A bad witch's blog

Thursday, 28 May 2026

Review: Portals, Patterns, and Pathways - Rune Magic

Are you ready to take a deep dive into runic lore? Portals, Patterns, and Pathways, a new book by Imelda Almqvist, shows you how. The subtitle is A Handbook for Rune Magicians, Star Gazers, and Myth Makers - and that's exactly what it is.

Don't read it expecting it to be beginners' guide on how to read the runes. You need to already have a basic understanding first. Portals, Patterns, and Pathways takes you beyond basic knowledge, exploring rune groupings and the spaces between them. As the title suggests, these can be portals to greater wisdom.

In its pages you will find an in-depth course on using runes for advanced divination, magic, and greater understanding of cosmology, plus reference material to use going forward. This is the synopsis on publisher Moon Books' website:

"The runes map a mythical or imaginal realm where cosmic blueprints share their stories and wisdom through archetypal figures, deities, personifications, alchemical images, and symbols. Years ago, Imelda Almqvist wrote in her Rune Journal: 'Every liminal space between runes is a mystery school, and its curriculum is mythology!' This insight proved to be incredibly fertile ground for mapping the liminal spaces between the runes. The letter sequence of many early alphabets appears to be connected to the night sky and star patterns. Does such a correspondence exist for the runes? Does the Poetic Edda contain astronomical numbers and references to celestial events? Before the Enlightenment, astronomy and astrology represented different faces of one unified field of study. What happens if we arrange the Runes of the Elder Futhark in a Circle and then look at that circle the way an astrologer reads a natal chart? This book shares the author’s discoveries, and she hopes that its readers will join her on this adventure!"

Portals, Patterns, and Pathways is more than just a book to read once. It's something to work through carefully then keep as a valuable resource in future.

About the author

Imelda Almqvist is an international teacher of Sacred Art and Seidr/Old Norse Traditions (the ancestral wisdom teachings of Northern Europe). Her earlier books include Natural Born Shamans: A Spiritual Toolkit for Life, Sacred Art: A Hollow Bone for Spirit and Medicine of the Imagination - Dwelling in possibility. She appeared in the TV programme Ice Age Shaman, talking about Neolithic arctic deer shamanism. She has an on-line school, Pregnant Hag Teachings.

Website: www.shaman-healer-painter.co.uk
Online School: https://pregnant-hag-teachings.teachable.com/courses/

Wednesday, 27 May 2026

Magical Online & London Events in the Next Weeks

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

Now - Saturday 30 May; Austin Osman Spare and his books exhibition. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY.

Open: Mon-Sat, 11am~6pm. Free entry. www.theatlantisbookshop.com

Now - 5 June; The Everyworld Redux exhibition. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Time: 10.30am To 5pm, Monday To Friday With Saturday Openings. Tickets free. https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/events/the-everyworld-redux/

Now - 3 June; Relics exhibition. Venue: Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AB. Time: Mon-Thur 9.30am to 8pm, 10-5pm Fri/Sat. Free entry. https://warburg.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events

Now to end of May; Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition. Venue: The Vaults, Leake Street, SE1 7NN. Open Wednesdays to Sundays. Tickets from £21. https://darksecretsexhibition.com/london/

Now – 29 November; The Coming of Age Exhibition - including displays on witches and crones. Venue: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. Open daily 10am-6pm. Free. https://wellcomecollection.org/

Now – 13 September; The Material Heart: Front Line to Home Front. Exhibition of WWI folk art. Venue: Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF. Open: Tuesdays – Saturdays, 11am – 6pm. Tickets free with general museum admission ticket or a ticket to the Paint, Pattern, Print exhibition that's also on, costing £11.50. https://fashiontextilemuseum.org/

Now on; Vikings: The Immersive Experience. Venue: Dock X, Unit 1 Canada Water, Surrey Quays Rd, London SE16 2XU. Opening hours: daily from 9am. Adult tickets from £23 and children from £16. https://vikings-immersive.co.uk/london/?

Now – 16 August; Olivia Plender: Little Fennel’s Complaint Exhibition. Venue:: Modern Art Oxford, 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford, UK, OX1 1BP. Open from 11am Tuesday - Sunday. Tickets from £7.21. https://modernartoxford.org.uk/

Now - 1 November; Exhibition: The Saxons. Venue: Discover Bucks Museum, 9 Church Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2QP. Time: Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm. Sunday noon – 4pm. Adult tickets from from £5.90. https://discoverbucksmuseum.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Most lunchtimes and some other times: 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 Tuesday to Sunday except over bank holidays; 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-4pm. Free entry. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Every lunchtime: Rainbow Spirit offers a shared vegetarian lunch from a flat in Soho, London, for all people LGBT+Allies. The foundation is British witchcraft. Each meal is followed by Ancestor Circle, passing the talking stick. Alcohol-free event. To attend join the Whatsapp chat group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LhDxaCzGsmE2YI6AReyw3W

or email: rainbowawakening1@gmail.com

Various dates; London Witches and Chilling History Bankside Walking Tour. Meet at Southwark View Point, Minerva Square, London, SE1 9DF. Times various. Tickets around £15. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/enthral-experiences-58960674733

Wednesday 27 May; A Quest into the Past, Present and Future Akashic Records with Vicky Sweetlove. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 5pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 27 May; Working with The Ancestors. Class with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 27 May (most Wednesdays); Gong Bath. Venue: Akasa, 5a Prince Edward Rd, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LX. Time: 7pm. Tickets: from £23.46. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sunita-kaur-34415293427

Wednesday 27 May (every Wednesday); Feeling Sound. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £18. https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Wednesday 27 May; Ghosts, Ghouls, and Spirits of Medieval Britain. Hybrid event. In-person venue: T21 Soho, 3 Sutton Row, London W1D 3QP. Time: 7 PM. Tickets From £13.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713?

Wednesday 27 May; The Crystal Familiar Experience. Venue: Crystal Wicca, West Wickham, BR4. Time: 7.30 - 9.30pm. Tickets: £44. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Wednesday 27 May (monthly); Melissa's Tarot Club. Monthly In-Person Workshop. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £15 per person. https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Wednesday 27 May (and other dates); Kundalini Yoga and Sound Healing with Claudia Chapman. Venue: The Goddess Studio, 116 Whitehouse Way, London N14 7LU. Time: 7pm. Tickets from £6.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/20248016862

Wednesday 27 May; Ossian’s Last Stand? Talk by Dòmhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart . Talk online via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Thursday 28 May (most Thursdays); Shamanic Dance with Luisa Passalacqua. Venue near Wandsworth Town Station, London. Time: 11am. Tickets donations (or free) https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/luisa-passalacqua-16972493584?

Thursday 28 May (every Thursday); 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 28 May; Lucifer: Praxis with Peter Grey. Online Talk via Watkins Bookshop. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursday 28 May; The History of Witchcraft and Women: Magic, rituals and the patriarchy. Talk by Dr Julia Phillips via Seed talks online. Time: 7pm. Tickets £13.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713?

Thursday 28 May; Numerology: Essential Skills. Start of 10-session course run by Richard Abbot, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £280. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 28 May; Angels and Guides: Foundation. Start of 8-session course run by Liesl Duffy, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £255. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 28 May; Gary Lachman on Music and Magic. Talk and Soirée. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 28 May; Storytime x Connection With Wonder: A Woodland Excursion by London Dreamtime. Venue: Secret location near Honour Oak Park, London. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets £10 https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Thursday 28 May (last Thursday 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

Thursday 28 May; The I Ching Oracle with Professor John Lai. Talk online via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets ·from £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Friday 29 May (every Friday); Live Chat hosted by Rachel Patterson, author of Gods and Goddesses of England and the Kitchen Witch series of books. Online event. Time: 9am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks/

Friday 29 May-Saturday 30 May; Lolly Willowes at 100. 2-day conference with talks by people including Professor Ronald Hutton and Diane Purkiss, organised by the Sylvia Townsend Warner Society. Venue: University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT. Starts 10am. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lolly-willowes-at-100-tickets-1981938823373?

Friday 29 May; An Evening with…Maevius Lynn - The Holy Days found within the Book of the Law. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 7pm Cost £15 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Friday 29 May; Demonstration of Spirit Portraits with June-Elleni Laine. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Cost: £30. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 29 May; Woodland Cacao - Heart Opening and Wellness Circle with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at the entrance to Queen's Woods, Queen's wood Road, London N6 5UU, to be led into woods to the ritual spot. Bring a torch and wear suitable clothing and footwear. Time: 7pm. Tickets from: £8.83. More info: https://mani.org.uk/ or visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803

Saturday 30 May; Group Family Constellation Workshop by Avideya. Venue: House of Transformation, Hoxton, Unit 4, 222 Kingsland Road, E2 8AX. Time: from 10am to 5pm. Tickets £75.47. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/avideya-30020254011

Saturday 30 May (and other dates); 9D Transformative Breathwork. Venue: Hilton, 61 - 67 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU. Time: 11am. Tickets £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121074557489?

Saturday 30 May; Angels of Health, Career, Love and Plenty, Workshop with Kim Pilkington. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Cost: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 30 May; A Day of Remote Viewing with Ann Théato. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Cost: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 30 May; Manifestation Poppet Workshop. Venue: Crystal Wicca, West Wickham, BR4. Time: 11.30am. Tickets: £44. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Saturday 30 May (and other dates); Reiki and Sound Healing. Venue: Hilton, 61 - 67 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU. Time: 1pm. Tickets £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121074557489?

Saturday 30 May; Cutting Cords for Self Healing with Giancarlo Serra via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 30 May; Power Animals in Mediumship. Workshop with Claire Broad. via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 30 May (last Saturday of each month until October); Crowley Crawl 2026 with Marco Visconti. Venue: Central London walk from The Needle to Altantis Bookshop. Time: 2pm.

Tickets £50, For £70 for walk plus visit to The Hidden Society cocktail bar on Goodge Street. https://www.marcovisconti.org/events/crowleycrawl2026?

Saturday 30 May (every full and new moon); Moon Space online event via She's Lost Control. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15. https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Saturday 30 May; The Everyworld – Redux: The Memory Blocks Screening And Conversation with Andrew Kötting. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Time: 7pm. Tickets free but booking needed. https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

Sunday 31 May; Shamanic Group with Les Fuller. All welcome Venue: Woodford Church at 9 Grove Crescent, South Woodford, London E18 2JR. Time 11am-3pm. Tickets: £10. http://woodfordchurch.com/

Sunday 31 May; Trance Mediumship: First Steps. Workshop with Sarah Tyler-Walters. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 31 May; Grounding and Protection. Workshop with Martha Brett and Maryrose Moses O'Brien. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 31 May; 3rd Eye Chakra. Wicca Women’s Circles Focus on a Chakra . Venue: Crystal Wicca, West Wickham, BR4. Time: tbc. Tickets: £33 or £55 for two classes. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Sunday 31 May; Women's Forest Bathing in South Norwood Lake and Grounds. Meet at Sylvan Road, London SE25 4AN. Time: 1pm. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/parkbathe-34393467709

Sunday 31 May; London Rivers Week: Honouring Mama Osun. Run by Thames21 Limited. Meet at The Moorings, Battersea Church Rd, London SW11 3NA. Time: 1pm. Free, but reserve a place and wear white or yellow and bring light coloured sweet fruit as offerings. https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/zeRTjrbPrLl5o4AbxJGv

Sunday 31 May; Meeting of Heathen Kindred Blot (was Kith of the Tree and the Well). Venue: The Horseshoe Inn, 26 Melior Street, London SE1 3QP. Time: 1.30pm. Entry £3. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawnoftheoak/events and https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/113978234531?

Sunday 31 May;Tarot Spells. Workshop with Bel Senlle. via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 31 May; Elevate Your Intuitive Readings. Workshop with Jeremy Turner-Welch. via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 5pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 31 May; Heartspaces - Soulfuel. Venue: Essex Hall, Essex Street, London WC2R 3HY. Doors at 6.30PM. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121061473538?

Sunday 31 May; Full Moon Ritual by the Thames with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at Millennium Bridge, Thames Embankment, · London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £6.13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803 or https://mani.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/PaganFrontiersOfLondon.

Sunday 31 May; Live Music and Meditation. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3 1NG. Time: 7pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 31 May; Aleister Crowley, Libel, Litigation and the Law Courts with Andrew Wiseman. Talk online via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 1 June; Ascending with Angels workshop Led by David Goddard. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 6.30pm Cost £40 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Monday 1 June; Chart discussion followed by talk on The Diverse Astrological Approaches of W. J. Tucker by Philip Gravest, via the Astrological Lodge of London. Hybrid event. In-person venue: Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Starts 6.30pm. Tickets £6/£9. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 1 June; Dark German Fairy Tales with Viktor Wynd. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets from £15, includes a cocktail. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Mondays 1 and 22 June; Animal Healing and Communication Level 2 with Elizabeth Whiter, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Monday 1 June; Gods of Love and Sex workshop with Rebecca Beattie, author of Planetary Magic and Nature Mystics, via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Monday 1 June; Theosophy. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. Tickets free https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/events/

Monday 1 June; Full Moon Celebration with South East London Pagans. Venue: One Tree Hill, Honor Oak, South London. Time: 7pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Monday 1 June; Lilith, Maman Brigitte and Pomba Gira -with Lilith Dorsey. Talk online via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 1 June (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 2 June (and other dates); Yoga for Mind, Breath and Body. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion, Place Park, The Mansion, Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: 6.15pm. Tickets: £12. https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/

Tuesday 2 June (and other dates and times); Viktor Wynd Museum Guided Tour and 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 2 June; Creating a Magical Servitor. Start of 2-Part Workshop with Mark Vincent via Treadwell's Online. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £50. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday 2 June; Inspirational and Automatic Writing. Start of 6-session course with Sarah Tyler-Walters, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 2 June (first Tuesday each month); Talk at Romford Pagan Moot. Venue: The Golden Lion, 2 High Street, Romford. Time: 7.30pm. Entry £4: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064489640955

Tuesday 2 June; How Grimoires Depicted Angels and Demons, with Sergei Zotov. Talk online via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Wednesday 3 June; Book Talk: Sylvia Plath and the Supernatural. Talk by Dr Dorka Tamas via the Centre for Victorian Studies, Royal Holloway, University of London. Venue: Royal Holloway, Egham Hill, Egham TW20 0EX. Starts 10.30am. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-talk-sylvia-plath-and-the-supernatural-tickets-1988822039257?

Wednesday 3 June (and other dates); Tea with a Medium. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 2.30pm Cost £60 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday 3 June; Psychic Mediumship for Beginners. Start of 6-session course with Sarah-Jane Jay, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 5pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 3 June; Hail, Delirium! Dorothea Tanning Preview and Alyce Mahon's Biography Signing. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: evening. Tickets free/£30, includes a cocktail. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Wednesday 3 June (usually on a Wednesday each month); Brett Hollyhead: Fossilised Magic. Online talk via the Folklore Centre. Time: 7pm. Tickets £5. https://www.folkloremythmagic.com/

Wednesday 3 June (first Wednesday of the month); Drumming and Meditation online with Taz Thornton. Time: 7pm. Free https://www.facebook.com/TazThorntonOfficial

Wednesday 3 June; The Hidden World of Fairies and Women. Talk by Diane Purkiss via Seed talks online. Time: 7pm. Tickets £13.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713?

Wednesday 3 June; The History of Greek Mythology. Talk by Dr Emily Hauser via Seed talks online. Time: 7pm. Tickets £13.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713?

Wednesday 3 June; Crystals for Psychic Development. Start of 6-session course with Sarah-Jane Jay, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7.15pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 3 June; Nocturnes, Symphonies and Seances: Whistler’s Life and Art, with Antony Clayton. Talk online via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Thursday 4 June to 13 September; Hail, Delirium! Surrealist Dorothea Tanning art exhibition. Venue: The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: during normal opening hours. Free entry. https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum/

Thursday 4 June; Black Stars In Dim Carcosa with Marco Visconti. Talk and signing, Venue: Watkins Bookshop, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursdays 4 and 11 June; Tree Magick and the Wisdom of the Ogham with Pixie P Carney, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 4 June; Aleister Crowley and Frieda Harris's Thoth Tarot. Event with Kingfisher Coven. Venue: Lost Souls Pizza Camden, 245 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BA. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £6.13 https://www.eventbrite.com/o/keith-broad-kingfisher-coven-88810783003

Thursday 4 June; Freemasonry and Nature. Talk by Helena B. Scott. via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £21. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 4 June; ; Recognise and Clear Negative Energy. Start of 8-session course with Martha Brett, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £255. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 4 June; Islamic Occultism – with Amal Salem. Talk and Soirée. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 4 June; ; Psychometry: Learn to Read Objects. Start of 10-session course with Tia Price, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £240. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 5 June (1st and 3rd Friday each month); Pagan Portal Podcast by Moon Books. Time: noon (or listen to recording later). Free event. https://open.spotify.com/show/11N4kNj65tTz9NFUcZTMa7?

Friday 5 - Sunday 7 June; North Wales Pagan Fest 2026. Venue: Halkyn Castle Wood, CH8 8DF. Starts noon. Tickets £80/£45. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/halkyncastlewoodeventsandeducationltd/1772715?

Friday 5 June (and other dates); Welcome Women's Circle. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House | 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm - 9pm. Tickets: optional donation of £5 - £15. https://rsh.anth.org.uk/whats-on/

Friday 5 June (and other dates); Holistic Sound Bath Meditation - Summoning The Sacred. Venue: Training Points Fitness and Therapy, 5-6 Cooper's Yard, London SE19 1TN. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/holistic-sound-bath-meditation-summoning-the-sacred-tickets-223970159777?

Weekends 6 and 7 June then 15 and 16 August; Akashic Records: Heart and Soul Connections workshops with Vicky Sweetlove. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £490. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 6 June: Honouring the Self workshop with Joan Osborne. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 6 June; Rose Priestess Temple Devotional Day. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: noon. Tickets free. https://www.wiccamooninherservice.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Saturday 6 June; Amulets, Talismans and Charms. In-person workshop by me on the lore behind – and art of making – these important magical objects. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £25 per person. Find out more or book tickets here: https://www.treadwells-london.com/events-1/amulets-talismans-charms-in-person-workshop-3

Saturday 6 June: Divination with Coffee, Eggs and Mirrors. Workshop with Tia Price, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 6 June (date tbc but usually first Saturday each month); Gong Bath. Venue: Upminster Sanctuary Pea Lane, Upminster, RM142XH. Time: 7pm. Tickets: tbc. https://upminstersanctuary.com/

Sunday 7 June; Wisdom and Wyrd Psychic Market. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, Imperial Place, Chislehurst, NW Kent. Time: 11am. Free entry. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1335736923852705/

Sunday 7 June: The Seven Veils of Women Mystics. Painting workshop with Nicole Frobusch. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 7 June; Forest Bathing in Crystal Palace Park. Meet at Sydenham Gate, CP Park, London SE20. Time: 2pm. Free, but parking is paid. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/parkbathe-34393467709

Sunday 7 June: The Feminine and Masculine in Tarot. Workshop with Amanda Watson, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 7 June: Activate Psychic Skills with Astrology. Start of 5-session course with Carmen Turner-Schott, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £180. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 7 June (first Sunday each month); Light and Expansion - Collective World Meditation with Pauline Flitton. Online event. Time: 7.30pm - 8:30pm. Free. Contact Pauline 07415 054280 or Email

contact@crystal-manifestations.co.uk for the free Zoom link. Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1514249646502331/?

For activities after these dates please visit my events page.

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

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Poppet Craft: Pipecleaner and Clothes-Peg Doll

I was inspired to make this little doll using a craft idea on the Hobbycraft website. It was part of a selecton of mindful projects for kids produced for Mental Health Awareness Week earlier this month. The website described it as a worry doll, intended for children to talk to about their anxieties. The idea is that sharing a problem with a toy can be a comfort.

The concept of worry people originates in Guatamala. I've blogged about that custom in the past and you can find the link here.

The version in my picture is made from an old-style clothes-peg, pipecleaners and wool. I already had them in my crafting box - along with scissors, glue and pens - so thought I'd have a go. It only took me a few minutes. It didn't require any sewing, knitting, modelling or carving, so is a good technique for anyone who wants to make an easy doll but doesn't have much in the way of crafting expertise.

It could also be made as a focus to represent a person in spellwork. As I explain in my book Poppets and Magical Dolls:

"Poppets are dolls used for sympathetic magic, and are designed in the likeness of individuals in order to represent them in spells to help, heal or harm."

Although that mentions harm, it's a misconception that poppets are only used as curses. My book explores the history of effigy magic, and offers a practical guide to making and using dolls in modern witchcraft. It's published by Moon Books, but you can also find copies on Amazon.

(Please note I earn commission from some links)

Other previous related posts

https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/08/witchy-craft-how-to-make-sewn-cloth.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/08/books-seven-lucky-years-for-poppets.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/02/craft-comfort-or-izzy-dolls-poppet.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/poppet-craft-doll-to-do-three-things-at.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/07/poppets-paper-doll-magic-to-release.html

Friday, 22 May 2026

A Tarot Reading for the World: The Ace of Wands

I drew a card as a reading for the world using my new copy of the Greenwood Tarot. The Ace of Wands revealed itself.

The image shows a bow drill and the text on the card says "Spark of Life". The book that comes with the set gives this definition:

"The turning of the cosmic axis that generates the spark of life. The drill symbolises the skills that exert control over the environment, directed by human intellect."

Aces in general are about new beginnings. In the Greenwood Tarot they are all placed in the position of Imbolc on the Wheel of the Year chart, That's a time when the world is still bleak and dark, but we are beginning to see the evenings getting lighter and make plans for better times ahead.

Of course in the actual year as I write this post we are between Beltane and Summer Solstice, but in terms of world energy, it makes sense. The world is bleak right now.

This card tells us to make a new start. To direct our thoughts to making plans, and to use our energy and skills towards effecting change in our environment. A bow drill creates a tiny spark that sets a fire going. Make your own spark matter and create change in the world.

You can read my earlier post on the new edition of the Greenwood Tarot here.

Other previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/10/wind-harp-ace-of-air-from-witches.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/03/tarot-ace-of-cups-signs-of-new.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/04/review-shadow-seer-tarot-dark-archetypes.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/01/art-theatre-deli-tarot-supporting.html

Thursday, 21 May 2026

Pagan Eye: Austin Osman Spare Exhibition at Atlantis

The photo shows a corner of the current exhibition at Atlantis Bookshop in London. It's on the work of Austin Osman Spare. Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the artist and magician's death, the exhibition offers a glimps into his writing and illustrations.

Austin Osman Spare and his Books is on until Saturday 30 May at Atlantis, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. It's open Monday to Saturday, 11am~6pm. Entry. is free. www.theatlantisbookshop.com

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it. It could be a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com. Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

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