Craft Video: Make a Cloth Poppet for Protection

 

I've recorded a video of how to make a traditional poppet for protection. Here are the written instructions too:

You need a clean square of cotton fabric, some lavender (or rosemary), a strand of your own hair, and wool or string. 

• Place the hair and herbs in the centre of the square of fabric. This will form the head. 
• Bunch the fabric over the stuffing.
• Tie the wool or string around it to form a neck. Three knots is a magic number. 
• Leave either end of the yarn to be the poppet’s arms. 
• Trim the yarn to a suitable length. The rest of the cloth, under the head and arms, represents a loose body or clothing. 
• You can draw on any features you want,

To enchant it say: "From ghosties and ghoulies and long legged beasties and things that go bump in the night, may my poppet protect me."

Learn Poppet-Making In-Person

On Sunday 27 October I'm teaching an in-person workshop on poppets and magical dolls. It's at Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4R and starts at noon. The price is £31.94 and includes a lovely cocktail with Devil’s Botany. You can find out more and get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poppets-magical-doll-making-workshop-with-lucya-starza-live-tickets-692548169217

Spooky50: The special code to get 50 per cent off my books

If you want to buy any of my Pagan Portals witchcraft books really cheaply, now's your chance. My publisher Moon Books, which is part of Collective Ink, is offering 50 per cent off all e-books until October 31st. 

All you need to do is:

• Click here > https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/ 
• Choose your e-book(s)
• Click 'Add to basket for direct download.'
• Click on your shopping basket
• Click on 'Do you have a coupon?'
• Apply promo code Spooky50  and Validate.
• Proceed to Checkout.

If you want to search for my books, you can go straight to my Lucya Starza author page. I've written on candle magic, poppets, guided visualisations, scrying and the wheel of the year as well as my Gothic novel Erosion. 

Prevous related posts

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/10/using-pendulum-as-divination-to-make.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/celebrating-book-sale-success-poppets.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/05/craft-how-to-do-sliding-knots-to-fasten.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/poppet-craft-doll-to-do-three-things-at.html

Magical Events Over Samhain Near London & Online

Here's a list of witchy events and activities for the days and nights over Samhain or Halloween. I mostly list things taking place in London, as that's where I live, plus a few festivals, rituals and conferences further afield, and online things you can do anywhere. I hope you have a magical time, whatever you get up to!

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

Now - March 2025. 4 Witches and a Warlock Exhibition. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum/

Now - Friday 20 December. Swedenborg's Lusthus: Objects of Memory and Imagination exhibition. Venue:  Swedenborg House, The Swedenborg Society, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Time: 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Free entry https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

Now - 1 November; Bari Goddard Exhibition: SUNWISE. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Open 11am - 6pm.  Free entry https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Now - 30 October;  Into the Sublime: The Eidophusikon Reimagined. Venue:  Swedenborg House, The Swedenborg Society, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH.  Time 7pm. Tickets: free but booking essential https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/into-the-sublime-the-eidophusikon-reimagined-tickets-948857828307

Now to October 31 (every evening); Samhain Celebrate through Art. Flat 2, Shoreditch, London E2 6EH. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets from £9.98 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/samhain-celebrate-through-art-tickets-748382471117?

Wednesdays and Fridays; College of Psychic Studies -  pop in to have a look around the lovely building.  Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am-5pm weekdays. Free entry. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Wednesday, 23 October (and other dates); Tea with a medium. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 2.30pm  Cost £55 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday, 23 October; Crossbones Vigil to honour the outcast dead of Crossbones Graveyard, Southwark. Location: Redcross Way, London, SE1 1TA. Time: 6.45pm for 7pm. Free, just turn up   http://crossbones.org.uk

Wednesday, 23 October; Victorian-style Trance work with Gary Wright. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 7pm  Cost £150 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday 23 October; Making Magical Washes. Workshop with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online, delayed viewing available. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday, 23 October; Family Constellation Online Workshop with Emma Hewitt of Salamay Tarot and Healing Arts. Time: 7pm. Tickets  £11.55. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/emma-hewitt-salamay-tarot-healing-arts-38061527643

Wednesday, 23 October; Medicinal Mushroom Sound Journey. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 7pm. Tickets £49.46 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Wednesday 23 October; Sound Bath. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Wednesday, 23 October; Introduction to Crystals and Healing (Part 1). Venue: Crystal Wicca, 4a Station Buildings, Station Approach, Hayes BR2 7EN. Time 7.15pm. Tickets: £20. https://crystalwicca.co.uk/shop-events-1

Wednesday, 23 October; Sound Journey. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain, Minster, Kent. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £10. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain

Wednesday 23 October; Tibetan Sound Bowl Meditation with Spiritual Tiik. Time: 8.30pm. Tickets £12.74. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/spiritual-tiik-29294295627

Thursday 24 October; Theosophy study group. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Rd, London · NW1 6XT. Time: 10.30am. Tickets £3 https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/events/

Thursday 24 October; Psychic Development Workshop - part of series of classes. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London, SE9 6SH. Time: noon. Tickets: £15 per class. https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk

Thursday 24 October; Midweek Meditation with the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 3pm. Tickets: free for members/£7.50 non members. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Thursday 24 October; Haunted States. Talk and book signing by Miranda Corcoran. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursday 24 October (and other days and times); The London Witches Bankside Walking Tour. Meet at: Southwark View Point, Minerva Square, London SE1 9DF. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £15.87. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/halloween-month-special-the-london-witches-history-bankside-walking-tour-tickets-1016711410197

Thursday 24 October; Breaking the Curse of Period Stigma Charity event. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £5-20.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Thursday 24 October; Introduction to Crystals and Healing (Part 2). Venue: Crystal Wicca, 4a Station Buildings, Station Approach, Hayes BR2 7EN. Time 7pm. Tickets: £20. https://crystalwicca.co.uk/shop-events-1

Thursday 24 October;  Telephone Calls from the Dead. Talk by Dr Cal Cooper, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £16. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 24 October; Wise Blood with Tree Carr. Online event with She's Lost Control. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £25.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Thursday 24 October; The Witches' Sabbat in Basque Country. Lecture and Book Launch with Dr Jan Machielsen. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £10/£26.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Thursday 24 October; Archetypes of Avalon Fairy Magic Circle. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 7.15pm. Tickets £24.54 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Thursday 24 October (every fortnight); Inquisitive Spirit open circle. Learn Mediumship and Psychic development with a group.  Venue: Bretons Manor, 411 Rainham Road, South Hornchurch RM13 7LP. Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Cost £10 per session  Text 07549 638276 for details.

Thursday 25 October (usually every Thursday); Crimson Circles. Livestream by Halo Quin, author of  Crimson Craft. Time: 8pm. Tickets: various options including Patreon membership. https://www.facebook.com/HaloquinAuthor

Friday  25 October; Drum Birthing Workshop with Lynn Gosney. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain, Minster, Kent. Starts 8.45am. Tickets £225/£250. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain

Friday 25 October  (every Friday); Live Chat hosted by Rachel Patterson, author of Gods and Goddesses of England and the Kitchen Witch series of books. Time: 9am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks/ 

Friday  25 October; Friday lates: magical modernism – modern art and the occult. Online
class with Christopher Collier City Lit. Time: 3pm. Full price: £19, Concession £12. https://www.citylit.ac.uk/

Friday  25 October; Witches in Tudor Times. Online talk by Sandy Leong  via Rest Less Events. Time 4pm. Tickets £3.99. https://events.restless.co.uk/event-calendar/witches-in-tudor-times/?

Friday  25 October;  Heal the Pineal Gland with Sound Healing. Workshop with Githa Ben-David, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £75. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 25 October; Healing with the 5 Elements/Mayan Shamanism: Integration. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £54.88 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Friday 25 October; Psychomania - Folk Horror Show. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £5.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Friday  25 October; Chartres Labyrinth - New Discoveries and the Cover-Up, by  Geoff Stray.  Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT.  Time: 7pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/1716639569171148/

Friday, 25 October; Samhain Ceremony and Shamanic Journey with Indigo Earth. Inclusive and trauma informed open ceremony for all. Venue:  Hackney Marshes, 146 Lea Bridge Road, London E5 9RB. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: Donations welcome. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/samhain-ceremony-and-shamanic-journey-with-indigo-earth-tickets-1015652242197?

Friday, 25 October; Samhain Sounds, Scents and Spirits: Halloween Wellbeing Retreat. Venue: 71 Powerscroft Road, London E5 0PT. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets  £52.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/samhain-sounds-scents-spirits-halloween-wellbeing-retreat-tickets-1014700956877?

Friday, 25, Saturday 26 October (and other dates; Hex and the City theatrical walking tour. Meet at Farringdon Underground, 39 Cowcross Street, London EC1M. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £20.21. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hex-and-the-city-theatrical-walking-tour-tickets-876633102207?

Saturday 26 October; Staffordshire Pagan Conference. Venue: The Rugeley Rose Theatre, Power Station Road Industrial Estate, Power Station Road, Rugeley, WS15. Starts 10am. Tickets £25. https://www.staffordshirepaganconference.co.uk/?

Saturday 26 October; Samhain Witches Market. Venue: Mistley Social Club and Village Hall, Essex. Starts 10.30am. https://www.facebook.com/events/765903292400690/

Saturday 26 October; How to Develop Your Own Style of Mediumship. In person workshop with Ann Théato. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £115. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Saturday 26 October; Astrology for Wellness. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 11am. Tickets £38.62 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Saturday 26 October; Human Design workshop with Emily Vickery. Venue: Crystal Wicca, 4a Station Buildings, Station Approach, Hayes BR2 7EN. Time 11am. Tickets: £25. https://crystalwicca.co.uk/shop-events-1

Saturday 26 October; Overcoming Anxiety: The Root Chakra. In person workshop with Anna Parkinson. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £115. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Saturday 26 October (date tbc); Samhain Gorsed at Coldrum Stones, Kent. Time: noon. Free. https://www.facebook.com/kentgorsedd/

Saturday 26 October; Earthbound Spirits: What They Are and How They May Affect Us. Online workshop with Giancarlo Serra via the College of Psychic Studies. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 26 October; The Tools of a Medium. Online workshop with Maria Antoniou via the College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £75. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 26 October;  Rest and Reclaim. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 4pm. Tickets: £15 - 30.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Saturday 26 October; Candlelit Yin Yoga and Sound. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 5pm. Tickets £33.22 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Saturday 26 October;  Mataji Ceremony: Hosted by Orion’s Portal, via Aho Studia. Venue: Hackney Wick, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £50 https://www.aho.community/

Sunday 27 October (usually last Sunday every 2 months);  Hampstead Heath Spiritual Gathering and Walk with Spiritual Creatives. Meet at Hampstead Heath Railway Station, 4 South End Road, · London. Time: 11am. Tickets: Free. https://www.meetup.com/spiritualcreatives/

Sunday 27 October; Healing Harmful Habits: The Sacral Chakra. In person workshop with Anna Parkinson. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £115. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Sunday 27 October (and other times and dates); Soul Restore Sound Healing. Venue: The Mandrake, 20-21 Newman Street, London W1T 1PG. Time: 11am. Tickets: £35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-mandrake-17825575648

Sunday 27 October; Poppets and Magical Doll-Making Workshop with me, Lucya Starza. Price includes a Cocktail with Devil’s Botany. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: noon. Tickets from £31.94. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poppets-magical-doll-making-workshop-with-lucya-starza-live-tickets-692548169217

Sunday 27 October; Samhain / Halloween celebration with Gail Hart via Flopsy Wood Community Project CIC. Venue: Cock Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8LS. Time: noon. Tickets  £27.80 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/samhain-halloween-celebration-with-gail-hart-tickets-1032900532297

Sunday 27 October; Black Jaguar Medicine: Sister Otorongo and Soul Loss Retrieval Ceremony. In person workshop with Pixie P Carney. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Sunday 27 October;  Living Authentically as an Intuitive. Online workshop with Casey Mackey via the College of Psychic Studies. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 27 October; Tarot for Beginners: Death, The Devil and The Tower. Online workshop with Amanda Watson via the College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 27 October; Healing the Witch Wound with Tree Carr. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 3pm. Tickets: £30.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Sunday 27 October (and Sundays until 12 January 2025); The Way of Equalia course with Jocelyn Chaplin. Venue: The Serpent Institute, Kentish Town, London NW5 1UE.  Time: 3pm-5pm. Each session can be attended on its own for £15, £60 for the whole course. For more details, contact  jochaplin@yahoo.com or call

02074850264 https://www.serpentinstitute.com/?

Sunday 27 October; Heart Opening Breathwork and Cacao. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 4pm. Tickets £72.22. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Sunday 27 October;  Samhain Ritual with Mani via Woodland Witches. Venue: Meet at Queen's Wood Road, Highgate,· London to walk to the woods. Time: 4pm. Tickets: £7. https://www.meetup.com/londonwoodlandwitches/events/

Sunday 27 October; 'Let the magic flow' Monthly Sacred Circles. Venue: Crystal Wicca, 4a Station Buildings, Station Approach, Hayes BR2 7EN. Time 4.45pm and 7.30pm. Tickets: £40. https://crystalwicca.co.uk/shop-events-1

Sunday 27 October; Autumn Gong Bath - Sound Meditation in Brockley. Venue: Andosteo, 179 Brockley Road, London SE4 2RS. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/theresa-royle-18442369190

Sunday 27 October; Mindfullness Meditation. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3, 1NG. Time: 6pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 27 October; Gothic Horror with Giles Abbot. Venue: The Last Tuesday Society / Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London, E8 4RP.  Time: 6.30pm and 8pm.  Tickets  £tbc. https://www.facebook.com/events/316436884537311/316436891203977/

Sunday 27 October; Wheel of the Year: Samhain/Halloween pagan ceremony. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3, 1NG. Time: 7pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 27 October; Mark of the Werewolf. Talk by Robin Herne, author of The Magic of Wolves, on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 28 October; Unleash Your Creativity: Magic and Creative Writing. In person workshop with Dr Rebecca Beattie. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £115. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Monday 28 October (Mondays); Astrology talks/events. 6pm: Chart discussion. 7pm: Decumbiture Charts - talk by Jadranka Coic. Hybrid event via the Astrological Lodge of London. In-person venue: Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. In=person tickets £9 per talk or event for non members/£6 members. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 28 October (4th Monday each month); Mary Rands, grand-elder of the Alexandrian Wiccan tradition. Talk  at Nova Stella. Venue: The Angel, City Road, London EC1Y 18D. Time: 7pm start of social for 8pm talk.  Entry £4. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472510443017948

Monday 28 October ; Taking Nature's Hand: November. What has nature in mind for you this month? Online event with Jeremy Rye.  Time: 7pm. Tickets: £20. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/jeremy-rye-31055883021

Monday 28 October; Talk with Gary Parsons - The Highgate Vampire and The Occult. Venue: Helgi's, 177 Mare St, London E8 3RH. Door time: 7pm, start: 8pm. Tickets:   £16.50. https://wegottickets.com/event/630640

Monday 28 October; Halloween Folklore and Ghost Stories . Talk by Brice Stratford on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 28 October (tbc but usually every Monday); Tea With a Druid. Free online event by the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Time 8pm. https://druidry.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/druidry

Tuesday 29 October; Learn To Read Tarot (major cards). Start of 4-session course with Adrien Mastrosimone via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start. Tickets: £120. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 October; Gong Bath - Sound Meditation in the Mansion Halloween/Samhain Special. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion (Old Dining Room), Place Park, The Mansion, Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: 5pm and 7pm. Tickets: £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/theresa-royle-18442369190 or https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/

Tuesday 29 October; Effective Spellcasting. In-person class with Dr Rebecca Beattie, author of Nature Mystics, Wheel of the Year and Planetary Magic, Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday 29 October;  An Evening of Mediumship with Q and A with Daniel Pitt via the College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £16. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 29 October; Samhain Ritual Honouring the Ancestors. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £30.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Tuesday 29 October; Crystal Skulls: From fear to friend. Workshop with Hannah. Venue: Crystal Wicca, 4a Station Buildings, Station Approach, Hayes BR2 7EN. Time 7.15pm. Tickets: £25. https://crystalwicca.co.uk/shop-events-1

Tuesday 29 October; Talk at So Moot It Be Pagan Moot. Venue: The Rising Sun, King Street, Rochester, Kent. Time: 7.30pm for 8pm start. Entry £2. https://www.facebook.com/events/1209923380310917/

Tuesday 29 October; Victorian Ghost Stories. Talk by Lena Heide-Brennand on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 9pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Wednesday 30 October; See You Soon Party as Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary is leaving its current building. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP.  Time: 4pm-8pm. Free, just drop in. https://www.fireandalchemy.com/

Wednesday 30 October; Samhain gathering and rituals practice. Workshop with Hannah. Venue: Crystal Wicca, 4a Station Buildings, Station Approach, Hayes BR2 7EN. Time 5.45pm and 8pm. Tickets: £35. https://crystalwicca.co.uk/shop-events-1

Wednesday 30 October; The Origins of Modern Paganism. Hybrid talk by Professor Ronald Hutton, author of Triumph of the Moon, via Gresham College. In-person venue Gresham College, Barnard's Inn Hall, Holborn, London EC1N 2HH. Time: 6pm. Free to register for online viewing. https://www.gresham.ac.uk/

Wednesday 30 October; Spooky Soirée at the College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Starts: 6pm. Tickets: free but reserve a place. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Wednesday 30 October; Protection From the Dark: Witches, Spirits and Ghosts. Talk by Wayne Perkins. Venue: Epping Forest District Museum, 39 – 41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1EL. Tel: 01992 716882. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £5. https://ritualprotectionmarks.com/2024/02/01/2024-illustrated-talks-guided-tours/

Wednesday 30 October; Cunning Folk Archive Hour - The Veil is Thin. Venue: Dash The Henge Store, 348 Camberwell New Road, London SE5 0RW. Time: 7pm, Free.  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cunning-folk-7829505560

Wednesday 30 October; The Scriptorium - Witches. Writing Workshop with Bernadette Russel via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 30 October; Meeting Your Spirit Guides, Helpers and Gatekeepers. Start of 8-session course run by Hernan Cotroneo, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £245. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 30 October; Social at Hertford Pagan Moot. Venue: The Blackbirds, 15-17 Parliament Square, Hertford SG14 1E (Not the White Horse Pub, 33 Castle Street, Hertford, Herts SG14 1HH) (45 mins from central London). Time: 8pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/104788436218047

Wednesday 30 October; The Black Death and how it ruled the world. Talk by Lena Heide-Brennand on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Thursday 31 October - 3 November;  Ancestral Pathways Conference. Online event. Tickets from £35.

https://www.ancestralpathwaysconference.com/

Thursday 31 October; Medieval Magic and Alchemy. Talk and book signing by Dr. Peter Forshaw. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursday 31 October; Witches of Wicca Moon  Halloween Special 2024. Venue: Tudor Barn, Well Hall, Eltham SE9. Time:  6.30pm – 9pm Tickets £25 per person  https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/

Thursday 31 October; PF London Samhain Open Ritual via Pagan Federation London. Venue: Pirate Castle, Gilbey's Wharf Oval Road NW1 7EA London, UK Time: 7.20pm. Entry £8 for PF members, £10 for non-members (cash only). https://www.facebook.com/PaganFederationLondon

Thursday 31 October; All Hallow’s Eve: Scandinavian Witches Tradition. Talk by Lena Heide-Brennand on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 9pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Friday 1 November (every Friday); Live Chat hosted by Rachel Patterson, author of Gods and Goddesses of England and the Kitchen Witch series of books. Time: 9am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks/

Friday 1 November; Magical Storytelling in Crystal Palace Park with London Dreamtime. Suitable for all ages but aimed at ages 7 and under. Venue: The Concert Platform, Crystal Palace Park, London SE20. Time: 10, 11 and noon. Tickets free but must be booked.   https://www.londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Friday 1 November (1st and 3rd Friday each month); The Pagan Portal Podcast by Moon Books. Time: noon (or listen to recording later). Free event. https://open.spotify.com/show/11N4kNj65tTz9NFUcZTMa7?

Friday 1 November; Online New Moon Sound Bath and Meditation with Spiritual Tiik. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/spiritual-tiik-29294295627

Friday 1 November; Sacred Singing. Open your heart and voice through chanting. Venue in London N16. Time: 7.30pm. Entry £5. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1230392930656154

Friday 1 November; Samhain Fire Ceremony organised by Aho. Venue: Berkeley Farm, near Hainault or Grange Hill on the Central line. Time: 7pm-10pm. Tickets: £15. https://www.aho.community/

Friday 1 November (and other dates); New Moon, Full Moon or Divine Union Cacao Ceremony, Heart Ritual and Gong Bath. Venue:  Private location near Wandsworth Town/Clapham Junction, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets:  £29.70. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-moonfull-moon-or-divine-union-cacao-ceremony-heart-ritual-gong-bath-tickets-943638406877?

Friday 1 November (first Friday of the month);  Holistic Sound Bath Meditation - Summoning The Sacred. Venue in Crystal Palace, SE London. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.makeitsacred.co.uk/holistic-sound-bath-meditation-summoning-the-sacred?

Saturday, 2 November; South Wales Occult Conference. Venue: Leonardo Hotel Cardiff, 1 Park Place Cardiff, CF10 3DN. Starts 9am. Tickets:  £30 – £150  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-wales-occult-conference-tickets-909310029777?

Saturday, 2 November; Walking in the Footsteps of your Year, at this Samhain Solar Festival with Jeremy Rye. Meet London Stone (TBC prior to the walk), 111 Cannon Street London EC4N 5AR. Time: 10am. Tickets: £25. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/jeremy-rye-31055883021

Saturday, 2 and Sunday 3 November; Experience Braco's Gaze: Small Intimate Sessions. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Various times. Tickets: from £30. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday, 2 November; Samhain Sweat Lodge organised by Aho Studio. Venue: Berkely Farm, Near London. Time: 11am. Tickets: £90. www.aho.community

Saturday, 2 November; Wisdom and Wellbeing Fair. Venue: New Addington Community Centre, 88 Central Parade, New Addington, Croydon CR0 0JB. Time: 11am to 5pm. Entry £2. https://www.facebook.com/events/514689961044786

Saturday 2 November; The Art and Science of Seeing: Uncovering the Magic of Pareidolia. Workshop with June-Elleni Laine via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: noon. Tickets: £75. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 2 November; Three Trees Tarot. Talk and signing with Stephanie Burrows and Adam Oehlers. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: noon. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Saturday, 2 and Sunday 3 November; The Embodied Tarot. 2-Day Workshop with Adrien Mastrosimone in-person at Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 12.30pm. Cost: £200.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Saturday, 2 November; Free and open Gorsed of Caer Abiri Samhain ritual at Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire. Meet at the Red Lion pub from noon for druidic ceremony at 1.30pm. Offering of bread, mead, or Bardic performance always welcomed. Free event, just turn up. https://www.facebook.com/groups/49080749624/

Saturday, 2 November;  School of Witchery - Tides Of The Earth Magic workshop. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London, SE9 6SH. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £50. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/

Saturday, 2 November (date tbc); Watchers of the Old Ways Samhain Ceremony. Venue: Avebury Stones, Wiltshire. Time: meet at 1pm for 2pm start. Free public event. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064571657185

Saturday 2 November; The Spiritual Medium. Workshop with Jeremy Turner-Welch via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday, 2 November; Night of the Ancestors. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain Kent. Run by Lynn Gosney. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets free but good intentions essential, email lynn.gosney@hotmail.com for info and to book. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain/

Saturday, 2 November (first Saturday each month); Gong Bath. Venue: Upminster Sanctuary Pea Lane, Upminster, RM142XH. Time: 7pm. Tickets: tbc.  https://upminstersanctuary.com/

Sunday 3 November; Ancestral Remembrance - A Healing Day for Women through the Heart and Womb. Venue:  The Mat Sanctuary, Heathdene Rd, London SW16 3NZ. Time: 11am. Tickets £75. https://www.meetup.com/south-london-womens-circles/events/303848183?

Sunday 3 November; Manifestation Bauble Art workshop. Workshop with Hannah. Venue: Crystal Wicca, 4a Station Buildings, Station Approach, Hayes BR2 7EN. Time 11am. Tickets: £33. https://crystalwicca.co.uk/shop-events-1

Sunday 3 November;  Druidic Ritual to celebrate Samhain on Primrose Hill with the Loose Association of Druids. Gather in the Hawthorne Grove at Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8YH, at 12.30pm to prepare the site for the ritual at 1pm. Nearest tube: Chalk Farm. Bring a small contribution of food and drink to share. https://www.facebook.com/LooseAssociationOfDruidsOfPrimroseHill

Sunday 3 November; Anderida Gorsedd Samhain open ritual. Venue: Long Man of Wilmington, Wilmington, near Eastbourne, East Sussex. Meet near the car park between 1.30pm and 2pm, walk up to the chalk hill figure at 2pm. Afterwards, the Giants Rest pub. https://www.facebook.com/groups/227609495203/

Sunday 3 November; (tbc but usually first Sunday of the month) Woodspirits. Venue: meet at Cheshunt station, EN8. Time: 2pm. Free in-person event for members of Woodspirits group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4032235040150960

Sunday 3 November; The Highgate Vampire. Storytelling for adults with London Dreamtime. Venue:  Highgate, London. Time: 2.15pm. Tickets £17. https://www.londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Monday 4 November; Celebrating Samhain. Workshop with Rebecca Beattie via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

For activities after these dates please visit my events page. 

Please note that I am not responsible for the content of these events except my own talks and workshops. Contact organisers directly if you have questions or to check ticket availability. Where a practitioner is offering information about magical healing, this is *not* medical advice. If you're running an event you want included, please email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com Also please note I earn commission for some links. 

Witch Games: Septima - Build a Coven & Avoid Hunters

As well as doing witchy things I enjoy playing boardgames. I particularly like games that portray witches in a positive way. Septima, by Mindclash Games, does that wonderfully. 

Players compete to build a coven, collect collect herbs and crystals along woodland paths, brew potions, and heal sick villagers. The one who does that best wins the game and becomes head witch - or the Septima of the title. That's not all though. Witchhunters are also patroling the woods and sending suspects to court. This means you have to manage your time and resources to avoiding capture and rescuing those put on trial. 

In the photo at the top, you can see the board and some of the cards set out when I played it at the weekend. I should point out that it is quite complex with lots of rules, so is more likely to appeal to experienced game players. Personally, I think it's worth the effort. 

The version with English rules is a little difficult to find at the moment, but you can find more details on boardgamegeek.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/07/supernatural-games-horrified-fighting.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/10/halloween-games-mysterium-ghostly.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/05/witch-games-frog-juice-potion-making.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/10/witch-games-witching-hour-reviewed.html

Using a Pendulum as Divination to Make a Choice

The other day someone asked me the best way to choose between three things using divination. My answer was that I'd use a pendulum. All you need is paper, a pencil, a pendulum to dowse with, and a table or altar to put things on. You can use this technique for choosing between two or more things, it doesn't have to be precisely three!

If you don't own a proper divining pendulum you can improvise using a pendant necklace or even a bead or round buton tied to the end of thread or string. It helps to also light a candle and/or some incense, but that's optional.

Here's what to do:

• Cut as many small slips of paper as options you want to choose from and write one on each.
• Fold each slip of paper separately so you can't see the writing.
• (Optionally) light your candle or incense and place it towards the back of your table or altar
• Contemplate your question and the options while holding the folded slips.
• Scatter the paper slips on your table or altar (be careful not to throw them into any candle!)
• Pick up your pendulum and visualise it being cleansed of unwanted energy. (Optionally, let light or smoke cleanse it too.)
• Hold the pendulum's thread or chain and ask it to show you the right choice. 
• Watch the pendulum start to swing towards the right one. It might move in straight lines or in circles. Move your hand the way it wants to go. 
• You can do this several times to make sure of the answer.
• Put the pendulum down and open the chosen slip to read your answer.

Learn Divination and Scrying via the College of Psychic Studies

Esoteric Weekend - Hybrid Event

On Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 November The College of Psychic Studies is running a full weekend of talks and workshops on divination and the esoteric. I will be giving a talk on Scrying on the Saturday. Other topics include spirit portraits, hand reading, numerology, animal communication, automatic writing, tarot, runes, remote viewing and dowsing. It is a hybrid event. The in-person venue is the lovely College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Online tickets £135 for both days; In-person tickets £250 for both days. Time: 10.30am-6:30pm. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/special-events/psychic-and-mediumship/a-weekend-of-divination-and-the-esoteric/

Online Evening Classes in Scrying

On Wednesday 27 November and 4 December I'm running a two-part online evening class on Scrying: Divination Using Crystals, Mirrors, Water and Fire via the College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £75. You can find more details and book here: https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/workshops/psychic-training/scrying-divination-using-crystals-mirrors-water-fire/

My Magical Books - October Special Offfer

I'm Lucya Starza and as well as writing A Bad Witch's Blog I'm the author of books in the Pagan Portals series on Candle Magic, Guided Visualisations, Poppets and Magical Dolls, Scrying, and Rounding the Wheel of the Year. My Gothic novel Erosion is also published by Moon Books. 

If you want to buy the e-books of my Pagan Portals witchcraft tiles or my Gothic novel cheaply, now's your chance. Moon Books, which is part of Collective Ink, is offering 50 per cent off all e-books until October 31st. All you need to do is:

• Click here > https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
• Choose your e-book(s)
• Click 'Add to basket for direct download.'
• Click on your shopping basket
• Click on 'Do you have a coupon?'
• Apply promo code Spooky50  and Validate.
• Proceed to Checkout.

You can buy paperback copies at The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 2EB, and other occult bookshops in London or online.

Rounding the Year: Foraging for Sweet Chestnuts

With the weather turning unexpectedly warm this week, I went for a walk in Beckenham Place Park with a friend. While we were there we foraged for sweet chestnuts. It brought back fond memories of roasting them on a bonfire at Halloween or Guy Fawkes Night parties when I was a child. They're also traditional Christmas fare.

Sweet chestnuts are more accurately called Spanish Chestnuts. Sandra Lawrence in her book Witch's Forest, points out that their scientific name, Castanea saliva, comes from Greece and that Theophrastus wrote that chestnut trees grew abundantly on the slopes of Mount Olympus, home of the Gods. They were dedicated to Zeus. Rachel Patterson, in A Kitchen Witch's World of Magical Herbs and Plants, writes that they are associated with love and are great to use in spells for that aim. 

The outer casing of sweet chestnuts is extremely prickly - much sharper than conker shells, which come from the horse chestnut tree. I would personally consider them excellent for protection magic. You could combine the two aspects of the tender, slightly heart-shaped nuts inside their sharp casing for a spell to protect tender emotions when love is going through difficulties. Keep your own heart safe from those who would abuse your affection. 

Sharing seasonal photos

Inspired by ideas in my book Rounding the Wheel of the Year, I've sharing seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting. 

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

Where to find my books

If you want to buy any of my Pagan Portals witchcraft books or my Gothic novel Erosion really cheaply, now's your chance. My publisher Moon Books, which is part of Collective Ink, is offering 50 per cent off all e-books until October 31st. All you need to do is:

• Click here > https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
• Choose your e-book(s)
• Click 'Add to basket for direct download.'
• Click on your shopping basket
• Click on 'Do you have a coupon?'
• Apply promo code Spooky50  and Validate.
• Proceed to Checkout.

You can also view Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon. 

(Notes: I earn commission from advertisers for some links.)

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/09/rounding-year-rosehips-and-raindrops.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/09/rounding-year-autumnal-michaelmas.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/04/st-georges-mushrooms-growing-in-my.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/09/review-magic-of-mushrooms-fungi-in.html