Pagans v Christians: Witchfest's Battle of the Bands

I took the picture above outside Fairfield Halls in Croydon while queueing to enter Witchfest International 2023. It was a brilliant event, as usual, with lots of great speakers, a chance to meet up with friends, and plenty of entertainment. 

Some of that entertainment was provided by a Pagans v Christians battle of the bands. A group of evangelicals turned up outside to protest about us witches and druids doing stuff they disaprove of. They had a PA system to preach and play loud gospel music. It isn't the first time they've made an appearance - in fact they are kind of a regular side-show.

But this year I was delighted to get a front-row view of the Pentacle Drummers coming out to make a big noise. They were loudly cheered by us Pagans. The photo shows the Pentacle drummers and behind them the Christian group with their placard and sound system. I'm pretty sure that despite the Christian's electronic help, the Pagans won the battle of the bands with a purely acoustic set.

I hope to blog more later about what went on inside Witchfest International 2023. Witchfest is organised the Children of Artemis. You can find out about future CoA events here: https://witchfest.net/events/

I'm a Bad Witch: Why I Wasn't at Witchfest on Saturday

I spent Saturday on the sofa rather than being at Witchfest in West London, or at the Visions of the Occult event at the Tate, or at the College of Psychic Studies' Tarot weekend, or at Conway Hall for London Fortean's Haunted Landscapes. 

Yeah that's exactly the kind of reason I originally called myself a Bad Witch when I started writing my blog. Sometimes I stay at home instead of going out and doing witchy things. I did get an online ticket for Haunted Landscape, and enjoyed the talks very much indeed. I'll list them here so you know what you missed if you weren't there or watching from your own sofa:

• Jasper Goodall showing his eerie photography during a talk called Into The Wild Night
• Roy Vickery on Eerie Planet Folklore
• Dr Victoria Flood on Alderley Edge and the Dead Man
• Daniel and Clara on Avebury Imaginary: a personal history of a stone circle and hill
• Jeremy Harte on John Wesley and the Devil: Hell-Wrestling with the Magic Methodists
• Brice Stratford on The New Forest: A Pocket of Pixies
• Lisa Schneidau on Monsters from the Deep: River Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland
• Irving Finkel on The First Ghosts

But - and this probably makes me even more of a bad witch - I don't regret my choice. You see, I spent a lot of time before the talks started, in between them, and after they finished, adding more words to the novel I'm writing for NaNoWriMo. That's the National Novel Writing Month challenge to write 50,000 words of fiction during the month of November. I'm nearly up to 40,000 words now, so feel I'm in a good place to meet the target by the deadline.

If you did go to Witchfest - or any of the other fabulous events at the weekend, do leave a comment and say what you did and what fun you had. If you took a photo at or ouside any of the events and want to share it on A Bad Witch's Blog, then please email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com 

The photo on this post shows a hedgehog muff on the sofa where I was sitting. My husband bought me the muff coz he thought sticking my hands into a stuffed hedgehog would be just the thing to keep me warm. Obviously I can't use the muff while I'm writing.

Witchfest 2019: A Wonderful Day with Friends

Witchfest returned to its home at Fairfield Halls in Croydon on Saturday, and for the witches and other pagan folk there it was like the biggest family reunion. I was so happy to be with them, to meet up with many old friends and make a few new ones.

Fairfield Halls has only recently reopened after being closed for refurbishment since 2015. The building hasn't changed much in layout, but is brighter and more comfortable in its decor and furnishings.

Witchfest International moved to Brighton in 2016 and 2017, but although the seaside venue was good, people found it a bit difficult to travel to, so ticket sales dipped. The organisers, Children of Artemis, decided to run smaller events in Reading and the Midlands in 2018. However, it seemed as though Witchfest International 2019 was a huge success, so I really hope it stays in Croydon for many years to come.

As usual, the quality and variety of talks, rituals and entertainment on offer were excellent. I arrived in time to hear Jenny Cartledge give a beautiful opening blessing, then I went around the market. Two of my favourite traders were there - Bewitched Botanicals and Treadwell's Books - but there were also many other tempting stalls selling all sorts of witchy goodies.

The talks I went to included Philip Heselton on his research into the origins of the New Forest coven for his forthcoming book, Damh the Bard on the Pagan Grail, and Professor Ronald Hutton on The Wicker Man in historic writing and the movie of that name.

I rather unexpectedly got called up on stage to represent one of the elemental quarters of the circle by Rufus Harrington in his talk on the magic of the mind. I signed copies of my book on poppets and magical dolls and, right at the end of the programme of lectures and workshops, I gave a talk on the subject. In the evening there was music and socialising until 2am, but I must admit I left in time to catch a train home. I still felt a little worse for wear the next day, but it was worth it.

If you are wondering why I didn't take any photos at Witchfest, it was because photography isn't allowed except in one of those booths where you can get a picture of yourself and your friends. A few people did appear to be unaware of the rule on not taking snaps, but I decided to be a good witch for once and left my camera in my bag. The images on this page show a banner advertising the event and the cover for the DVD of The Wicker Man.

You can find out more about Witchfest and other events run by Children of Artemis here: https://witchcraft.org/

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/10/the-excitement-and-sadness-of-witchfest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/11/witchfest-2016-review-by-jenny-cartledge.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/11/witchfest-margaret-murray-sex-and.html

This Week's Pagan Events In & Near London

Here are events in London plus a few in other parts of the UK over the next week or so that could be of interest to pagans. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now - 2 February 2020; William Blake exhibition. Venue: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG. Entry: £18/£17/Free for members. https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/william-blake-artist?

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

Now to Wednesday 6 November, Ghost Writers for Halloween - Paintings by Anthony Keates. Art exhibition at The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, Eng WC1A 1LY. Open during shop hours. For more details, call 020 7405 2120 or visit http://theatlantisbookshop.com/

All of November; Witchy 30-Day Challenge November, organised by Kitchen Witch Coven of Natural Witchery ·and hosted by Rachel Patterson. Simple suggestions to help you connect with nature and your magic each day for 30 days. Free event, in your own home, at your own time: https://www.facebook.com/events/2419622258356977/

Tuesday 5 November; Sacred Sounds Monthly Gong Bath with Gong Master Olaf Nixon. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, Kensington, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22/£25.  https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 5 November; Making incense talk at The Witches' Inn Gathering. Venue: The Hatch Public House, 44, Hatchlands Road, Redhill, RH1 6AT. Time: 8pm. Free pagan moot, just turn up. https://www.facebook.com/events/1107189122818970

Wednesday 6 November; Forest Bathing in Queen's Wood, Highgate. Meet in the cabin behind Queen's Wood Cafe, Highgate. Time: 9.30am. Ends at noon. (event repeats every month) Price: £25. https://www.meetup.com/London-Forest-Bathing-Nature-Connection-Meetup/

Wednesday 6 November; Free Guided Tour of the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology (every Wednesday). Venue: UCL, Malet Place, London, WC1 6BT. Time: 2pm. Free, but book in advance: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/event-ticketing/booking?

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

Wednesday 6 November; Sacred Singing. Open your heart and voice through chanting. Venue in London N16. Time: 7.30pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/683456182148551/

Wednesday 6 November; Here Be Witches: Practical Magic. An Exploration of witches in film at The Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BY.  Time: 8.30pm. Tickets: £11.50/£9. https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/

Thursday 7 November; Learn to read Tarot - three-day intensive course with Shirlee. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SH. For further details, including cost and times, contact Shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk, call 0208 850 7803 or visit https://www.facebook.com/WiccaMoonEltham/

Thursday 7 November; Lisa Sterle, creator of the Modern Witch Tarot, in conversation with Eleanor Tremeer. Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details visit the websites http://www.watkinsbooks.com/  or https://www.meetup.com/WatkinsBooks/

Thursday 7 November; Oligarchy, Diet and Spirituality. Talk by Scarlett Thomas. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Time: 7pm. Free admission, but email avery@swedenborg.org.uk to book. https://www.facebook.com/events/972155093130775/

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

Friday 8 November, Ancestral Wounding and Healing. Talk by Jez Hughes, author of The Heart of Life. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, Kensington, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Tickets:£13/£15. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 8 November; Intent and the Art of Dreaming: The path of the warrior-seer workshop with Iwan Bran y Dderwen. Venue: Aho Studio, 13 Prince Edward Rd, London, E9 5LX. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £23. www.aho.community

Friday 8 November,  Holistic Sound Bath Meditation - Summoning The Sacred (weekly ceremonial gathering). Venue: Training Points Fitness and Therapy, 6 Coopers Yard, Crystal Palace, SE19 1TN. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £20. https://www.facebook.com/summoningthesacredsound/

Saturday 9 November; A Day Away Retreat hosted by Wild Peace. An energising morning and a relaxing afternoon with Qi Gong, sound bath, meditation, a healthy lunch and refreshments.Venue: Buckland Village Hall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22. Time: 10am-4pm. Early bird price £65 if paid before 9th October. After this date £75. Contact janeygoodear@gmail.com or chrissie@wildpeace.uk to book a place. https://www.facebook.com/events/420063821978885/

Saturday 9 November; Witchfest International 2019. Large pagan and witchcraft conference and evening entertainment with live music run by Children of Artemis. Stalls, talks, workshops, music, food, bar and more. I will be giving a talk on poppets, based on my book Pagan Portals - Poppets and Magical Dolls. Venue: Fairfield Halls, Croydon, South London. Tickets for the entire festival are £35.70 for CoA members/£40 non-members, visit https://witchfest.net/events/witchfest-international/

Saturday 9 November; Book Launch: Mysteries and Challenges of Birth, Life and Death. Venue: Holborn Citadines Hotel, 94-99 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LF. Time: 2.30pm. Tickets free: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launch-in-london-mysteries-and-challenges-of-birth-life-and-death-tickets-76675962869?

Saturday 9 November; Heart Beat - Monthly Drumming Collective with Gong Master Olaf Nixon. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, Kensington, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £21/£23.  https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

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

Sunday 10 November, Meditation 101 Basic workshop with Lisabetta. Venue: The Little Escape Therapy Centre, 4 Paxton Mews, off Westow St, London SE19 3RW. Time: 9.30am-noon. Cost: £40. https://harmonious-healing.com/

Sunday 10 November; Shamanic workshop. Venue: Woodford Church at 9 Grove Crescent, South Woodford London, E18 2JR. Time: 11am-4pm. Cost: £10 pay at door.  http://woodfordchurch.com/

Sunday 10 November, William Blake in East London: A William Blake /Wat Tyler Walk. Part of a month of Blake walks by poet and walking artist Niall McDevitt in conjunction with New River Press.  Meet at the main entrance to the Savoy Hotel, off the Strand.  Time: 1pm-3.30pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.facebook.com/events/896577437395325/

Monday 11 November; Free Beginners Astrology Class by Astrological Lodge of London. (Every Monday evening). Venue: 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA, Time: 6pm-6.50pm. Tickets: Free. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 11 November; Talk on Antlered Deities, for Young Urban Witches. Workshop evenings for under-30s with Rebecca Beattie. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £20. You can book by visiting the shop or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Monday 11 November; David Barratt on The Lives and Loves of Jack Parsons: SF, rockets, magick, poetry and a sprinkling of sex. A Talk at Nova Stellar Meetup. Venue: The Castle, 34-35 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6DB. Time: Doors open 7pm. Entry £3. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472510443017948/

Monday 11 November; Film Screening: The Last Dalai Lama plus Q and A with Director Mickey. Run by: Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church Piccadilly, 197 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LL. Doors open 6pm. Talk: 7pm - 8.30pm. Tickets £20 online. For more details and to book tickets: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Monday 11 November; Study Group: The Temple Legend. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm.  Entry: £3. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/ and https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiners-spiritual-science/

Monday 11 November; Talk by historians, Dan Cruickshank on his new book Cruickshank’s London: A portrait of a City in 20 Walks. Includes details of the Celtic origins of Hampstead Heath and West Ham churches inscribed with the occult symbols of the Knights Templar. Venue: The Great Hall, Alleyn's School, Townley Road, East Dulwich SE22 8SU. Details and bookings: https://www.village-books.co.uk/events/

Tuesday 12 November; Wicca Full Moon Ceremony by the Thames with London Woodland Witches and Outdoor Pagans. Venue: Meet by the Millennium Bridge, south bank, at 7.30pm. Fee: £5/£3. Details: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Pagans-Magicians/

Tuesday 12 November; An Evening with… Thomas Waters, author of Cursed Britain. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, Eng WC1A 1LY. Tickets: £10. Time: 7pm. For more details, call 020 7405 2120 or visit http://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Tuesday 12 November; Talk by the curator of the Ithell Colquhoun exhibition. Venue: The Last Tuesday Society and the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/

Tuesday 12 November; Waking The Witch - The Magick of the Moon. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary, Pea Lane, Upminster, Havering, RM142XH. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £20/£22. https://www.facebook.com/events/2831300893560148/

Wednesday 13 November; Taurus Full Moon Gong Bath. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London E9 7AD. Two sessions: 7pm and 8.30pm. Tickets: £20. www.sheslostcontrol.co.uk

Thursday 14 November; Diana Durham: Coherent Self. Talk and book signing with Steve Kippax. Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details visit the websites http://www.watkinsbooks.com/  or https://www.meetup.com/WatkinsBooks/

Thursday 14 November; The Bible's Own Witches. Lecture by Dr Alinda Damsma. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £10. You can book by visiting the shop or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Thursday 14 November; Flying Saucers - A Modern Myth? Talk by Paula Dempsey at South East London Folklore Society (SELFS). Venue: The Old King's Head, Kings Head Yard, 45-49 Borough High St, London SE1 1NA. Entry: £5/£1.50 concessions. Time: 8pm. (Meetings are normally the second Thursday of each month.) https://www.facebook.com/groups/2438110887/ To guarantee a seat, email cunningfolkmusic@gmail.com

Saturday 16 November; The Nameless Arte 2019 Conference. Speakers include Gemma Gary, Shani Oates, David Rankine, Martin Duffy, Jon Kaneko-James, George Georgiev. Venue: The Balmoral Centre, Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS07AU.  Tickets: £25 until 30 June, £30 thereafter from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-nameless-arte-conference-2019-tickets-55479666175 Doors open 9am. Ends 6.30pm. More info: http://www.altarofcharme.com/events/

Saturday 16 November; Psycon - a day of talks on occult and Fortean themes in relation to art, culture and performance. Venue: Concrete, The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London E1 6JJ. Tickets £60/£70. Starts 9am. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/psycon-tickets-52409712862

Saturday 16 November; SPR study day: Making Space for Psi. Venue: Society for Psychical Research HQ, 1 Vernon Mews, London, W14 0RL. Time: 10am-6pm. Tickets: £38/£42. https://www.spr.ac.uk/

Saturday 16 November; You Are a Goddess. Workshop with Sophie Bashford. Run by Alternatives. Venue: Regent's University, Acland Building, Inner Circle, Regents Park, London NW1 4NS
United Kingdom. Time: 10am-:5pm. Tickets £95 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Saturday 16 November;  Roman temples in Britain and Gaul: recent discoveries and interpretations. Symposium. Venue: BP Lecture Theatre, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 1.30pm. Tickets: £20. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar.aspx

Saturday 16 November; Divination and magic with Runes - 1-day beginners' course with London Woodland Witches. Venue: Queen's Woods, Highgate, North London. Meet at The Woodman pub 3patio area at 10am to walk to the outdoor site. Ends 5.30pm. Fee: £0. Details: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Pagans-Magicians/

Sunday 17 November, Sunday Meditation class with Lisabetta (almost) every Sunday. Drop-in class suitable for beginners and more experienced meditators. Venue: The Little Escape Therapy Centre, 4 Paxton Mews, off Westow St, London SE19 3RW. Time: 10am-11am. Cost: £12 per class, £30 for 3 classes. https://harmonious-healing.com/

Sunday 17 November; Marseille Tarot II: Minor Cards. Full-day classes with Adrien Mastrosimone. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 11am-5.30pm. Tickets: £75. You can book by visiting the shop or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Note: Note: I am not responsible for any of these events. I try to ensure the details I list are accurate, but please contact the organisers before turning up to any event in case of changes. If you spot something that needs correcting, please email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com

Witch School: Poppets & Dolls, Candles & Scrying

I'm giving talks and running workshops on poppets and magical dolls, candle magic and scrying in and near London over the next few months. Here are the details:

Saturday 9 November; I will be giving a talk on poppets and magical dolls at Witchfest International 2019, the large festival run by Children of Artemis. Venue: Fairfield Halls, Croydon, South London. Tickets for the entire festival are £35.70 for CoA members/£40 non-members, visit https://witchfest.net/events/witchfest-international/

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

Saturday 18 January; Scrying for Beginners. Four-hour afternoon workshop on divination with crystal balls, mirrors, water and flame. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm-5.30pm (with a break in the middle). Cost: £40 per person. You can reserve a place by visiting the shop or online: https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Sunday 26 January; Candle Magic Workshop. Afternoon workshop based on my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £20 per person. You can book online at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

You can find out more about my books Pagan Portals - Candle Magic, Pagan Portals - Poppets and Magical Dolls and Every Day Magic on my author page at publisher Moon Books' website or at my Amazon author page or at Treadwell's bookshop in London.

Pagan London Events: Witchfest & Magickal Women

Here's a heads-up about two big magical events taking place in or near London later this year. The first is the Magickal Women Conference in June, then in November Witchfest International returns to its much-loved venue of Fairfield Halls, in Croydon.

Tickets for both are likely to sell out, so I'd recommend buying one soon if you want to attend. Here are the details:

Saturday 1 June; The Magickal Women Conference; Venue: Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London SW7. Time: 9am-5pm. Tickets £75. https://www.magickalwomenconference.com/

Saturday 9 November; Witchfest International 2019. Large pagan and witchcraft conference and evening entertainment with live music run by Children of Artemis. Stalls, talks, workshops, music, food, bar and more. Venue: Fairfield Halls, Croydon, South London. Earlybird online tickets £27 for CoA members/£32 non-members, visit https://witchfest.net/events/witchfest-international/

The Excitement and Sadness of Witchfest 2017

I had a fabulous day at Witchfest International, run by Children of Artemis in Brighton yesterday, marred only by the news that there won’t be one next year. Late in the afternoon, just before a superb talk by Professor Ronald Hutton on the origins of Halloween, CoA organiser Merlyn announced that because of poor ticket sales they couldn’t afford to run the event in 2018.

This is very sad, because Witchfest International has been running for 22 unbroken years, originally at Fairfield Halls in Croydon, but moving to The Brighton Centre (pictured above) last year because the other venue had closed for refurbishment.

Merlyn said it was because of poor ticket sales on the door. He put this year’s low attendance down to bad weather and the trains to Brighton being replaced by buses due to engineering works. There will, however, be Wicca Introduced in 2018. It will on 24-25 February 2018 at Lea Hall, Rugeley. You can find details here: http://witchfest.net/events/wicca-introduced-midlands-2018/  and also Witchfest Midlands on 26 May, also in Rugely: http://witchfest.net/events/witchfest-midlands/

Apart from that, I really enjoyed the day – and it was the first time I had given a talk there myself. I spoke about candle magic to a 100 people in the early afternoon. I also did a book signing later in the day. Treadwell’s had a stall in the market and copies of my book completely sold out. If you wanted a copy and weren’t able to get one, you can still order them from Treadwell’s online as there are more copies in stock at the London shop.

I only managed to get to two lectures apart from my own. They were Melissa Harrington’s talk on Wicca and Revolution - in which she pointed out that although individual Wiccans might be very involved in protests and campaigns, Wicca these days is more mainstream than revolutionary – and Ronald Hutton’s talk on Halloween, in which he explained that historically it is a mixture of festivals from both Christian and Pagan cultures. I also bought a wonderful hat and spent a lot of time chatting with friends and getting extremely drunk at the mead bar. I do hope I wasn’t too embarrassing by the end of the day.

Note: As usual, Witchfest has a photo ban, apart from official photographers a booth where you can queue up to have your own picture taken, so I photographed the rather dull looking outside of the building. It was much more exciting inside.

Day Out: Haunts and Ghosts of Brighton

If you are going to Brighton for Witchfest International this weekend and have time to explore the delights of the town as well as the go to the biggest witches' conference in England, you could do a little ghost hunting while you wander.

I know the photo at the top showing Brighton's pier and people on the beach on a sunny day doesn't look too spooky. But apparently, on stormy nights or days around Samhain when the veil between the worlds is thin, the waters by this part of the Sussex coast are awash with ghost ships.

One of them is the Good Ship Nicholas, which was wrecked on the beach in 1100, killing all its passengers, who were pilgrims coming back from Jerusalem. The spectral ship is sometimes seen on moonlight nights when a southerly gale is blowing, according to the book Ghost Hunter Walks in Sussex, by Rupert Matthews.

Brighton beach is also haunted by a large dog with floppy ears that follows people walking along the shingle at dusk. I'd be wary if I saw that particular ghost though as spectral dogs are often warnings of death in traditional folklore.

The gloomy alleyway photographed to the right has the entrance to the Regency Tavern, which is much plusher on the inside than it looks on the outside. It is also home to two ghosts - a Victorian girl with a limp and a former pub landlady.

Everyone who visits Brighton has to explore The Lanes - a maze of narrow passageways that are home to the most amazing independent shops, cafes and pubs. Some of them are haunted too. Nile Street is frequented by the ghost of a hooded man, Fountain Court was the site of a murder in October 1936. The shade of the victim, Arthur Joyce, is still sometimes seen there. The Druid's Head pub has several ghosts - the most famous of which is a lady in red.

If you fancy doing a walk that covers these ghosts and some others, you can view Ghost Hunter Walks in Sussex on Amazon.

Witchfest itself is on at The Brighton Centre, King's Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR. It is organised by Children of Artemis and runs from 10am Saturday until the early hours of Sunday morning. There is also a Friday evening social event with entertainment. You can buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/witchfest-international-2017-tickets-31394224972

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/11/witchfest-margaret-murray-sex-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/09/witchfest-treadwells-candle-magic-talk.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/08/sussex-folklore-twin-to-wishing-face.html

This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London

Here is a listing of events in London that could be of interest to pagans over the next 10 days - plus a few in other parts of southern England, including Witchfest International in Brighton, where I am giving a talk on candle magic.

Now - 29 October; London Month of the Dead - series of talks, performances and workshops hosted by A Curious Invitation. Venues include Brompton Cemetery, Nunhead Cemetery, Kensal Green Cemetery, St Brides Church and the Petrie Museum. Tickets from £10/£12. Details and Bookings: http://www.londonmonthofthedead.com/

Now - Friday 27 October; Exhibition - 'Perception has Nothing to do with your Eyes'. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/ and https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiners-spiritual-science/

Now - Sunday 5 November; Certaine Wytches: Fear, Myth and Magic - exhibition by Anne Jackson. Venue: Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stratford Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 4AF. Entry: Free. There is also a series of talks and other events running alongside the exhibition, tickets £5/£7/£3. Details: http://www.museuminthepark.org.uk/certaine-wytches/

Now to 31 December; The London Stone on Display. Venue: Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN. Free exhibition during museum opening hours. http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london

Wednesday 4 October; Let's Meditate - group meditation. Venue: Buddha on a Bicycle, Covent Garden, London. Starts 6pm. Donations of £3 recommended. Details: http://www.meetup.com/meditation-trust-london/

Thursday 5 October; Worldwide Womb Blessing Day. You can take part anywhere in the world, but if you are in London, one event is taking place in West Norwood at 11.30am. Details: https://www.meetup.com/South-London-Red-Tent/ and http://www.wombblessing.com/

Thursday 5 October; Creating a Magical Livelihood. Talk and book signing by Kris Oster. Venue: Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Thursday 5 October; Woodland Wicca: Aries Full Moon Ceremony with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Meet at Wimbledon Common, Bus Stop S, Parkside Avenue, London SW19 from 7pm, then walk to the woods. Cost: £3 You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring food and drink to share. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Thursday 5 October; The Key To Theosophy study class. Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 7pm. Free entry but donations welcome. https://www.meetup.com/Theosophical-Society-in-London/  and http://www.theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Thursday 5 October; Egyptian Alchemy Healing and Reading Past Lives with Joanna Bristow-Watkins. Hosted by Earth Energy Network and Earthstars Sacred Space. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 4SH. Time: Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Entry by donations. https://www.facebook.com/events/190234604852568/

Thursday 5 October; PFL Autumn Equinox Open Ritual hosted by The Pagan Federation London and guests. Venue: Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL, Time: 7.30pm for 8pm start. Entry £5/£6. https://pflondon.info/

Friday 6 October; Demonstration of Trance Mediumship with Gordon Smith. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £25/£20. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 6 October; Seminar - Working with the Rhythms of the Festivals with Children. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/ and https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiners-spiritual-science/

Friday 6 October; Open Circle - every Friday for anyone wishing to develop their psychic and mediumistic abilities. Venue: Woodford Church at 9 Grove Crescent, South Woodford, London E18 2JR. Time 7.30pm. Cost: £3. http://woodfordchurch.com/

Friday 6 October; Om Healing for body mind and soul. Venue: The Dhyana Centre, 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA. Time: 8pm. https://www.meetup.com/Light-in-London/

Friday 6 October; Esoteric Yoga. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary, Pea Lane, Upminster RM142XH. Time: 7.30pm. Entry: £15 per session. http://www.healingandteaching.co.uk/

Saturday, 7 October; Introduction to Shamanism one-day course. Venue: City Lit, Keeley Street, Covent Garden, Camden, London WC2B 4BA. Time: 9.30am-5.30pm. Cost: Full fee: £69; Senior fee: £55; Concession: £42. Course code: PG678. http://www.citylit.ac.uk/ or call 020 7492 2530.

Saturday 7 October; Death Cafe - discuss death over tea and cake. Part of the London Month of the Dead series of talks and other events. Venue: Kensal Green Cemetery Dissenters' Chapel, 364 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5AB. Time: 10am-noon. Free event, but you must book your place in advance. Details and Bookings: http://www.londonmonthofthedead.com/

Saturday 7 October, Witchfest International 2017 run by Children of Artemis. Huge pagan conference with talks, workshops, entertainment and a market. I will be giving a talk based on my book on candle magic at 2pm. Venue: The Brighton Centre, King's Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR. Time: 10am Saturday until the early hours of Sunday morning. There is also a Friday evening event. Tickets:
£13.62 – £36.02. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/witchfest-international-2017-tickets-31394224972

Saturday 7 October; Really Get To Know Your Wild Plants - Fruits and Seeds, with The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Venue: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, The Soanes Centre, Southern Grove, London E3 4PX. Time: 10am-3.30pm. Tickets: £25/£30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/really-get-to-know-your-wild-plants-fruits-and-seeds-tickets-37810395912

Saturday 7 October, Altered States in Magic. A Full-day workshop with Julian Vayne . Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 11am-5.30pm. Tickets £75. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 7 October; Teens code the collection: lucky charms - digital event for 13-15-year-olds. Venue: Samsung Centre, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 11am. Tickets: free. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Saturday 7 October; Understanding Kabbalah workshop with Maggy Whitehouse. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, London WC1A 1LY. Time: noon-5pm. Tickets: £45. Tel: 020 7405 2120. Website: http://www.theatlantisbookshop.com/

Saturday 7 October; Rune workshop. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Rd, London, SE9 6SH. Cost is £15. Time: 2pm. For details or to book a place email shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk or call 020 8850 7803. You can also visit the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Wicca-Moon-101700123226695/

Saturday 7 October; Subterranean Sanctuaries - Crypts and Catacombs. Talk by Malcolm Johnson. Part of the London Month of the Dead series of talk. Venue: Kensal Green Cemetery Dissenters' Chapel, 364 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5AB. Time: 3pm. Tickets £12. Details and Bookings: http://www.londonmonthofthedead.com/

Saturday 7 October; Morrigans Path: Beyond the Veil Launch. Venue Millbeach Pub, Goldhanger Road, Maldon CM9 4RA. Time: 7.30pm. Free admission. https://www.facebook.com/events/1756799191284603/

Saturday 7 October; October Full Moon Peace Fires. Light a candle or fire for peace wherever you are in the world, for as short or long a time as you like between 2pm and 10pm PDT (US) time, which is from 10pm-6am UK time. You can light a candle just for an hour or so and state the intention: “Let there be peace on earth and love for one another.” Details: http://peacefires.org/

Sunday 8 October; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. Details: https://www.meetup.com/meditation-trust-london/

Sunday 8 October; The Alchemy of Transformation. Workshop with Malcolm Stern organised by Alternatives. Venue: Heythrop College, 23 Kensington Square, London W8 5HN. Time: 10.30am-5pm. Tickets £10/£15/£20 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Sunday 8 October; Sunday Walks: Stag-Watch and Magic Wand Making in Richmond Park. Meet at the coffee shop in Richmond Station ticket hall at 1pm- 1.30pm to get the bus to the park, or meet at`Richmond Gate, Richmond Park, TW10 6RP  by 1.45pm to start the walk at 2pm. The walk ends at 7pm. Cost: £13. https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Monday 9 October; An Evening with Terence Stamp: Combining Spirituality and Show Business, Talk by Terence Stamp. Organised by Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LL, Starts: 7pm. Tickets £25 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Monday 9 October; Love, Lust and Witchcraft in Renaissance Venice. Talk by Dr Will Visconti. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets £8. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Tuesday 10 October; South London Wicca Meetup. Nova Stellar Presents an Evening with Trefor Wickens. Venue: The Castle, 34-35 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6DB. Time: Doors open 7pm, talk starts at 8pm. Entry £3. Details: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472510443017948/

Tuesday 10 October; An Evening of Mediumship and Spirit Communication with Daniel Pitt. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £12/£14. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 11 October; Let's Meditate - group meditation. Venue: Buddha on a Bicycle, Covent Garden, London. Starts 6pm. Donations of £3 recommended. Details: http://www.meetup.com/meditation-trust-london/

Wednesday 11 October; Shamanic Drumming, Journeying and Healing Circle with Behind the Veil Shamanism. Venue: English National Ballet School, Hortensia Rd, London SW10 0QS. Time: 7.15pm Tickets: £25. https://www.meetup.com/Behind-The-Veil-Shamanism/

Thursday 12 October; Warriors of Love. Talk and book signing by James Cowan. Venue: Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Thursday 12 October; Women's Singing Circle with South London Red Tent. Venue: Balham Spiritualist Church, 211 Balham High Road, London SW17 7BQ. Time 7.30pm. Tickets: £15.73. https://www.meetup.com/South-London-Red-Tent/

Thursday 12 October; South East London Folklore Society (SELFS). Venue: The Old King's Head, Kings Head Yard, 45-49 Borough High St, London SE1 1NA. Entry: £3/£1.50 concessions. Time: 8pm. (Meetings are normally the second Thursday of each month.) https://www.facebook.com/groups/2438110887/ To guarantee a seat, email nigelofbermondsey@gmail.com

Friday 13 October; Magician and the Fool. Talk and book signing by JSusan Wands. Venue: Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Friday 13 October; Unlucky in Peckham. Storytelling for adults only with London Dreamtime. Venue: Secret location in Pekham. Time: 7pm. Price: £6. For details email vanessa@londondreamtime.com or visit http://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Friday 13 October; Flowing Water and Autumn Air. A Gongbath with Diana Vernon. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £20/£22. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 13 October; Psychic Circle. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary, Pea Lane, Upminster RM142XH. Time: 7pm. Entry: £15 per session. http://www.healingandteaching.co.uk/

Friday 13 October; Oasis of Sound - Sound Bath and Mantra with Anne Malone. Organised by the Oasis of Sound Meetup Group. Venue: The Life Centre Islington, Brittania Row, London. Tickets £15. Time: 7.30pm. Details: https://www.meetup.com/Oasis-of-Sound-Sound-Bath-n-Sound-Scape/

Saturday 14 October- Sunday 15 October; London Tantra Festival 'Heaven on Earth-Dare to live in Ecstasy'. Venue:  Wimbourne Studios, 151-155 New North Road, London, N1 6TA. Starts 9.30am Saturday. Tickets: Saturday: £55. Sunday: £40. Weekend: £80. ·http://tantrafestivals.co.uk/

Saturday 14 October; Psychic Saturday hosted by The Witches' Inn and Crossed Palms. Venue: The Essential Training Organization, The Pilot Building Quarryside Business Park Thornton Side Unit 1, Redhill, RH12LJ. Time: noon. https://www.facebook.com/events/339063503188595/

Saturday 14 October; A New Way of Death - Guided Tour of Nunhead Cemetery. Part of the London Month of the Dead series of talk. Venue: Nunhead Cemetery, Linden Grove, London, SE15 3LW. Time: 2pm. Tickets £10. Details and Bookings: http://www.londonmonthofthedead.com/

Sunday 15 October; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. Details: https://www.meetup.com/meditation-trust-london/

Sunday 15 October; Wicca Course - part three. Ritual Magic/Wheel of the Year. This is an outdoor course with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Venue:  Wimbledon Woods (meet outside Windmill Tea Room), Windmill Road, London, SW19 5NQ. Time: 10.30am. Cost: £13. You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring a blanket to sit on. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Sunday 15 October; Making Blended Incense for Magic. Afternoon Mini-Workshop with Rebecca Beattie. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Tickets £20. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Sunday 15 October; Dawn of the Oak. Pagan moot on the third Sunday of each month. Venue: Upstairs at The Castle, 34-35 Cowcross Road, Farringdon, London EC1M 6DB (near Farringdon tube). Time: 3pm-6pm. https://www.meetup.com/The-Kith-of-The-Tree-and-The-Well/

Note: I do not organise any of these events except my candle magic talk. Although I try to make sure the details on my listing are accurate, I do not always know about late changes or ticket availability etc. Please contact the organiser before attending any event. If you want an event listed on my blog, or spot anything that needs changing, please email badwitch1234@gmail.com.

This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London

Here are events in London plus a few in other parts of the UK over the next week or so that could be of interest to pagans. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now to 31 December; The London Stone on Display. Venue: Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN. Free exhibition during museum opening hours. http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london

Now to 30 September; Austin Osman Spare exhibition at the Last Tuesday Society. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/

Wednesday 27 September; Let's Meditate - group meditation. Venue: Buddha on a Bicycle, Covent Garden, London. Starts 6pm. Donations of £3 recommended. Details: http://www.meetup.com/meditation-trust-london/

Wednesday 27 September; Bone Dance - Dismemberment Dance with Behind the Veil Shamanism. Venue: English National Ballet School, Hortensia Rd, London SW10 0QS. Time: 7.15pm Tickets: £25. https://www.meetup.com/Behind-The-Veil-Shamanism/

Wednesday 27 September; Study Group - Esoteric Science. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7.15pm. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/ and https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiners-spiritual-science/

Wednesday 27 September; Pagan Chants and Music at Hertford Pagan Moot. Venue: White Horse Pub, 33 Castle Street, Hertford, Herts SG14 1HH (45 mins from central London). The pub does not have disabled access. This moot meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 8pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/104788436218047/

Thursday 28 September; Truth about the Satanic Panic and Other Modern Myths. Talk by Professor Chris French. Venue: The Albany, 240 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5QU. Time: 7pm. Ticket: £10. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/truth-about-the-satanic-panic-other-modern-myths-with-prof-chris-french-tickets-37302382430

Thursday 28 September; The Magic Lamp: Dreams of Our Age. Talk by Ben Okri organised by Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LL, Talk starts: 7pm. Tickets £10/£15/£20 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Thursday 28 September; Enlightenment is Your Nature. Talk and book signing by Maneesha James.  Venue: Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit the website http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

Thursday 28 September; Seeking British Bigfoot. Talk at The London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets: £4 / £2 concessions. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/seeking-british-bigfoot.html

Friday 29 September; A Harmonic Universe: Geometry, Harmony and the Measure of Heaven and Earth. Rilko (Research Into Lost Knowledge) lecture by Adam Tetlow. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 6.45pm. Entrance: £8/£10. Details: http://www.rilko.net/EZ/rilko/rilko/home.php

Friday 29 September; The Wiccan Rede Gathering and History of Wicca by Ethan Doyle White with the London Wicca Meetup Group. Venue: Central London Pub in zone 1 or 2. Time: 7pm. https://www.meetup.com/The-London-Wicca-Meetup-Group/

Friday 29 September; Womanifesting Your Power with the Goddesses. Talk by Abiola Abrams. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £12/£14. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 29 September; Open Circle - every Friday for anyone wishing to develop their psychic and mediumistic abilities. Venue: Woodford Church at 9 Grove Crescent, South Woodford, London E18 2JR. Time 7.30pm. Cost: £3. http://woodfordchurch.com/

Friday 29 September; Om Healing for body mind and soul. Venue: The Dhyana Centre, 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA. Time: 8pm. https://www.meetup.com/Light-in-London/

Saturday 30 September - Sunday 5 November; Certaine Wytches: Fear, Myth and Magic - exhibition by Anne Jackson. Venue: Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stratford Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 4AF. Entry: Free. There is also a series of talks and other events running alongside the exhibition, tickets £5/£7/£3. Details: http://www.museuminthepark.org.uk/certaine-wytches/

Saturday 30 September - Sunday October 1; Anne Besant Conference at the Theosophical Society in London. Venue: The Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8EA. Time: 9.30am start. Tickets £15-£50. https://www.meetup.com/Theosophical-Society-in-London/  and http://www.theosophicalsociety.org.uk/

Saturday 30 September; The Canterbury Mystical Market (Autumn) hosted by The Magical Times Magazine. Venue: The Westgate Hall,Westgate Hall Rd, Canturbury Kent CT1 2BT. Time: 11am-4pm. Tickets £2.50 on the door. www.mysticalarts.co.uk

Saturday 30 September; PFNE Convention Scarborough. Venue: Britannia Grand Hotel Scarborough
St Nicholas Cliff,  Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2ET. Time: 10am - 4.30pm. Tickets £10/£15.  www.paganfedne.org

Saturday 30 September; Wild Women Temple: Initiation with Wild Woman Gatherings. Venue: Leyton Abbotts Park Road, London. Time: 3pm. Cost: £20. https://www.meetup.com/WILD-WOMEN-CIRCLES-LONDON/

Saturday 30 September; Gong Bath. Venue: The Upminster Complementary Healing and Teaching Sanctuary, Pea Lane, Upminster RM142XH. Time: 7.30pm. Entry: £120 in advance. http://www.healingandteaching.co.uk/

Sunday 1 October - 29 October; London Month of the Dead - series of talks, performances and workshops hosted by A Curious Invitation. Venues include Brompton Cemetery, Nunhead Cemetery, Kensal Green Cemetery, St Brides Church and the Petrie Museum. Tickets from £10/£12. Details and Bookings: http://www.londonmonthofthedead.com/

Sunday 1 October; Opening of Mimosa Love and Light Spiritual Centre. This will held on the 1st Sunday of every month with readings, stalls, therapies, reiki and spiritual healers. Venue Harold Hill Community Centre, Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill RM3 9LB. All day to 10pm.  Entry £4 - raffle £1.00. This is a non profit event. https://www.facebook.com/events/346927842416224/

Sunday 1 October; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. Details: https://www.meetup.com/meditation-trust-london/

Sunday 1 October; North West Kent Green Pagan Circle Moot. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, Bromley, BR7 5NL. Time: 10am-noon. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445487428816887/

Sunday 1 October; Wicca course -part 2/3 - working with Horned Gods and Moon Goddess in Wicca with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Venue: Wimbledon Woods (meet outside Windmill Tea Room), Windmill Road, London, SW19 5NQ. Time: 11.30am-6pm. Cost: £13. You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring a blanket to sit on. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Sunday 1 October; Full Moon Tea Ceremony and Women's Circle. Venue:  Crucifix Lane, London, SE1 3JW. Time 6pm. Cost: £20, http://uk.funzing.com/funz/full-moon-tea-ceremony-and-women-s-circle-7445

Monday 2 October; Bettany Hughes lecture on Aphrodite. Venue: BP Lecture Theatre, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: free but booking essential. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Monday 2 October; What am I doing with my life? Talk by Christopher Titmuss. Organised by Alternatives. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LL, Starts: 7pm. Tickets £15/£20 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Monday 2 October; Shakespeare's Poisonous Herbs. Lecture by Gerit Quealy. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.30pm. Ticket price £8. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Monday 2 October; Strange Labyrinth: Lost and Found in Epping Forest hosted by London Fortean Society. Venue: Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £6.08. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/strange-labyrinth-outlaws-poets-mystics-murderers-of-epping-forest-tickets-37061966339

Tuesday 3 October; Romford Moot hosted by Mamma Moon Magick, Venue: Golden Lion, Romford, Essex. Time: 7.30pm. Entry £4. https://www.facebook.com/mammamoonmagick/

Tuesday 3 October; Witches' Inn Gathering. Venue: Red Lion, 48 Linkfield Lane, Redhill, RH1 1DP. Starts at 8pm. Moots are the first Tuesday of each month. For more details visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1219954618115987/

Wednesday 4 October; Let's Meditate - group meditation. Venue: Buddha on a Bicycle, Covent Garden, London. Starts 6pm. Donations of £3 recommended. Details: http://www.meetup.com/meditation-trust-london/

Thursday 5 October; Worldwide Womb Blessing Day. You can take part anywhere in the world, but if you are in London, one event is taking place in West Norwood at 11.30am. Details: https://www.meetup.com/South-London-Red-Tent/ and http://www.wombblessing.com/

Thursday 5 October; Woodland Wicca: Aries Full Moon Ceremony with London Woodland Witches Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Meet at Wimbledon Common, Bus Stop S, Parkside Avenue, London SW19 from 7pm, then walk to the woods. Cost: £3 You must reserve a place in advance. Wear outdoor clothes and bring food and drink to share. Details and bookings: https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Thursday 5 October; PFL Autumn Equinox Open Ritual hosted by The Pagan Federation London and guests. Venue: Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL, Time: 7.30pm for 8pm start. Entry £5/£6. https://pflondon.info/

Thursday 5 October; Egyptian Alchemy Healing and Reading Past Lives with Joanna Bristow-Watkins. Hosted by Earth Energy Network and Earthstars Sacred Space. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 4SH. Time: Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Entry by donations. https://www.facebook.com/events/190234604852568/

Friday 6 October; Demonstration of Trance Mediumship with Gordon Smith. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £25/£20. Advance booking recommended. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 7 October, Witchfest International 2017 run by Children of Artemis. Huge pagan conference with talks, workshops, entertainment and a market. I will be giving a talk on candle magic at 2pm and later signing copies of my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic. Venue: The Brighton Centre, King's Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR. Time: 10am Saturday until the early hours of Sunday morning. There is also a Friday evening event. Tickets: £13.62 – £36.02. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/witchfest-international-2017-tickets-31394224972

Saturday 7 October; Death Cafe - discuss death over tea and cake. Part of the London Month of the Dead series of talk. Venue: Kensal Green Cemetery Dissenters' Chapel, 364 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5AB. Time: 10am-noon. Free event, but you must book your place in advance. Details and Bookings: http://www.londonmonthofthedead.com/

Saturday 7 October; Really Get To Know Your Wild Plants - Fruits and Seeds, with The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Venue: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, The Soanes Centre, Southern Grove, London E3 4PX. Time: 10am-3.30pm. Tickets: £25/£30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/really-get-to-know-your-wild-plants-fruits-and-seeds-tickets-37810395912

Saturday 7 October, Altered States in Magic. A Full-day workshop with Julian Vayne. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 11am-5.30pm. Tickets £75. Tel: 0207 419 8507 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 7 October; Teens code the collection: lucky charms - digital event for 13-15-year-olds. Venue: Samsung Centre, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Time: 11am. Tickets: free. For more details visit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Saturday 7 October; Understanding Kabbalah workshop with Maggy Whitehouse. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, London WC1A 1LY. Time: noon-5pm. Tickets: £45. Tel: 020 7405 2120. Website: http://www.theatlantisbookshop.com/

Saturday 7 October; Rune workshop. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Rd, London, SE9 6SH. Cost is £15. Time: 2pm. For details or to book a place email shirlee@wiccamoon.org.uk or call 020 8850 7803. You can also visit the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Wicca-Moon-101700123226695/

Saturday 7 October; Subterranean Sanctuaries - Crypts and Catacombs. Talk by Malcolm Johnson. Part of the London Month of the Dead series of talk. Venue: Kensal Green Cemetery Dissenters' Chapel, 364 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5AB. Time: 3pm. Tickets £12. Details and Bookings: http://www.londonmonthofthedead.com/

Saturday 7 October; October Full Moon Peace Fires. Light a candle or fire for peace wherever you are in the world, for as short or long a time as you like between 2pm and 10pm PDT (US) time, which is from 10pm-6am UK time. You can light a candle just for an hour or so and state the intention: “Let there be peace on earth and love for one another.” Details: http://peacefires.org/

Sunday 8 October; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. Details: https://www.meetup.com/meditation-trust-london/

Sunday 8 October; The Alchemy of Transformation. Workshop with Malcolm Stern organised by Alternatives. Venue: Heythrop College, 23 Kensington Square, London W8 5HN. Time: 10.30am-5pm. Tickets £10/£15/£20 online. http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Sunday 8 October; Sunday Walks: Stag-Watch and Magic Wand Making in Richmond Park. Meet at the coffee shop in Richmond Station ticket hall at 1pm- 1.30pm to get the bus to the park, or meet at`Richmond Gate, Richmond Park, TW10 6RP  by 1.45pm to start the walk at 2pm. The walk ends at 7pm. Cost: £13. https://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Note: I do not organise any of these event except my talk on candle magic at Witchfest. Although I try to make sure my listing is accurate, I am not always aware of changes etc. Please contact the organisers of any event you want to go to before turning up.