Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Magical Online & London Events in the Next Weeks

Here's a list of events for pagans, witches and those with similar interests over the next couple of weeks, including Valentine's Day. I mainly include in-person things in or near London, because that's where I'm based, as well as online talks and workshops you can do anywhere, and festivals further afield. 

Now - 30 April; Tarot: Origins and Afterlives Exhibition. Venue: The Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AB. Free entry with prebooked timed tickets  https://warburg.sas.ac.uk/

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

Now - 31 May; Hereafter Exhibition. Venue: Swedenborg House, The Swedenborg Society, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH.  Time: 10.30am-5pm Mon-Fri. Free but book a ticket https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

Every Wednesday and Friday; 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 12 February; Love Knot and Love Heart workshop. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 1pm  Cost £55 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday 12 February (and other days this week); The London Witches Bankside Walking Tour. Meet at: Southwark View Point, Minerva Square, London SE1 9DF. Times: 4pm and 6pm. Tickets: £15.87. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/london-witches-history-bankside-walking-tour-tickets-945086096957?

Wednesday 12 February (2nd Wed each month); Enfield Town Circle Moot. Venue: Crown and Horsehoes, Horseshoe Lane, Enfield, EN2 6PZ.  Time: 6pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EnfieldTownCircle/

Wednesday 12 February; Full Moon Women's Gong Bath Ceremony. Venue:  Akasa, 5a Prince Edward Rd, Hackney Wick,  London E9 5LX.bTime: 7pm. Tickets:  from £24.54. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sunita-kaur-34415293427

Wednesday 12 February (usually first Wednesday of the month); Drumming and Meditation online with Taz Thornton. Time: 7pm. Free  https://www.facebook.com/TazThorntonOfficial

Wednesday 12 February; Full Moon Ritual. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £30.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Wednesday 12 February; Dialogues with the Dead: Mediumship in Ancient Greece, Rome and Early Christianity. Talk by Dr Steven Muir online via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets £20. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday, 12 February (every full and new moon); Moon Space online ritual with Tree Carr via She's Lost Control. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Wednesday 12 February (second Wednesday of the month);  The Power of Earth. Training group workshop by the Wytchery. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store St, London WC1E 7BS, UK. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.meetup.com/the-wytchery/

Wednesday 12 February; 7 Signs for Love. Class with Hannah Sanders, via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 12 February (every Wednesday); Sound Bath. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Wednesday 12 February; An Uncanny Valentine’s Day – Australia 1900. Talk by Prof Marguerite Johnson on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · £6.76. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Wednesday 12 February (every Wednesday); Tibetan Sound Bowl Meditation online with Spiritual Tiik. Time: 8.30pm. Tickets £12.74. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/spiritual-tiik-29294295627

Thursday 13 February; 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 13 February; Apocalypse in England. Talk by Richard Grenville Clark on mystical quester Frederick Carter. 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 13 February; Learn to Read Tarot Cards (Major Cards). Start of 4-part workshop with Delphine Leblanc. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £120.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 13 February; Full Moon Celebration with South East London Pagans. Venue: One Tree Hill, London SE23. Time: 7.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Thursday 13 February; The Case of the Feejee Mermaid. Zoom talk by Professor Sarah Peverley via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets · from £6.76. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Thursday 13 February (tbc but usually 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 13 February; John Dee 101. Talk by Cunning Folk at South East London Folklore Society. Venue: The Electric Elephant Cafe, 186A Crampton Street, London, SE17 3AE. Time: 8pm, Free but £5/£8 donations welcome. Turn up on the night or email cunningfolkmusic@gmail.com to book a space.  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cunning-folk-7829505560

Friday 14 February (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 14 February; World Sound Healing Day. Free online event starting 11.30am EST and 4.30pm UK time. https://www.worldsoundhealingday.org/current-events

Friday, 14 and 21 February; Queering history with DeptFOLK. Venue: The Library at Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin Street, London SE8 4RH. Time: 5.30pm. Tickets: free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queering-history-with-deptfolk-tickets-1145369193089?

Friday 14 February; An Evening With Venus And Eros. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £15. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/events-and-workshops/an-evening-with-venus-and-eros/

Friday 14 February; Valentine's Day Gong Bath Ceremony. Venue:  Akasa, 5a Prince Edward Rd, Hackney Wick,  London E9 5LX.Time: 7pm. Tickets:  from £27.80. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sunita-kaur-34415293427

Friday, 14 February (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:  From £32.93 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-moon-full-moon-or-divine-union-cacao-ceremonyheart-ritual-gong-bath-tickets-169545022727

Friday 14 February; Strumpets and Harlots (Valentine's Special). Walking Tour with Maria Beadell organised by Treadwell's Bookshop. Meet at Covent Garden tube Station, Long Acre, London WC2E 9JT. Time: 7.20pm. Tickets: £20. https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Friday 14 February; There is Death in the Pot. Talk by Lena Heide-Brennand on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · £6.76. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Saturday 15 February; Iron Pentacle with Aphrodite. Start of 6-session online class with  Irisanya Moon. Starts 1am UK time. Tickets: $90 - $240  https://www.facebook.com/events/2039989366461261/

Saturday 15 February; Cosmic Connections: Exploring Aspects in the Birth Chart. Online workshop by Jackie Henry via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 9am. Tickets £85. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 15 - 16 February 2025; The Occult Conference in Glastonbury. https://www.occult-conference.co.uk/

Saturday 15 February; Working with Altered States of Consciousness in Psychic Mediumship in-person class with Daniel Pitt. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £125 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday, 15 February; Folklore Walk. Venue: The Paddock Community Nature Park, Ferry Lane, London N17 9NG. Time: noon. Tickets: free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/folklore-walk-the-paddock-tickets-1130714941829?

Saturday 15 February; Curative Magic. Workshop with Rachel Patterson, author of the Kitchen Witch series of books, online via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets £85. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 15 February; Palm Wisdom: The Art of Shamanic Palm Reading. Start of 3-se3ssion workshop with Itzhak Beery online via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets £270. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 16 February (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 16 February; North West Kent Pagans Moot. Organised by NWK Pagans for members of the group. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, NW Kent. Time: 11.30am. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445487428816887

Sunday 16 February; Dawn of the Oak Pagan moot. Venue: The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon Road/Greville Street, London EC1M 3JF. Time: 2.30pm. https://www.meetup.com/the-kith-of-the-tree-and-the-well/events/

Sunday 16 February; Mindfulness 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 16 February; Dark Play: Levitation, Seances and Ouija Boards. Talk by Prof Elizabeth Tucker on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · £6.76. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 17 - Sunday 23 February; 2025 Jorvik Viking Festival. Locations in York including March through the streets of Coppergate on Saturday 22 February. https://jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk/

Monday 17 February; Igniting Creativity at Imbolc. Class with Rebecca Beattie, author of Planetary Magic, via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Monday 17 February; Theosophy. Online discussion group via Rudolf Steiner House. Time: 7pm. Tickets free https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/events/

Monday 17 February (usually Mondays each week); Astrology talks/events. 7pm: Family Portrait: Physical Description in Nativities - talk by Morgan Le Gall  online via the Astrological Lodge of London. Tickets £9 per talk  for non members/£6 members. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 17 February; C. S. Lewis And The Chronicles Of Narnia. Talk by Professor Ronald Hutton on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets · from £6.76. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 17 February (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 18 February; Ancestral Connections and Healing with Family Constellations  with Emma Hewitt of Salamay Tarot and Healing Arts. Venue: Libby’s - Belsize Park, 41 England's Lane, London NW3 4YD . Time: 6.30pm. Tickets  £49.46. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/emma-hewitt-salamay-tarot-healing-arts-38061527643

Tuesday 18 February; Storytelling, Music and Folklore: “Thin Places” with London Dreamtime. Location: Safehouse 1, Copleland Road, Peckham .  Time: 6.30pm  Tickets from £15 .  https://www.londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Tuesday 18 February; St Valentine, the Ersatz Patron of Love. Talk by Eric Huang via the Folklore Society online. Time: 7pm. Tickets £6. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-folklore-society-32190494089

Tuesday 18 February; The Magical Body. Talk by Julian Vayne online via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets £20. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 18 February; A Journey into Women, Art and the Spirit World. Talk by Jennifer Higgie on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £5.49. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Wednesday, 19 February; 'The Basildon Witch Walk'. Talk Under The Moon by author and folklorist Syd Moore. Venue: Saint Martins Square, Basildon, Essex SS14 1DX. Time: noon. Tickets: Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-basildon-witch-walk-talk-under-the-moon-tickets-1230508045689

Wednesday 19 February; College of Psychic Studies Guided Tour with Curator and Archivist Jacqui McIntosh. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £12. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 19 February (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 19 February; The Return of the Horned God. 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 19 February; Space for Storytelling. Venue: The Bridge St John, Waterloo. Time: 6.30pm.  Free (crowdfunded) workshops guest-hosted by others with London Dreamtime.  https://www.londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Wednesday 19 February (3rd Wednesday each month); The More Mead Moot. Venue: The Hope pub, Carshalton, Surrey. Time: 7pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/Pagan-FutureFests-352385661439366/

Wednesday 19 February; Life in The Age of Practical Magic. Talk by Dr Tabitha Stanmore on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets · from £6.76. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Thursday 20 February; Sigils: Types and Styles. Talk by Mark B Jackson. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursdays 20 February; Ignite Your Inner Magic: Experience the Power of Quantum Intuition. Start of 2-part online workshop by Kim Chestney via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 6.30m. Tickets £115. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 20 February; Turn up the Frequency. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15-£30.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Thursday 20 February; Medieval Torture Devices. Talk by Lena Heide Brennand on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £6.76. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Thursday 20 February; The Medieval and Historic Graffiti in the Churches of St John and St Nicholas. Illustrated talk by W. Perkins (BA), ACIfA. Venue: Henley in Arden Baptist Church Hall, Hainault Road, London, E11. Time: 8pm. Tickets ·tbc https://www.facebook.com/events/596634306411290

Friday 21 February (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 21 February; Mavericks. Talk and signing by Jenny Draper. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Friday 21 February; London Witches Walking Tour with Maria Beadell's organised by Treadwell's Bookshop. Meet Meet outside Farringdon tube Station, London EC1M 6BY, UK. Time: 7.50pm. Tickets: £20. https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 22 February; 35-min Iridology Consultations with Lauren. Venue: Crystal Wicca, 4a Station Buildings, Station Approach, Hayes BR2 7EN. Sessions from 10am. Tickets: £40. https://www.crystalwicca.co.uk/

Saturday 22 February; Explore the dynamics of your love life and relationships with the guidance of Numerology and Tarot. A Workshop with Christina Tumino. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 11am  Cost £30 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Saturday 22 February; The Magical Body. Seeing Spirit: Clairvoyance. Workshop with Hernan Cotroneo online via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 11am. Tickets £115. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 22 February; Unlock Success in the Year of the Wood Snake in-person class with Vicky Sweetlove. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £125 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 22 February; Discover Your Soul and Spirit Guides for Inner Guidance and Connection. Workshop with Sarah Tyler-Walters online via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 1pm. Tickets £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 22 February; Make Insightful Inner Portraits Inspired by Photographs in-person class with Melissa Alley. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £90 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 22 February;  Wassail. Beddington Park, Grange Lodge, London Road, Wallington, SM6. Time: 2pm. Tickets: tbc https://www.facebook.com/events/1284152942840567/?

Saturday 22 February; Drum Circle with Emma Hewitt of Salamay Tarot and Healing Arts. Venue: Forest Hill Friends Meeting House, 34 Sunderland Road, London SE23 2QA. Time: 2pm. Tickets  £20. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/emma-hewitt-salamay-tarot-healing-arts-38061527643

Saturday 22 February; Magical Moon Workings Workshop. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £15. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/events-and-workshops/magical-moon-workings-workshop/

Saturday 22 February; A Queer Shamanic Journey - Beyond the Prism of Spirit - LGBT History month by Indigo Earth. Venue:  The Twelfth House, 1 Chingford Road, London E17 4PW. Time: 4pm. Tickets £16.96. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/priest-of-indigo-earth-joseph-atiase-35528479563

Sunday 23 February; Shamanic Group with Les Fuller. All welcome Venue: Woodford Church at 9 Grove Crescent, South Woodford, London E18 2JR. Time 11am-3pm. Tickets: £10. http://woodfordchurch.com/

Sunday 23 February; Herbal Astrology: Enchanted Candle-Making Workshop and Cocktails. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 11am. Tickets from £31.94. Price includes a Cocktail with Devil’s Botany. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Sunday 23 February; Work with Your Guides in-person class with Maria Antoniou. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am.Tickets: £125 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 23 February; Women's Parkbathe in South Norwood Lake and Grounds. Venue: South Norwood Lake and Grounds, Sylvan Road, London, SE25 4AN. Time: 1pm. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/parkbathe-34393467709

Sunday 23 February; Storytelling Sunday: Baba Yaga, The Witch by Cunning Folk. Venue:  Love Shack, 299 Cambridge Heath Road #Arch 298, London E2 9HA. Time: 2pm, Tickets £6.66.  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cunning-folk-7829505560

Sunday 23 February; Energy Management for Lightworkers and Sensitive People. Start of 8-part online workshop by Julia Shepherd via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 3pm. Tickets £245. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 23 February; 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

Sunday 23 February; ‘For All of Your Protection Needs’. Talk by Dr Ceri Houlbrook and Dr Julia Phillip on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £6.76. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

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. 


Tuesday, 11 February 2025

Europe’s Largest Viking Festival Returns to York

I've always wanted to attend the Jorvik Viking Festival in York, but sadly never been. Looking at the information I was sent about this year's event I'm again wishing I could be there, although sadly I can't.

A new longship, a sword that never misses its target, and recreations of the world’s largest fossilised poo will be among the things on show from February 17 – 23. Not sure I really need to see the big poo, but everthing else sounds great.

Five days of living history, hands-on combat, lectures, and the chance to drink mead culminate in a parade of 200 Viking re-enactors through the streets of York, and two evening son-et-lumière shows. 

“This is our 40th anniversary year of Jorvik Viking Festival, and we’re determined that those who follow in the footsteps of our Norse ancestors will not be disappointed when they get here,” said the man behind this year’s programme, Gareth Henry of York Archaeology, the charity which organises and funds the Festival. “As usual, we are celebrating the end of winter in true Nordic style – so whether you want to learn to fight like a berserker, make your own authentic pair of Viking socks, or just stand back and watch an army of warriors take to the streets, we’ve got something for you!”

A free living history encampment forms the heart of the festival, taking over Parliament Street and featuring craftsmen and traders, with the opportunity to handle replica armour and weapons. “In the medieval period, the Vikings were known as fierce warriors; in our living history encampment, they are brilliant explainers and interpreters who love to talk about their specialist areas of expertise,” explains Gareth. “We encourage all of our visitors not to simply walk through and observe, but to stop and talk to the re-enactors – it is easy to spend an hour or more just chatting about what life would have been like in 10th century York.”

Highlights of the festival include a march to Coppergate on Saturday 22 February, which sees a column of Vikings mustering in Dean’s Park, next to York Minster, before making their way through the city streets to Coppergate. This is free to watch from vantage points along the route. The paraders join the Viking Games at the Eye of York, next to Clifford’s Tower. After this is an epic battle between rival factions.

On Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February, the Eye of York also hosts the Evening Spectacular, a retelling of a Norse legend featuring a sword that can never miss its target – the ultimate warrior’s weapon. Actors and re-enactors perform a stunning piece of open-air theatre with a thrilling soundtrack, culminating in a fiery finale not to be missed.

One of the smaller events takes place at Dig, the sister attraction to the  Jorvik Viking Centre. One of Jorviks’s most infamous exhibits is the Lloyds Bank Coprolite – the world’s largest fossilised Viking poo. During Poo Week, children can recreate their own poo, learning about how the composition of human excrement tells us so much about the person who passed it! Undigested seeds, bits of bone and worms all feature in the recreations!

For more information on all the events that form part of this year’s Jorvik Viking Festival, and to book tickets, visit jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk

Monday, 10 February 2025

Witch Games: The Lost Spells Card Game

As you might know if you regularly read my blog, I enjoy playing games as well as doing witchy things. If I find one with magical theme, even better. I was given a copy of The Lost Spells card game for Yule, and finally had a chance to play it and write this review. 

The Lost Spells game is loosely based on a book of the same name by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris. I'm going to admit I've not read the book even though it's been on my radar. Anyway, I think I can write about the game on its own merits. 

Inside the box are three sets of cards and a thin rules leaflet. You only need a thin leaflet because it is very simple to play. Essentially it's a memory and set collection game. Each player has a set of cards in their hand with names of animals, trees, and plants plus some flavour text. Another set of cards with pictures on are set in a circle. The third set of cards is a tiny deck with keys on. 

Each round, a small card is revealed with a number of keys on it. The same number of face-down cards are turned up. If the player has a card in their hand matching one of them, they collect the set. The cards are turned face down at the end of each round, so you need to remember what's where. A few other cards give special powers, such as collecting a set on another player's turn, or stealing from someone else. 

While The Lost Spells game doesn't have much to do with spells in the witchy sense, it is about the enchanting nature of creatures and plants, so is pagan in atmosphere. Things I love about it are the beautiful artwork and flavour text. 

The simplicity of the rules, plus the fact that it doesn't take long to play, means it is ideal as a family game. The suggested age range is 8 upwards. The previous two witchy games I reviewed were Septima and Witchstone, both of which are much more strategic and complex, so I feel good about addressing the balance now. 

You can view The Lost Spells card game on Amazon.

(Please note I earn commission from some links)

Other previous related posts
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
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/01/review-terry-pratchett-witches-boardgame.html

Friday, 7 February 2025

My Events: Cleansing, the Divine Feminine & Poppets

Here are details of the witchy events I'm involved with from now until the end of March. There are workshops on cleansing and protection, scrying, amulets and charms, the Divine Feminine, poppets, and candle magic. 

February

Cleansing and Protection Workshop In-Person at Treadwell's
On Saturday 8 February I'm doing an in-person workshop on traditional methods of cleansing and protection in witchcraft and folk magic practices. The class is at Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £22 per person.  Visit https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

March

In-Person Workshop at Treadwell's on Amulets, Talismans and Charms
On Saturday 1 March I'm running an in-person workshop on Amulets, Talismans and Charms at Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. It begins at 1pm and tickets are £22 per person. You can find out more at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.    

In-Person Day on the Divine Feminine and Women of Power at the College of Psychic Studies
On Sunday 2 March I'm offering a a one-day workshop called The Divine Feminine and Women of Power. It will take place at the gorgeous building of The College of Psychic Studies at 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. The day runs from 11am - 5pm. Tickets are £125/£105 Find out more and book here:  https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/workshops/divine-feminine/the-divine-feminine-and-women-of-power/ 

In-Person Poppets Workshop at Viktor Wynd
On Sunday 16 March I'm running my popular workshop on Poppets and Magical Doll-Making at Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. It starts at noon. Tickets are from £31.94, which includes a cocktail with Devil’s Botany. Find out more and book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poppets-magical-doll-making-workshop-with-lucya-starza-live-tickets-692548169217

In-Person Candle Magic Workshop at Treadwell's
On Saturday 22 March I'm running a Candle magic workshop based on my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic. The venue is Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. It starts at 1pm and tickets are £22 per person. To find out more and reserve a place visit: https://www.treadwells-london.com/.

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.

You can buy my books at Treadwell's Bookshop, via Amazon, at the College of Psychic Studies in London and at other bookshops. You can find more about me at my author page at publisher Moon Books, and on my Amazon author page. Please note I earn commission from advertisers for some links.

Thursday, 6 February 2025

Rounding the Year: Spring Flowers & Blossom


The collage above shows photos of spring flowers and blossom I've seen while out walking in aid of Cats Protection. As well as raising money for a good cause, I also find that getting out and about raises my spirits. Some of my walks have been in parks - including my local one at Crystal Palace - but many have been along streets in suburban South London. There's plenty of nature to be found in cities.

Big Winter Roam

This February I'm raising funds for the charity Cats Protection by taking on the Big Winter Roam challenge. I'm aiming to walk 100 miles over the course of the month and raise £100. That's £1 per mile. Obviously I'd love it if people support my challenge to help to make a better life for cats. 

So far I've done an average of four miles per day. I started on Saturday with a walk from my home in Penge, London, SE20, to the stone circle at Hilly Fields, Lewisham. You can see a photo I took there on this page too. As well as ambling around Crystal Palace park, I've gone further into London to walk along the Thames embankment, and strolled indoors at the Tate Modern art gallery. 

If you also want to contribute a little money to Cats Protection, this is the link to my Just Giving page.

Sharing seasonal photos

Inspired by ideas in my book Rounding the Wheel of the Year, I share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and customs as well as a record of what's happening in nature. 

Where to find my books


If you want to buy Rounding the Wheel of the Year or any of my Pagan Portals witchcraft books, or my Gothic novel Erosion , you can find them at publisher Moon Books, which is part of Collective Ink: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com

In London, you can find my books at Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, WC1E 7BS. https://www.treadwells-london.com/

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

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