Witchy Craft: Making a Polymer Clay Charm Bead

I made the bead in the centre of my charm bracelet from polymer clay. Here's how to create one like it:

• Roll a tiny bit of polymer clay into a ball.
• Flatten the ball slightly
• Decorate the front either by pressing a bead or gem into it, or carving something on it
• Pinch a small bit at the top then push a nail or cocktail stick through that to make a small hole
• Dry the bead, following the instructions on the clay, then thread it onto a bracelet or necklace
• Tie slip knots to fasten it, as I described on my blog yesterday: www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/05/craft-how-to-do-sliding-knots-to-fasten.html

The great thing about polymer clay is that it comes in a variety of colours, so if you are intending to make an amulet, talisman or charm using colour correspondences you can pick something appropriate without having to paint it. I'll be mentioning this technique in my Charms, Amulets and Talismans class at Treadwell's tomorrow. 

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/03/spellcraft-magical-charm-bracelet-from.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/charity-shop-find-lovely-little-charm.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/craft-hamsa-amulet-of-protection-as.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/07/rainbow-candles-for-pride-and-planetary.html

Craft: How to do Sliding Knots to Fasten Jewellery

 

This week I learnt how to do sliding knots, or slip knots, to fasten jewellery on waxed cotton cord. I made a video showing me using the technique on a crystal pendulum pendant. It is a bit more fiddly than just tying a regular knot, but it creates a fastening that's adjustable and looks neat. 

When doing a slip knot it helps to also use a cord-threading needle or a hairgrip or something like the plastic placking clip I use in the video. Here's how to do it:

• Place both ends of cord along the needle/hairgrip/packing clip, with the eye of the needle or rounded bit of clip towards the centre of where you want it to fasten, and the ends of the cord pointing in opposite directions. 
• Wrap the left cord around the right cord and the length of the needle/hairgrip/packing clip three times, making loops
• Thread the end of the left cord through the eye of the needle or rounded bit of clip and the cord loops.
• Pull it right through and tighten the knot a little, but not too much
• Repeat in reverse on the other side.

I'll be suggesting this technique in my Charms, Amulets and Talismans class at Treadwell's this weekend, where everyone will get a chance to thread charms on a cord bracelet. You can see an example I made in the photo.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/charity-shop-find-lovely-little-charm.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/craft-hamsa-amulet-of-protection-as.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/poppet-craft-doll-to-do-three-things-at.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/craft-ive-upcycled-old-fabric-into.html

Magical Online & London Events in the Next Weeks

Here's a list of events for pagans, witches and those with similar interests. There are online things you can do anywhere plus in-person talks and workshops in or near London, and some conferences and festivals further afield.

Now - 22 June; Making More Mischief: Folk Costume in Britain. Folklore exhibition. Venue:  LCF East Bank, 105 Carpenters Rd, Stratford,  London E20 2AR. Time: 10am - 5pm. Free entry. https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-college-of-fashion/cultural-programme/making-more-mischief

Now - 24 May; Exhibition - Pariah Genius: John Deakin, The Psychobiography of a Photographer.  Venue: Swedenborg House, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH.   Open Mondays-Saturdays 10am-5pm. Tickets free but reserve a place https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

Now - 2 June; Rediscovering Gems - Exhibition of gems depicting deities, mythology and more. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Free entry. https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/rediscovering-gems

Every Wednesday and Friday (except bank holidays): Pop-In Days at the College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am - 4pm. Free, just pop in. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Various days except Mondays; Admission to the The Viktor Wynd Museum of UnNatural History. Venue: 11 Mare Street, London, E8 4RP. Various times. Tickets from £6.72 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/admission-apr24-viktor-wynd-museum-of-curiosities-unnatural-history-tickets-786693931727?

Wednesday, 8 May (every Wednesday); Live Chat hosted by Rachel Patterson, author of the Gods and Goddesses of England and the Kitchen Witch series of books. Time: 9am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks/ 

Wednesday 8 May (2nd Wed each month); Enfield Town Circle Moot. Venue: Crown and Horsehoes, Enfield  Time: 6pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EnfieldTownCircle/

Wednesday 8 May; Reinventing Women's Health (including Briana Pegado, Jackie Lynch, Tally Fosh, Frankie Paz, Sophie Scott, and chaired by Vikki Scott) Venue: Vout-O-Reenee's, The Crypt, 30 Prescot St, London E1 8BB. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets are £6, including a book and a drink. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reinventing-womens-health-tickets-871718201607?

Wednesday 8 May; Space for Storytelling. Venue: The Bridge St John, Waterloo. Time: 6.30pm.  Free (crowdfunded) workshops guest-hosted by Niall Moorjani with London Dreamtime. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/space-for-storytelling-crowdfunded-workshops-free-to-access-tickets-678030446317 or https://www.londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Wednesday, 8 May (every Wednesday); Feeling Sound Bath. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Wednesday 8 May; Moon Space Online New Moon Coven with She's Lost Control. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Wednesday 8 May; Palm Reading for Beginners. Start of 10-session online course with Robin Lown via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £240. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 8 May;  The Origins of Occult IllusionTalk by David Alnwick at Greenwich Skeptics in the Pub. Venue: The Star of Greenwich, 60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: donations of £3 welcome.  https://sitp.online/sitp/greenwich

Wednesday 8 May; Decluttering and Organising Masterclass - With ITV's Georgina Burnett And Alix Carnegie. Venue: Crystal Wicca, 4a Station Buildings, Station Approach, Hayes BR2 7EN. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £35. https://crystalwicca.co.uk/shop-events-1

Wednesday 8 May; Haunted Houses in the UK. 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, 9 May - Sunday 12 May; Yoga Nidra Immersion and Urban Retreat with Kamini Desai. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Starts: 9am. Tickets: £665. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday, 9 May; Theosophy. In-person 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, 9 May; 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, 9 May; Make Good Trouble. Talk by Briana Pegado. 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, 9 May; Conscious Embodiment. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 6.30pm . Tickets: £35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Thursday 9 May (every Thursday); Talk on a paranormal subject for ASSAP members. Time: 7pm. Free event, with Zoom link details emailed out to members. To join ASSAP, for £5 per year, visit https://assap.ac.uk/

Thursday, 9 May; New Moon Session. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £25.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Thursday, 9 May; An Evening of Mediumship online with Daniel Pitt via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £16. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 9 May (tbc but 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/groups/crimsoncoven

Thursday, 9 May; Cunning Folk; 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 10 May; Shamanic Drums and 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 10 May (and other dates and times); 2-4-1 London Witches and History Walking Tour. Meet at Southwark View Point, Minerva Square, London SE1 9DF. Time: 4pm. Tickets: £14. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2-4-1-london-witches-history-walking-tour-tickets-852453670877?

Friday 10 May; Art of Cyclical Ritual. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £35.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Friday 10 May (every 2 weeks on Friday);  Gong Meditational Sound Healing. Venue: Leytonstone United Free Church, 55 Wallwood Road, Leytonstone, London, E11 1AY. Time: 7.15pm. Tickets: £15. https://www.meetup.com/Meditational-Sound-Healing-Gong-Bath/events/

Friday 10 May; London Witches Walking Tour with Maria Beadell's organised by Treadwell's Bookshop. Meet outside Farringdon tube Station, London EC1M 6BY. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £18.50. https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 11 May; Elements of Celtic Directions workshop with Lynn Gosney. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain, Minster, Kent. Starts 10am. Tickets £35. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain

Saturday 11 - Sunday 12 May; A Festival for Pagans and Witches. Venue: Heart of England Conference Centre, Fillongley Road, 

Meriden, CV7 8DX. Tickets: £15/£30. https://afestivalforpagansandwitches.co.uk/

Saturday 11 May;  Pagan Market at Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival.  Venue:  Westbury Gardens, 50 St Margaret’s St, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1DE  Admission free. https://witchfest.net/events/

Saturday, 11 May;  Family Event: Customise Your Amulet workshop with Francesca. Venue: Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, Malet Place, London WC1E 6BT. Time: 11am. Tickets: Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-event-customise-your-amulet-with-francesca-tickets-877355081667?

Saturday, 11 May; Trance and Hypnotism. Workshop with Paul Wood. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, London WC1A 1LY. Time: 11am. Tickets: tbc. https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Saturday, 11 May; Heartwood Tribe - Jack in the Green May Time Gathering. Family friendly event. Venue:  Frylands Wood Scout Outdoor Centre, Featherbed Lane, Croydon CR0 9AA. Time: 11am. Tickets: £5. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/go-wild-with-us-uk-39763045473

Saturday 11 May; Spirit and Moon Fayre. Venue: Cressex Community Centre, 203 Cressex Road, High Wycombe, HP12 4PZ, free public parking in Barry Close HP12 4UE.  Craft stalls, mediumship, jewellery, candles, crystals, tarot, EFT, Reiki, Indian head massage, talks and workshops.  Time: 11am-5pm. £5 entry including tombola ticket.   www.facebook.com/spiritandmoon. 

Saturday 11 May; Microdosing Plant Medicines With Ceremonial Cacao For Self Discovery. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 1pm . Tickets: £49.46. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Saturday 11 May; Making Amulets, Talismans and Charms- In-person Class with me, Lucya Starza, author of Pagan Portals - Poppets and Magical Dolls. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £22 per person.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Saturday 11 May; Intuitive Tarot Reading Workshop  with Emma Hewitt of Salamay Tarot and Healing Arts. Venue: Neter Maat Centre, Effra Road, London. Time: 2pm. Tickets  £44. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/emma-hewitt-salamay-tarot-healing-arts-38061527643

Saturday 11 May; School of Witchery: Herb Law Workshop. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London, SE9 6SH. Time: 2pm.  Tickets: £40. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/product-category/events-and-workshops/

Saturday 11 May; Planetary Magic: Venus, Planet of Love, Beauty and the Creative Arts. Online workshop with Dr Vivianne Crowley via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 5pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 12 May; Dawn Chorus Guided Walk at Dulwich Woods, South London. Time: 6.30am. Tickets: free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/london-wildlife-trust-7357843879

Sunday 12 May; Wirral Pathways Online Festival 2024. Time: 10am. Tickets: £7.50/£8.50. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pathways/1077862?

Sunday 12 May (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 12 May; The Dark Arts Fayre by Satanic Flea Market. Venue: The Vanguard, Camden Stables Market, London NW1 8AH. Time: 11am. Entry: £4. https://www.facebook.com/events/1828805587634917/

Sunday 12 May; Create Your Crystal Plan. Online workshop with Gemma Petherbridge via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £75. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 12 May (usually first Sunday of the month); Beltane at Woodspirits. Venue: Chorleywood, Hertfordshire. Time: 2pm. Free in-person event for members of Woodspirits group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4032235040150960

Sunday 12 May; Spring Renewal Yoga Flow, Meditation and Sound Healing Workshop. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion, Place Park, The Mansion Beckenham Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/

Sunday 12 May; 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 12 May; Sound Bath Meditation. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3, 1NG. Time: 7pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 12 May; Birthing Bunnies (and other such things). Talk by Prof. Marguerite Johnson 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

Sunday 12 May; 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 12 May; Brothers' Sweat Lodge organised by Aho Studio. In-person event. Venue: Berkeley Farm, Manor Rd, Lambourne End. Time: 11am. Tickets: £90. www.aho.community 

Sunday 12 May (second Sunday of the month); Ritual in the Tower (Luna Iter). In-person ritual in Hackney, East London for members of the group, guests and seekers on the path. Meet at the Pembury Tavern, 90 Amhurst Rd, London, from 5pm, moving on to a historic site to start the ritual at 6pm. Entry: £8. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1230392930656154

Sunday 12 May; Blue Lotus Tea Ceremony and Drum Journey. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 5.30pm . Tickets: £40.79. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Sunday 12 May; Sound Bath Meditation. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3, 1NG. Time: 7pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Monday 13 May; Kundalini Yoga. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 6.30pm . Tickets: £15. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Monday 13 May; Initiatory Wicca vs Solitary Witchcraft. Talk for seekers and beginners with Dr Rebecca Beattie, author of Nature Mystics, Wheel of the Year and Planetary Magic, via Treadwells Online, delayed viewing available. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Monday 13 May (second Monday of the month); Power of Deity. Training group workshop for solitary witches hosted by the Wytchery. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store St, London WC1E 7BS, UK. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.meetup.com/the-wytchery/

Monday 13 May; Tarot Foundation. Start of 10-session online course with Avril Price via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £240. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Monday 13 May (tbc but usually second Monday of the month);  South East London Pagans Moot. Venue: The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Rd, London SE15 3BE. Time: 7.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Monday 13 May; Winged Rebirth - Moon Ritual by Intimate Animals and Ugly Duck. Venue: Ugly Duck, 49 Tanner Street, London SE1 3PL. Time: 7pm. Tickets from £10 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/intimate-animals-ugly-duck-48346099203

Monday 13 May (most Mondays); 7.15pm: Composite Charts: You, Me, and the Invisible We, talk by Sheila Roher . 8.15pm: Chart discussion. Two online talks on astrology via the Astrological Lodge of London. Tickets £9 per talk or event for non members/ £6 members. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 13 May; The Mythology and Folklore of Magical Plants. Talk by Melissa Madara 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 13 May (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/events/453175327102974/

Tuesday 14 May (every Tuesday); Ceremonial Yoga. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 12.15pm Tickets: £12. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Tuesday 14 May (and other dates); Tea with a Medium. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, London WC1A 1LY. Time: 2.30pm. Tickets: £55. https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Tuesday 14 May; Where Do I Start? Start of 6-session online course with Anthony Kesner via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £145. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 14 May; Witch Bottles. Online talk with Dr Rebecca Beattie via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £16. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 14 May; Mediumship for Beginners. Start of 12-session online course with Anthony Kesner via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £230. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 14 May; Empowering Egyptian Pyramids Portal  Channelling With The Lyran + Sirius. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 6.30pm . Tickets: £42.96. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Tuesday 14 May;  A Witch’s Tools - The Grimoire. Class with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday, 14 May (and other dates); Women's drum circle in Hammersmith. Venue: Grove Neighbourhood Centre, Bradmore Park Road, London W6 0DT. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £16.96. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/womens-drum-circle-in-hammersmith-tickets-844758715057

Wednesday 15 May; Wind Knots for Abundance and Prosperity. Online class with Renee Baribeau via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £75. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 15 May; Learn Tarot (Major Cards) – Online Course. Start of 4-session course with Delphine Leblanc via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start. Tickets: £120. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 15 and 22 May; Queering Magic. Start of  2-Session Workshop with Julian Vayne via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start. Tickets: £40. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 15 May; Monthly Gathering with Sacred Earth Activism online event. Time: 7pm. Free but donations welcome. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sacred-earth-activism-32557618093

Wednesday 15 May; Monthly Astrology Learning Circle - Taurus. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 7pm . Tickets: £41.88. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Wednesday 15 May (tbc but usually 3rd Wednesday each month);  The More Mead Moot. Venue: The Hope pub, Carshalton, Surrey. Time: 7.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/Pagan-FutureFests-352385661439366/

Wednesday 15 May (tbc but usually 3rd Wednesday each month);  Witches of Zoom CoA Gathering. Free online event. Time: 7.30pm.  https://www.facebook.com/ZoomWitches 

Wednesday 15 May; Tibetan Sound Bowl Meditation - online meditation class with Spiritual Tiik. Time: 8.30pm. Tickets from £11.11. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/spiritual-tiik-29294295627

Wednesday 15 May;  Witchcraft During World War II. Talk by Julia Phillips 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, 16 May - 30 July (with free preview evening and chance to meet the artist at 7pm on 16 May); Seeing Beyond the Veil: Exhibition of Artworks by Clare Ormerod. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Starts: 11am. Free entry, but tickets for preview evening must be booked. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday, 16 May; Yogic Wisdom and the Simulation Hypothesis. Online talk by Rizwan Virk via Watkins Bookshop. Time: 5.30pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursday, 16 May; Art, Nature and Spirituality. Panel disussion with Clare Ormerod, Rachel Thomas and Philip Carr-Gomm. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Starts: 6pm. Tickets: £20. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday, 16 May; The Conscious Body. Start of 6-session online class with Doe Warnes via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £175. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday, 16 May; Numerology Foundation. Start of 10-session online class with Richard Abbot via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £240. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday, 16 May; Pariah Genius: Francisco Garcia, Jock McFadyen and Iain Sinclair in conversation. Venue: Venue: Swedenborg House, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15 (including signed book and drink); or £3 (admin fee; no book or drink). https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/event-type/talks/

Thursday, 16 May; Awakening The Witch Within - An Introduction To Witchcraft. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 7pm . Tickets: £33.62. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Thursday, 16 May; The Medieval Undead. Storytelling for adults and families, online with Jason Buck. Time: 7.30pm . Tickets: £3.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-medieval-undead-tickets-867389163337

16 May; Witchcraft in Kent: The Archaeological Evidence. Talk by Wayne Perkins with Bexley Archaeological Group. Venue: Bexley and Sidcup Conservative Club. Time: 8pm. Tickets tbc. https://www.bag.org.uk/

Friday 17 May (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 17- 19 May; Faerie Festival. I will be showing people how to make a corn dolly as a workshop on the Sunday. Venue: Great Betley Farmhouse, off Betley Lane, Stonepit Ln, Henfield BN5 9QT. Tickets: £15-£95. https://www.magicalfestivals.co.uk/

Friday 17 May; Foolish Fish (Denis Poisson) - The Value of Occult and Esoteric Books. 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 17 May; 9D Breathwork. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 6.30pm . Tickets: £62.46. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Friday 17 May; Witches in the Woods. Storytelling with London Dreamtime. Venue:  Secret Location in NW3. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets £1-£20. https://www.londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Friday 17 May; Strumpets and Harlots Walking Tour with Maria Beadell's organised by Treadwell's Bookshop. Meet at Covent Garden Tube Station, Long Acre, London WC2E 9JT. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £18.50. https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 18 - 19 May; 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 18 May; Online chat with Spiritual Creatives. Time: 11am. Tickets: Free. https://www.meetup.com/spiritualcreatives/

Saturday 18 May; Crystal Channeling - Guided Meditations With Crystals. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 11am. Tickets: £27.80. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Saturday 18 May; Spiritual Psychology: Outer Personality and Deeper Self – 2-day workshop with Vivianne and Chris Crowley. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 11am. Cost: £220 per person.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Saturday 18 May; I'll be giving a talk on Psychogeography for the Society of Leyhunters as part of a day of talks. The event starts at 11.15am. Venue: Education Room, Lewes Castle Barbican, Lewes, Sussex. Tickets: £5. http://leyhunters.co.uk/

Saturday 18 May; The Divination Club. Venue: tbc.  Time: 11am. Tickets from:   £25. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/desiree-sacred-wise-magick-41151406443

Saturday 18 May; Make Insightful Inner Portraits Inspired by Photographs. Workshop with Melissa Alley. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 18 May; How Vision Heals: Shamanic Diagnostic and Healing Practices. Online class with Itzhak Beery via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £105. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 18 May; Manifesting Through Meditation. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 3pm. Tickets: £42.96. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Sunday 19 May; Manifest Joy with the Goddesses of Egypt. Online class with Liesl Duffy and Kim Pilkington via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 19 May; Embrace Your Intuition and Spirit. Online class with Jeremy Turner-Welch via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 19 May; Dawn of the Oak. Pagan moot. Venue: The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon Road/Greville Street, London EC1M 3JF. Time: 3pm. https://www.meetup.com/the-kith-of-the-tree-and-the-well/events/

Sunday 19 May; Women's Circle - Find Your Flow With The Water Element. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 5.30pm. Tickets: £39.71. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Sunday 19 May; Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz. Talk by Prof Evans Lansing Smith 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

For activities after these dates please visit my events page. 

Please note that I am not responsible for the content of any of these events except my own scrying workshop and book launch. 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 I earn commission from advertisers for some links, this helps support my blog at no extra cost to readers.

Book Review: Hocus Focus by Corinne Marley

Hocus Focus: A Beginner's Guide to Manifestation Through Intention and Spellwork is an excellent book aimed at anyone new to witchcrft. It's by Corinne Marley and I was kindly sent a copy by Summersdale Publishers, Despite being an experienced witch myself, I found it absolutely delightful. 

I particularly like that the book emphasises the importance of putting mental energy into spells rather than just treating them like a recipe of ingredients. That's why it has "Focus" in the title and "Manifestation Through Intention" in the subtitle. Setting intentions, focusing on what you want, and concentrating your wishes are vital to make magic effective.

The things you use also have recognised properties that can help. The first section covers basics like how to choose what colour candle to use, and the properties of various crystals. When you're learning witchcraft it also helps to have simple spells you can try out, and the book has plenty. There are spells for healing, reflection, self-care and self-discovery as well as practical things like attracting a lover, finding a lost pet and protecting your home. It covers harnessing the energy of the moon's phases, connecting with the natural world, and working with different goddesses. Everything is very well explained in short sections with clear examples.

However, the book isn't just a simple grimoire - it's also a magical journal as each spell has space for making personal notes plus lined pages with prompts at the end. 

When I was taking my first tentative steps in witchcraft many decades ago, I'd have liked Hocus Focus  very much. Even reading the book now has given me ideas for a few new spells to try.

You can view Hocus Focus on Amazon and also find out more at Summersdale Publishers: https://summersdale.com/titles/corinne-marley/hocus-focus/9781837991884/

Rounding the Year: English Bluebells in Early May

Here are English bluebells, which I photographed this weekend at the Arlington Bluebell Walk in Sussex.

Bluebells are a quintessential May flower. In England the native species is sadly hybridising with non-native Spanish ones, so English bluebells are getting rare. One way to tell the difference is that in English bluebells the flower stem droop to one side and almost all the flowers are on one side of the stem. Spanish bluebells are more upright with flowers all the way round it. 

Share your seasonal photos!

I'm inviting people to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. 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 book

My book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year offers more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can view the book on Amazon and find it at estoeric bookshops or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

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

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-too-soon-for-silver-birch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/rounding-year-sharing-seasonal-pictures.html