A bad witch's blog

Thursday, 24 September 2026

A Bad Witch's Blog Named Among the Top Witch Sites

A Bad Witch's Blog has once again been listed among the top 60 Witchcraft blogs worldwide according to Feedspot. This year I'm at number 13, which is lucky enough, but slightly lower than my placing last year. You can find the full list here: https://bloggers.feedspot.com/witchcraft_blogs/

Feedspot ranks the best Witchcraft blogs based on multiple factors, including content relevancy, subject expertise, posting frequency, and freshness of content.

I'm also on the list of top Pagan blogs, but a bit lower down. You can find that here: https://bloggers.feedspot.com/pagan_blogs/?

Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you subscribe to blogs, news sites, and any website you want to keep up with.

Wednesday, 23 September 2026

Manningtree, the Witch Trials, and Folk Stories

A few days ago, I sat on the bench you can just see in the shadow of the large house and spent a few moments honouring Anne West, Helen Clark, Marian Hocket, and Anne Cooper, who were cruelly treated by Matthew Hopkins, the self-appointed Witchfinder General. The pleasant-looking little village green, high on a hill in South Street, Manningtree, is where the four women were hanged after being accused of witchcraft in 1645. At least, that was what I read on a pdf I downloaded called Walking With Witches.

I was also sititng there waiting for the opening time of Manningtree Museum, just along the high street, which I'd been told was full of information about the 17th Century East Anglian witch trials. When I got to the museum, I learnt that a lot of what I'd just read - and in fact much of what's online about the area's witch persecutions - is conjecture, overly romanticised folk stories, or just fake news.

While it's true those poor women were executed in Manningtree, the site of the gallows wasn't recorded. It might have been there, but more likely was in the old marketplace, which was larger. Nevertheless, South Street is one of the roads where Matthew Hopkins resided. The only other place he is recorded as having lived is the old rectory of Mistley Heath Church. But plenty of other places claim he once dwelt there, especially if they're tourist attractions. It's good for business even if it can't be proven.

While I was at the museum I bought a booklet called Manningtree 'Witch-hunts' - The full facts. It isn't professionally produced, but it was painstakingly researched and put together by a local historian and the Manningtree Museum and Local History Group. The information inside, I was told, is reliably accurate. The group was also behind the plaque you can see in the photo in the middle of this post.

The picture at the bottom shows Old Knobbley, a huge hollow oak which is the second oldest tree in Essex, at around 900 years. I saw it on the Walking with Witches trail. According to legends it was a sanctuary for witches fleeing persecution. As amazing as the tree is, that's almost certainly another bit of romantic storytelling.

I should add that Manningtree is now a really delightful town. It's situated on the Stour and is also famous as part of Constable country. Flatford Mill is about 4 miles away - a pleasant walk along the riverbank.

Tuesday, 22 September 2026

Witchy Autumn Events Around London & Online

While many pagans will have celebrated Autumn Equinox last weekend or on September 21, in 2026 it falls on Spetember 23rd astronomically. There are still ways to honour the time of balance from now until the end of the month. Here's a listing of pagan and witchy events in or near London over the next couple of weeks, but I also a few festivals further afield and plenty of things online (bolded) that you can enjoy anywhere.

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 8 November; The Occult Temple of Agape - Exhibition. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6pm. Tickets free. https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum/

Now - 25 October; Richard Dadd - Beyond Bedlam exhibition. Venue: Royal Academy, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BD Time: 10-6pm every day. Tickets £15. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/

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/

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

Tuesday 22 September (every Tuesday); 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 22 September; Learn Morris Dancing. Venue: Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London, NW1 7AY. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £10.50 per class, £77 for a term. https://www.efdss.org/

Tuesday 22 September; Beyond the Dream Gateway. Start of 10-session course with Tree Carr. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £290. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 22 September; The Templars' Lost Sacred Feminine. Online talk by Helena B. Scott via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 22 September; Meeting Ourselves in Film. Start of 5-session course with Mark Wentworth. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £180. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 22 Septembert; 7 Essential Roots For Witches. Online Class with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday 22 Septembert; Sláine: The Horned God with professional storyteller Jason Buck. Venue: Canal Cafe Theatre, Delamere Terrace, Little Venice, London W2 6NG. Tel: 020 7289 6054. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £18.50. https://canalcafetheatre.com/our-shows/slaine/?

Tuesday 22 September; Scottish Peasants in the Magical Landscape with Julian Goodare. Talk via the Folklore Society online. Time: 7pm. Tickets £6. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-folklore-society-32190494089

Tuesday 22 September; Equinox Special Enfield Town Circle Moot. Venue: Crown and Horsehoes, Horseshoe Lane, Enfield, EN2 6PZ. Time: 7.30pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EnfieldTownCircle/

Wednesday 23 September; Autumn Equinox at Stonehenge. English Heritage allows managed free open access to the stones for the sunrise, although the car parking is charged. Access to stones from: 5.15am-8.30am. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/autumn-equinox/

Wednesday 23 September; Unlock and Manifest Your Abundance. Online class by Abiola Abrams via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 23 September (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 23 September; Travel with the Sacred Drum 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/

Wednesday 23 September; Autunm Equinox Crossbones Vigil to Honour the Outcast Dead of Crossbones Graveyard, Southwark. Location: Redcross Way, London, SE1 1TA. Time: 6.45pm for 7pm. Free, just turn up You can also view the vigil online. http://crossbones.org.uk

Wednesday 23 September; Tarot Intermediate. Start of 10-session course with Avril Price. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £290. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 23 September; Exploring the Dream Realms. Start of 10-session course with Tree Carr. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £280. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 23 September; Witch Choir with Nicole Bettencourt Coelho. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Wednesday 23 September (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 23 September (and other dates); Gong Bath. Venue: Akasa, Hackney Wick, London E9. Time: 7pm. Tickets: from £23.46. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sunita-kaur-34415293427

Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September; Reiki 1 with The Reiki Academy - Claire Hall and Olivia Griesser. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 9.30am. Tickets: £247. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 24September (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 24 September; Pantheon with Rachel Roberts. 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 24 September; Drum Circle. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £15. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Thursday 24 September; Witch Hunting in Blighty: Then and Now. Talk via Pints of Knowledge. Venue: The Alma, Wandsworth, SW18 1TF. Time: 7pm. Tickets £20.25. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pintsofknowledge

Thursday 24 September; Develop the Intuitive Mind: Intermediate. Start of 10-session course with Maria Antoniou. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £290. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 24 September; Hookland with David Southwell – In-Person Lecture by David Southwell . Lecture and Soirée with Dr Anna Milon. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £tbc. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 24 September; Psychometry: Learn to Read Objects. Start of 10-session course with Tia Price. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £240. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 24 September; A Journey with Spirit. Start of 10-session course with Gary Wright. Hybrid event via The College of Psychic Studies. In-person Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 7.15pm. Tickets: £280. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 24 September (last Thursday every month); Autumn Equinox 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 24 September; The Lost Mythology of Celtic Goddesses - Candlelight History with Kim Willis via Seed talks. Online event. Time: 8pm. Tickets from £15. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/seed-talks-online-1262239?

Friday 25 September (and other dates); Drum Birthing Workshop with Lynn Gosney. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain, Minster, Kent. Starts 8.45am. Tickets £225/£250. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain

Friday 25 September (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 25 September (and other dates); Shamanic Drumming, Healing and Journeying. Venue: Atlantis Spiritual Centre, Crews Hill, Enfield EN2 9DG. Time 10.30am. Tickets: £11.55. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/110820030781?

Friday 25 - Sunday 27 September; The Rainbow Tribe: Medicine Wheel Festival. Venue: Berkeley farm, Berkeley Farm, Lambourne End, Manor Rd, Essex RM4 1NH , a few miles outside London. Tickets: £75. https://www.aho.community/

Friday 25 September; Festival of Astronomical Ideas. Talk of talks including The Strange Story of Astroarcheology by Professor Ronald Hutton, author of Triumph of the Moon and Blood and Mistletoe, via Gresham College. Venue: Gresham College, Barnard's Inn Hall, Holborn, London EC1N 2HH. Time: 11am. Tickets from free. https://www.gresham.ac.uk/

Friday 25 September; Wild City with Steve Williams and Jon Davies. 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

Saturday 26 September; Coffee Morning. Venue: Flopsy Wood, Cock Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8LS. Time 10am. Reading £10. https://www.facebook.com/HertsEvents

Saturday 26 September; Norfolk Witches and Pagans Autumn Equinox Fayre Hosted by Earth Spirit Events, Venue: Charles Burrell Centre, Thetford. Time: 10:30am - 4pm. Entrance £3 at the door, or purchase tickets at www.earthspiritevents.co.uk

Saturday 26 September; Forest Bathing at West Norwood Cemetery. Meet at West Norwood Cemetery and Crematorium, Norwood Road, London SE27 9JU. Time: 11am. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/parkbathe-34393467709

Saturday 26 September; The Sisterhood of the Rose workshop with Mel Collins. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 26 September; Inner Child Healing workshop 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 26 September; A Journey to Lemuria with Gemma Petherbridge. Online via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 26 September (and other dates); Crowley Crawl 2026 with Marco Visconti, author of The Aleister Crowley Manual. Venue: London walk. Time: 2pm. Tickets £50, For £70 for walk plus visit to cocktail bar. https://www.marcovisconti.org/events

Saturday 26 September; Psychic Development Workshop. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 2pm. Tickets £30. https://www.wiccamoonuk.com/shop/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Saturday 26 September; Healing the Mother Wound (with Family Constellations) By Emma Hewitt. Venue: FKin Wellbeing Studio, 79 Church Road, London SE19 2TA. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £49.46. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/38061527643?

Saturday 26 September; Woodland Witches Full Moon Ritual with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at Richmond Park Terrace Gardens (by Holyhock Cafe), Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 6UX. Time: 5.30pm. Free entry, but donations welcome on the day. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803 or https://www.facebook.com/PaganFrontiersOfLondon.

Saturday 26 September; 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

Saturday 26 September (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

Sunday 27 September; Southwark Hysteries with Maria Beadell of Herstorical Tours. Meet: Green Dragon Court, London SE1. Time: 11am. Tickets: £22.50. https://www.herstoricaltours.co.uk/book

Sunday 27 September; Shamanic Group with Les Fuller. All welcome Venue: Woodford Church at 9 Grove Crescent, South Woodford, London E18 2JR. Time 11am-3pm. Tickets: £10. http://woodfordchurch.com/

Sunday 27 September; Automatic Art and Spirit Communication with Anji Main. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 27 September; Deep Listening with Blanc Sceol. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 1pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 27 September; 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 27 September; 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 27 September; Storytelling Sunday: Uncanny, organised by Connection With Wonder. Venue: Love Shack, 299 Cambridge Heath Road, #Arch 298 London E2 9HA. Time: 2pm. Tickets £6.66. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/3858279213?

Sunday 27 September; 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 27 September; Palmistry in Britain and the United States with Joan Navarre . 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 28 September (every other Monday); MHA The Wilderness forest bathing walk (all mobilities welcome). Meet MHA The Wilderness, 17 Shirley Church Road, Croydon CR9 5AL. Time: 11am. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/parkbathe-34393467709

Monday 28 September; Austin Osman Spare: Artist and Visionary with Phil Baker. 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

Monday 28 September; Harvest Full Moon Moon and Autumn Equinox: Moon Circle and Workshop. Venue: Millers Way Project, Miller's Way, London W6 7NH. Time: 7pm. Tickets From £17.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/95867879283?

Monday 28 September; Full Moon Gong Bath in the Mansion. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion, Place Park, The Mansion, Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £35. https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/

Monday 28 September; The History of Greek Mythology and Women with Dr Emily Hauser 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 28 September (monthly); Melissa's Tarot Club. Online Workshop via Treadwell's Bookshop, . Time: 7pm. Cost: £15 per person. https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Monday 28 September (recurring event); 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 28 September (4th Monday each month); Occult Pop by Jason Atomic. Talk at Nova Stella pagan moot. Hybrid event. In-person venue: The Angel, City Road, London EC1Y 18D. Time: 7.30pm. Entry £5/£6.13. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472510443017948 or https://www.eventbrite.com/o/120712003251?

Monday 28 September; Rags, Bones, and Other Sacred Objects with Ed Simon. 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 28 September (tbc but usually every Monday); Tea With a Druid. Free online event by the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Time 8pm. https://druidry.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/druidry

Tuesday 29 September (every Tuesday); 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 29 September (fortnightly); Writing Group. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Time: 6pm. Tickets free. https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

Tuesday 29 September; The Absinthe Parlour's 10th Birthday! Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Tuesday 29 September; Wisdom of the Mayan Tzolkin Calendar with Tiffany Lazic. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 29 September; Hauntology, Lost Futures and Folk Horror via Seed talks. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets £15. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/seed-talks-online-1262239?

Tuesday 29 September; The Golden Dawn and the Arts. Talk by Dr Felix Taylor presented by London Fortean Society. Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London, E1 7EX. Door time: 7.30pm. Start time: 8pm Tickets £5.50/£3.30. http://forteanlondon.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/LondonForteanSociety/

Tuesday 29 September; Carl Jung and finding meaning in a living world with Rob Faure Walker. 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

Wednesday 30 September; An Afternoon with…Benjamin Stimpson to talk about his book Of Toads and Hares. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 2.30pm Cost £20 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday 30 September; Spirit Circle: Intermediate with Nicoletta Stephens. Start of 8-session course. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £255. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 30 September; Hand Reading for Beginners with Robin Lown. Start of 10-session course. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £280. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 30 September; Bloomsbury Folklore Club – Baba Yaga. 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 30 Septembert; Ritual Writing for Solitary Practitioners. Online Class with Bernadette Russell via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 30 September (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 30 September; Pathologizing Mediumship in the Victorian Era with Dr Kate Cherrellr. 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

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?

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

Thursday 1 October; Medicinal Trees Tour in Chelsea History Festival. Venue: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS. Time: 11am. Tickets: £20. https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/visit/whats-on/

Thursday 1 October - 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/

Thursday 1 October; Practical Ancient Necromancy. Start of 2-Part Online Workshop. Online Class with Jules McArthur via Treadwells. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £50. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 1 October; Finding the Philosopher's Stone. Online talk by Eliza Swann via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 1 October; Ghost Lore with Three Ravens – Launch and Soirée. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 1 October; Recognise and Clear Negative Energy. Start of 8-session online course with Martha Brett via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £255. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 1 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/

Friday 2 October. Radionics Board for Healing and Intention with Nishant Sharmaa. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £150. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 2 October (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 2 October; The Magic of Obsidian, with Sarah-Jane Jay Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 6.30pm Cost £25 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Friday 2 October; Moon Magic. A Workshop in Lunar Witchcraft with May Draper as part of London Month of the Dead. Venue: Kensal Green Cemetery, London. Time: 7pm Tickets £35 http://londonmonthofthedead.com/index.html

Friday 2 October (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 3 and Sunday 4 October; Experience Braco's Gaze: Small Intimate Sessions. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Various times from 10am. Tickets: from £30. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday, 3 and Sunday 4 October; Open Weekend. Venue: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS. Time: from 10am. Tickets: free. https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/visit/whats-on/

Saturday 3 October; Intuito nella vita quotidiana. Class taught in Italian by Susanna Copelli. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 3 October; Firewalk and ceremony to honour Tyr, Norse god of justice and courage, organised by Sheelagh Keddie and Anita Odin. Venue: The Clophill Centre, Shefford Road, Clophill, Beds, MK45 4BT. Time 3:30 pm to 9pm. Tickets £65 per person or £60 each for 2 or more booking together. To book email harmony@sheelaghkeddie.com or text on 07751828303 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063454031524 and https://www.facebook.com/AOdin73

Saturday, 3 October; Hex in the Garden - Healers, Harmers and the Witch Craze with Herstorical Tours. Venue: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.herstoricaltours.co.uk/book

Saturday, 3 October; Arcana Awakened. A Tarot Workshop with May Draper as part of London Month of the Dead. Venue: Kensal Green Cemetery, London. Time: 7pm Tickets £40 including a tarot deck http://londonmonthofthedead.com/index.html

Saturday, 3 October; In-person evening for anyone interested in learning about the Alexandrian Tradition from initiated witches. Venue: Northwest London (exact details given to attendees). Time: 8pm. Tickets free. RSVP by email alexandrianwitchcraft@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/alexandrianwitchcraftsoiree

Sunday 4 October; Luck and Plenty workshop. Venue: Crystal Wicca, West Wickham, BR4. Time: 11am. Tickets: £33. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Sunday 4 October; Macabre Makers Market at The Absinthe Parlour. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 11am. Tickets free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Sunday 4 October; Mythic London Walking Tour with with Caroline Wise, organised through Treadwells. Meet outside St Mary Le Strand Church, Strand, London WC2R 1ES. Time: 11.20am. Tickets: £35. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Sunday 4 October; Orpington Alternative Market. Venue: The Priory, Church Hill, Orpington. Time: 11am. Free entry. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1335736923852705/

Sunday 4 October. Neurographica: Clarity and Flow States with Carol Bosack. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 1pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 4 October; 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 4 October; Beginner Tarot (Major Cards). Start of 4-session In-Person Course with Delphine de la Mar. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £150. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Sunday 4 October (first Sunday each month); Release and Letting Go - 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 4 October (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 4 October; Deep Dive into the Water Signs and Houses with Carmen Turner-Schott. Online event via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 4 October; Symbolism of Tibetan Rope Divination with Alexander Smith. 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

Wednesday 7 and 14 October; I'm running a two-part online evening class on Scrying: Divination Using Crystals, Mirrors, Water and Fire via the College of Psychic Studies. Each class starts at 7pm. Tickets are £90. Find our more here: https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/workshops/psychic-training/scrying-with-crystals-mirrors-more/?

For activities after these dates please visit my events page.

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

Monday, 21 September 2026

An Equinox Tarot Card for the World: Five of Wands

As we approach the equinox I drew a card as a reading for the world using the Greenwood Tarot. The Five of Wands revealed itself. The word on it is "Power" and the book that comes with the set gives this definition:

"A fertile or concentrated male energy or drive that needs to be grounded in intent. Raw spiritual power or life force that can be built up or focused for good intent."

But what does that mean at this time of year? The suit of wands is generally associated more with spring than autumn, but of course the southern hemisphere is experiencing the spring equinox, and this is a reading for the entire world.

I live in England, and am sensing autumnal Green Man energy around at the moment. Rain has made the grass grow green again after the summer drought, so there is a feeling of renewal in nature even though we are heading towards the dark time of the year. I was also reminded of a dream I had in autumn many years ago. You can read the entire post here, or this quote from it:

"I dreamt I met the King of the Trees. At first I thought he was wearing a billowing cloak of autumn leaves, but then I realised he was entirely made of leaves. Not a Green Man but a man all gold and brown and crimson, from his face to his feet.
When he spoke, his voice was like the rustling of the leaves in the autumn winds, and this is what he said: 'You call the Oak King and the Holly King two, and set them at war, but I am both and all the changing seasons. There is no conflict.'
Then the wind gusted and the leaves swirled and he was gone, while I drifted further into slumber."

The image on the Five of Wands in the Greenwood Tarot is Cerne Giant, an English chalk hill figure that is thought to date from late Saxon era. The figure possibly represents the earlier Saxon god Heil or Helith, as the nearby abbey was founded at least partly to draw people away from pagan worship of that deity.

How does that reflect on my interpretation of this card? Well, the Christians didn't destroy the hill figure so perhaps this represents religious tolerance, and the focus of male energy towards environmental renewal and preserving all heritage rather than fighting over religious differences.

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/2026/05/a-tarot-reading-for-world-ace-of-wands.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/10/wheel-of-year-crafts-preserving-autumn.html

Thursday, 17 September 2026

Author Interview: Robin Corak on Goddesses & Writing

In this post I've chatted to Pagan priestess Robin Corak, continuing my interview series Authors on Their Own Writing:

Q: Out of all that you've written, which is your favorite published work?

A: I have a special relationship with all of the books I have published, but out of the Moon Books publications I've authored I would have to say that Persephone: Practicing the Art of Personal Power is my favourite.

Q: What’s it about?

A: Persephone explores the various versions of the myth of Persephone and how we can learn from her lessons. The book also identifies ways we can work with Persephone on shadow work, communicating with our beloved dead, discernment and self sovereignty. There are guided meditations and hands on activities to assist with this.

Q: Why is it your favourite?

A: I think Persephone holds a special place in my heart because she was my first full book that I wrote but also because I have loved her myth for as long as I can remember. For reasons described in the book, Persephone is one of the first goddesses that I felt a strong connection with and I continue to resonate with her story, particularly as I continue to go deeper and deeper in my work with her as time goes on. In addition, I have had multiple readers tell me this book helped them in various aspects of their lives, which is so meaningful to me as I see my writing, in part, as a service to the deities I work with and to others.

Q: Tell me a bit more about yourself and anything else you’ve written.

A: I've always loved to write but never thought of doing it as a profession until eight years ago. I have a background in non-profit management and was for many years a CEO of a large, social services non-profit organization. Currently, I am retired but still do consulting, training, and coaching on topics such as leadership development diversity, equity and inclusivity, and non-profit management. I am also a certified life and business coach, end-of-life doula, and I present at various pagan conferences nationally and internationally. I live in the San Juan Islands in Washington state with my husband and a cat who thinks she is royalty.

In addition to Persephone, I've written Demeter (Moon Books), Dream Magick (Llewellyn), and Medusa Rising (Llewellyn) the latter of which will be out in December this year. I also recently had an essay and a song published in a new devotional Arianrhod anthology entitled "Silver Wheel", published by Ninth Wave Press.

Q: What are you working on now?

A: I am currently working on a book about the nine Muses of Greek mythology which is scheduled to be released in late 2027 or early 2028.

Robin's website can be found here: www.phoenixawenrising.com

You can also reach Robin on social media via Facebook at facebook.com/robincorak or on Instagram at instagram.com/robincorak/

Links to books:

Persphone: Pagan Portals - Persephone from Moon Books
Demeter: Pagan Portals - Demeter from Moon Books
Dream Magick: Dream Magick | Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
Medusa Rising: Medusa Rising | Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
Silver Wheel: Silver Wheel: A Devotional Anthology Honor of Arianrhod | Barnes & Noble®

(Please note: I earn commission from some links)

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