London Necropolis: Staked at the Oxford St Crossroads

London folklore has it that a man is buried with a stake through his heart underneath this towerblock at the busy junction of New Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road. The building is Centre Point, with 34 floors of luxury flats and shops. It's a listed building because it was one of London's first skyscrapers. 

Back in the 18th century it was the site of a gallows. However, the man who was impaled and buried at the crossroads wasn't executed. John Duke had murdered his wife and then killed himself. It was actually not that uncommon for suicides to be treated in this way, although the practice was banned in the 19th century. 

Does John Duke's staked skeleton still lie where he was buried? Probably not, as so much of the ground has been excavated for the construction. Centre Point is also on top of Tottenham Court Road Underground Station. Or, of course, construction work might have dislodged the stake rattling in his skeletal ribs, negating the precautions taken against the dead walking.

If I lived in Centre Point, I think I might be employing some other protections against ghosts, ghouls and even vampires at the time of year when the veil is thin and supernatural entities might rise from the grave.

Before Samhain - or Halloween - for many years I blogged with photos of London's burial grounds under the title London Necropolis. A Necropolis is a city of the dead. This is another post in the series. You can read more of my London Necropolis posts from previous years in the links below.

https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/10/london-necropolis-st-mary-spital.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/10/london-necropolis-pagan-anglo-saxon.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/10/london-necropolis-tower-hamlets.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/10/london-necropolis-highgate-cemetery.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/10/london-necropolis-temple-church.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/10/london-necropolis-grave-robbing-at-st.html

(The photo shows Centre Point and was taken by me, Lucya Starza, earlier this week.)

Halloween Craft: I Made a Coven of Witch Dolls

I've made a coven of little witches and their cat using a kit I bought over 10 years ago!  I rediscovered the box when I was going through my crafting cupboard and decided it was really time to use it, especially in the run-up to Halloween and Samhain.

The kit is called Wonderfully Wicked Witches. It contains a book of patterns and instructions to make 8 different figures, plus the felt fabric for the first one - the green witch. Luckily I have a stash of various colours of felt, thread and buttons for poppet making, so I had everything needed to make a few more.

What I like about this kit is the variety of patterns including a good witch, a bad witch, one with a crystal ball, one on a broomstick, a crone, a potion-maker, and a delightful familiar. However, they were fiddly to make, with lots of small pieces that have to fit together precisely. This wouldn't be a craft for young children and the finished dolls aren't child safe. They include things like wire, buttons and other bits that could easily be pulled off.

As I was making them I realised they could be used as poppets, or magical dolls. What aspect of your witchcraft do you want help with?  Make the figure that most represents it and put it on your altar as you do divination, make a potion, cast a spell, engage in something a bit wicked, or get more in touch with your inner wise crone.

I've still got a few more of them to sew, but the photo shows the ones I've finished so far.

If you want to learn more about poppet-making, I'd recommend my book Pagan Portals - Poppets and Magical Dolls, published by Moon Books. It recently became a best-seller. I'm also running a class on the subject at Treadwell's bookshop in London on 22nd November. You can find the details here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/treadwellsltd/2320775

The Wonderfully Wicked Witches kit looks like it's still listed on Amazon if you're interested in have a look. You can also view my books on Amazon.

(Please note: I earn commission from some links)

Previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/10/shop-wonderfully-wicket-witches-craft.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/05/witchy-craft-i-knitted-lucky-black-cat.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/02/craft-comfort-or-izzy-dolls-poppet.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/11/poppet-craft-how-to-make-magical-yule.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/10/craft-box-of-charms-amulets-for.html

Events at Samhain & Halloween Near London & Online

Here's a listing of witchy and pagan events over Halloween and Samhain and the week ahead. There's a mixture of online (bolded) and in-person things to do. I generally list talks, workshops, exhibitions and rituals in or near London plus a few further afield. 

October 1 to early November; London Month of the Dead organised by Curious Invitation and Antique Beat in conjunction with London cemeteries. Talks, walks, workshops, and performances,  on the theme of death. For a full list of the events and to book tickets, visit the London Month of the Dead website: http://londonmonthofthedead.com/index.html

Throughout October: 31 days of Witchcraft Daily Practice with author Rachel Patterson. Free online event. No need to sign up. https://www.rachelpatterson.co.uk/single-post/31-days-of-witchcraft-daily-practice?

Now - 1 November; Halloween Festival at Vauxhall City Farm with various events including a talk on the magical power of herbs. Venue: Vauxhall City Farm, 165 Tyers Street, SE11 5HS.  Free entry, but some activities ticketed. https://vauxhallcityfarm.org/event/halloween-festival-vauxhall-city-farm/

Now - 1 November; Witches of Chelmsford Trail. Activities each day for adults and children. Venue: Chelmsford City Centre, Essex. Some activities are free, some are ticketed. https://www.chelmsfordforyou.co.uk/the-witches-of-chelmsford?

Now - 3 May 2027; Exhibition: Folklore. Venue: The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0AQ. Entry: Adults: £7.70, Children: Free. https://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/event/folklore/

Now to 8 November;  The Occult Temple of Agape - Exhibition. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Tickets free. https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum/

Now to 17 April 2027; Night Maps exhibition. Venue: Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AB. Open Tuesday - Saturday from 11am. Free. https://warburg.sas.ac.uk/

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 to 9 January 2027; Anne Ryan’s Folkmoot art exhibition on London archaeology. Venue: London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE, 12 Walbrook, London, EC4N 8AA. Free entry during opening hours. https://www.londonmithraeum.com/bloomberg-space/

Now to 16 December. Visionary Landscapes. Exhibition. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Time: during opening hours. Tickets free. https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

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/

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 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

Wednesday 28 October;  The Elysian Tarot: Selene Edition with Lucia Dami. Talk and signing, Venue: Watkins Bookshop, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: noon. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Wednesday 28 October; Museum of Dust: presentation and workshop with artist Sally Kindberg. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Time: 2pm-4pm. Tickets free. https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

Wednesday 28 October; Alchemical Traditions with Aaron Cheak. Zoom Webinar  via Watkins Bookshop. Time: 6pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Wednesday 28 October; Bloomsbury Folklore Club - Vampires and The Undead. Venue: Gower Street Waterstones event space, 82 Gower Street, Lower Ground Floor, London WC1E 6EQ.  Doors at 6.30pm.Tickets  £10. https://connectionwithwonder.com/events/

Wednesday 28 October; Botanical Magic: Make a Witch Bottle. Venue: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £50. https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/visit/whats-on/

Wednesday 28 October; Spooky Soirée. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 6.30pm. Tickets: £5 or free for members. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 28 October; A Twilight Gathering. Online celebration of Halloween/Samhain/All Souls with Bernadette Russell. Tickets £10. Time: 7pm. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/10715162746?

Wednesday 28 October (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 28 October;  The History and Mythology of Werewolves with Dr Laura Kounine via Seed talks. Online event.  Time: 7pm. Tickets from £15. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/seed-talks-online-1262239?

Wednesday 28 October; Victorian Seance, by Wicca Moon. Venue: Tudor Barn, Eltham, London, SE9. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £40. https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Wednesday 28 October; Nerd Night London Halloween Special with Chris French, Deborah Hyde, and Dr Melanie Hyo-In-Han. Venue: St Matthias Church, Stoke Newington, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets:  

£10.80/£7.56 . https://london.nerdnite.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/events/1696811241861683/?

Wednesday 28 October; Bibi's Circle Tea-Leaf Reading Workshop. Venu Ron's Coffee House, Holdrons Arcade 135a, Rye Lane London SE15 4ST. Time: 7pm. Tickets £16.96. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bibis-circle-56277271483

Wednesday 28 October;  The Spiritualist Revival of the Interwar Years with Dr Kate Cherrell. Talk online via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from  £6.59. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Thursday 29 October; Family Halloween: Potion Making. Venue: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS. Time: 10am. Tickets: £10-£15.  https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/visit/whats-on/

Thursday 29. Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October; Witches. Performance Live in the Ruins By The Ruined Theatre C.I.C. Venue:  Lesnes Abbey, Abbey Road, London DA17 5DH. Times: 2pm and 4.45pm. From £9.38. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/witches-live-in-the-ruins-tickets-2002791450141?

Thursday 29 October; 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 29 October; A Consensus of Symbols with Wayne Perkins. 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

Thursday 29 October; "Trip-trapping over the Landscape: Trolls, Folklore and Popular Culture". Talk by Dr Kaja Franck  via Pints of Knowledge. Venue: Pizza East, London E1 6JJ Time: 7PM. Tickets £20.25. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pintsofknowledge/

Thursday 29 October; Samhain Ritual. Online Ceremony with Julian Vayne via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 29 October (recurring event); Welcome Women's Circle. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: optional donation of £5 - £15. https://rsh.anth.org.uk/whats-on/

Thursday 29 October; PF London Samhain Open Ritual via Pagan Federation London. Venue: Pirate Castle, Gilbey's Wharf Oval Road NW1 7EA London, UK Time: 7.15pm. Entry £8 for PF members, £10 for non-members (cash only). https://www.facebook.com/groups/pflondon

Thursday 29 October (usually last Thursday every month); Samhain at 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 29 October;  Hexentexte with Professor Patricia Allmer. Talk online via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from  £6.59. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Friday 30 October (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 30 October; Travel with the Sacred Drum for Samhain with Heather McDonald. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 6.30pm. Tickets: £45. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 30 October; Magic, Mystics and Martyrs Walking Tour with  Maria Beadell of Herstorical Tours. Meet: Fish St Hill, London EC3R 8AH. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £20. https://www.herstoricaltours.co.uk/book

Friday 30 October; Halloween Seance. Venue: Atlantis Spiritual Centre, Crews Hill, Enfield EN2 9DG. Time 7pm. Tickets:  £22.38. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/110820030781?

Friday 30 October;  Bibi's Circle  Connect to Your Intuition : An Evening of Practice. Venu Ron's Coffee House, Holdrons Arcade 135a, Rye Lane London SE15 4ST. Time: 7pm. Tickets £6.13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bibis-circle-56277271483

Friday 30 October; Tamesa River of Souls - Halloween walk with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT. Time: 7pm.  Tickets by donation. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803 or https://mani.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/PaganFrontiersOfLondon.

Friday 30 October; Yeats, "AE" and Daniel Nicol Dunlop - A Karmic Household, with James North. Hybrid talk via Rudolf Steiner House. In-person venue 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. Tickets: optional donations welcome. https://rsh.anth.org.uk/whats-on/

Friday 30 October; Oss Choir Samhain Ritual. Venue: Eastway Baths, 80 Eastway, London E9 5JH. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets £10 - £20. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oss-choir-samhain-ritual-tickets-1999684813106?

Saturday 31 October; Healing Through Ancestral Wisdom with Frances Billinghurst, author of Contemporary Witchcraft. Online via The College of Psychic Studies.  Time: 10.30am. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 31 October; Poetry as Ritual at the Thinning Veil with Sarah Fletcher.  Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 31 October; Deconstructing Inherited Patterns with Giancarlo Serra.  Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday  31 October; Day of the Dead Family Festival. Venue: Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ. Time:  11am - 4pm. Tickets: Adult £8, Child (Under 16) £6. https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/day-of-the-dead-family-festival/?

Saturday 31 October; Samhain/Halloween  Day Rretreat. Venue: Private Location near Wandsworth Town/Clapham Junction. Time: 11.45am. Tickets from £75.47. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/7885666957?

Saturday 31 October (Saturday closest to the festival); Samhain 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 31 October (tbc, usually Saturday closest to the festival); Samhain at Coldrum Stones with Kent Gorsed. Venue: Coldrum Long Barrow, West Maling, Kent. Time: noon. Free. https://www.facebook.com/kentgorsedd/

Saturday  31 October; Witches Brew. A cake social. Venue: Kiju Coffee House, Patcham Terrace, #V12 London SW8 4FN.  Time: 1pm. Tickets   £25.63. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/witches-brew-halloween-cake-social-tickets-2001887694985?

Saturday 31 October; Halloweenish Picnic with South East London Pagans. Venue: Greenwich Park, SE London. Time: 1pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/2151884218735000/?

Saturday 31 October (and other dates); Crowley Crawl with Marco Visconti, author of The Aleister Crowley Manual. Venue: London walk. Time: 2pm. Tickets £50. https://www.marcovisconti.org/events

Saturday 31 October; A Journey to Atlantis with Gemma Petherbridge. Online via The College of Psychic Studies.  Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 31 October; Secret Ceremony - Season of the Witch II. Venue: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS. Time: 2.30pm-7.15pm. Tickets: £50. https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/visit/whats-on/

Saturday 31 October; Pagan Pilgrimage: A Samhain Singing Walk. Starts: Bethnal Green Gardens, Bethnal Green Library, E2 0HL. Time: 3pm. Tickets    £8 - £20 https://snappytickets.co.uk/event/pagan-pilgrimage-a-samhain-singing-walk/?

Saturday 31 October; Samhain Ritual 2026 with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at Queens Woods Cafe, 42 Muswell Hill Rd, London N10 3JP, to be led into woods to the ritual spot. Time: 5pm. Tickets £9.38. More info: https://mani.org.uk/ or visit  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803

Saturday 31 October; Samhain Overnight Grandfather Ceremony via Aho. Venue: Berkeley farm, Berkeley Farm, Lambourne End, Manor Rd, Essex RM4 1NH , a few miles outside London. Tickets:  £222. Email Illankilla2022@gmail.com for more details. Aho website: https://www.aho.community/

Saturday 31 October;  The Dark Mother: Myth, Shadow and the Sacred Feminine | Institute Launch. Online event.  Time: 6pm. Tickets free. https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-dark-mother-myth-shadow-the-sacred-feminine-institute-launch-tickets-2003850077524?

Saturday 31 October; Night of the Ancestors - Honouring Those Who Have Passed. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain Kent. Run by Lynn Gosney. Time: 6.30pm start Tickets free, email lynn.gosney@hotmail.com for info and to book. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain/

Saturday 31 October; Spooky Storytelling, with London Dreamtime. Venue: Morocco Bound Wandsworth, London, SW18 1UZ. Time: 7pm. Tickets  free, donations welcome https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Saturday 31 October; Hex and the City Walking Tour with  Maria Beadell of Herstorical Tours. Meet: Cowcross St, Farrringdon, London EC1M 6BY. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets from: £25. https://www.herstoricaltours.co.uk/

Saturday 31 October; Icelandic Ghost Stories (online) by Jason Buck Storyteller. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets   £5 - £12.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/icelandic-ghost-stories-online-tickets-1999358962478?

Sunday 1 November (usually closest Sunday to the festival); Pagan Federation Online Samhain Festival. Starts 10am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/paganfederation/events

Sunday 1 November; Psychic Mediumship for Beginners: Discover the Magic Within with Sarah-Jane Jay.  Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday  1 November (closest Sunday to the festival); Samhain Festival. Venue: Flopsy Wood, Cock Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8LS. Time noon. Entry £20. https://www.facebook.com/HertsEvents

Sunday  1 November;  Sacred Sweat Lodge Ceremony Celebrating Samhain. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain Kent. Run by Lynn Gosney. Time: 12.30pm start Tickets by donation, email lynn.gosney@hotmail.com for info and to book. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain/

Sunday 1 November (closest Sunday to the festival); Druidic Ritual to celebrate Hallowmass 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 1 November (usually closest Sunday to the festival); Samhain  Anderida Gorsedd  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 1 November; Poison Plants and Baneful Medicines with Nicholas Pearson. Online via The College of Psychic Studies.  Time: 2pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 1 November; Samhain Drum Circle, Honouring the Ancestors. Venue: Studio Ninety, 90 De Beauvoir Road, London N1 4EN. Time: 2pm. Tickets:  £15. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/samhain-drum-circle-honouring-the-ancestors-tickets-2002894600667?

Sunday 1 November (usually closest Sunday to the festival); Samhain ritual for members of the Woodspirits group. Venue: Highgate, London. Time: 4pm (usually 2pm). https://www.facebook.com/groups/4032235040150960

Sunday 1 November (and other dates); Sister Circle. Venue: Atlantis Spiritual Centre, Crews Hill, Enfield EN2 9DG. Time 6pm. Tickets:  £11.55. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/110820030781?

Sunday 1 November; Folklore Feast of Darkness. Venue: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS. Time: 6,30pm. Tickets: £40. https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/visit/whats-on/

Sunday 1 November (closest Sunday to the festival);  Samhain Wheel of the Year: Pagan Ceremony. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3 1NG. Time: 7pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 1 November (first Sunday each month); Unity and  Connection - 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/?

Sunday 1 November; The Sin-eater: lives and afterlives with Dr Helen Frisby. Talk online via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from  £6.59. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 2 - 6 November; Day of the Dead Cultural Festival: Art Exhibition and  Altar By Embassy of Mexico Public Affairs GBR. Venue: 8 Halkin Street, London SW1X 7DT. Various times from 11am-3pm. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/day-of-the-dead-cultural-festival-art-exhibition-altar-tickets-2003299168741?

Monday 2 - 28 November;  The Earths Within Us. Embodied performances by Swedish artist duo Lundahl and Seitl. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Time: from noon. Tickets £5. https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

Monday 2 November; The Zodiac Signs (part of a series of classes). Free online talk via the Astrological Lodge of London. Starts 5pm. Tickets free. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 2 November (and  other dates); Ascending with Angels, led by David Goddard. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 6.30 pm. Tickets £40.   https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Monday 2 November; Spells, Seances and Sobering Sorcery: Talk and tasting with Wet Ink. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets  £26.20, includes a cocktail. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Monday 2 November;  Folklore, Female Aging and The Hag with Dr Tracy Fahey via Seed Talks. Hybrid event. In-person venue: 21 Soho, 3-5 Sutton Row, London W1D 4NR Time: 7pm. Tickets: from £15. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/seed-talks-in-london-1252979?

Monday 2 November; Younger Generations in Crisis with Wendy Stacey. Talk via the Astrological Lodge of London. Online event. Starts 7pm. Tickets £6/£9. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 2 November (and other dates); Spirit Guide Mediumship Circle with Hannah Macintyre Spirit Medium. Time: 7pm. Tickets  £13.70. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/61422155323?

Monday 2 November; Hermetic Magical Training, Stage 2. Start of 4-part course with Julia Phillips. Online workshop via Treadwell's Bookshop. Time: 7pm. Cost: £120 per person.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Monday 2 November (every Monday); Welcome Men's Circle. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: optional donation of £5 - £15. https://rsh.anth.org.uk/whats-on/

Monday 2 November (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 3 November; Ancestral Pathways One-Day Conference online. Tickets by donation. https://www.ancestralpathwaysconference.com/

Tuesday 3 November;  Folklore, Female Aging and The Hag with Dr Tracy Fahey  via Seed talks. Online event.  Time: 7pm. Tickets from £13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/seed-talks-online-1262239?

Tuesday 3 November; Stone Lifting: Unearthing a Lost Tradition with David Keohan. Talk via the Folklore Society online. Time: 7pm. Tickets £6. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-folklore-society-32190494089

Tuesday 3 November; Magic as the Science of the Imagination. Talk by Andrea Aste. Online via The College of Psychic Studies.  Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 3 November; Soul Attachments to People and Places with Mark Wentworth. Start of 5-session course via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £180. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 3 November;  Create Your Own Magical System. Start of 2-Part Workshop with Mark Vincent via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £50. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday 3 November;  Witches of Walthamstow: Samhain Sacred Circle. Venue: St Peters in the Forest Church, 18 Woodford New Road, London E17 3PP. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets £33.22. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/39884842123?

Tuesday 3 November (tbc usually first Tuesday each month); Talk at Romford Pagan Moot. Venue: The Golden Lion, 2 High Street, Romford, RM1 1HR. Time: 7.30pm. Entry £4: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064489640955

Wednesday 4 November (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 4 November (montlhly); Esoteric Book Club with Allan Johnson at Treadwell's. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 4 November; Introduction to Geomancy with Hannah Sanders. Online Class via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 4 November  (first Wednesday of the month); Drumming and Meditation online with Taz Thornton. Time: 7pm. Free  https://www.facebook.com/TazThorntonOfficial

Wednesday 4 November; Shamanic Teachings of Southern Africa: Dreams, Ancestors and Nature Spirits with John Lockley. Start of 6-session course via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 4 November; Candle Magic for Love and Prosperity with Tia Price. Start of 2-session course via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 5 - 14 November; The Mind in the Mirror - interactive online exhibition via the Warburg Institute. There's also a live conversation on 7 Novemmber. Free. https://warburg.sas.ac.uk/

Thursdays 5 November;  The Metaphysics of the Platonic Tradition with Tim Addeys. 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 5 November; The Hermit: Tarot for the Long Night with Laetitia Barbier. Start of 2-session course via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 5 November;  Aleister Crowley and Frieda Harris's Thoth Tarot. Part of a series by Keith Broad, Kingfisher Coven. Venue: Lost Souls Pizza Camden, 245 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BA. Time: 7pm. Tickets  £6.13. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/88810783003?_

Friday 6 November (tbc but usually 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 6 November; Tinctures and Oxymels Making Workshop. Venue: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £40. https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/visit/whats-on/

Friday 6 November; The ADHDer’s Guide to Self-Discovery with Sol Smith. 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

Friday 6 November; Astrology, Moon Nodes and Past Lives with Carmen Turner-Schott. Start of 5-session course via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £180. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 6 November; New Moon Angelic Ritual for Protection and Healing with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at Bankside Beach by Millennium Bridge, 52 Hopton Street, London SE1 9JH. 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.

Friday 6 November (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: 7pm. Tickets: £25.  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/20043657289?

Saturday 7 November; Dreams, Death and the Journey Beyond with Tree Carr. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 7 November; Symbols within Psychic Mediumship with Hernan Cotroneo. Online via The College of Psychic Studies.  Time: 11am. Tickets: £120. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 7 November; The Infinite Loop Tarot with Lorena Carbajal. Talk and signing, Venue: Watkins Bookshop, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: noon. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Saturday, 7 November; Early Gardnerians and Their Objects Book Launch and Exhibition. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £30 per person.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Saturday, 7 November;  Scrying Class - Learn Crystal Ball Reading. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 2pm. Tickets  £15. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Saturday, 7 November (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 8 November; Irish Folklore and Witchcraft Summit. Part of the Seed Talks Online Summits collection. Starts 11am. Tickets from £29. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/seed-talks-online-summits-3977003/?

Sunday 8 November; Goddess Sekhmet Healing Ceremony with Pixie P Carney. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 8 November; Wisdom and Wyrd Psychic Market. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, Imperial Place, Chislehurst, NW Kent. Time: 11am. Free entry. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1335736923852705/

Sunday 8 November;  Southwark Hysteries with  Maria Beadell of Herstorical Tours. Meet: Green Dragon Court, London SE1. Time: 11.30am. Tickets: £22.50. https://www.herstoricaltours.co.uk/book

Sunday 8 November;  Forest Bathing in Cator Park. Meet at Cator Park, Aldersmead Road, Beckenham BR3 1NA. Time: 11am. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/parkbathe-34393467709

Sunday 8 November; Awakening the Intuitive in You with Elizabeth Titterton. Online via The College of Psychic Studies.  Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 8 November; Live performance of Tam Lin at the Coldrum Stones in Kent, plus lantern procession. Venue: Coldrum Stones, West Malling, Kent. Time: 3pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/1671179841191755/?

Sunday 8 November;  Greek Mythology and The Eleusinian Mysteries with Sarah Janes via Seed talks. Online event.  Time: 5pm. Tickets from £17. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713?

Sunday 8 November; Cats in Ancient Fable with Debbie Felton. Talk online via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from  £6.59. 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, workshops and appearances. 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. 

Tarot for the World: Time to Defeat a Giant (The Chariot)

I drew a card for the world using the London Lore Tarot and revealed Gogmagog. It shows Brutus of Troy, the legendary founder of London, facing up to a giant and defeating him. It wasn't too bad an ending for the giant really, as he then became a symbolic protector of the city.

The card corresponds with the Chariot in standard tarot decks. The book that comes with the London Lore Tarot says it means: "Progress and victory over opposing forces. Purpose, single-mindedness."

In other decks this card in the major arcana often shows someone dressed for battle, in a chariot with two horses. The warrior has managed to control the contrary creatures and is moving forwards with them harnessed together. It's not necessarily about having a fight, more about winning through determination. 

What giants do you feel you need to overcome, and what opposing forces to you need to get working together? You have the capability if your determination is strong enough.

Interestingly Gogmagog is often portrayed as two separate figures: Gog and Magog. London's Guildhall has statues of the giants, which have traditionally been taken out for the Lord Mayor's Parade. This year that will take place on November 14. You can find details here: https://www.lordmayorsshow.london/

The London Lore Tarot is one of my favourite decks because all the cards represent aspects of London's history and folklore. Sadly it is out of print and rare these days, so I keep my copy very safe. I reviewed it here, 10 years ago: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/12/review-london-lore-tarot.html

Other previous related posts

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/10/london-tarot-reading-sewer-gas-lamp-2.html 
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/06/london-lore-tarot-tower-ravens-eight-of.html 
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/04/tarot-great-fire-of-london-eight-of.html 
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/08/london-lore-tarot-king-of-wands-henry.html 
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/fortean-london-sacred-and-profane.html

Review: A Witch’s Book of Days by Victoria Raschke

I've long encouraged the idea magic can be found in the world at any time, not just on the full moon or Wheel of the Year festival dates.  In A Witch’s Book of Days, Victoria Raschke, details things to celebrate daily over the entire course of the year, so this is a book after my own heart. Here's the description from publisher Crossed Crow Books' website:

In a world that often pulls witches and magical practitioners away from their craft, A Witch’s Book of Days offers a way to reclaim enchantment, one day at a time. Drawing from a lifetime of study, personal practice, and a passion for uncovering forgotten celebrations, Victoria weaves together a rich tapestry of observances, rituals, recipes, and reflections to inspire magical living every day of the year.

Unlike traditional seasonal guides that center only on the eight sabbats or the phases of the moon, this book opens a much wider door. It honors the familiar while also inviting readers to explore a vibrant range of modern, historical, and ancient observances from cultures across the world.

Victoria’s thoughtful curation encourages readers to see the sacred in the everyday and offers accessible practices to fit even the busiest schedules. Whether through a simple meditation, a kitchen spell, a crafted charm, or a meaningful reflection, readers are guided to create their own evolving Book of Days.

Carefully researched and extensively referenced, A Witch’s Book of Days is indispensible to witches and neo-pagans who seek to live more intentionally, honoring the turning of time with wonder and wisdom.

Victoria collected her inspiration from many different sources and delves into far more than relatively well-known folk customs. I was fascinated to learn that during the French Revolution, France had a calendar that did away with religious festivals and instead dedicated each day to things like minerals, plants, and animals. While the French would have disapproved of even pagan celebrations, these are nevertheless natural things that witches might want to learn more about. Victoria uses this system - among others - as a way to explore their folklore and uses, including some great recipes. She also covers ancient festivals, anniversaries of people associated with modern paganism, and a whole lot more.

A Witch’s Book of Days is a treasury of seasonal lore. I learnt a lot from reading it and will be dipping into it for ideas in the months to come.

You can view A Witch’s Book of Days on Amazon

Previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/10/rounding-year-my-book-is-3-years-old.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/10/book-extract-circle-coven-grove-full.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/03/review-way-of-four-by-deborah-lipp.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/04/review-star-magic-wisdom-of.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/01/review-wildwood-way-by-cliff-seruntine.html