Extract from You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce

World Book Day is a week away, on March 5, so between now and then I will be sharing a few blog posts about books. Here is an extract from a novel due to be published on March 5. It is described as a bizarre and brilliant mix of horror, thriller and fantasy and is called You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce:

This I remember: the horrid sound when the flowerpot crashed to the floor. I was five at the time, standing by the living room window, bright sunlight was streaming inside, and thin white curtains billowed in the breeze. My companion – my only friend – smiled at me, a toothy grin.

I called him ‘Pepper- Man’, for the strong scent that emitted from him, warning me of his arrival. Usually he would appear at the end of my bed, sat there cross-legged, grooming his hair with a comb made from bone, or twisting twigs into animals and crowns; gifts for his little girl.

His skin was gray and gnarled, black warts clustered at his joints, his long white hair hung nearly to his knees, ragged and dry as old hay. He was very tall. His fingers were long. They had just swept the newly filled flowerpot off the white-painted windowsill and now his dark eyes, the color of moss, were watching the door expectantly – curious.

Pepper-Man’s black lips drew back from his teeth when my mother came into the room. The gray tatters that clothed his ungainly body shifted and moved in the draft from the door.

‘Oh, Cassie,’ my mother said, hands on the hips of her navy-blue skirt. ‘Why do you keep doing that? I told you to leave those flowers alone.’ Her gaze was on the red petunia, petals crushed by dirt and pottery shards.

‘It wasn’t me.’ I twisted my sweaty hands in the skirt of my yellow summer dress. ‘It was Pepper-Man—’

‘Oh, won’t you stop with that already.’ She crossed the floor swiftly, mid-sized heels clicking on the floorboards. ‘Where is this Pepper-Man, then? Flew out the window?’ She bent down, collecting sharp pieces of pottery in her hand. My friend was towering above her, still with that curiosity in his gaze, that smile plastered to his black lips.

‘No,’ I said, breathless, watched as my mother’s stiff hair nearly brushed Pepper-
Man’s body when she straightened up again.

‘You are a big girl now, Cassie,’ said Mother. ‘I think it’s time you stopped blaming someone else for your mistakes. This is the fifth flowerpot this week, why can’t you just leave them be? What did the poor flowers ever do to you?’

‘Nothing,’ I muttered, my gaze on the floor, where Mother’s black and shiny shoes stood next to the twisted toes of my friend. I just wanted her to go away, didn’t trust Pepper-Man around other people. He was capricious and sometimes cruel, too curious about everything. His hand reached now, for the top of her head; fingers flexing, rubbing together; long nails stretching through the air. ‘They are stupid,’ I said quickly, to grab her attention and get her away from Pepper-Man’s fingers. ‘I hate the flowers! They are stupid flowers! They are ugly and red and I hate them!’ I spun around, grabbed another flowerpot from the windowsill, this one topped with fluffy, white blossoms, and threw it hard to the floor. Dirt spattered everywhere. This pot didn’t break but rolled across the floor, coming to a halt by my mother’s feet. Pepper-Man’s hand retracted.

‘Cassie!’ Mother cried, dropping the broken shards she held. They landed on the floor, in the heap of dirt and greenery. ‘Look what you made me do.’ She held up a finger. Fat droplets of blood trailed her white skin, aiming for her golden rings.

‘Good,’ I said and stomped my foot. Pepper-Man’s thin nostrils flared, his black tongue came out to lick his lips. He liked blood a lot.

Credit: Extracted from You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce, published on 5th March by Bantam Press.

You can view You Let Me In on Amazon. Please note I earn commission from some links. The photo at the top shows the cover of the book, the bottom photo is of Camilla Bruce.

Folkloric Dolls: Bulgarian Martenitsa Welcoming Spring

I've recently learnt of the Bulgarian custom of making red and white woollen dolls to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Pairs of these dolls, called Martenitsa, are made to celebrate Baba Marta Day, on March 1. Baba Marta means "Grandma March". The pairs of dolls, one male and one female, are traditionally worn on clothing or hung on trees until the first blossom is seen.

That wouldn't quite work in London, as  blossom is already starting to come out this year. I'm not sure if that's due to climate change or if London is generally warmer than Bulgaria in early spring. However, it is a lovely custom and I have made the pair of dolls you can see in the photo.

They are hung on my twig tree in my witchy room at the moment, but on March 1 I will either take them outside to put on my apple tree or give them to someone to wear as a gift. Both are correct things to do according to the traditional folklore. Tying the dolls to a fruit tree for the month of March is supposed to ensure a good harvest in the summer. If you wear them on your clothing, you are asking Baba Marta's blessings for an end to winter.

An alternative to making dolls is to twist strands of red and white wool together and hang them from a tree. If you are going to leave any yarn on a tree outdoors for more than a short while, try to make sure it is 100% pure wool because artificial fibres don't biodegrade and can be harmful to both fauna and flora. Also, if it isn't your own tree, ask permission before putting any offerings on it.

The pattern I used for my Martinetsa came from my book Pagan Portals - Poppets and Magical Dolls, and I also shared the pattern on my blog. You can view Poppets and Magical Dolls on Amazon. 

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

Links and previous Related Posts
http://www.studyenglishtoday.net/martenitsa-bulgarian-tradition.html?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martenitsa
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/08/magical-dolls-how-to-make-knotted-wool.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/04/craft-twig-tree-with-upcycled-plastic.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/03/magical-dolls-lent-doll-folklore-from.html

This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London

Here is a listing of pagan events in London and nearby over the week or so ahead. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now - 1 August; Gods and goddesses of Roman Britain eye-opener tour - daily gallery talk. Venue: Room 49, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 11.15am-11.55am. Free, just turn up. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/events/gods-and-goddesses-roman-britain-eye-opener-tour

Now - 10 August; Ancient Egypt eye-opener tour - daily gallery talk. Venue: Room 64, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 2.30pm-3.10pm. Free, just turn up. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/events/ancient-egypt-eye-opener-tour

Now - March 2020; Ithell Colquhoun exhibition. Venue: The Last Tuesday Society and the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RS. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/

Now - 8 March 2020; Troy: Myth and Reality exhibition. Venue: The Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. You need to prebook tickets unless you are a British Museum member. Standard tickets: £20. https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/troy-myth-and-reality

Now - 8 March; Exhibition - The Bard: William Blake at Flat Time House. Venue: Flat Time House, 210 Bellenden Road, London, SE15 4BW. http://flattimeho.org.uk/exhibitions/bard/?

Wednesday 26 February - Sunday 12 April. Multi-faith prayer and meditation vigil in Westminster, London, to call for an end to fossil fuels. People from all faiths and philosophies in conjunction with the Extinction Rebellion Faith Bridge, are invited to spend a couple of hours in vigil during that time. Free. Details and sign up here: https://www.24-7prayer.com/signup/68b291

Wednesday 26 February; Time to Meditate - group meditation (usually every Wednesday). Venue: Buddha on a Bicycle, Covent Garden, London. Arrive 6pm for 6.10pm start. Donations of £3 recommended. Further details: http://www.buddhaonabicycle.com/

Wednesday 26 February; 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 26 February; High Magic: Planetary Magic with Kameas, Sigils and Seals. Workshop with London Woodland Witches. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, · London. Time: 6.45pm. Fee: £25. Details: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Pagans-Magicians/

Wednesday 26 February; A New Magic at the Old Mill: Talk by Dr John Callow coinciding with the launch of his new book Wicca on the Isle of Man: Gerald Gardner and the Crucible of Modern Witchcraft. Talk at London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets: £4/£2. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 26 February; Hertford and Ware Moot Moot. (Usually the last Wednesday of each month.) Venue: The White Horse, 33 Castle Street, SG14 1HH Hertford, Hertfordshire. Time: 8pm. Entry: £3. https://www.facebook.com/groups/104788436218047/

Thursday 27 Feb; Behind the Scenes Tour of London's Oldest Occult Bookshop with talk about London's esoteric history. Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 2pm. Tickets £12/£15, reserve a place on this link: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1360488.

Thursday 27 February; The Self-Love Pledge. Talk and book signing with Katie Oman. Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details visit the websites http://www.watkinsbooks.com/  or https://www.meetup.com/WatkinsBooks/

Thursday 27 February; Hedge Shamanism Class - working with ancient wisdom for healing and personal change. Hosted by Sarah Fox. Venue: Clearly Destiny, 12 Woburn Walk · North London (Every week on Thursday until February 27). Time:· 6.30pm. Tickets: £15. https://www.meetup.com/Hedge-Shamanism/

Thursday 27 February;  Secret Tunnels - Folklore of Underground England. Talk by Antony Clayton as part of the festival of folklore events at Kensington Central Library. Venue: Kensington Central Library, Lecture Theatre, 12 Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX. Time: 6.30pm. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/secret-tunnels-folklore-of-underground-england-with-antony-clayton-tickets-85352378261

Thursday 27 February; Integrating the Shadow. Monthly workshop with Eddy Elsey. Venue: Aho Studio, 13 Prince Edward Rd, London, E9 5LX. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. www.aho.community

Thursday 27 February; School of Tarot with Lucy Porter - Lesson 1. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London E9 7AD. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £35. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk.

Thursday 27 February; Ithell Colquhoun: Artist, Occultist, Feminist. Lecture by Dr Richard Shillitoe. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £10. You can book by visiting the shop or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 27 - Friday 28 February; Aphrodite's Monthly Festival, hosted by Aphrodite's Flame. Everyone around the world is invited to light Aphrodite's Flame in honour of her monthly festival. Keep a candle lit for as long or as short a time as you wish from dusk on the date listed to dusk the following day. https://www.facebook.com/aphroditesflame/

Friday, 28 February; Meditation and Om Healing. (Weekly, usually on Friday). Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 7pm. Entry free. http://theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Friday, 28 February; Holistic Sound Bath Meditation - Summoning The Sacred. Venue: Training Points 5-6 Cooper's Yard, London SE19 1TN. Time: 7.30pm Tickets £20/£18 per session on £85 for 5 sessions. For more details call 07737473062 or visit: https://www.facebook.com/summoningthesacredsound/

Saturday 29 February; City Lit Classics Day: Journeys into Troy. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 10.30am-4.30pm. Tickets: £59/£36 (members)/ £18 (concessions), bookable via  City Lit, on https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/classics-day or telephone 020 7831 7831 City Lit course RC061. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/events/

Saturday 29 February; Psychic Fayre and Witches Market. Venue: Wainscott Memorial Hall, Holly Road, Wainscott Rochester, ME2 4LG. Time: Noon-5pm. Entry £3. https://www.facebook.com/events/1228809033979150/

Saturday 29 February; Tarot: The Healing Cards: Afternoon class exploring the Empress, Temperance, the Star and the High Priestess cards, with Sue Merlyn. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm-5.30pm (with a break in the middle). Cost: £40 per person. You can reserve a place by visiting the shop or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 29 February; Beyond the Robot: The life and work of Colin Wilson. Lecture by Gary Lachman. Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 2pm. Entry: £10/£7. http://theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Sunday 1 March, Sigil Magic Workshop. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £40 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Sunday 1 March, Isidias Navigatum 2020 : Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony with London Woodland Witches, Wiccans and Pagans. Meet at Hollyhock Cafe, Terrace Gardens, Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 6UX at 1.30pm to walk to the ritual site by the river. https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Pagans-Magicians/

Sunday 1 March, Story Circle – World of Witchcraft, with London Dreamtime. A social afternoon for storytellers and story lovers with an opportunity to discuss the practical and esoteric aspects of the craft of storytelling. Venue: Folklore, 186 Hackney Rd, London E2 7QL, Time: doors 2.30pm for 3pm start. Price: £5 cash (advance booking by email essential via vanessa@londondreamtime.com) https://www.londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Monday 2 March; Free Beginners Astrology Class by Astrological Lodge of London. (Every Monday evening). Venue: 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA, Time: 6pm-6.50pm. Tickets: Free. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 2 March; When Plants Dream: Ayahuasca, Amazonian Shamanism, and the Global Psychedelic Renaissance. Talk by Daniel Pinchbeck. Run by Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL. Doors open 6.30pm, talk starts: 7pm. Tickets £20. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Monday 2 March; Pagan Pathfinders. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £10 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Monday 2 March; Magic Mondays: Meditation Made Simple organised by She's Lost Control. Venue: 15 Broadway MarketHackney, London E8 4PH. Time: 7pm. Free event, but donations welcome to The Samaritans charity. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk.

Monday 2 March; Embodied Journeys Womens Circle. Venue: The Open Centre, Old Street, London EC1V 9FR. Time: 7pm. First session £30. https://www.facebook.com/events/1034837460229599/

Tuesday 3 March; Ayahuasca and Other Psychedelics - As a Portal to the Paranormal. Lecture by Daniel Pinchbeck. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, Kensington, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £13/£15.  https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 3 March, Sound Bath for Magic - Saturn. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £20 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Tuesday 3 March; The Djin. Talk at Romford Pagan Moot. Venue: The Golden Lion, 2 High Street, Romford RM1 1HR. Time: 7.30pm. Entry: £4 and raffle in aid of Essex wildlife £1. https://www.facebook.com/Romford-Pagan-Moote-634178063700381/

Tuesday 3 March; Margaret Murray and Modern Witchcraft: Good, Bad, and Speculative Histories. Talk by Dr Helen Cornish of Goldsmiths College. Venue: The Miller, 96 Snowsfields, London Bridge, London, SE1 3SS. Doors open: 7:45pm. Tickets: £5.50/£2.20. https://www.wegottickets.com/event/496238?

Tuesday 3 March; Talk on Water at The Witches' Inn Moot. Venue: The Hatch Public House, 44, Hatchlands Road, Redhill, RH1 6AT. Time: 8pm. Free pagan moot, just turn up. https://www.facebook.com/The-Witches-Inn-1568424150049437/

Wednesday 4 March; Forest Bathing in Queen's Wood, Highgate. Meet in the Cabin, behind Queen's Wood Cafe, Highgate. Time: 9.30am,  Price: £25. https://www.meetup.com/London-Forest-Bathing-Nature-Connection-Meetup/

Wednesday 4 March; Reading Group: Themes from 100 Years Ago. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 4,15pm.  Entry: £3. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/ and https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiners-spiritual-science/

Thursday 5 March; Astral Projection Made Easy – The Great Simulator Part 3. Talk by David McCready. Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details visit the websites http://www.watkinsbooks.com/  or https://www.meetup.com/WatkinsBooks/

Thursday 5 March; Gwen Tate Memorial Lecture - Sticky Bundles, Leaky Buckets and Rabbit Holes: Understanding The Survival Experience.  Talk by Dr Matthew Colborn. Venue: The Society for Psychical Research (SPR), 1 Vernon Mews, West Kensington, London, W14 0RL. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £5/£2. https://www.spr.ac.uk/

Thursday 5 March, Marks Against Evil. Talk by archaeologist Wayne Perkins. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm. Cost: £10 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Friday 6 March; Wishcraft: Self Hypnosis Ceremony for Manifestation with Shauna Cummins. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London E9 7AD. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £45. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk.

Friday 6 March; Sacred Singing. Open your heart and voice through chanting (every 1st and 3rd Friday). Venue in London N16. Time: 7.30pm. https://www.facebook.com/Sacred-Singing-107030010683454/

Saturday 7 March; Scrying for Beginners. Four-hour afternoon workshop on divination with crystal balls, mirrors, water and flame. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm-5.30pm (with a break in the middle). Cost: £40 per person. You can reserve a place by visiting the shop or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 7 March; Release and Rebirth Day Retreat in London. Venue: 42 Acres, 66 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LW. Time: 10am-5pm. Tickets:  £88. For more details visit: https://www.42acresshoreditch.com/events/

Saturday 7 March; Heart Beat - Monthly Drumming Collective with Gong Master Olaf Nixon. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, Kensington, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £21/£23.  https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 7 March; Urban Horror Fairy Tales with comedian CJ Hooper. Venue: The Exhibitionist, 73 High Street, Ware SG12 9AD. Time: 8pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/558766014851588/

Sunday 8 March; Full Moon Event with Peace Fires. Light a candle or fire for peace wherever you are in the world, for just for 10 minutes or an hour or longer and state the intention: “Let there be peace on earth and love for one another.” Details: http://peacefires.org/

Sunday 8 March; Writing and rewriting fairytales. One-day course.  Venue: City Lit, Keeley Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 4BA. Time: 10.30am-4.30pm. Fee: £59. Course Code: HW565.
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/writing-and-rewriting-fairytales

Sunday 8 March; The Alternative Bring and Buy Sale. Venue: The Dome, 2A Dartmouth Park Hill, London, NW5 1HL. Time: 11am-5pm. Entry: £1. https://www.facebook.com/events/481072422834758/

Sunday 8 March; Springtime Gathering with Earthkin Family Moot. Venue: Private house near Turnpike Lane, North London. Time: 2pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/283596275943958/

Sunday 8 March; Rite at Luna Iter for Pagan and Wiccan Seekers (normally on a Sunday close to the full moon each month). Venue: meet at Pembury Tavern, 90 Amhurst Road,London  E8 1JH from 5pm, moving on to a historic site in East London for the ritual at 6pm prompt. Fee: £7/£4. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1230392930656154/

Tuesday 10 March; Candle Magic Workshop. Evening workshop based on my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £20 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Please note: I do not organise any of these events except my candle magic and scrying workshops. I try to make sure my events listings are accurate but am not always aware of changes or ticket availability. Please contact the organiser of any event before turning up. If you spot something that needs correcting please let me know by emailing badwitch1234@gmail.com

Pagan Eye: Magical Candle in a Cauldron

This witch's brew of sparkliness is a soy candle in a cast iron cauldron. The picture was sent to me by Alison, who runs a small pagan business called The Magick Cauldron. She emailed me to say:

I love your blog! I run a small soy wax candle business with my daughter from home, including a Wiccan range, available in jars, tins or cast iron cauldrons! We also have a small range of decor too, and are planning to expand our range when we can. We’ve only a tiny company, just starting out, but we put a lot of love into our work. You can find us at www.themagickcauldron.co.uk and I’ve included a few photos below in the hope you might think they are worthy of your blog posts.

Thanks very much for sending in the picture. I love all forms of candle magic and this looks like a wonderfully witchy mixture.

My Pagan Eye posts show photos that I find interesting - seasonal images, pagan sites, events, or just pretty pictures. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/02/magic-school-learn-candle-magic-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/01/candle-magic-spell-for-springtime-wishes.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/01/candle-magic-spell-for-springtime-wishes.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/08/pagan-eye-lammas-meltdown.html

Magic School: Learn Candle Magic in Central London

I'm running a workshop on practical candle magic at Treadwell's Bookshop on Tuesday 10 March 2020. The class runs from 7pm to 9pm, all materials are supplied, it is only £20 per person and you get to take an enchanted candle or two home with you.

The candle magic workshop covers material from my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic, but also includes a few extras. Here is the description of the class:

Candle magic is a basic and central skill in the repertoire of pagans and indeed anyone who practises magic. It’s easy to learn, handy and people find it a favourite method. If you always wanted to know how to a spell, or if you are keen to be able to work simple magic in accordance with old traditions, this evening is for you.

You can book a place on the workshop online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop at 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Copies of Pagan Portals - Candle Magic are available at Treadwell's store and online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/shop/candle-magic-lucya-starza/

Divination: Two of Winter (Swords) in the Animal Tarot

I felt the need for some inspiration for the day by drawing a tarot card, but wanted something a bit fluffy. You don't get much fluffier than Doreen Virtue's Animal Tarot, which is a deck I turn to when I want gentle suggestions to help me deal with life's problems.

The card that came out was the Two of Winter. That's the Two of Swords in a standard tarot deck. That is about making difficult decisions, often between two courses of action. In the Animal Tarot, it represents procrastination. I am suffering from that at the moment. I'm trying to write my next book, but I'm finding it a bit of a struggle and I spend far too much time doing other stuff - chatting on Facebook especially.

The card suggests that what's getting in the way is worrying too much about what others will think. That has hit the nail on the head with me. Rather than just writing what I want to write, I keep worrying about who might find fault with it or who will disagree with my opinions. Recognising that blockage has helped. After the first draft is finished I can get other people to read it and comment, and I can make changes and corrections. Until then, I should write from the heart and trust my own intuition. All first drafts have mistakes, I need to accept that and stop worrying.

The picture of the Two of Winter is a pair of dachshund dogs. Drawing that card, with that image, made me think about a friend I haven't seen for ages who has a little sausage dog. Perhaps this is also a reminder to try to catch up with them again.

You can read my earlier review of The Animal Tarot here: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/11/review-animal-tarot-by-doreen-virtue.html

News: Witches, Witchcraft and Witch Hunts

Here is a round-up of recent news stories and review of books on witches, witchcraft and witch hunts in history and current times:

"Witches, child killers and brothel keepers - and the injustices of being a woman" - story at Scotland on Sunday about a new exhibition in Aberdeen called Outcasts, on women and crime: https://www.scotsman.com/heritage/witches-child-killers-and-brothel-keepers-and-the-injustices-of-being-a-woman-1-5091962

"The Bargarran Witches – Devil's Marks, curses and the witch trials of 1697" - a look at witchcraft history at Glasgow Live: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/history/bargarran-witch-trials-1697-14162436

"Bangladesh: Woman branded as witch, blamed for husband's death" - story at Gulf News: https://gulfnews.com/photos/news/bangladesh-woman-branded-as-witch-blamed-for-husbands-death-1.1582092207845

"Hanged for witchcraft: book gives rare insight into 17th Century witch trials" - news story about the auction of a rare book, at ITV News: https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2020-02-10/hanged-for-witchcraft-book-gives-rare-insight-into-17th-century-witch-trials/

"A Deadly Storm, a Witch Hunt and a Village Without Men" - a look at a novel, the Mercies, based on the witch trials in Vardo, Norway: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/12/books/review/mercies-kiran-millwood-hargrave.html

"Mannequin wearing witch's costume appears in County Square shopping centre" - story at Kent Online: https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/ghost-of-debenhams-past-appears-in-shop-window-222243/

"YouTube witch has 'more followers than the Church of England'" - story at the Daily Star: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/youtube-witch-more-followers-church-21516988

This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London

Here is a listing of pagan events in London and nearby over the week or so ahead. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now - 1 August; Gods and goddesses of Roman Britain eye-opener tour - daily gallery talk. Venue: Room 49, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 11.15am-11.55am. Free, just turn up. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/events/gods-and-goddesses-roman-britain-eye-opener-tour

Now - 10 August; Ancient Egypt eye-opener tour - daily gallery talk. Venue: Room 64, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 2.30pm-3.10pm. Free, just turn up. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/events/ancient-egypt-eye-opener-tour

Now - March 2020; Ithell Colquhoun exhibition. Venue: The Last Tuesday Society and the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RS. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/

Now - 8 March 2020; Troy: Myth and Reality exhibition. Venue: The Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. You need to prebook tickets unless you are a British Museum member. Standard tickets: £20. https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/troy-myth-and-reality

Now - 8 March; Exhibition - The Bard: William Blake at Flat Time House. This exhibition opens on 29 January at 6pm with a reading from William Blake's Jerusalem by poet Chris McCabe. Venue: Flat Time House, 210 Bellenden Road, London, SE15 4BW. http://flattimeho.org.uk/exhibitions/bard/?

Wednesday 19 February; Time to Meditate - group meditation (usually every Wednesday). Venue: Buddha on a Bicycle, Covent Garden, London. Arrive 6pm for 6.10pm start. Donations of £3 recommended. Details: http://www.buddhaonabicycle.com/

Wednesday 19 February (date tbc),  More Mead Moot promoted by Pagan FutureFests. Venue: Hope Pub, 48 West Street, Carhsalton SM5 2PR. Time: from 7.30pm. (Usually meets on the third Wednesday of each month) https://www.facebook.com/Pagan-FutureFests-352385661439366/

Thursday 20 February; The Shapeshifter. Talk and book signing with Claudia Navone. Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details visit the websites http://www.watkinsbooks.com/  or https://www.meetup.com/WatkinsBooks/

Thursday 20 February; Hedge Shamanism Class - working with ancient wisdom for healing and personal change. Hosted by Sarah Fox. Venue: Clearly Destiny, 12 Woburn Walk · North London (Every week on Thursday until February 27). Time:· 6.30pm. Tickets: £15. https://www.meetup.com/Hedge-Shamanism/

Thursday 20 February; Meeting the Shadow with the Obsidian Mirror. Workshop with Ricardo Goni. Venue: Aho Studio, 13 Prince Edward Rd, London, E9 5LX. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £33. www.aho.community

Thursday 20 February; Decadent London, Occult-style. Lecture by Antony Clayton. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm. Cost: £10. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Friday, 21 February; Sacred Singing. Open your heart and voice through chanting (every 1st and 3rd Friday). Venue in London N16. Time: 7.30pm. https://www.facebook.com/Sacred-Singing-107030010683454/

Friday, 21 February; Meditation and Om Healing. (Weekly, usually on Friday). Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 7pm. Entry free. http://theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Friday 21 February; The Cunning Folk. Talk by Edwin Courtenay. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, Kensington, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £13/£15.  https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 21 February;  Friday Lates: Magical Modernism - Modern Art and Esotericism. Lecture by Christopher Collier. Venue: City Lit, Keeley Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 4BA. Time: 6pm. Fee: £25.  Course Code: VB887. https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/friday-lates-magical-modernism-modern-art-and-esotericism?

Friday 21 - Sunday 23 February; Introduction to Shamanic Journeying. Three-Day training with Pete Bengry. Venue: Aho Studio, 13 Prince Edward Rd, London, E9 5LX. Tickets: £275. www.aho.community

Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 February, Spiritual Psychology: Opposites Within. Weekend two-day workshop with Vivianne and Chris Crowley. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 10.30am-5.30pm. Cost: £160 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Saturday 22 February, Daylight Music at the Union Chapel, with storytelling: The Snow Queen. Venue: Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, Islington, London, N1 2UN. Time: 12 noon-2pm. Price: pay what you can.  More details: https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/ and http://daylightmusic.co.uk/

Saturday 22 February, Willing to Meet New Moon Ritual. You can do the ritual at home via an online link or at the shop: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. Time: 2pm. Price: £9.99 including ritual kit. For further details contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.wiccamoon.co.uk/ourshop/prod_7024293-Willing-To-Meet-New-Moon-Ritual.html?

Saturday 22 February. Basic techniques of witchcraft and the Western Mystery Tradition. Final part of three-Saturday course with Len Roberts. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, · London. Time: 2pm-5pm. Each workshop costs £20. You must a place by paying in advance. Call 020 7405 2120 or pay by Paypal, details here: http://theatlantisbookshop.com/atlantis-events/

Saturday 22 February, Gong Bath with Guru Ben. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary, Pea Lane, Upminster, Havering, RM142XH. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £20. https://www.healingandteaching.co.uk/course/gong-bath-with-guru-ben/

Sunday 23 February; Anna McColl and Kirsty Gallagher's Retreat Day in the heart of London. Venue: 42 Acres, 66 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LW. Time: 10am-4pm. Tickets:  £120. For more details visit: https://www.42acresshoreditch.com/events/

Sunday 23 February; NWK Pagans Moot. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, Bromley, London BR7. Time: 11am. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445487428816887/

Sunday 23 February;  British Museum and the Awakening English Magic: Walking tour with Caroline Wise, organised through Treadwell's. Meet at Montague Place Entrance. Price: £20, advance booking essential. Time: 11am prompt start. You can book by visiting the shop at 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS, or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Sunday 23 February; Vigil for the Outcast at Crossbones Graveyard. Gather from 6.45pm for a 7pm start in Redcross Way outside the Memorial Gates, London SE1 1TA. For more details, visit  https://www.facebook.com/events/173169457332904/

Sunday 23 February; Woodland Witches - Wicca New Moon Circle 2020  in Wimbledon. Meet at  the small monument by bus stop `Parkside Avenue (stop S)', Parkside, Wimbledon, South · London at 3.30pm to walk to the outdoor site. Tickets: £5/£3. Wear outdoor clothing and bring food and drink to share. You must reserve a place in advance. https://www.meetup.com/LondonWoodlandWitches/

Monday 24 February; Free Beginners Astrology Class by Astrological Lodge of London. (Every Monday evening). Venue: 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA, Time: 6pm-6.50pm. Tickets: Free. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 24 February; Gef! The strange tale of an extra-special talking mongoose. Talk by Christopher Josiffe as part of the festival of folklore events at Kensington Central Library. Venue: Kensington Central Library, Lecture Theatre, 12 Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX. Time: 6.30pm. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gef-the-strange-tale-of-an-extra-special-talking-mongoose-tickets-87791046383?

Monday 24 February; Young Urban Witches. Workshop evenings for under-30s with Rebecca Beattie. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £20. You can book by visiting the shop or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Tuesday 25 February and Tuesday 10 March; Candle Magic Workshops. Evening workshops based on my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £20 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Tuesday 25 February; Introduction to Essential Oils. Venue: Wakefield Gardens, Crystal Palace,
London, SE19 2NR. Time: 7pm. Tickets: Free but you must reservea place in advance via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-essential-oils-class-tickets-90765384709? More details: https://www.facebook.com/summoningthesacredsound/

Tuesday 25 February; Trance Lecture: Peace for the Inner and Outer World with Sarah Tyler-Walters. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, Kensington, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £13/£15.  https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 25 February; Talk by Lindsay River at the Children of Circe pagan moot. Venue: The Devereux, Holborn, London, WC2. Room booked from 7pm, talks starting at 7.30pm. Free entry. https://www.facebook.com/groups/725752541262809/


Tuesday 25 February; Pisces New Moon Gong Bath with Welford Wellbeing. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London E9 7AD. Two sessions: Time: 7pm and 8.30pm. Tickets: £20. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk

Tuesday, February 25; Enfield Town Circle Pagan Moot (fourth Tuesday each month). Venue: Crown and Horseshoes, 12-15 Horseshoe Lane, Enfield, EN2 6PZ. Time: 7pm. https://www.meetup.com/LondonWoodlandWitches/events/268626692/

Wednesday 26 February; 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. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk

Wednesday 26 February; High Magic: Planetary Magic with Kameas, Sigils and Seals. Workshop with London Woodland Witches. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, · London. Time: 6.45pm. Fee: £25. Details: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Pagans-Magicians/

Wednesday 26 February; A New Magic at the Old Mill: Talk by Dr John Callow coinciding with the launch of his new book Wicca on the Isle of Man: Gerald Gardner and the Crucible of Modern Witchcraft. Talk at London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets: £4/£2. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 26 February; Hertford and Ware Moot Moot. (Usually the last Wednesday of each month.) Venue: The White Horse, 33 Castle Street, SG14 1HH Hertford, Hertfordshire. Time: 8pm. Entry: £3. https://www.facebook.com/groups/104788436218047/

Thursday 27 Feb; Behind the Scenes Tour of London's Oldest Occult Bookshop with talk about London's esoteric history. Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 2pm. Tickets £12/£15, reserve a place on this link: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1360488.

Thursday 27 February; The Self-Love Pledge. Talk and book signing with Katie Oman. Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details visit the websites http://www.watkinsbooks.com/  or https://www.meetup.com/WatkinsBooks/

Thursday 27 February;  Secret tunnels - folklore of underground England. Talk by Antony Clayton as part of the festival of folklore events at Kensington Central Library. Venue: Kensington Central Library, Lecture Theatre, 12 Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX. Time: 6.30pm. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/secret-tunnels-folklore-of-underground-england-with-antony-clayton-tickets-85352378261

Thursday 27 February; Integrating the Shadow. Monthly workshop with Eddy Elsey. Venue: Aho Studio, 13 Prince Edward Rd, London, E9 5LX. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. www.aho.community

Thursday 27 February; School of Tarot with Lucy Porter - Lesson 1. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London E9 7AD. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £35. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk

Thursday 27 February; Ithell Colquhoun: Artist, Occultist, Feminist. Lecture by Dr Richard Shillitoe. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £10. You can book by visiting the shop or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 27 - Friday 28 February; Aphrodite's Monthly Festival, hosted by Aphrodite's Flame. Everyone around the world is invited to light Aphrodite's Flame in honour of her monthly festival. Keep a candle lit for as long or as short a time as you wish from dusk on the date listed to dusk the following day. https://www.facebook.com/aphroditesflame/

Saturday 29 February; City Lit Classics Day: Journeys into Troy. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 10.30am-4.30pm. Tickets: £59/£36 (members)/ £18 (concessions), bookable via  City Lit, on https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/classics-day or telephone 020 7831 7831 City Lit course RC061. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/events/

Saturday 29 February; Tarot: The Healing Cards: Afternoon class exploring the Empress, Temperance, the Star and the High Priestess cards, with Sue Merlyn. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm-5.30pm (with a break in the middle). Cost: £40 per person. You can reserve a place by visiting the shop or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 29 February; Beyond the Robot: The life and work of Colin Wilson. Lecture by Gary Lachman. Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 2pm. Entry: £10/£7. http://theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Sunday 1 March, Sigil Magic Workshop. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £40 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Sunday 1 March, Isidias Navigatum 2020 : Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony with London Woodland Witches, Wiccans and Pagans. Meet at Hollyhock Cafe, Terrace Gardens, Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 6UX at 1.30pm to walk to the ritual site by the river. https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Pagans-Magicians/

Sunday 1 March, Story Circle – World of Witchcraft, with London Dreamtime. A social afternoon for storytellers and story lovers with an opportunity to discuss the practical and esoteric aspects of the craft of storytelling. Venue: Folklore, 186 Hackney Rd, London E2 7QL, Time: doors 2.30pm for 3pm start. Price: £5 cash (advance booking by email essential via vanessa@londondreamtime.com) https://www.londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Please note: I do not organise any of these events except my candle magic workshops. I try to make sure my events listings are accurate but am not always aware of changes or ticket availability. Please contact the organiser of any event before turning up. If you spot something that needs correcting please let me know by emailing badwitch1234@gmail.com

Pagan Eye: Handcrafted Wands from India

For my Pagan Eye posts I invite people to send in photos for me to share on my blog. I am always delighted when they do. Rina Chowdhury sent me this photo of some rather beautiful wooden wands, handcrafted by her company in India. She also sent me several other photos of lovely wands, as her company makes a wide range.

I don't need a new wand - I've got several that I've been given in the past or made myself - but if I did want a wand, I'd consider one of these. Rina added that they can be made to order. The firm also sells other carved wooden items, including knitting needles.

You can find out more at www.blmagicwands.com or www.lokenathagency.com and email lokenathagency@yahoo.co.in or lokenathagency430@gmail.com

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 or have permission to share with me.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/10/pagan-eye-wands-at-ready-in-central.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/06/craft-witchcraft-wands-and-wild-roses.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/05/craft-how-to-make-witchs-wand.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/01/crowleys-wand-and-museum-of-witchcraft.html

The Awen Symbol and an English Temple Mystery

The picture above shows the Ionic Rotunda in the grounds of Petworth House, in West Sussex. It was designed to look like the Temple of Vesta at Trivoli, Italy, and was built in 1766 as part of a pleasure ground designed by 'Capability' Brown.

I visited Petworth last week and took the photo at the top. I also took the photo to the right, showing a symbol made up of three lines, carved into the stone just to the right of the temple's doorway. I asked two people at Petworth's information desk if they knew what it meant, but they had no idea. To me, it looks a bit like the Awen symbol of modern druidry, although that normally has three dots at the top and is often surrounded by a circle. I do love a bit of a mystery...

The Awen symbol dates back to the 18th century and the revival of druidry by Iolo Morganwg, according to the British Druid Order. It is said to primarily represent three rays of light, but can also mean the three grades of Bard, Ovate and Druid, or the flow or spirit or inspiration. It is, of course, quite possible that a few druid revivalists of the 18th century visited Petworth and thought the temple on the top of a hill, overlooking woods and gardens, was a perfect place for a ritual. I would certainly agree with them if they did.

Sadly, I suspect the symbol had a more practical purpose. I chatted with one of the art historians at Petworth. Although they said they hadn't noticed the mark before, they suggested it might be a trig marker, or a bench mark. You can see in the photo that there might once have been something attached to the stonework just above the three lines. Trig markers are often found on high spots and are used for surveying purposes. Bench marks associated with them occasionally looked like arrows carved into stonework. A small bronze disk would have been set above the arrow, to provide a stable place for surveyors' rods to be placed.

There is a very similar bench mark on the stone plinth below King Charles I's statue in London's Trafalgar Square. This was originally the site of the medieval Charing Cross, and is still the point from where distances from London are calculated.

Mind you, when it comes to the mark on Petworth's circular temple, I like to imagine that maybe the mark was dual-purpose. Maybe some surveyor of a pagan persuasion deliberately hid the symbol of druidry within the bench mark of his trade.

What do you think?

London Folklore: Love Locks & the Walbrook River

Love locks show that folklore doesn’t need to be ancient, and that the rituals of love are constantly re-invented. The idea with a love lock is that two people symbolise their commitment to each other by fastening a padlock in public place, then throwing away the key. They often write their names on it, the date and perhaps a message signifying their relationship. The most usual sites are bridges over rivers, with the key being thrown into the flowing water below.

This probably began in a Serbian spa town, according to historian Ceri Houlbrook in Spellbound: Magic, Ritual and Witchcraft. Legends of Vrnjacka Banja relate that a schoolmistress and her lover said goodbye on the town’s bridge before he left to fight in the First World War. The young soldier then fell for another and did not return. Ever since, lovers have put padlocks on what is now known as the ‘Bridge of Love’ to avoid that fate, and the custom has spread all over the world. In London, the most prominent site is a chain fence next to wasteland by Shoreditch Station.

At first glance, this is not the most obvious or likely place. It doesn’t look the most romantic of locations and, at first glance, isn’t over a river. Except that, actually, it is. According to Tom Bolton in London’s Lost Rivers, the Walbrook, a long-lost tributary of the Thames, probably starts near Shoreditch High Street. The Walbrook has not flowed above ground since the 15th century, but back in Roman times it was a sacred river. Temples including the London Mithraeum were built along its banks and archaeologists have found many votive offerings that were thrown into its waters.

In Lies Sleeping, one of the novels in Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London urban fantasy series, the goddess of the Walbrook runs a pub by Shoreditch Station. The pub doesn’t exist in real-life London, but if it did, it would probably be on that spot of wasteland decorated with love locks.

The Walbrook is the shortest of London’s lost rivers, so this Valentine’s Day you could take a romantic walk from Shoreditch Station's fence of love to where the Walbrook joins the Thames. The route below roughly follows the course of the underground water, visiting some historic sites along the way.

Cross Shoreditch High Street and visit Holywell Lane. Back in the Middle Ages, Holywell Lane marked one edge of Holywell nunnery. As the name suggests, there was an ancient sacred well there. Sadly, it isn’t there now, but we can imagine it. Go down Curtain Road, which was earlier called Holywell Street before being renamed after the 16th century Curtain Theatre. Continue south west down Appold Street and across Broadgate Circle then head to Finsbury Circus Garden, which is London’s oldest public park, dating to 1606.

The area was previously known as Fensbury moor. It was formed when culverts cut into London Wall for the Walbrook were blocked after the Romans left. The city wall was breached in the 15th century to create Moorgate. Paths, trees, and benches were later put there to create the park. Finsbury Circus Garden is still a romantic place to spend some time and enjoy early flowers on a spring morning.

Cross London Wall and continue south west to the road that is still called Walbrook. Visit the London Mithraeum if you get a chance. I’ve blogged about that earlier. It is free to enter, but you need to book tickets in advance. Further down Walbrook, in the Bloomberg Arcade, is a sculpture called Forgotten Streams by Cristina Iglesias. Constructed out of bronze, it is designed to look like a riverbed, and is built over a section of the Walbrook to remind people of what lies below the ground.

Continue down Walbrook and Dowgate Hill to the end of Cousin Lane, where you will see the Thames. Steps can take you to the shore at low tide. A nearby spot called Walbrook Wharf marks where the tributary joins the Thames.

For a more intricate walking route following the Walbrook and other lost rivers of London, I recommend getting Tom Bolton’s books. Volume 1 includes the Walbrook, and volume 2 has just been published. He suggests making a votive offering to the Thames. If you fastened a love lock at the start of this journey, this might be a point to cast the key into the water. However, these days, I am reticent about suggesting littering. It might be more environmentally friendly to use a combination padlock and maybe buy a little food suitable for wildlife. Valentine’s Day is also, according to folklore, the day birds start to mate each spring. They could probably do with some help fattening up after the cold winter months.

You can view view London's Lost Rivers Vol 1 on Amazon and view London's Lost Rivers Vol 2 on Amazon.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/06/in-search-of-sacred-spring.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/09/spellbound-love-locks-lockets.html
https://londonist.com/2012/08/the-padlocks-of-shoreditch-station
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/02/walking-in-search-of-hidden-goddesses.html