and bring food and drink to share. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Monday 30 April; 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 10am and 6pm PDT (US) time, which is from 6pm 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/

Monday 30 April; Full Moon in Scorpio - Rising from the Ashes with the Tarot and Esoteric Discovery Group. Venue: Number 63 Hotel, 63 Bayswater Road, London, W2 3PH. Time: 6.30pm. Entry: £10 suggested donation, but you must be a member of the meetup group and reserve a place in advance. https://www.meetup.com/Tarot-and-Esoteric-Discovery-Group/

Monday 30 April; Peace in Our Time. Talk by Holocaust Survivor Eva Schloss. Organised by Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LL. Doors open 6.30pm. Talk starts: 7pm. Tickets £10/£15 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Monday 30 April; Morgan le Fay, Legendary Witch Queen. Lecture by Dr Will Visconti. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm start. Tickets £9. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Monday 30 April; 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?

Tuesday 1 May; Wheel of the Year Festival - Flowering 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/

Tuesday 1 May; Fowlers Troop and the Deptford Jack in the Green will be in Deptford and Greenwich to celebrate May Day. The procession starts at the Dog and Bell, 116 Prince Street, London, SE8 3JD, meeting at 11am and leaving at noon to process around various pubs, ending at 6pm. Free event, join in when and where you like. Details: http://www.deptford-jack.org.uk/mayday2018.htm

Tuesday 1 May; Moonstone Magic with Wolf Sister. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London E9 7AD. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £35. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk

Tuesday 1 May; Galatea talking on Egypt at Romford Moot. Venue: The Golden Lion, 2 High Street, Romford, RM1 1HR. Time: 7.30pm. Entry £4. https://www.facebook.com/events/169242483789220/

Tuesday 1 May; Witches' Inn Beltain 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 2 May; 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 2 May; Heart Beat - Drumming Collective with Gong Master Olaf Nixon. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm - 8.30pm. Cost: £20/£22. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 2 May; The Strange Tale of Mary Overie at Southwark Cathedral. Storytelling with London Dreamtime and George Hoyle. Venue: Southwark Cathedral London Bridge, London SE1 9DA. Time: 7pm. Price: £10 via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/london-dreamtime-presents-the-strange-tale-of-mary-overie-at-southwark-cathedral-tickets-43606465111.  For more details, email vanessa@londondreamtime.com or visit https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Thursday 3 May; Shamanic Healing. Talk by Itzhak Beery. 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 3 May; Madame Blavatsky: Esoteric Philosopher. Talk by Gary Lachman. Venue: Carlyle's House, 24 Cheyne Row, London SW3 5HL.  Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £15, including a glass of prosecco. www.acuriousinvitation.com

Thursday 3 May; The Wheel of the Year: Foundation of Pagan Spirituality. Lecture by Dr Jonathan Woolley. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm start. Tickets £9. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 3 May; PFL Beltane Open Ritual. Venue: Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. Time: 7.30pm. Entry: £6/£5 (PF members and concessions). https://pflondon.info/

Friday 4 May-7 May; Hastings Jack-in-the-Green Festival - traditional annual event to celebrate May with music, a procession, Morris Dancing, a May Queen and Jack-in-the-Green. Full four-day festival programme culminating on Bank Holiday Monday with the Jack-in-the-Green parade. For full details visit the festival website: http://www.hastingsjitg.co.uk/

Friday 4 May - 7 May; Beltane Fire Festival hosted by Intothewild. Venue: Coombe Wood, Broomlands, Cowden, TN8 7EA. Tickets: £99 adults. www.intothewildgathering.com

Friday 4 May - 7 May; Spirit of the Marsh Beltane Fire Gathering and festival. Spirit of the Marsh is a family gathering that aims to keep ancient traditions alive. It offers talks, workshops, music, meditations, Pagan ceremonies, children's entertainment and the Beltane fire. www.spiritofthemarsh.com

Friday 4 May; Dreaming of a Divine Life. Talk by Joanne-Lee Philpot. Venue: Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Friday 4 May; The Fifth Dimension and Alien Influence. Talk by Sonja Grace. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm - 8.30pm. Cost: £12/£14. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 4 May; Eagle Condor Drum Circle. Venue: Aho Studio, 13 Prince Edward Rd, London, E9 5LX. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £5. www.aho.community

Saturday 5-Monday 7 May; Rochester Sweeps Festival 2018. The Rochester Sweeps Festival celebrates the traditional May Day chimney sweep holiday with a three-day festival in the streets of Rochester, Medway, Kent. Includes Jack-in-the-Green, Morris dancers and live music. Free event. Details here: https://www.medway.gov.uk/sweepsfestival

Saturday 5 May; Beginning Dowsing - The Weird and Wonderful Simplified. Workshop with Christopher Strong. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 10am - 5pm. Cost: £75/£95. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 5 May; Dragon Conference 2018 hosted by Glastonbury Dragons and Shadow of the Tor. Venue: Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset. Time: 10am-6pm. Advance tickets cost £25 each, on the door £28 subject to availability. https://glastonburydragons.co.uk/dragon-conference-2018/

Saturday 5 May; International Dawn Chorus Day: listen to the bird life of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park with The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Venue: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, The Soanes Centre, Southern Grove, London E3 4PX. Time: noon. Free event but you must register in advance. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/birds-a-tower-hamlets-cemetery-park-soundcamp-2018-tickets-45290943431?

Saturday 5 May; Beltain Wickerman Festival 2018 at Butser Ancient Farm. Afternoon/evening of entertainment and refreshments culminating with the burning of the giant wickerman at dusk. Venue: Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, Waterlooville, Hants, PO8 0BG.  Tickets: £17.50 per adult and £12.50 per child in advance. http://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/

Saturday 5 May; Making Blended Incense. 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/

Saturday 5 May; Woodland Beltane Gathering and Maypole Dancing 2018 with London Woodland Witches, Pagans and Ritual Magicians. Venue: Queen's Woods, Highgate. Meet at The Woodmans' pub at 2pm before leaving for the ritual site by 3pm.· Wear outdoor clothes and bring food and drink to share. Cost: £3. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Saturday 5 May; Ancient myth in the modern world: Madeline Miller, Kamila Shamsie and Bettany Hughes in conversation. BP Lecture Theatre , British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 2.30pm. Tickets £5/£3. For more details visit: http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Sunday 6 May; Glastonbury Dragons May Fayre and Dragon Procession. Venue: various locations in Glastonbury, Somerset, throughout the day. Details: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1164343210264976/permalink/1955346951164594/

Sunday 6 May; North West Kent Green Pagan Circle Moot. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, Bromley, BR7 5NL. Time: 11am. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445487428816887/

Sunday 6 May; The British Museum and the Awakening of English Magic. Walking Tour with Caroline Wise organised by Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 11am. Ticket price £15. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Sunday 6 May; Beltane on Primrose Hill with the Loose Association of Druids. Open ritual hosted by Jeremy Morgan, the Druid of Wormwood Scrubbs. Venue: The Hawthorne Grove, Primrose Hill, Regents Park, London NW1. Gather at 12.45pm for 1pm start. https://www.facebook.com/LooseAssociationOfDruidsOfPrimroseHill/

Saturday 12 May; Pagan Federation Online Beltane Music Festival hosted by The Pagan Federation and Pagan Federation Disabilities Team. Starts at noon. https://www.facebook.com/events/159671141529981/

Saturday 12 May; The Power of Beltane. Workshop with Damian Allan. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 10am-5pm. Cost: £75/£95. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Note: I do not organise any of these events personally. Although I try to make sure my listings are accurate, I am not always aware of things like late changes, cancellations or ticket availability. Please contact the organisers before attending any event.

Tales from the Witch Room: Pointy Hats Little & Large

People who come into the room that contains all my witchcraft stuff for the first time often  comment about the big pointy hat on a tall stand. They usually then compare it with the sorting hat of Harry Potter fame.

Actually, I got that hat long before I ever read the Harry Potter books or saw the films. Although it looks like the classic witch's hat, I originally bought it to keep the sun off at a music festival with uncharacteristically hot weather for England.

The festival was Womad, which stands for World of Music and Dance. Many years ago, when I was considerably younger and into dancing all night long whenever I got the chance, I used to attend Womad with a group of friends every summer.

One year, those hats were the thing to buy. Lots of stalls were selling them and everyone seemed to be giving in to the trend and wearing one. They kept the sun off, but perhaps it helped that they were cheap too.

There was also something of a fashion for wearing fairy wings that year, so pretty much everyone - male and female - was wandering around the festival ground looking like some sort of pixie.

However, the hat is made of coconut fibre, which is pretty scratchy on bare skin. If you have ever sat on a coconut mat, which is made of the same stuff, you will know how that feels. So, after the festival, it has never been worn.

The stand it is on is a tall, wrought-iron candlestick meant to hold a large pillar candle. I bunged the hat over a candle that is still on the stand and it just stayed there.

You can probably also see a small purple witch's hat on the other side of the top photo. I bought that  last year from a pound shop before going to Witchfest. When I got it home and tried it on I realised it just didn't suit me.

Tidying up my room one day, I popped it on the plaster skull (which might later be the subject of another Tales from the Witch Room post). It looks better on the skull than it did on me.

Links and previous related posts
http://womad.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/10/the-excitement-and-sadness-of-witchfest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/03/tales-from-witch-room-cauldrons-big-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/02/witch-room-tales-saving-alan-leos-papers.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/01/witch-room-tales-what-occult-bums-sat.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/12/tales-from-witch-room-decorating-done.html

Pictures from Belostra Festival 2018 in South London

The weather couldn't have been better for the Belostra Festival at Stanley Halls in south London on Saturday, as you can see from the photo on the left.

I really like Stanley Halls as a venue. It is a gorgeous Arts and Crafts style building with lovely central hall, a side hall with a bar, several rooms for talks and workshop, and an independent cafe that sells scrummy home-made cakes and coffee.

Belostra is organised by Pagan Future Fests, which has been running friendly pagan festivals and moots for years, so knows what it is doing in terms of putting on entertainment throughout the day and into the evening.

Drumming and dancing are big features of the event. Anyone who comes along is encouraged to bring a drum if they have one and join in. A drumming procession around the building is one of the regular highlights.

The photo at the top shows early arrivers getting into the spirit at the start of the day and the picture to the right shows the drumming procession going through the market.

I was at Belostra primarily to help my friend Maria run her stall (pictured below). She makes beautiful tarot bags, altar cloths and bespoke items with hand-embroidered symbols on them, under the name Liminal Threads.

I had seen her sewing her bags in the past, but hadn't had a chance to really inspect them before the event. They are really high quality and made from pure cotton. All the bags are fully lined and each one has a symbol on the front that has been individually embroidered by Maria herself.

There is a range of colours and a huge variety of different symbols from pentacles, hares and stags to god and goddess images from many different pantheons. The prices are also extremely reasonable, starting at £11.

You can see Liminal Threads' products online at https://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/LiminalThreads The prices there are listed in dollars, but don't worry, Maria is UK-based and if you buy a bag you can pay in pounds. You can also follow Liminal Threads on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiminalThreads/

I really enjoyed helping on the stall. We were lucky as it was very well positioned. It was next to the bar and I had a view of the main stage through the doorway, so I could watch and hear all the entertainment throughout the day too!

Craft: Twig Tree With Upcycled Plastic Bottle Leaves

This is an upcycling project in progress - but I'm not entirely sure where it's going.

It all began when I went on a woodland walk and picked up an interesting dead branch that had fallen from a tree. I took it home as I felt sure I was going to do something with it, even though I wasn't sure what.

Later I thought I might make it into a twig tree to hang things from, so I put it in an old glass jar weighted down with pebbles. I hadn't yet decided what I was going to hang from it though.

Then I learnt that the theme for Earth Day 2018 was reducing the number of plastic bottles going into landfill. That gave me the idea of cutting leaf shapes out of a green bottle and tying them to it.

I did have an old green plastic bottle sitting under the kitchen sink. It had been there for years with just a tiny bit of cleaning product left in the bottom. There was just enough in it to get my toilet all sparkly and clean. When it was empty, I rinsed it out, cut out leaf shapes, punched holes in them and tied them to the branch.

I think I'm going to put the tree on my altar for Beltane. I've got some ideas for a ritual that could involve it too. I'll blog more about that later.

But, while I'm on the subjects of tying things to trees and the environment, do remember that fixing plastic to living trees outdoors isn't a great idea. It can damage them as it doesn't decompose and restricts growth. Plastic can also be harmful to wildlife that tries to eat it. So, while it is fine to make an indoor ornament from upcycled bottles, do be thoughtful outdoors.

Links and previous related posts
https://www.earthday.org/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/04/pagan-eye-upcycled-plastic-bottles-as.html

Pagan Eye: Upcycled Plastic Bottles as Art & Light

This work of art is made from recycled bottles and low energy lights. It is by David Batchelor and is called Festdella. I photographed it at the Towner Gallery in Eastbourne last year. I was reminded of it when I heard that the theme for Earth Day 2018, which is on Sunday 22 April, is to help end plastic pollution.

Obviously the goal is to generally use less plastic, but I've been trying to think of interesting ways to recycle the plastic packaging that we already have. I remembered this artwork, which I had photographed at the time because I thought it was a really good idea.

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.townereastbourne.org.uk/
https://www.earthday.org/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/03/craft-upcycled-jam-jar-buttons-tealight.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/06/recycled-runes.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/04/my-home-made-staff-from-beachcombed.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/02/pagan-eye-totality-solar-eclipse-art-in.html

Extract from Love Bites, a Paranormal Romance

Here is an extract from witchy paranormal romance novel Love Bites. Author TL Clark said: "There's a pivotal moment, where Shakira gets smooched. One kiss to seal her fate. One kiss to seal her doom..." Enjoy:

The sun was already low in the sky as she shut up shop for the night. Shakira supposed she should feel scared in the eerie quiet of the coffee house, but the silence was a welcome relief to her aching head.

The window blinds were shut, and the doors were locked. Nobody knew she was there apart from Annie, so she settled down to read.

The sky was midnight blue, with only the full moon providing light by the time the knock came at the back door.

She peeked out of the blinds, and saw only a tall shadowy figure, wearing a full-length Barbour coat and bushman hat.

Her heartbeat sped up and her palms were sweaty as she opened the door a crack, with trembling fingers.

“You here to collect?” she asked through the gap, and got a brief nod in return.

She walked backwards and turned on the light so she could find the correct boxes in the store room. She heard a hiss behind her as her visitor turned the light back off.

“Ummm…you don’t want to…?” she started.

The hat shook a ‘no’. The herder strode past her, with the briefest pause, and located the boxes in the dark.

Shakira tried to steady her nerves, recalling Annie’s words of warning about their manners. She was alone in a small dark room with this person. But she could see where he was despite the darkness.

‘I’m not scared, being alone in a small dark room with this stranger,’ she thought.

The boxes got carried to the back door, and she locked up the store room.

The coat was already wafting along as the stranger went to load the small van. She hefted a box, eager to help and get this over with.

The man had his back to her, and jumped at her presence. She silently passed him the box she’d been carrying, their fingers brushing against each other as she did so. They both inhaled sharply, electricity sparking at the brief contact.

The hat’s peak raised, revealing dark eyes and a dazzling smile. Shakira couldn’t release her breath, it was caught in her throat. She tingled all over.

The herder was the first to break the spell as he coughed and loaded the box into the back of the van.

“Right, coffee,” she murmured, turning around to fetch another box.

The hairs on the back of her neck rose, alerting her to the shadow man’s presence. He was behind her in the doorway, tantalisingly close. In her mind, her back leant against his chest, his arms wrapping around her.

Instead, using every ounce of her willpower, she bent to pick up the box at her feet. She heard a groan behind her as she did so, and knew he felt it too; this need.

She straightened with a box in hand, but as she turned there was a body in her way. He took the box from her and put it back down.

Before she knew what was happening, his hand was gently at her waist, drawing her near. His spicy scent was vaguely familiar.

She let herself be pulled until she could feel his body next to hers. Her eyes closed as she concentrated on the intense feeling.

A hand was on her cheek, and his face was drawing close to hers.

She could offer no resistance, and didn’t want to. Her whole being was begging for this to happen.

In a flash his lips were on hers, devouring her. Her core turned to lava.

Her hands reached under his coat and gripped around his back, anchoring them together. She could feel his firm, rippling muscles.

They stood alone in the silent night. Silvery moonlight illuminated them from behind, their tongues caressing each other as flames of passion engulfed them.

Suddenly he broke apart from her.

“Errr…my apologies,” he mumbled.

Shakira’s body was crying out in pain at the loss. She was trembling all over. Her eyes opened, looking at him in the moonlight.

“No, don’t apologise. It was fantastic,” she said hastily.

“I’m not allowed,” he explained.

He strode off across to the far end of the car park. She saw him in silhouette, standing near a tree, as he raised his hat, and his hand brushed through his long hair.

Panic raced through her. What had she done wrong? Was he coming back? Surely he couldn’t leave her this way.

The hat was replaced, and he returned. He silently picked up the box and restarted the process of loading up.

Shakira felt bereft. She stepped to one side and let him complete his task alone, unable to bear being so close to him without repeating their kiss. This silent treatment hurt, her heart was shrivelling in her chest.

As he shut the van doors she couldn’t bear it any longer. She had to get answers. Screwing up her courage, she crossed over to him, and managed to find her voice.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No.” The hat shook from side to side again.

Is that all the answer she was to get? Frustration fuelled her anger. No, she wouldn’t allow him to run away, not like this. He couldn’t kiss her into oblivion and abandon her.

“Would you at least look at me?” she asked as she gripped the hat and pulled.

His reflexes were lightning quick, and he halted her progress.

“No,” he softly commanded.

“Why?”

But all she got was another hat shake.

“Why?” she repeated, raising her voice.

“Rule,” he said, sounding shaky.

“Oh bollocks to this,” she said in frustration as she stepped in closer.

Instinct kicked in, making her brave. Her reactions were faster than his this time, or maybe he couldn’t fight anymore.

Her mouth found his, with even more fervour than before. Her hands reached up to paw through his hair, knocking his hat to the ground as she kissed him with all her built up fury and passion, letting him have it full force.

His hand gripped her buttocks as she raised a leg to get a better purchase against him. He was going to lose all self-control, he needed to have this woman here and now. He was done fighting. To hell with the consequences. This would not be denied. She was here in his arms and he wouldn’t let go.

Her scent filled his nose, driving away any last grip he had on self-reserve, and any recognition of clan law. His blood scorched his veins as it pumped round his body, and headed to his loins. He would sink into her and forget the world, claim her as every fibre of his being demanded.

But her screams ripped through the night, making the birds who’d been softly cooing in the trees take flight in a flap. The beating of their wings and cries added to the din.

You can view Love Bites on Amazon.

Event: Pop In and See Me at Belostra on Saturday

This Saturday I will be at the Belostra pagan festival in south east London. I will be helping my friend Maria run her stall, Liminal Threads, in the market area. Do pop in and have a chat if you are there.

I will also have with me a few copies of the community book I edited, Every Day Magic – A Pagan Book of Days, and also Pagan Portals – Candle Magic, but that’s not my real reason for going to the festival. I’ll be there because it is a great festival, close to where I live, and I’m really happy to be helping out.

Belostra 2018 is hosted by Pagan FutureFests and is at the gorgeous Stanley Halls, South Norwood Hill, SE25 6AB. It starts at noon and runs until 10pm. Tickets are £15 all day ,£9 evening only and under-16s get in for free if they are with an adult.

The ticket price includes access to all the entertainment, talks, workshops and market. There will be a bar selling mead as well as other drinks. In an adjacent part of the halls there is an excellent independent cafe selling tea, coffee, cakes, sandwiches and some hot food.

Belostra is a lovely, friendly pagan festival. It is easy to get to as several buses stop outside and it is close to Norwood Junction railway station. Come along and enjoy the fun.

You can find out more and book tickets here: http://paganfuturefests.org.uk/

London Pagan Events for St George's Day & Earth Day

Here are events in London over the next week or plus a few in other parts of the UK that could be of interest to pagans. They include some things taking place on Earth Day and St George's Day and a few early Beltane celebrations. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now to Saturday 28 April; Esoteric Harlequinade. Sean Jefferson Art Exhibition. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LY. Private preview on the evening of 13 April (ticketed event); exhibition normally open Monday-Saturday during shop hours, just pop in. Tel: 020 7405 2120. http://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday, 18 April; Why Ancient Cypress is Important - gallery talk. Room 72, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 1.15pm. Free, just turn up. For more details visit: http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Wednesday 18 April; 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 18 April; Discussion forum: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral and Psi. Venue: Society for Psychical Research HQ, 1 Vernon Mews, London W14 0RL. Time: 6.30pm. Entry: Free for members. https://www.spr.ac.uk/

Wednesday 18 April; 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

Wednesday 18 April; The Brave White Buffalo Women's Circle. Venue: Aho Studio, 13 Prince Edward Rd, London, E9 5LX. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £20. www.aho.community

Wednesday 18 April; Gnostic Lecture:The Control of Emotions, hosted by Gnosis London. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/217868335647992/

Wednesday, 18 April; 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 19 April; SoulWorks: Living Your Soul Story. Talk by Jane Bailey Bain. 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 19 April; History of the Chakras II: From India to England. Lecture by Phil Hine. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm start. Tickets £9. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 19 April; Holy lands and theme parks: religious visitor attractions worldwide. Venue: BP Lecture Theatre, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 4pm. Tickets free, booking essential. For more details visit: http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Friday 20 April; The amazing story of Chief Long Wolf at Brompton Cemetery. Storytelling with London Dreamtime and George Hoyle. Venue: Brompton Cemetery Fulham Rd, Kensington, London SW10 9UG. Time: 11am. Price: Free but tickets must be reserved by emailing bromptonproject@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk.  For more details, email vanessa@londondreamtime.com or visit https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Friday 20 April; The Witches Banquet: Memorising the Tarot Cards and Spreads (Wiccan Moot) Venue: Souk Medina, 1a Short's Gardens, London WC2H 9AT. Time: 6.30pm. Free event but as the meeting is in a restaurant you will need to pay for your own food and drink. https://www.meetup.com/London-Wicca/events/ or https://www.meetup.com/Londonpagancommunity/

Saturday 21, Sunday 22 and Monday 23 April; The Lions Part performing The Ballad of St George and the Dragon over three days. The Feast of St George: Saturday in Trafalgar Square, noon - 6pm;
Sunday in Borough Market, noon - 4pm; Monday as part of the St George in Southwark Festival at 3.30pm in Red Cross Gardens, SE1 and at 4.30pm in Flat Iron Square, SE1. http://www.thelionspart.co.uk/stgeorgeandthedragon/index.html

Saturday 21 April; Wiccan Path for Beginners. Training day with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Venue: Meet in the heated patio area of the Woodman's Pub, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6 at 10am to walk to Queen's Woods. Day ends at 5.30pm. Fee: £20. You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring something to sit on and food and drink . Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Saturday, 21 April; Sigils, Talismans and Magical Signs. Full-day workshop with Julian Vayne  Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 11am-5.30pm. Tickets £75, deposit £40. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday, 21 April; Pagan Future Fests - Belostra Festival 2018. Day of workshops, entertainment, a market, food and a bar. Venue: Stanley Halls, 12 South Norwood Hill, London SE25 6AB. Starts at noon. Tickets £15. Details: https://www.facebook.com/Pagan-FutureFests-352385661439366/ Tickets http://paganfuturefests.org.uk/id2.html

Saturday 21 April; Foragers feast and pharmacy with The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Seasonal wild foods and herbal remedies with Kenneth Greenway, Cemetery Park manager and botanical pharmacist Fawz Farhan. Venue: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, The Soanes Centre, Southern Grove, London E3 4PX. Time: 1.30pm. Tickets: £42. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/foragers-feast-pharmacy-tickets-41490906418

Sunday 22 April; Earth Day 2018 Gathering - Woodland Walk, Family Picnic and Eco Ceremony
with Lina Star. Venue: Meet at Cockfoster Gate, Trent Park, at 11.45am for a woodland walk or from 3pm for a picnic and ceremony. Wear outdoor clothes and bring something to sit on and food and drink. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Sunday 22 April; The Dark Arts Fayre. Venue: The Lounge Promotion, Nightclub Kolis, 1 Archway Rd, London N19 3TD. Time: noon-6pm. Entry: £3. https://www.facebook.com/events/150819355608906/

Sunday 22 April; Earth Day 2018 at Somerset House. Free activities and talks exploring the future of our lives in the city. Venue: Somerset House, Strand London, WC2R 1LA. Time: noon-4pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/1984011548518343/

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

Tuesday 24 April; Journey Beyond the Mind: Women's Shamanic Drum Circle. Venue: Knowsley, Road, Battersea, London SW11 2NY. Time: 6.45pm. Cost: £15. You must be a member of the meetup group. https://www.meetup.com/Journey-Beyond-the-Mind-Womens-Shamanic-Drum-Circle/

Tuesday 24 April; Enfield Town Circle Pagan Moot. Venue: Crown and Horseshoes pub, 12-15 Horseshoe Lane, Enfield, Middx, EN2 6PZ. Time: 7pm. Free to turn up. https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Wiccans-Pagans/

Wednesday 25 April; 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 25 April; Psychic Self-Defence talk at 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 26 April; Simply Being and Sparks. Talk by James Low. 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 26 April; Earthstars Group Meeting - Return of the Goddess. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 4SH. Time: Doors open 7pm. Entry by donation. https://www.facebook.com/Earthstars-Sacred-Space-104790729559515/

Thursday 26 April, Blood in the Forest. Talks on fear and fantasy inspired by Britain's ancient woodlands. Venue: William Morris Gallery, Forest Road, London E17 4PP. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £8/£12. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/blood-in-the-forest-tickets-43403034645

Thursday 26 April; Forgetting Ourselves: Reflections on memory and identity. Talk by Professor Chris French at The London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets: £4/£2. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Friday 27 April; Rilko (Research Into Lost Knowledge) AGM followed by talk by John R Gordon on Working with the Elemental Landscape. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Doors open: 6.45pm. Entrance: £8/£10. Details: http://www.rilko.org/lectures-2018-spring/ or https://www.facebook.com/rilkotrust/

Friday 27 April; Seance: Spiritualist Ritual and the Search for Ectoplasm. An illustrated presentation with Shannon Taggart. Venue: Brompton Cemetery Chapel, Kensington, London, SW10 9UG. Time: 7pm. Tickets £12 including a Hendrick's Gin cocktail. Details here: http://londonmonthofthedead.com/seanceshannon.html

Saturday 28 - Sunday 29 April; London Esoteric. Two days of talks, workshops and concerts focusing on the weird and wonderful. Subjects covered include telepathy, secret societies, LSD, theremins and a possible time machine. Venue: Brompton Cemetery Chapel, Kensington, London, SW10 9UG. Full list of the programme and ticket details here: http://londonmonthofthedead.com/londonesoterichome.html

Saturday 28 - Sunday 29 April; Kent Mind Body Spirit Festival. Venue: The Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6PY. Starts 10am Saturday. Tickets £5. https://www.facebook.com/events/117607922242164/

Saturday 28 April; Free and Open Gorsedd of Caer Abiri Beltain ritual at Avebury Stone Circle
Avebury, Wiltshire, SN8 1RF. Time: 1.30pm. Free event. https://www.facebook.com/events/186958078480446/

Saturday 28 April; Dream Analysis and Interpretation Workshop with the Tarot and Esoteric Discovery Group. London venue to be confirmed. Time: 2.30pm. Entry: £7, but you must be a member of the meetup group and reserve a place in advance. https://www.meetup.com/Tarot-and-Esoteric-Discovery-Group/

Saturday 28 April; Dancing Under the Full Moon with Wild Women Gatherings London. Venue: Forest Hill (details sent to those attending - advance booking essential). Suggested donation from £10. Time: 6pm. https://www.meetup.com/WILD-WOMEN-CIRCLES-LONDON/

Sunday, 29 April; Shamanism and Evolving Consciousness. Venue: Neal's Yard Meeting Rooms, 14 Neal's Yard, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9DP. Time: 10.15 to 5.30pm. £75. https://www.meetup.com/Shamanism-and-Evolving-Consciousness/

Sunday, 29 April Earth Day/May Day Celebration with Maypole dancing. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary, Pea Lane, Upminster, Havering, RM142XH. Time: 11am-3pm. Free entry. https://www.facebook.com/events/419501945169754/

Sunday, 29 April; Anderida Gorsedd Beltane open ritual at the Long Man of Wilmington, Sussex. Meet near the car park between 1.30pm and 2pm for a walk up to the chalk hill figure at 2pm. Afterwards back to the Giants Rest pub in Wilmington for a social drink together. https://www.facebook.com/groups/anderidagorsedd/

Sunday, 29 April; Luna Iter - Journey of the moon- for Pagan and Wiccan Seekers with Luna Iter- Wiccan Seekers London NE. Pub moot followed by a ritual close to each full moon. Venue: Pembury Tavern, 90 Amhurst Road, Hackney. Moot starts at 4.30pm, then at 6 pm moving to a historic site for the ritual. Fee: £4/£5. https://www.meetup.com/Luna-Iter-WiccanSeekersLondonNE/

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