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.
Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Events at Samhain & Halloween Near London & Online
Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Tarot for the World: Time to Defeat a Giant (The Chariot)
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
Monday, 26 October 2026
Review: A Witch’s Book of Days by Victoria Raschke
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
Friday, 23 October 2026
Poetry for Halloween: The White Room Ghost
I was reminded of Cotehele Hall because I'm currently reading The Season of Frost and Fire, by Rebecca Beattie. It begins by describing decorating the hall for winter festivities and I'll be reviewing the book on my blog soon. In the meantime, here's my poem:
The White Room Ghost
Who's that?
Grey shade who steals my sleep,
An honest man am I.
A lawyer and a loyal friend
Invited to the tenants' feast
At Earl of Edgcumbe's grand estate.
Tonight we dined on goodly fare,
Roast beef and pud by a roaring fire.
With wine and punch we drank our fill,
Toasting those we hold most dear
I last retired at evening's end
To the white room and houseguest bed.
I curtained out the winter chill,
banked the fire and laid my head.
Yet my slumber did not last.
A figure glided through the room
I woke to see in awful dread
it fix its glowering eyes on me.
Who's that?
I called in utmost fright.
No answer
Gave the shade to me
It slunk away and disappeared,
That dim grey shade who stole my sleep.
Although I searched the room in vain
I could not find where it did creep.
Embers glowed within the hearth
Throwing shadows on the pallid walls,
Sleep was lost and night was long.
I shivered gainst the ghost's return.
At dawn of day such things seem clear
A secret door and servant's tread
Explain away the ghostly form;
And yet the night returns its dread.
In that white room
I'll sleep no more.
Copyright Lucya Starza 2012
The picture is The Court Dinner at Cotehele by Nicholas Condy (–1857)
Previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/10/a-poem-for-samhain-what-is-there-to-fear.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/10/ritual-poetry-call-to-ancestors-at.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/12/poetry-darkness.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/11/the-poetry-of-tarot-four-of-swords.html
Thursday, 22 October 2026
My Blog's Now in the Top 4 UK Witch & Pagan Sites
Last month I was told that A Bad Witch's Blog has been listed among the top 60 Witchcraft blogs worldwide according to Feedspot. I've now also been informed that my blog is in the top ten UK witchcraft platforms and in the top 4 pagan sites in the UK. Here are the links to both lists:
Feedspot ranks the best blogs based on multiple factors, including content relevancy, subject expertise, posting frequency, and freshness of content.
Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you subscribe to blogs, news sites, and any website you want to keep up with.
Previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/09/a-bad-witchs-blog-named-among-top-witch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/11/im-top-witchcraft-blogger-with-two.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/06/it-seems-ive-won-yet-another-blogging.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/04/a-bad-witchs-blog-named-among-top-witch.html





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