Rounding the Year: Daffodils, Narcissus & a Tragic Tale

Daffodils are blooming in my garden again. They're a bit earlier than last year, but I'm pleased to see their bright yellow buds. Another word for daffodil is narcissus. That's the name of the Greek mythological character who fell in love with his own reflection, and associated with the term narcissism, meaning someone very self-centred. 

However, the full version of the ancient tale is more complicated and nuanced. Narcissus was loved by both a young woman called Echo, and a young man, Ameinias, but was unable to reciprocate the feelings for either. Echo wasted away, while Ameinias called on the goddess of revenge, Nemesis. She cursed Narcissus that whoever he did love wouldn't be able to return the affection either. This came true, but his passion for his own image burned so brightly he was transformed into a golden flower.

It's a sad story, isn't it?  But it does perhaps offer the message of accepting that not everyone we desire will necessarily share the same feelings. Don't go cursing someone just because they don't fancy you. Love can be bittersweet, but keep the tragedy in fiction please.

As much as I enjoy being reminded of a good tale, I also love to see the flowers at this time of year, which can be bitterly cold even though beautiful flowers are brightening the days.

Share your Pictures

Since my book Rounding the Wheel of the Year  came out I've been inviting people to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, as well as other seasonal journalling, musings, drawing, painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram with the tag #RoundingtheYear
  

Where to find Rounding the Wheel of the Year

My book offers more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can view Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon, find it at esoteric bookshops or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

(Please note: I earn commission from some links.)

Other previous Related Posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/01/rounding-year-when-snowdrops-bloom.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/01/rounding-year-flower-of-love-hope-or.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/09/rounding-year-when-do-you-think-autumn.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/rounding-year-sharing-seasonal-pictures.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-too-soon-for-silver-birch.html

Magical Online & London Events in the Next Weeks

We are at the start of the lunar new year! Here's a list of weird, wonderful and witchy events over the next week or so with a mixture of online and in-person things to do, including Chinese New Year celebrations in London. I mainly include in-person things in or near London, because that's where I'm based, as well as online talks and workshops you can do anywhere and a few big events further afield.

Now to 20 April  2026; Welcome To Fairy Land - Luciana Nedelea Art Exhibition. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: Museum opening hours, free entry https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum/events-exhibitions/

Now to 2 May; Conspiracies exhibition. Venue@ Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AB. 11am to 6pm. Free entry. https://warburg.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/conspiracies

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

Now – 19 April; Expecting: Birth, Belief and Protection Exhibition. Venue: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. Free https://wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/thirst-in-search-of-freshwater

Now to 16 May; Broken, Burnt, Buried. Exhibition of Egyptians objects deliberately broken as part of ritual and religious practices. Venue: Petrie Museum of Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology, Malet Place, London WC1E 6BT. Free. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-collections/

Now – 26 February;  Exhibition: Elective Affinities. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH , Time: 10am-5pm Monday - Friday. Free, but book a ticket. https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/events/elective-affinities/

Every Wednesday and Friday; 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-5pm weekdays. 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

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

Now - 22 February; JORVIK Viking Festival 2026. Programme of events in York City Centre, some of which are free, but some are ticketed. https://jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk/

Wednesday 18 - 20 February; Reiki and Crystal Healing Level 1 3-Day Training. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 11.30am - 4.30pm each day. Tickets £350 for the course. https://www.wiccamooninherservice.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Wednesday 18 February; The Secret Book Club: Judy Hall's The Art of Psychic Protection via Bibi's Circle. Venue: Rons Coffee House, Holdrons Arcade 135a, Rye Lane London SE15 4ST. Time: 6pm. Tickets free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bibis-circle-56277271483

Wednesdays 18 February; The 7 Keys To Your Quantum Intuition. Start of 2-session course run by Kim Chestney, via the College of Psychic Studies online. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £120. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 18 February (most Wednesdays); Gong Bath. Venue:  Akasa, 5a Prince Edward Rd, Hackney Wick,  London E9 5LX. Time: 7pm. Tickets:  from £23.46. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sunita-kaur-34415293427

Wednesday 18 February (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 18 February; 7 Essential Plants for Spells. Class with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events 

Wednesday 18 February; Astrological  Sound Bath with Nicole Bettencourt Coelho. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £30 per person.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Wednesday 18 February; The History of Greek Mythology with Dr Shelby Judge via Seed Talks. Venue:  The Blues Kitchen Brixton, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £11.50 - £33. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713

Wednesday 18 February (tbc but usually 3rd Wednesday each month); The More Mead Moot. Venue: The Hope pub, Carshalton, Surrey. Time: 7pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/Pagan-FutureFests-352385661439366/

Wednesday 18 February (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

Wednesday 18 February;  London Magic and Creative Writing. Online Workshop with Bernadette Russell via Treadwell's Bookshop. Time: 7pm. Cost: £15 per person. Delayed viewing available https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Wednesday 18 February; Evening of Clairvoyance with Micheal Lennon. Venue: Sydenham Spiritual and Healing Centre, 1 Venner Rd Hall, Venner Rd, Sydenham SE26 5EQ. Doors open at 7.30pm for a 8pm start. Entry £6(cash only). https://www.facebook.com/events/1242016574739693?

Thursday 19 February; Meditation Online via Rest Less Events. Time: 9am. Tickets £3.99 per class. https://events.restless.co.uk/event-calendar/

Thursday 19 February (most Thursdays); Shamanic Dance with Luisa Passalacqua. Venue near Wandsworth Town Station, London. Time: 11am. Tickets donations (or free) https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/luisa-passalacqua-16972493584?

Thursday 19 February (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 19 February; Sweeter than Revenge. Online talk by David Richo via Watkins Bookshop. Time: 5.30pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursday 19 February; Poetry Evening. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. Tickets free https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/events/

Friday 20 February (usually every Friday); Live Chat hosted by Rachel Patterson, author of Gods and Goddesses of England and the Kitchen Witch series of books. Time: 9am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks/

Friday 20 February (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 20 February; "Come away, O human child!"—a Simon Young Zoom talk on Changeling Folklore via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 7.30pm. Tickets ·from  £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Friday 20 February; Way of the Witch monthly online circle with Samantha K. and Jacqui C. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.meetup.com/sammi-k-shamanic-practitioner-psychic-medium/events/

Saturday 21 - Sunday 22 February; WitchCon Online 2026, livestream magical conference, featuring over 100 presenters, including Ellen Evert Hopman speaking on the Witching Herbs. Tickets £72.31. https://witchcon.com/

Saturday 21 February (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

Saturday 21 February; The Crimson Fire Horse: 2026 workshop with Vicky Sweetlove. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Saturday 21 February; Crystals to Heighten Your Creativity workshop with Melissa Alley. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Saturday 21 February;  The Kimun Tarot by Maria B Battle meet and greet. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: noon. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Saturday 21 February;  Crystals and Astrology Stones and Stars 2026:  Year of the Fire Horse workshop with Lindsay. Venue: Crystal Wicca,  West Wickham, BR4. Time: 12.30pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Saturday 21 February; Goddess of the Moon – February Women’s Circle with Claudia Chapman. Venue: The Goddess Studio, 116 Whitehouse Way, London N14 7LU. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £33. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/20248016862

Saturday 21 February;  Beddington Park Wassail with Madder Mill Molly and PaganFuturefests. Venue: Beddington Park, Wallington, S London. Free family friendly event. Time 2pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/1563374718259283?

Saturday 21 February; Alchemise Your Energy with Dowsing. Start of 2-session course run by Susan Gash and Sven Carlson, via the College of Psychic Studies online. Time: 3pm. Tickets: £160. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 22 February; London's Chinese New Year Festival to celebrate the start of the Year of the Horse with parade, . Festivities usually start at 10am with a parade through Chinatown ending at Trafalgar Square. Activities continue with music, performances, a dragon dance and a lion dance. This is a free, public event so just turn up and have fun. https://chinatown.co.uk/en/chinese-new-year/chinese-new-year-2026/

Sunday 22 February; Group Constellation Workshop by Avideya. Venue: 30 Friern Watch Avenue, London N12 9NT. Time:  from 10am to 5pm.  From £53.80. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/avideya-30020254011

Sunday 22 February; The Violet Rainbow Reborn with Joan Osborne. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Sunday 22 February (and other dates and times); Soul Restore Sound Healing. Venue: The Mandrake, 20-21 Newman Street, London W1T 1PG. Time: 11am. Tickets: £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-mandrake-17825575648

Sunday 22 February; Stones and  Stars 2026:  Year of the Fire Horse, the magic of the Chinese New Year. Venue: private flat, West Wickham, BR4. Time: 11.30am – 4.30pm. Tickets: £80 per person. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Sunday 22 February; 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 22 February (and other dates and times); Viktor Wynd Museum Guided Tour and a Devil's Botany Absinthe. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: noon. Tickets from £12. Price includes a Cocktail with Devil’s Botany. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Sunday 22 February; Women's Mindful Stroll and 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 22 February; Storytelling Sunday: Flying. Location: Love Shack 299 Cambridge Heath Road #Arch 298 London E2 9HA. Time: 2pm. Tickets £6.66.  https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Sunday 22 February; The Feminine and Masculine in Tarot workshop with Amanda Watson, via the College of Psychic Studies online. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 22 February (and other dates); The Sound of Shamanism. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion, Place Park, The Mansion, Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: 2.30pm. Tickets: £24. https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/

Sunday 22  February; Mind Matters - Meditation and Music. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3 1NG. Time: 7pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 22 February; Psychic AF Beginners Course. Start of 6-session online course via She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £195.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Sunday 22 February; Virtual Reality and West Country Heritage – Making the Invisible Visible. Online talk via the Folklore Library and Archive. Time: 8pm. Tickets:  £6.13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-folklore-library-archive-68703440013?

Sunday 22 February; Cults and New Religious Movements in Horror Cinema. Talk by Miranda Corcoran on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from  £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 23 February; Meditative Art and Visualisation: Badgers Online via Rest Less Events. Time: 10am. Tickets £3.99 per class. https://events.restless.co.uk/event-calendar/

Monday 23 February; Starting Your Psychic Journey. Start of six-session course run by Gary Wright, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 5pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Monday 23 February;  Winners and losers in 7th May 2026 Local Council Elections. Talk by Anita Chakraburtty, plus chart discussions. Hybrid talks via the Astrological Lodge of London. In-person venue: Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Starts 6.30pm. Tickets £9/£6. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 23 February; 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  

Monday 23 February; How to Become a Medium: First Steps. Start of six-session course run by Jeremy Turner-Welch, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Monday 23 February; Develop the Intuitive Mind: Foundation. Start of six-session course run by Maria Antoniou, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Monday 23 February (4th Monday each month); Professor Ronald Hutton at Nova Stella - Bridget: Saint, Goddess or Both? Talk at Nova Stella pagan moot. Hybrid event. In-person venue: The Angel, City Road, London EC1Y 18D. Time: 7pm start of social for 8pm talk.  Entry £5/£6. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472510443017948  or https://wegottickets.com/sct/ktE7Csyr9F?

Monday 23 February; Psychical Research and Trance States in China, 1900-1949 with Luis Fernando Bernardi Junqueira. Online  presentation hosted by the Society for Psychical Research via Zoom. Time: 8pm. Tickets: Free for members/£5 non members. https://www.spr.ac.uk/

Monday 23 February  (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 24 February (and other dates); Yoga for Mind, Breath and Body. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion, Place Park, The Mansion, Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: 6.15pm. Tickets: £12. https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/

Tuesday 24 February; Breathe Into Light. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion, Place Park, The Mansion, Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £40. https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/

Tuesday 24; Develop the Intuitive Mind: Beginner. Start of six-session course run by Maria Antoniou, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 24 February; Folklore in the Computer Age. Talk via the Folklore Society online. Time: 7pm. Tickets £6. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-folklore-society-32190494089

Tuesday 24 February; Frontline Folklore - one-off screening of Ben Edge's documentary as part of Guts of Albion season of films. Venue: Regent Street Cinema, 307 Regent Street,  London. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets tbc https://www.regentstreetcinema.com/movie/frontline-folklore-director-qa/

Tuesday, 24 February  (last Tuesday each month); Stevyn Colgan on A Policeman’s Progress from Law to Lore. Talk 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, 24  February; The Werewolf of Hull: A Modern Manbeast Mystery. Talk by Deborah Hyde  on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from  £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Wednesday 25 February; Remote Viewing the Spirit World with Ann Théato, via the College of Psychic Studies online. Time: 8am. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 25 February (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 25 February; Witch Clinic with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events 

Wednesday 25 February; 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 25 February; Nervous System Regulation for Psychics. Start of 2-session course run by Andréa Ararê, via the College of Psychic Studies online. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 25 February; Sacred Gong Meditation with Joe Summerfield. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £45. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Wednesday 25 February; Talking Weird: A Thrilling Journey into the Mysteries of the British Isles with Andy McGrath on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from  £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Wednesday 25 February (date tbc but usually last Wednesday or Thursday every month); Talk 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 26 February; Gary Lachman - Touched by the Presence. Talk and signing. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursday 26 February; Working with Energy Through Colour. Start of 3-session course run by Daniel Pitt, via the College of Psychic Studies online. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £170. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 26 February; A Diagrammatic Foray into the World of Animals and Machines with Dean Anthony Kenning'. Venue: Swedenborg House, The Swedenborg Society, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2TH. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/8460713300?

Thursday 26 February; Madness and Decadence in the 1890s – a Zoom talk with Nick Freeman via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 7.30pm. Tickets ·from  £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Friday 27 February; Psychoanalysing Horror Cinema with Mary Wild. Talk and signing. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Friday 27 February  (4th Friday of the month);  The Wild Wood Tarot study group. Free online event. Time: 7pm. https://www.meetup.com/astrotarotkitchen/events/

Friday 27 February  (and other dates); Magic, Mystics and Martyrs Walking Tour with  Maria Beadell of Herstorical Tours. Meet: Fish St Hill, London EC3R 8AH. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £18. https://www.herstoricaltours.co.uk/book

Friday 27 February;  Manifesting and Visualising the Ghost Child. Talk by Dr Jen Baker on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from  £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Saturday 28 February;  How to Read Objects with Psychometry with Tia Price, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 28 February; When Spirit Calls. Workshop with Nicoletta Stephens. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Saturday 28 February; Traditional Fairy Seership with Danú Forest, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 28 February; I'm running an in-person workshop on traditional methods of cleansing and protection in witchcraft and folk magic practices. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 2pm. Cost: £25 per person.  Visit https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Saturday 28 February; Lemurian Dragon and Crystal Skull Workshop. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 2pm . Tickets £45. https://www.wiccamooninherservice.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Saturday 28 February (every 4th Saturday of the month until February 28, 2026) Psychic Development - Beginners Mediumship. Venue: Yurt,  11, Strathearn Rd SW19 7LH,  London. Time: · 5pm. Tickets by donation. https://www.meetup.com/astrotarotkitchen/events/

Sunday 1 March;  Essex Witchcraft and Pagan Spring Fayre. Venue: Marks Tey Parish Hall, Marks Tey Market, Colchester, CO6 1EJ.  Starts 10.30am.  Entrance £3. https://www.facebook.com/events/1797236367879231/?

Sunday 1 March;  British Museum and the Magical Revival Walking Tour with Caroline Wise organised by Treadwell's. Time: 10.50am. Meet outside the British Museum (North Entrance), Montague Place, London, WC1B 3DG. Tickets: £50. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Sunday 1 March; Meet the Female Ascended Masters. Workshop with Natasha Astara. Venue: College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Sunday 1 March; Talk on Anglo Saxon Magic at North West Kent Pagans Moot. Organised by NWK Pagans for members of the group. Venue: Chislehurst Caves, NW Kent. Time: 11.30am. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445487428816887

Sunday 1 March; Late Wassail at South Norwood Lake. Meet at the tennis courts South Norwood Lake and Grounds, 8 Auckland Road, London, SE19 2DL  Time: 12.30pm. Just turn up. https://www.facebook.com/events/2339122879847241/

Sunday 1 March; Exploring Intuition and the I Ching. Workshop with Dr Lisa Langer, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 1 March; Mindful Stroll and 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 1 March; Nidra and Reiki. Venue:  Hwyl Studio, Anerley Works, London SE20. Time: 2.30pm. Tickets £33. https://www.thecirclespace.co/

Sunday 1 March; The History and Evolution of the Demonic Witch with Dr Debora Moretti via By Seed Talks. Online event. Time 5pm . Tickets £17 – £26.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/seed-talks-36463428713

Sunday 1 March; Greg Chapman’s Discovery of Witchcraft. Venue:  The Cinema Museum, London, SE11 4TH. Doors open 7pm. Tickets 

£14. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/witchcraft/the-cinema-museum-london-greg-chapman-s-discovery-of-witchcraft/2026-03-01/19:30/t-qmjjaoy?

Sunday 1 March;  Mr. Punch’s journey from Napoli to somewhere-on-sea . Talk by John Rudlin on Zoom via The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society.  Time: 8pm. Tickets ·from  £3.35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

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. 

Folklore: Shrove Tuesday & Pancake Day Customs

Today is Pancake Day, celebrated in England on Shrove Tuesday, which is the day before the Christian priod of Lent. The idea was that people would have a bit of fun and enjoy fat, eggs and dairy products, which they weren't supposed to eat in the 40-days of abstinence before Easter.

It raises the perennial question among pagans as to whether they should celebrate anything that hints of Christianity. My personal view is that pancakes are delicious, you don't actually have to go to a church to have them, and most of the folkloric customs around Pancake Day are secular rather than religious.

In London, where I live, pancake races are an annual tradition. Here are two that you can go to watch:

• The Inter-Livery Pancake Races in Guildhall Yard is a contest organised by London guilds including the Poulters, Gunmakers, and Fruiterers. It starts at noon and proceeds got to charity. Details: www.thecityofldn.com/event/inter-livery-pancake-day-race/
• Greenwich Market Pancake Races, hosted by a Pearly Queen, are held in aid of Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice. This also starts at noon. Tickets are free, but you have to reserve a place. https://greenwichmarket.london/events/detail/pancake-race/

Football matches are a tradtional part of Shrove Tuesday activities in parts of England. The Alnwick Shrovetide football match, at Alnwick in Northumberland, is played between the residents of the two parishes of Alnwick in the pastures below Alnwick Castle. Hundreds of people take part in this free-for-all scrum with few rules except to get the ball away from the opposing side. This custom dates back to at least the 18th century, possibly earlier.

Magic, Divination and Pagan Festivals

If you want a little magic today, I've blogged in the past that you should eat pancakes to be wealthy. I've also written about how you can use a pancake for scrying!

It's also worth notiing that in some countries there are remnants of ancient pagan celebrations at this time of year. The festival of Maslenitsa, which takes place in many Eastern Slavic countries, is called Butter Lady, Butter Week, Crepe Week or Cheese Week in Ukraine. The festival takes place in the last week before Great Lent in the Orthodox calender, but is believed to have origins that date back to pre-Christian pagan times and marked the end of winter. Pancakes are, of course, round like the sun. 

Here's a link to a Ukranian recipes site with more about the traditions: https://ukrainian-recipes.com/traditional-celebrations-of-cheese-week-in-ukraine-why-pancakes-are-the-symbol-of-masliana.html

You can find out more about annual folklore, traditions, and seasonal magic in my book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year, published by Moon Books.

Other Previous related Posts

https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/02/eat-drink-and-be-merry-for-tomorrow-we.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/02/lent-and-clutter-clearing-choices.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/03/march-1-pancake-day-st-davids-day-crepe.html

Book Review: Heathenry for the Solitary Practitioner

Heathenry for the Solitary Practitioner is the new title from British author Thea Prothero. It's in Moon Books' Pagan Portals series, which offers brilliant introductions to esoteric topics and spiritual paths. As the subtitle suggests, this book offers advice and guidance for those who want to start practicing heathenry but are on their own.

Here's the synopsis from publisher Moon Books:

"Heathenry for the Solitary Practitioner offers solid, well-researched basic information to help you begin your Heathen journey - including key texts, historical context, rituals, the Gods, Runes, and everything else you'll need for building your practice. This book is intended for solitary wanderers. Whereas most books tend to focus on building strong kin and working in groups for worship and relationship-building, often leaving out those who wish to practice as individuals, this book aims to restore the balance, offering practical advice and guidance to those who work alone."

It's a really easy read and perfect for those just setting out on a heathen path. What I particularly like about it is that it offers case studies and interviews with different solitary practitioners, showing diversity in belief and activity. I also loved the fact that the book begins with a chapter called Heathen Women, explaining that this spiritual path isn't as patriarchal as popular history suggested in the past.

Other chapters cover the essentials of cosmology, gods and goddesses, the vaettir (or spirits), thoughts about ancestors, rituals, annual celebrations, and runes. At the end is a section on heathenry in the 21st century and lists of organisations you can join if you prefer to be a little less solitary.

If you are a novice Pagan who is interested in heathenry and wants to learn the basics, this book is recommended. 

You can view Heathenry for the Solitary Practitioner on Amazon

Please note: I earn commission from some links

Previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/11/review-pagan-portals-pilgrimage.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/12/author-interview-festive-reads.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/11/divination-ehwaz-as-rune-for-world.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/04/earth-day-our-roots-reach-by-imelda.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/04/review-just-add-blood-runelore-anglo.html

A Double Dose of Friday 13th - Are You Scared?

What are your thoughts about Friday 13ths? With today being one, and another next month, are you worried or taking extra precautions? 

I used to be skeptical about suggestions that Friday 13 is an unlucky date. Statistically, nasty things are no more likely to happen then than on any other day. Then I had a series of four Friday 13ths in which disasters struck. The first two involved rushing people to hospital in the middle of storms, then I broke my expensive camera on another, and on Friday 13 May, 2011 something disastrous happened to Blogger and  everyone who used that system, including me, lost posts and found earlier ones had corrupted. 

For several years after that I was extremely cautious when that date appeared on the calendar. However, you'll probably notice the run of bad luck I mentioned was a good 15 years ago. Nothing seriously awful has happened to me on any tradtional day of ill omen since, although I've taken extra care. This year, I've allowed myself to relax a bit. I've booked things to be delivered today, and next month I've arranged my annual boiler service on Friday 13. Let's see if I get my stuff and the engineer doesn't tell me my boiler needs replacing.

I'm not being totally complacent though. I'm wearing a protective amulet and drinking coffee from my favourite lucky mug. Are you doing anything similar?  

Please leave a comment with your thoughts about Friday 13.

The photo is from the 2026 We'Moon datebook.

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/02/friday-13th-lore-luck-and-superstitions.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/08/friday-13-spell-for-luck.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/03/folklore-friday-13-and-flying-penis-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/friday-13-solar-eclipse-death-tower-and.html