A bad witch's blog

Friday, 25 April 2025

Rounding the Year: Forget-Me-Nots in the Grass

Here's a close-up photo of forget-me-nots flowering in my garden. In fact they are all over my lawn, along with primroses, bluebells and other pretty wildflowers. It looks so beautiful, and I know bees and insects have a feast there. I'm always in such a dilemma over whether to mow the lawn at this time of year.

I like to take part in No Mow May, so I either mow the lawn before May or after it. You might think the most environmentally friendly thing to is to wait. But, along with all those lovely wildflowers there are brambles and tree saplings eager to take over. My rubbish mower wouldn't be up to the job of tackling them - or even very long grass - in 5 or 6 weeks' time.

What I've decided to do is mow some of the lawn, remove the worst bramble culprits by hand, but leave areas of forget-me-nots, primroses, bluebells and the like a bit longer. I did pick a few to put in a vase on my kitchen window sill. The petals are apparently edible and a few look nice floating in cold drinks.

Magically, forget-me-nots are good for love spells, especially for keeping yourself in your partner's thoughts when you are away from each other. This could be another reason to sprinkle petals into glasses of wine you might share on a romantic afternoon in a springtime garden.

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 and any of my other Pagan Portals witchcraft books, or my Gothic novel Erosion you can find them via my publisher Moon Books, which is part of Collective Ink: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com

You can also find my books at London bookshop Treadwell's at 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/rounding-year-daffodil-in-my-garden.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-too-soon-for-silver-birch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/12/rounding-year-wintery-bare-trees-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/01/rounding-year-wassailing-apple-trees.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/green-london-japanese-gardens-in.html

Thursday, 24 April 2025

Book Review: Pagan Portals - Magick for Empaths

Our world desparately needs more empathy. We're living at a time when the needs of others, especially those less fortunate than ourselves, are being ignored. Selfishness rules, at least in some places, and for some people.

Natural empaths - those who are highly sensitive to the emotions of others - have a great gift. However, they are also people who can sometimes be taken advantage of, simply because they are caring and want to help. Pagan Portals - Magick for Empaths, a new book by Raven Digitalis, offers guidance to empaths to help them protect themselves and also make the most of their abilities in witchcraft and other magical practices.

The synopsis from publisher Moon Books reads:

"Empaths have a unique vantage point when it comes to magickal and metaphysical work. Although sometimes overwhelming, empathy, the experience of stepping into the emotions of another, is actually of great spiritual benefit.
"In Pagan Portals: Magick for Empaths, award-winning author Raven Digitalis explores: the spiritual significance of empathy, as well as its biological and evolutionary forces; overcoming empathic challenges and emotional overload; grounding, protection, and shielding; spellcasting techniques and magickal tools for empaths; balancing emotion and cognition; daily energy maintenance; approaching mystical realms as an empath; flow states and artistic expression; connecting with the water element; and so much more…"

Being able to tap into the feelings and emotional energy of people and places is an important skill for all witches to learn. It's vital for what's called the "inner work" of both spiritual and magical practices. Simply reciting words and performing actions isn't as effective as sensing how the energy is flowing and what it feels like. I'll admit I'm personally more a thinker and a doer than an emoter by nature, but this book has reminded me of the importance of empathy - not only for spellcraft, but also for making the world a kinder, more loving, place for everyone.

You can view Magick for Empaths on Amazon and find it at independent pagan bookshops

About the Author

Raven Digitalis is best known for his “empath’s trilogy,” consisting of The Empath's Oracle, Esoteric Empathy, and The Everyday Empath, as well as the “shadow trilogy” of A Gothic Witch’s Oracle, A Witch's Shadow Magick Compendium, and Goth Craft. Originally trained in Georgian Witchcraft, Raven has been an earth-based practitioner since 1999, a priest since 2003, a Freemason since 2012, and an empath all of his life. He holds a degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Montana, jointly operated a nonprofit Pagan temple for sixteen years, and is also a professional Tarot reader, editor, card-carrying magician, and animal rights advocate. You can find his website here: www.ravendigitalis.com

Wednesday, 23 April 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 Beltane and May 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, plus some festivals and exhibitions further afield.

Now -27 April; Oracles, Omens and Answers exhibition. Venue: S.T. Lee Gallery, Weston Library, Bodleian Libraries, Oxford. https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/oracles-omens-and-answers

Now - 30 April; Tarot Then and Now exhibition. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Times: Mon-Sat 10.30am-6pm, Wednesdays until noon. Talks: Wednesday from 14.30pm. Free entry to exhibition, talks priced separately https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

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/

Now - October 31; Alexandrian Witchcraft exhibition. Venue: Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Boscastle, Cornwall. Full details tbc. https://museumofwitchcraftandmagic.co.uk/

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/

Most lunchtimes and some evenings: Meditation - in-person or online. In-person venue: Inner Space, 36 Shorts Gardens, Covent Garden, London · WC2H 9AB. Time: 1pm (for lunchtime meditation). Free. https://www.meetup.com/inner-space-covent-garden/events/

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, 23 April; Astrology Discussion Group. Online with Rest Less Events. Time: 10.30am. Tickets free. https://events.restless.co.uk/event-calendar/astrology-discussion-group/

Wednesday, 23 April (and other days and times); The London Witches Bankside Walking Tour. Meet at: Southwark View Point, Minerva Square, London SE1 9DF. Times: 6pm. Tickets: £16.31. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/special-easter-offer-london-witches-history-bankside-walking-tour-tickets-1303218735319?

Wednesday, 23 April; History of the Witch with speakers Professor Ronald Hutton FBA, Dr Laura Kounine, and A.K. Blakemore. Hybrid event. In-person venue: The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace London SW1Y 5AH. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets free: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/history-of-the-witch-tickets-1235514821089?

Wednesday, 23 April; 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 April; Family Constellation Online Workshop - April with Emma Hewitt of Salamay Tarot and Healing Arts. Time: 7pm. Tickets £16.96. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/emma-hewitt-salamay-tarot-healing-arts-38061527643

Wednesday 23 April (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, 23 April; Only Joy: Breaking Limited Beliefs free workshop via Zoom with Stefania Arzamendia. Time: 7-8.30pm. Tickets free. https://www.aho.community/

Wednesday 23 April (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, 24 April; Guided Meditation for Earth Day hosted by Inner Space. Venue: Inner Space, 36 Shorts Gardens, Covent Garden, ·London WC2H 9AB. Time: 6.30am to 7am. Free. https://www.meetup.com/inner-space-covent-garden/events/306610500/

Thursday, 24 April; Aetheric Magic. Talk and signing by Ike Baker. 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 April; Tarot Late with Mark Pilkington (exhibition event). Venue: Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AB. Time 6pm. Free entry, but first come first served for readings. https://warburg.sas.ac.uk/

Thursday 24 April; Working Magically with the Fae and Elementals of the Forest. Online workshop with Pixie P Carney via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday, 24 April (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, 24 April; The History of Witchcraft and Feminism. Online talke with Lora O'Brien. Time: 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets: from £11.12. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-history-of-witchcraft-and-feminism-with-lora-obrien-online-tickets-1262788407119?

Thursday, 24 April; Sunset Gong Bath / Sound Journey. Venue: Secret Soul Sanctuary, Sydenham Hill, London SE23 3PH. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets from £20.21. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/claire-the-soul-nurturer-35479207053

Friday 25 April (4th Friday of the month); The Wild Wood Tarot study group. Free online event. Time: 7pm. https://www.meetup.com/astrotarotkitchen/events/

Friday 25 April; Saints and Pagans: Legends of the Confronted Past. RILKO talk by Jeremy Harte. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Rd, Marylebone, London NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. Tickets tbc https://www.facebook.com/events/1844568719664058?

Friday 25 April; A Demonstration of Psychic Mediumship: An Evening of Connection with Maria Antoniou. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm weekdays. Tickets: £27 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 25 April; Sacred Sisters monthly Goddess circle for women. Bradwell on Sea Village Hall, Essex. Time: 7pm. Entry £15 suggested donation. https://www.facebook.com/events/3967544280153537/

Friday 25 April; 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/

Friday, 25 April (Every 3rd Friday of the month until December 19); Way of the Witch monthly online circle with Samantha K. and Jacqui C. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.meetup.com/sammi-k-shamanic-practitioner-psychic-medium/events/

Saturday 26 April; ‘Mind’ the Gap: Journeying Non-Locally through Theories of Mind Beyond the Brain. Hybrid event with various speakers by the Society for Psychical Research. In-person venue: Society for Psychical Research HQ, 1 Vernon Mews, London W14 0RL. Starts: 9.45am. Tickets: Full day £20 for members/£25 non members. https://www.spr.ac.uk/

Saturday 26 April; Madder Mill Molly London Bridge Tour. Morris Dance at locations around the London Bridge including Southwark Cathedral and the Golden Hinde. Starts 10.30am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/652085604287359?

Saturday 26 April; Tarot – Origins and Afterlives Symposium exhibition event. Venue: The Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AB. Time: One-day event. Tickets: £15/£10. https://warburg.sas.ac.uk/

Saturday 26 April; Feeling Spirit: Clairsentience. Online workshop with Hernan Cotroneo via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 11am-5pm. Tickets £115. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 26 April; Journey into Mediumship: Exploring Spirit Communication. Workshop with Sarah Tyler-Walters. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am-5pm. weekdays. Tickets: £125 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 26 April; Sacred Sweat Lodge for Beltane. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain Kent. Run by Lynn Gosney. Time: 11.30am. Tickets £30, email lynn.gosney@hotmail.com for info and to book. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain/

Saturday 26 April; Kundalini: Navigating the Experience. Workshop with Ann Mathie. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 1pm. weekdays. Tickets: £90 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 26 April; Art / Magic / Lore: Wild Talents. Talks via Conway Hall Ethical Society and London Fortean Society. Venue: Conway Hall, London, WC1X . Time: 2pm. Tickets £14/£10. https://conwayhall.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173662280

Saturday 26 April; Working With Your Crystal Allies For Protection. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/events-and-workshops/working-with-your-crystal-allies-for-protection-saturday-26th-april/

Saturday 26 April; Fairy Walk with Trefor Wickens. Venue: Sydenham Hill Woods, SE London. Time: 7pm. Tickets tbc. https://www.facebook.com/events/1820499812017805

Saturday 26 April; London Magical Moon Pilgrimage. Live walk with Parsifal David Solomon via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Walk by the Thames, London. Time: 10pm. Tickets · from £44. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Sunday 27 April; Online New Moon Sound Bath and Meditation with Spiritual Tiik. Time: 8.30am. Tickets free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/spiritual-tiik-29294295627

Sunday 27 April; Finding Your Unique Voice: The Throat Chakra. Workshop with Anna Parkinson. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am - 5pm. weekdays. Tickets: £125 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 27 April; 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 27 April; Storytelling Sunday: Lost Among The Trees 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 27 April (and other times and dates); Soul Restore Sound Healing. Venue: The Mandrake, 20-21 Newman Street, London W1T 1PG. Time: 4pm. Tickets: £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-mandrake-17825575648

Sunday, 27 April (every Sunday); Mindfulness Meditation followed by Sound Meditation. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3, 1NG. Time: 6pm/7pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 27 April (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

Sunday, 27 April; Presentation: Witches, Fairies, and Familiar Spirits. Online talk by Dr Julia Phillips via The Doreen Valiente Foundation. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets £8.08. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-doreen-valiente-foundation-32651226799

Sunday, 27 April; “Where Did the Witch’s Hat Come From? Talk by - Dr Yvonne Owens 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

Monday, 28 April; Poison: A talk and poetry reading with Louise Warren. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 11am. Tickets from £16.40. Price includes a Cocktail with Devil’s Botany. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Monday, 28 April (every Mondays); 6pm: Chart Discussion. 7pm: Domicile Lord of the Hour Marker: Exploring Planetary Authority in the Natal Chart with Israel Ajose Steiner House. Hybrid talk via the Astrological Lodge of London. In-person venue: 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Tickets £9. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 28 April (date tbc); Bibi's Circle - Hawthorne Plant Magic and Beltane. Venue: Ron's Coffee House, Holdrons Arcade, 135a Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST. Time: 6pm. Tickets: free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bibis-circle-56277271483

Monday, 28 April; Women’s use of magic and witchcraft in 8th - century England Pt 1. Talk by Dr. Linda Sever via Owl House. (Part 2 is on 7 May). Online event. Time: 6.45pm for 7pm. Tickets £4 for one talk, £6 for both. https://ti.to/owl-house-seminars/women-witchcraft-and-magic-in-anglo-saxon-england-parts-12with-dr-linda-sever-copy?

Monday, 28 April; New Moon Sistership Circle - The Maiden Activation First Moon Ceremony. Venue: Secret Soul Sanctuary, Sydenham Hill, London SE23 3PH. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets from £16.96. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/claire-the-soul-nurturer-35479207053

Monday, 28 April; Taking Nature's Hand: May. 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 April; Love Magic for Beltane. Class with Rebecca Beattie, author of The Wheel of the Year and Planetary Magic, via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Monday, 28 April; Psychedelic Sex Witches talk with Gary Parsons about 1960s and 70s popular media. Venue: Helgi's, 177 Mare St, London E8 3RG. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £16.69 https://dice.fm/partner/helgis/event/bbwalk-psychedelic-sex-witches-talk-with-gary-parsons-28th-apr-helgis-london-tickets?

Monday 28 April; Atlas holds up the World: The Anatomy of Myth. Talk by Cat Irving 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

Monday 28 April (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 April; The occult on screen. Start of 5-session class with Gillian McIver via City Lit. Venue: 1-10 Keeley St, London WC2B 4BA. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £129/£84. https://www.citylit.ac.uk/

Tuesday 29 April; Bibi's x Carnival Women's Circle - Essential Oils Workshop. Venue: Carnival Coffee Roasters, 9 Central Parade, Penge London SE20 7TN. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £27.80. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bibis-circle-56277271483

Tuesday 29 April; Light Language: Energetic Codes for Spiritual Growth and Transformation. Start of 2-part online course with Gemma Petherbridge via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 29 April; Natural Magic: Ancient Energies of the Land and Druidry through the Works of W.B. Yeats. Online talk by Helena B. Scott via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets £20. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday, 29 April; Cunning Folk Archive Hour: Walpurgish Night. Venue: Dash The Henge Store, 348 Camberwell New Road, London SE5 0RW. Time: 7pm. Tickets free. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cunning-folk-7829505560

Tuesday 29 April (and other dates and times); Viktor Wynd Museum Guided Tour + a Devil's Botany Absinthe. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6pm. Tickets from £16. Price includes a Cocktail with Devil’s Botany. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Tuesday 29 April; Learn Learn Marseille Tarot. Start of 4-week online course with Adrien Mastrosimone via Treadwell's. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £120. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday, 23 April (usually 4th or last Tuesday); Beltane Ritual by Mani at So Moot It Be Pagan Moot. Venue: The Prince of Wales, Railway Street, Chatham ME4 4HU. Time: 7.30pm for 8pm start. Entry £2. https://www.facebook.com/events/2537742646567353

Tuesday 29 April (usually 4th or last Tuesday); The Shakespeare Furore. Talk presented by London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London, E1 7EX. Door time: 7:30pm. Start time: 8pm Tickets £5.50/£3.30. info http://forteanlondon.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/LondonForteanSociety/

Tuesday 29 April; The Great Satanic Swindle. Talk by Justin Hopper 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

Wednesday 30 April; Calvino's Tarot. Tarot – Origins and Afterlives exhibition event. Venue: The Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AB. Time: evening. Tickets: free. https://warburg.sas.ac.uk/

Wednesday 30 April; Expand Your Aura with Kundalini Yoga. Workshop with Gemma Bliss. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 6.30pm weekdays. Tickets: £35 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday, 30 April; Beltane Ritual. Meet at Peterhouse Community Center, London E17 3PW and travel into Epping Forest. Time: 7pm. Tickets £33.22. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beltane-ritual-tickets-1325446489129

Wednesday 30 April; Hand Reading for Beginners. Start of 10-part online course with Robin Lown via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets £265. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 30 April (tbc but usually last Wednesday every month); Hertford Pagan Moot. Venue: 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 April; Exploring Early 1900s Horror Cinema. 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 1 May; Fowlers Troop and the Deptford Jack in the Green are usually out and about in Deptford and Greenwich on May Day from noon to 6pm. Everyone is welcome and this is a free event. However, the event is no longer advertised as widely as it used to be, as numbers need to be kept low for safety reasons. If you are local to the area, keep an eye out for Jack and his followers. One of the stops on the route is usually Deptford Market.

Thursday 1 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, 1 May; Twenty-Two Impressions: Notes from the Major Arcana. Talk and signing by Jessica Friedmann. 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, 1 May; The Fire Within: Beltane Sound Journey with Live Harp and Storytelling. Venue: Loom Club, 6 Northampton Street #Unit 23, London N1 2HY. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £27.80/£33.22. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-fire-within-beltane-sound-journey-with-live-harp-and-storytelling-tickets-1306725032749

Thursday 1 May (tbc but usually first Thursday each month); A Year of Witchcraft: An Introduction to Wicca. Venue: Lost Souls Pizza Camden, 245 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BA. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £6.13.

Thursday 1 May; The Power of Yes. Online talk by Gary Quinn via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets free. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 1 May; PF London Beltane Open Ritual via Pagan Federation London. Venue: Pirate Castle, Gilbey's Wharf Oval Road NW1 7EA London, UK Time: 7.30pm. Entry £8 for PF members, £10 for non-members (cash only). https://www.facebook.com/PaganFederationLondon

Thursday 1 May (tbc); Glastonbury Goddess Temple Beltane Ceremony online. Time: tbc. Tickets (donation). https://goddesstemple.co.uk/

Thursday 1 May; Beltane Celebration with South East London Pagans. Venue: Peckham Rye Common, London SE22. Time: 7.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Thursday 1 May; Cupid, Psyche, Beauty and The Beast. Talk by Prof. Marguerite Johnson 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

Friday 2 - Monday 5 May; Hastings Jack-in-the-Green Festival - traditional annual event to celebrate May with music, a procession, talks and workshops, Morris Dancing, a May Queen and Jack-in-the-Green. Full four-day festival programme culminating on Bank Holiday Monday with the Jack in the Green parade itself. For full details visit the festival website: https://hastingstraditionaljackinthegreen.co.uk/

Friday, 2 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 2 May; The Night Watchman: Amazonian Guayusa Dream Tea Ceremony. Online class by GItzhak Beery via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 6pm. Tickets £85. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday, 2 May; Goddesses, Gals and Rat Queens – Walking Tour with Maria Beadell organised by Treadwells. Meet at Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA. Time: 6.20pm. Tickets: £20. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Friday, 2 May (every fortnight until July 25); Practice Reading Tarot. Free online event. Time: 7pm. https://www.meetup.com/astrotarotkitchen/events/

Friday, 2 May; Is a River Alive? Talk by Robert Macfarlane. Venue: Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, SW7 2AR. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets from £30 https://howtoacademy.com/events/robert-macfarlane-is-a-river-alive/

3 - 4 May ; The Star in the East Conference. Venue: Marriott Warehose South Quay, South Quay King's Lynn PE30 5DT. Full festival tickets £95. Saturday tickets £28.

www.facebook.com/starintheeastconference or https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-star-in-the-east-occult-festival-tickets-1119126380129?

Saturday 3 May; Walking in the Footsteps of your Year, at this Beltane 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 3 May; Women's Voice and Drum Connection Workshop with Emma Hewitt of Salamay Tarot and Healing Arts. Venue: 9 Havelock Walk, London SE23 3HG. Time: 11am-5.30pm. Tickets £54.88. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/emma-hewitt-salamay-tarot-healing-arts-38061527643

Saturday 3 May; The Icaro: Shamanic Medicine Songs. Workshop with Itzhak Beery. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am-5pm weekdays. Tickets: £125 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 3 May to Monday 5 May; The Rochester Sweeps Festival, International Festival of Folk Music and Dance. Time: 10am and 6pm. https://www.medway.gov.uk/sweepsfestival

Saturday 3 May; 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

Saturday 3 May (date tbc); Beltane at Coldrum Stones with Kent Gorsed. Venue: Coldrum Long Barrow, West Maling, Kent. Time: noon. Free. https://www.facebook.com/kentgorsedd/

Saturday 3 May; Beltane Free and open Gorsed of Caer Abiri 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 3 May; Beltane 2025 Ceremony and Maypole dance in Queen's Wood. Meet at the entrance on Queenswood Road, London N6 5UU. Time: 2pm. Tickets £7. https://www.meetup.com/londonwoodlandwitches/events/

Saturday 3 May; Activate Your Crystal Skull Workshop. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/events-and-workshops/activate-your-crystal-skull-workshop/?

Saturday 3 May; Shamanic Journey - Find Your Power Animal event by by Indigo Earth. Venue: The Twelfth House UK, 1 Chingford Road, London E17 4PW. Time: 11am. Tickets £25. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/priest-of-indigo-earth-joseph-atiase-35528479563

Saturday 3 May (tbc but usually first Saturday each month); Gong Bath. Venue: Upminster Sanctuary Pea Lane, Upminster, RM142XH. Time: 7pm. Tickets: tbc. https://upminstersanctuary.com/

Sunday 4 May; Balance Your Mind, Balance Your Life: The Power of Breath. Start of 6-part online course with Sven Carlson via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 10am. Tickets £190. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 4 May; Shamanic Soul Mending for a Return to Wholeness. Workshop with Itzhak Beery. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am-5pm weekdays. Tickets: £125 https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 4 May; Druidic Ritual to celebrate Beltane 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 4 May (date tbc); Anderida Gorsedd Beltane 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 4 May; 21st century television and film, ecohorror, Old Gods. Talk by Dr Katy Soar 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, 22 April 2025

Green London: The Rookery & Streatham Common

You might be forgiven for thinking The Rookery is somewhere birds roost, or perhaps a part of Dickensian London infamous as a hive of scum and villainy. Well, the word can mean either of those things, of course, but The Rookery nestled within by Streatham Common is a Grade II Listed Historic Garden. It has bubbling streams leading to ornamental ponds, beds of herbaceous plants and wildflower, an orchard, and a community garden.

It gets its name because it was originally the landscaped gardens of a large house called ‘The Rookery’ - which sounds delightfully Gothic to me. I'm sure it was full of ghosts, secret passages, maybe a family curse, and flocks of black corvids croaking ill-omens, but that's probably just my imagination. I don't know much about the history of the building except that it housed guests staying in the area to use the health-giving springs and spas Streatham was once famous for. You can still see one of the three original wells of Streatham Spa Water, dating from 1609.

In the early years of the 20th century, the site was going to be sold for redevelopment, but was saved by public subscription and the whole area beautifully planted and landscaped, opening to the public in 1913. It includes a traditional Old English Garden, and a White Garden in which only pale flowers bloom. The Rookery is also rich in wildlife. Part of it was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2013, along with Streatham Common.

It's managed by Streatham Common Cooperative (SCCoop), a local community-led enterprise. A market takes place there every Saturday. Public toilets and a café can be found just outside, as well as a lovely paddling pool I remember enjoying in my childhood. When I visited over the bank holiday there was a dog splash day and I watched pooches happily running about in the water and wagging their tails.

Streatham Common

Once part of the Great North Wood, ancient woodland which stretched across the land south of London, Streatham Common was saved from redevelopment in 1884 for the public to continue to enjoy. It's still a large area of open green space containing woodland, grassland, meadows, streams and a picnic area, as well as surrounding The Rookery formal garden.

The Common is a key site within London Wildlife Trust’s 'Great North Wood' project, which aims to raise awareness of the original Great North Wood, offering guided walks, talks and and volunteering activities. Both Streatham Common and the Rookery are designated Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation for the London Borough of Lambeth.

Green London

I've been blogging regularly about London's green spaces in an effort to dispel a prevalent myth in the pagan community that it's just all concrete. Even in the City, which is of course heavily built up, there are still places where nature thrives, while Greater London has huge areas of woods, commons, parks and beautiful gardens.

The pictures on this post were all taken by me. Please do not use them without my permission.

Previous Green London Posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/green-london-plumstead-common-its.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/green-london-londons-first-botanical.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/green-london-japanese-gardens-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/09/green-london-riverview-walk-river-pool.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/10/green-london-ancient-woodlands-around.html

Friday, 18 April 2025

Sometimes It's Good to Take a Screen Break

The sun is shining the natural world is looking beautiful in spring colours, so I've decided to spend a little less time staring at tech and brooding about grim news this bank holiday. Instead, I'm going to recharge my batteries by getting out and exploring more of Green London over the next few days. This means I won't be doing any more blog posts until Tuesday April 22. However, I might share a few photos of flowers on Instgram. You can find me there as starzalucya.

I hope everyone who reads my blog does fun things over the bank holiday too. Self care is important, and getting out in nature is good for general wellbeing.

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