Here are details of the witchy events I'm involved with from now until the end of July. There are London-based workshops on amulets and candle magic. I'll also be at the lovely Greenoaks Gathering in Cambridgeshire where I'll be teaching dowsing and giving a talk on poppets and magical dolls.
Monday, 1 June 2026
My Witchy Events: Charms, Dowsing, Dolls & Candles
Thursday, 28 May 2026
Review: Portals, Patterns, and Pathways - Rune Magic
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/
Previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/04/earth-day-our-roots-reach-by-imelda.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/12/author-interview-imelda-almqvist-on.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/03/review-natural-born-shamans-teaching.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/02/book-excerpt-sacred-art-hollow-bone-for.html
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.
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
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



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