Pagan Eye: Mind Body Soul & OM Yoga at Ally Pally

I've just got back from an enjoyable few hours at the Mind Body Soul Experience & OM Yoga Show at Alexandra Palace in North London. I took the picture showing the beautiful hall it's in, with its gorgeous round stained glass window. It really is one of London's best exhibition venues. 

The combined shows were a bit smaller than the last time I was there, in 2019, but there was still plenty to see and do.  There are several seated areas where you can listen to talks, demonstrations, and entertainment or do yoga, as well as stalls to browse and a variety food and drink options. I had a reading at one stall, which was very accurate and I was only asked to make a voluntary donation. 

The Mind Body Soul Experience & OM Yoga Show is on all weekend until the end of the day on Sunday 16 October. It's at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY. Admission for a 1-day adult pass is £16 and a 2-day pass is £29. You can find out more here: https://www.mindbodysoul.show/

My Pagan Eye posts show photos that I find interesting - seasonal images, pagan sites, events, or just pretty pictures. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself.

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/10/ten-tips-for-self-care-from-mind-body.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/10/pictures-from-mind-body-soul-experience.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/09/event-mind-body-soul-experience-moves.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/10/a-great-day-at-mind-body-soul-event-at.html

Mind Body Soul Experience: Spirits, Angels, Shopping

These cute cat statues were on a stall at the Mind Body Soul Experience at Alexandra Palace, which I went to yesterday. If I wasn't skint at the moment, I would have bought them, but instead I took the photo to the right. (And I will admit that getting a press pass for Friday so that I could review the event meant it was a particularly great day out for a cash-strapped blogger.)

The event has lots of stalls selling tempting things - with quite a few bargains to be had as well as some nice freebies being given away. I did buy a packet of curry paste after trying a delicious sample on one of the stalls.

The event has several areas offering free talks, demonstrations and classes. You can just drop in to any that take your fancy, which is really nice.
It gives you the chance to experience a lot of different things, including meditations, vegan cookery, bellydancing and various spiritual practices.

I thought I'd like to try something new so the first thing I sat in on was a demonstration of spirit art. Medium Irene Gloux attempted to contact people's ancestors and combined that with drawing charcoal sketches of the spirits she saw.

It was very interesting as I'd not seen that particular technique used before. She explained it was similar to automatic writing. To the left there's a picture of the first picture Irene drew. She said that she got the name Albert and that the man had lived in a boat at sea for a while. No one in the audience immediately said they recognised him, but one woman eventually agreed that it might relate to her as she travels a lot and was planning a long trip abroad.

I suspect that, like any psychic technique, it isn't easy to perform spirit art in a short period of time in a crowded exhibition hall. I'd quite like to try this myself, in my witchy room, having properly cast a circle and prepared the space to invite ancestors across at Samhain.

Later I went to an archangel activation workshop run by Flavia Kate Peters (pictured right). Flavia is a fellow Moon Books author, but now writes for Hay House. She is a very prolific writer and also presents lovely workshops. I don't do a great deal of work with angels normally, except Cabbalistic pathworkings. Flavia used guided meditation techniques along with sound and scents to help everyone visualise an encounter with their guardian angel and then the archangels Micheal, Raphael and Gabriel.

After the workshop I chatted to Flavia and her partner Barbara Meiklejohn-Free at their stall. They sell lovely Indian silk skirts and yoga pants, and again I struggled to stop myself buying something.

The Mind Body Soul Experience is on all this weekend until 20 October at Alexandra Palace (the foyer and show entry area is pictured below), London, N22 7AY. It runs alongside the OM Yoga Show and tickets for one event allow free entry to the other, which is nice. Online admission is adults £12, concessions £10. On the door, adults pay £15, concessions pay £12. You can find out more here: https://london.mbsevents.co.uk/

Ten Self-Care Tips from the Mind Body Soul Experience

Many of us have very busy lives. Some of us spend so much time looking after other people - whether they are children or other family members - that we can forget to care for ourselves. The Mind Body Soul Experience, which is at the Alexandra Palace on 18, 19 and 20 October in conjunction with the OM Yoga Show, is offering these tips for self care, plus details of how the activities and therapies at the event could help:

1. Find ways to relax, by having a massage or listening to soothing music. This can all be done in the Therapy and Experience Zone.
2. Look for new things to do and find something different to enjoy. At the Mind Body Soul Experience, you could try out new experiences, such as bellydance for meditation, how to tune into angels, and how to make delicious and simple plant-based snacks. 
3. Eating healthily is a key way to care for yourself. Learn to cook a range of healthy, vegan foods in the Food for the Soul Kitchen. 
4. Get enough sleep. There are so many benefits to a restful night’s sleep offers – to start, it helps you to think more clearly, reduces stress and helps you to maintain a healthy weight. 
5. Keep a journal – write down your thoughts and worries, and anything else that comes to mind. 
6. Read a book about your favourite hobby or genre. Reading has many benefits – developing critical thinking skills, improving focus and concentration, it brings better writing skills and helps alleviate stress, plus so much more. 
7. Make your weekend about you! Do what you want to do, and not what others would have you spending precious time on. 
8. Schedule time for yourself. We all tend to pack out our calendars with meetings, conference calls and deadlines, but make sure you schedule in some me-time. 
9. Try meditation - this can help balance your mind for the busy day ahead. You can learn to meditate, or try new techniques, at the Mind Body Soul Experience throughout the weekend, and take these skills home with you. 
10. Finally, remind yourself that you are fabulous and amazing. Don’t let jobs and deadlines get you down – always remind yourself how great you truly are!

The Mind Body Soul Experience is on 18, 19 and 20 October 2019 at Alexandra Palace, London, N22 7AY. Opening times are Friday 11am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm.
Online admission is adults £12, concessions £10. On the door, adults pay £15, concessions pay £12
Register for a free show guide at https://london.mbsevents.co.uk/

Look North: Pagan Events in Matlock, Whitby & Buxton

I normally blog about pagan events in and near London, because that's where I live. However, I sometimes also mention interesting things that are taking place in other parts of the UK, especially if people let me know about them.

Wendy Lewis of White Light Events recently emailed me about festivals taking place in the north of England. She said:

"Hi Lucya, I hope you are well and enjoying the season. My name is Wendy and I run MBS Events - a Health and Healing Festival and Pagan events group. Over the last few weeks I have noticed your posts on various pagan pages and wondered if we could be included on your list of Pagan events. We have four pagan events next year in Matlock, Whitby and Buxton. They are all established events and are attended by Children of Artemis, Barbara Meiklejohn Free and many other mutual friends. I would be very grateful for your support. I also own the Spirit Earth Shop too. Our websites are https://www.whitelightevents.co.uk/ and www.spiritearth.co.uk Blessings, Wendy xxx"

The next White Light event is the Matlock Mind, Body, Spirit and Psychic Event on Saturday 3rd February. The venue is: Imperial Rooms, Imperial Road, Matlock, Derby DE4 3NL. It runs from 10am to 5pm and admission is £3 for adults, £2 concessions, free for children. As well as a room with stalls, talks will be running throughout the day.

Later in the spring, the Derby Mind Body and Spirit Event is on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th March, the Elsecar Mind Body Spirit Event is on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March and there is a Beltane Festival on Saturday 28th April in Matlock.

For more details about any of these events visit: https://www.whitelightevents.co.uk/

If you want a pagan event mentioned on A Bad Witch's Blog, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com

Pictures from the Mind Body Soul Experience

I always love going to the Mind Body Soul Experience in London - it has a huge number and wide variety of stalls to browse, interesting workshops and it is in the beautiful venue of Alexandra Palace.

Now, I know a lot of pagans give this festival a miss because it isn't exclusively a pagan event like Witchfest, but that's rather what appeals to me. I get to try out a lot of things I might not otherwise have done. The event even runs alongside a yoga show and a ticket for one lets you enjoy the other as well. So, you can have a go at yoga as well as things like exploring your past lives, learning about numerology or meditating to singing bowls.

The picture at the top shows the stall run by my fellow Moon Books authors Barbara Meiklejohn-free and Flavia Kate Peters, who were selling lovely clothes, divination decks, drums and rattles as well as copies of their books, including The Book of Destiny, which is a rather unusual divination system where you simply open a page to get an intriguing message.

Another book I was was really tempted to buy was the One Year Wiser gratitude journal, in which you are encouraged to record lovely things that happen to you throughout the year that you are grateful for. I didn't, because I actually put my thoughts into my blog already, but a friend I was with bought a copy. You can see the author, Mike Medaglia, signing it for her and also drawing a lovely picture in the front (above right). If you are interested, you can view the One Year Wiser gratitude journal on Amazon.

The photo to the left shows Stephanie Harrison and her daughter Alicia. I went to an inspiring workshop run by Stephanie called The Sacred Journey of the Soul. This included two guided visualisations to help you explore the cycles or spirals of life that we all go through - often many times. She described this as following six stages, which we visualised first as a seed growing to a mature tree, then as a path we might follow.

Stephanie said that each time we spiral around from awakening to what she called "soul radiance" - or the fulfilment of a stage in our development - we build on everything we have done before. I don't think I've explained it quite as well as she did, but if you are interested you can find out more about her workshops at http://lifeguidanceandinspiration.com/

Alicia makes lovely silver jewellery, which you can see on the stall in the photo or  at her website http://www.lili29designs.com/

My favourite discovery at the event were the hand-painted soul stones by Alexis. I blogged in full about her stones on Sunday, but I thought I'd show another photo of one of her creations here. It is a stone that forms a natural candle holder and has also been beautifully painted. I was quite tempted to buy it as well as the small stone I did get - candle magic is, after all, one of my favourite types of magic.

I took the picture at the bottom while resting in a hammock by the Pukka tea stall. There are always lots of interesting things to eat and drink at the Mind Body Soul Experience.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/10/pagan-eye-soul-stones-at-mind-body-soul.html
https://london.mbsevents.co.uk/
http://www.lili29designs.com/
http://lifeguidanceandinspiration.com/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/05/review-book-of-destiny-answers-from.html
http://mikemedaglia.com/

Pagan Eye: Soul Stones at Mind Body Soul London

These amazing painted stones were on my favourite stall at the Mind Body Soul Experience, which I went to yesterday. The event is on all this weekend at Alexandra Palace, in north London and the stall where I photographed these stones is 127a, if you want to go and have a look yourself.

They are hand-painted by Alexis and each one has a unique message. This is just a small selection - the themes cover love, friendship, travel, nature, the sun and moon and various other things. They are really tactile as well as beautiful and I spent ages turning each one over and examining them before picking one to buy for myself. Alexis also runs workshops where you can learn the techniques involved to create your own soul stone.

I'm going to be writing more about the Mind Body Soul Experience later, but I wanted to share this photo first. The event is on today until 5pm at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY. Day tickets cost £12 online.

My Pagan Eye posts show photos that I find interesting - seasonal images, pagan sites, events, or just pretty pictures. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.soulstones.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/10/a-wonderful-day-at-mind-body-soul.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/09/indulge-yourself-at-mind-body-soul.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/08/pagan-eye-sand-sea-and-sky-through.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/03/pagan-eye-shabaka-stone-at-british.html
https://london.mbsevents.co.uk/

Festival of the Week: Today is World Smile Day

Today is World Smile Day - encouraging smiles to spread across the globe - and I've picked it for my Festival of the Week.

"A smile cost nothing, but gives much" is the first line in a popular poem by an unknown author - and it is true that being smiled at will make most of us feel happier.

In fact, a survey for Smile Day, found  that 63 per cent of people admitted that being smiled at brightens their day. To be honest, I'm surprised the number isn't higher. OK, maybe one doesn't want to be grinned at by the office creep, but at most times a smile makes me feel better.

However, I'm unsurprised that only 28 per cent of people in Britain said they attempt to smile at someone at least once a day. Having been travelling on commuter trains into London a lot recently, I've certainly seen a lot of very unsmiling people.

The research also showed that over half of us (52 per cent) smile most when we make others smile.

So go on - make an effort to smile at someone today. You might really cheer them up - and make yourself feel happier at the same time!

Note: The research was conducted for White Glo.

Links
http://www.worldsmileday.com/
https://boardofwisdom.com/togo/Quotes/ShowQuote?msgid=22413#.WdcgLFtSzIU
http://www.whiteglo.com

Indulge Yourself at the Mind Body Soul Experience

Alexandra Palace will once again open its doors to visitors of the Mind Body Soul Experience, on 20th, 21st and 22nd October 2017. The show guide visitors the chance to embark on a journey of discovery and renewal, with hundreds of experts on hand to guide them.

The selection of experts include inspirational speakers, life coaches, mediums, readers and counsellors using their gifts to enlighten, encourage and educate visitors who are seeking guidance.

The Therapy Zone, proving a popular addition to the event in recent years, returns once more, with massage, reiki, reflexology, acupuncture, and so much more on offer. Therapists are dedicated to ensuring that visitors leave feeling on top of the world.

With incredible stage peformances, uplifting workshops, and a showcase of exhibitors selling
everything from jewellery and art to superfoods, there’s something for everyone.
A ticket to the Mind Body Soul Experience also includes free entry to the OM Yoga Show, taking place in an adjoining hall.

Entrance tickets are available to purchase from the Mind Body Soul Experience, and are also
available to purchase on the day. A free show guide can be downloaded, giving full details of the workshop and performance schedule.

You can find out more here: https://london.mbsevents.co.uk/

Two Shows in One: Mind Body Soul and Yoga

Yesterday, I went to the Mind Body Soul Experience...and I went to the OM Yoga Show. Sounds like a lot to go to two shows in one day, doesn’t it? Except that they run side by side in adjoining halls in London's Alexandra Palace and a ticket for one gives you free entry to the other.

They are sort of two sides of the same coin, which is why I decided to put a photo of a colourful man doing yoga next to a picture of a statue of Inanna, the Mesopotamian goddess of love, which was on the central altar of a lovely ritual to honour the Goddess of 10,000 names at the event.

The Mind Body Soul Experience runs for three days, until Sunday 23 October, and invites you to experience “the esoteric, the mysterious and the exciting”, according to the information I was sent about it. It isn’t the first time I’ve gone – in fact I try to go every year because it really is a lovely mixture of MBS and pagan stalls, talks and workshops.

As the organisers say: “On offer is an eclectic collection of complementary health, spiritual awareness, and personal development that you simply will not find anywhere else. The Mind Body Soul Experience brings together new ideas and ancient wisdom, allowing visitors space to relax and unwind.”

New for this year, there is a Creative Studio, where you can try out things including glass painting, candle making and mandala creation. Music, dance and other entertainment takes place on the stage; you can have all sorts of readings done; and there are three quiet rooms where talks, workshops, meditations and various other spiritual activities take place. Some are free, others have a small extra charge on top of the admission ticket.

A huge variety of stalls offer tempting things to buy including crystals, clothes, books and divination decks. I spent a lot of time chatting to the people who run Wicca Moon, the witchcraft shop in Eltham, who had a stall at the event and ran the Goddess ritual.

There is a Therapy Zone with massage, reiki, acupuncture and other techniques available. I had a very useful conversation with life coach Ruth Randall. I left feeling much better about my life, which is always so busy that I hardly seem to get enough time to relax. After chatting to Ruth, I realised that actually that is my choice – I really do thrive on a busy life. When slowing down becomes more of a priority for me, I will do so.

Mind you, as an example of how busy I am, I had to leave the event mid afternoon because I still had to do some prepping for the scrying workshop I'm running at Atlantis Bookshop today – and some blogging to do – and I needed to talk to the person who is decorating my front rooms next week. Busy, yes, but I now know I wouldn’t have my life any other way.

The Mind Body Soul Experience is on 21st, 22nd and 23rd October 2016 at Alexandra Palace, London, N22 7AY
Opening times: Friday 11am - 6pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm
Online admission costs: Adults £10, Concessions £8
On the door: Adults: £12, Concessions £10
A Mind Body Soul Experience ticket will also gain you free access into the OM Yoga Show, which is
situated in an adjoining hall.
Details and bookings here: www.mbsevents.co.uk or http://www.omyogashow.com/

Event: Seance at the Mind Body Soul Experience

Fancy taking part at a seance? There is one taking place at the Mind Body Soul Experience at Alexandra Palace next weekend.

You ca join Charlotte Codrai, a psychic of Clairvoyant London, as she attempts to communicate with the ghosts hiding at the home of the Mind Body Soul Experience.

Alexandra Palace is a building with almost 150 years of history, and a turbulent one at that. It has been destroyed by fire twice, and over the years has been the home of the BBC, an internment camp during the First World War, and has hosted thousands of entertainment events.

With all this history, it is a great place to conduct a séance and attempt a connection with the ghosts and spirits that reside there. The organisers of the Mind Body Soul Experience say visitors are invited to come along, join hands and be part of the experience, or be a part of the audience. You just might witness something incredible if voices of the past make themselves heard.

The séance with Clairvoyant London is on Friday 21 October from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Tickets for it are £10 (All workshop and performance tickets also require an event entrance ticket). The Mind Body Soul Experience is on 21st, 22nd and 23rd October 2016 at Alexandra Palace, London, N22 7AY.

Opening times: Friday 11am - 6pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm
Online admission costs: Adults £10, Concessions £8
On the door: Adults: £12, Concessions £10
A Mind Body Soul Experience ticket will also gain you free access into the OM Yoga Show, which is
situated in an adjoining hall.
Details and bookings here: www.mbsevents.co.uk
Here are more details of events taking place there: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/09/get-creative-at-mind-body-soul.html

The photos are views inside and outside Alexandra Palace and were taken by me, Lucya Starza, at last year's event. If you want to reuse them, please credit my name and www.badwitch.co.uk

Magical Evening at the Body & Soul Wellbeing Fayre

The little spell bottles in the photograph above are the work of Helen of Grey Visions, who organised a lovely Body and Soul Wellbeing Fayre at Venue28 in Beckenham, which I went to yesterday evening.

The event had a lovely atmosphere and there were a huge variety of stalls there, including tarot readers, complementary therapists and people selling beauty products and handcrafted items such as jewellery and candles.

I’d seen the event advertised on Facebook and I was particularly interested in it not only because it was pretty close to where I live in south London, but also because Helen is a fellow teacher of candle magic and was running a class on the subject at the fair.

Although I didn't take part in her candle magic session, I got to chat to her and found that we share a lot of the same ideas about magic and a love of candles. As well as selling those delightful spell bottles, she sells container candles that are personalised for spell work plus magical oils that she creates to go with them. Grey Visions is a family-run business that offers tarot readings, divination and Reiki as well as selling lovely products. I bought some incense at the Grey Visions stall that smells amazing.

There was also a second stall selling handmade candles at the event – Brand Candles, run by Jenny Brandon. Jenny has been making and selling her own candles for about a year and had some very pretty ones on her stall, all scented with natural oils.

I also chatted with Andrea, who makes spiritual jewellery with crystals and gemstones, which she charges with sunlight and sacred chanting. Her stall was called Malas and Love. I was certainly enchanted by her creations and was tempted to treat myself to something. Andrea can be reached at motanica@icloud.com.

Although I got to the Body and Soul Wellbeing Fayre just after it opened, at 6pm, it was already getting busy. Apparently about 170 visitors visited the fair in the four hours it was open. I do hope Helen runs another event in the future and that Grey Visions goes from strength to strength – it deserves to, because it is run by a lovely and talented lady, with a vision that I would describe as bright rather than grey.

The pictures on this page show Grey Visions' spell bottles, Venue28, Helen of Grey Visions, Brand Candles and Andrea of Malas and Love.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/09/learn-candle-magic-in-penge-and.html
https://www.facebook.com/BrandCandles/
https://brandcandles.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Grey-Visions-1463603200605698/
http://venue28.com/

Get Creative at the Mind Body Soul Experience

If you like crafting things, you can have a go at making candles, jewellery, soaps, beauty products and much more at the Creative Studio at Alexandra Palace this October.

The Mind Body Soul Experience has introduced a new area for 2016 – the Creative Studio. Across the three days of the show, you can come along to try your hand at a creative art.

At the Illustrate Your Mantra class with Mike Medaglia you can create a beautiful piece of art containing a quote or lyric that inspires you. Or you could produce a beautiful piece of jewellery with Angela Ang in her Introduction to Jewellery Making class.

You have the chance to make something with which to pamper yourself – a soap or bath bomb, or a beauty product such as a natural hairspray, body butter, body scrub, lip scrub or lip balm, in classes with Naz Midas.

Learn how to ask the universe for the things you want to achieve by attending the Future Dream Catcher class with Eco Ethno, or learn the art of glass engraving with Naz Midas.

I always enjoy the Mind Body Soul Experience, which runs every year in London, but this year I think I'll enjoy it even more because I love making things. Obviously candle making is my favourite craft, as it can be a part of candle magic, but I also love learning to make new things.

The organisers of the show point out that this is a great opportunity to unleash your imagination and learn how spending time creatively can enhance your sense of wellbeing.

Spaces for workshops in the Creative Studio are limited, so visitors are advised to book online in advance at mbsevents.co.uk, where a full list of workshops can be found. Price of workshop includes
materials and use of equipment.

The Mind Body Soul Experience is on 21st, 22nd and 23rd October 2016 at Alexandra Palace, London, N22 7AY

Opening times: Friday 11am - 6pm,  Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm
Online admission costs: Adults £10, Concessions £8
On the door: Adults: £12, Concessions £10
A Mind Body Soul Experience ticket will also gain you free access into the OM Yoga Show, which is
situated in an adjoining hall.
Details and bookings here: www.mbsevents.co.uk

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/05/charity-shop-find-candlemaking-starter.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/10/a-wonderful-day-at-mind-body-soul.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/10/an-afternoon-at-mind-body-soul.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/01/craft-candle-magic-with-herbs-and-spices.html

I've Won a Bundle of Books from Watkins Publishing

I've won a competition! My prize was a big bundle of books from Watkins Publishing, which you can see in the photo above. How lovely to get a big box of books arrive on the doorstep! I think the one I am most interested in reading is Play the Forest School Way by Peter Houghton and Jane Worroll.

Although I don't have kids of my own, many of my friends do and one of them has just started running a group where both pagan adults and children can learn traditional crafts and skills as well as celebrate the changing seasons in a family-friendly way. This could be a very useful reference book. The description of Play the Forest School Way on Watkins' website says:

Help your child connect with nature, be adventurous and most of all have fun, with these woodland games, crafts and skill-building activities from Forest School.

The ultimate guide to woodland fun with kids! Forest School is founded on a philosophy of nature-based play and learning that encourages children to develop confidence and self-esteem. This book will get your kids outside, making and building in the real world (instead of on a computer screen!). Whether your local woodland is a forest or a strip of trees along the edge of an urban park, these activities provide fantastic opportunities for family time and will encourage your children to fall in love with outdoor play. This is the first book to share Forest School games, crafts and skill-building activities with families and friends, its magical illustrations and simple instructions drawing children easily into a world of wonder.

* Be a fox tracking its prey, a moth evading a bat, a rabbit fleeing a forest fire!
* Make a working bow and arrow, spectacular headdresses, beautiful woodland jewellery, magic wands – all with materials gathered from the forest floor.
* Learn wilderness survival skills: build a shelter, make fire, forage and cook wild food.

I'm looking forward to reading this and then maybe help my friend run a workshop or two!  I think I'll enjoy doing fun stuff outdoors as much as the kids.


Links and previous related posts
http://www.watkinspublishing.com/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/04/review-magical-year-by-danu-forest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/07/review-sacred-sites-oracle-cards.html

This Week's Pagan Events In and Near London

Here are events in London and a few in other parts of the UK over the next week or so that could be of interest to pagans. If you know of an event that you want listed, please email the details to me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

Now to 30 September; Folklore, Magic and Mysteries: Modern Witchcraft and Folk Culture in Britain - exhibition of artefacts, manuscripts and documents from the Doreen Valiente Foundation. Venue: Preston Manor, Preston Drove, Brighton BN1 6SD. Time: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 2-5pm. Free entry to exhibition with Preston Manor admission (adult £5.85, child (5-15) £3.15). Details: http://brightonmuseums.org.uk/prestonmanor/

Now to 3 June; Hay House Online Summit - free online health and wellness event with online talks and workshops over 4 weeks (started 7 May). Sign up here: https://www.hayhouseworldsummit.com/

Now - 29 July 2016; Scholar, Courtier, Magician: the lost library of John Dee. London exhibition. Venue: Royal College of Physicians, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4LE. Entry free. Opening times vary but normally only Monday-Friday until 5pm, visit the website for details: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/events

Now - 12 September; Austin Osman Spare - A Major Retrospective. Venue: The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art and Natural History, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/

Wednesday 11 May; Lost Envoy: The Tarot Deck of Austin Osman Spare launch event with talks and a chance to see the cards. Venue: Camden Arts Centre, Arkwright Road, NW3 6DG, Free. Time: 7pm-9pm. Details: http://www.camdenartscentre.org/whats-on/view/tkh04

Wednesday 11 May; Second of three evenings with Kurikindi, Amazonian Shaman from Ecuador: The Path of a Shaman. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LY. Starts: 7pm. Tickets: £25 per person. Advannce booking essential. Tel: 020 7405 2120 or email atlantis@theatlantisbookshop.com.

Wednesday 11 May; Building Self Esteem: Solar Plexus Chakra Meditation with Sound Journey, run by Himesh of the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Columbia Hotel (Viceroy Suite), 95 - 99 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3NS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15. Details and booking: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality

Wednesday 11 May; Start of 8-week Tarot Foundation Course run by Suzanne Corbie. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm start. Tickets £100 for the course. For further details: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Wednesday 11 May; South Essex Red Tent. Women only event. Venue: Fairkytes Art Centre, 51 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, Essex. Time: 8pm. Suggested donation to cover costs is £5. Details: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1591180041159586/

Wednesday 11 May; John Dee's Life with the Angels. Lecture by Professor Glyn Parry, author of  The Arch-Conjuror of England: John Dee. Organised by London Fortean Society at Conway Hall - 25 Red Lion Square Holborn, London, WC1R 4RL. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £6.08. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lfs-john-dees-life-with-the-angels-tickets-22450412789

Thursday 12 May; Meetup with Alison Davies on her book Be Your Own Fairy Tale: Working with Storytelling for Positive Life ChangeTalk and book signing at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit http://www.meetup.com/WatkinsBooks/

Thursday 12 May; Opening Pandora's Box-Psychedelic Light Machine and Gong Experience, run by Todd Acamesis  with the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Columbia Hotel (Windsor Suite), 95 - 99 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3NS. Time:7pm. Tickets: £15. Details and booking: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality

Thursday 12 May; Fortnightly Druid Order Open Introductory Evening. A chance to learn more about at The Druid Order (A.D.U.B.) at an evening with talks and a meditation. Venue: Treadwell's, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Price: £5 on the door. For more details, visit http://thedruidorder.org/druidorder/Meetings.html

Thursday 12 May; The Ridgeway - Long Distance Trail Hike and Wild Camp Adventure. Talk by Andrew Tailor with Earthstars Sacred Space. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7.30pm. Entrance is £12, pay at the door  https://www.facebook.com/Earthstars-Sacred-Space-104790729559515/

Thursday 12 May; Enfield Town Circle Pagan Moot. Venue: Crown and Horseshoes pub, 15 Horseshoe Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 6PZ. Time: 7pm to 11pm. This moot takes place on the 2nd Thursday of every month. For more details join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EnfieldTownCircle/

Thursday 12 May; Talk on Execution Sites of London by Robert Stephenson at South East London Folklore Society (SELFS). Venue: The Old King's Head, Kings Head Yard, 45-49 Borough High St, London SE1 1NA. Entry: £3/£1.50 concessions. Time: 8pm. Meetings are normally the second Thursday of each month. http://www.selfs.org.uk/ To guarantee a seat, email nigelofbermondsey@gmail.com

Friday 13 May; Meditation followed by Om Healing for Body Mind and Soul with Light in London. Venue: The Dhyana Centre, 50 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8EA. Meditation 7pm, Om Healing at 8pm. Details: http://www.meetup.com/Light-in-London/

Friday 13 May; Mary Magdalene - The Woman of Mystery. Lecture by Dr Christine Page. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £10/£12. Advance booking advised. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 13 May; Unlucky Again... Join Vanessa Woolf and George Hoyle of London Dreamtime for a lanternlit night of horrific urban legends and site specific ghost stories in a scary secret location in Peckham, London. Venue: Cost £5 - advance booking essential, For more detials email vanessa@londondreamtime.com or visit http://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Saturday 14 May; Robert Kingham of Minimum Labyrinth will be leading a walk through the 'Grey Soul' of Arthur Machen's London from 2pm - 7pm. Tickets: £12 (£8 concessions). Details and booking: http://www.minimumlabyrinth.org/the-grey-soul-of-london.html

Sunday 15 May; Meditation at Russell Brands Trew Era Cafe, 30 Whitmore Road, London N1 5QA. Starts 10.15am. Free event. Details: http://www.meetup.com/londonspiritualcommunity

Sunday 15 May; Magical use of Herbs in Folklore and Practice. Venue: The Yoga Shed, 62b College Rd, Bromley, BR1 3PE. Cost £25. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1581981968782367/

Sunday 15 May; London Pagan Pride. Celebrate being pagan with a celebration and walk, starting and ending in Russell Square Park, London. Time: noon-5pm. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/648278525312803/  The London Woodland Witches EcoMagicians and Outdoor Pagans meetup group will be attending this event. Details: http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/ Dawn of the Oak moot, which normally meets on the third Sunday of each month at the Castle in Farringdon will instead be joining the parade and will picnic in the park.

Monday 16 May; The Space Within: Finding Your Way Back HomeTalk and book signing by Michael Neill. Venue: St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL. Doors open 6.30pm. Talk: 7pm - 9pm. Tickets £20/£15 online. For more details and to book tickets: http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Monday 16 May; Ralph Harvey, High Priest, Witch and author, will be giving a talk entitled Witchcraft the Old Religion. Venue: Sacred Rites Foundation, Evans Gardens, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5AP. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets £3 to include tea and coffee. Profits to be split between: The Sacred Rites Foundation and the Doreen Valiente Foundation Trust. Phone 01903 339150 or 077482721 to book your ticket. Details: https://www.facebook.com/LifeRites-505446589470308/

Tuesday 17 May; Money Unveiled - Meditations on the Nature of Money. Class with Arthur Edwards. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7.30pm – 9pm. Entry £3.50 (£1 concessions, students and under 25s). No bookings required - just turn up. http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/

Tuesday 17 May; Traditional Tibetan Medicine. Lecture by Dr Nida Chenagtsang Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB. Time: 7pm-8.30pm. Cost: £10/£12. Advance booking advised. For details call: 020 7589 3292 or visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 17 May; Healing Energy Workshop: Opening Psychic Vision run by the Sensing Energy and Intuition Development meetup. Venue: St Stephen's Church Hall, 48 Emperor's Gate, London SW7 4HJ. Time 7pm. Cost $10. Details: http://www.meetup.com/Sensing-Energy-and-Intuition-Development/

Wednesday 18 May; Third of three evenings with Kurikindi, Amazonian Shaman from Ecuador: The foundation of being an authentic Shaman. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LY. Starts: 7pm. Tickets: £25 per person. Advannce booking essential. Tel: 020 7405 2120 or email atlantis@theatlantisbookshop.com.

Wednesday 18 May;  Healing Share run by Shamanic Spirit at a venue in Croydon, South London. The circle is held fortnightly starting at 7.30pm. For more details and to book places call 07952 041477. For more information, visit http://shamanicspirit.co.uk

Wednesday 18 May; More Mead Moot promoted by Pagan FutureFests. Venue: Hope Pub, 48 West Street, Carhsalton SM5 2PR. Time: from 7.30pm. Meets on the third Wednesday of each month. https://www.facebook.com/Pagan-FutureFests-352385661439366/

Thursday 19 May; Meetup with Stephen Skinner and learn about the Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic.Talk and book signing at Watkins Books, 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 6.30pm-7.30pm. Free event. For more details Tel 020 7836 2182 or visit http://www.meetup.com/WatkinsBooks/

Thursday 19 May; Connecting to Your Masculine and Feminine Inner Joy with Anna and Himesh of  the London College of Spirituality. Venue: Church Hall, St Luke's Church, Hillmarton Road, West Holloway, London, N7 9RE. Time:7pm. Tickets: £15. Details and booking: http://www.meetup.com/londonspirituality

Thursday 19 May; The Circle of Ankerwycke moot on the third Thursday in each month. Venue: Function room at the back of the Two Rivers Pub, 43 Church Street, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 4EN. Time: 8pm.

Thursday 19 May; The Witches Gathering - Croydon CoA Moot: Social evening open to all Pagan Paths at 1 Matthews Yard off Surrey Street, Croydon. Event normally held on the third Thursday of the month at 8pm. For any questions email coacentral@witchcraft.org or visit http://www.witchfest.net/

Thursday 19 May; Drum Circle to Shamanic Journey. Venue: Caer Corhrain, 1 Southleas farm cottages, Lower Road, Minster, Sheppey ME12 3SW. Time: 8pm. This takes place on the third Thursday each month. For more information visit http://www.touchtheearthuk.com/

Friday 20 May - 22 May; Faerie Festival 2016. Family-friendly Pagan camping festival with workshops, entertainment and a market. Venue: Pleasant Rise Farm, Cuckmere Road, Alfriston, East Sussex BN26 5TN. Adult Weekend Ticket: £75 includes 3 nights camping; early-bird Adult Day Ticket: £25. http://www.magicalfestivals.co.uk/

Friday 20 May; Woodland Wicca Full Moon Ritual for May with London Woodland Witches Ritual Magicians and Outdoor Pagans. Outdoor rite suitable for newcomers to the Craft. Meet outside Wimbledon Tube Station, London SW19 7NL at 7pm to then take a bus to the ritual site. Cost £3 per person. Wear suitable clothes and bring picnic food and drink. Full details and place reservation here: http://www.meetup.com/London-Woodland-Witches-Outdoor-Pagans/

Friday 20 May; Healing share run by Shamanic Spirit at a venue in Croydon, South London. Starts 7.30am. For more details and to book places call 07952 041477. For more information, visit http://shamanicspirit.co.uk

Saturday 21 May, Spiritual Baths (Hoodoo Tradition). Workshop with Lisa Mead. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm to 5pm. Ticket price £30. Tel: 020 7240 8906 or email: info@treadwells-london.com http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 21 May; Remembering Katharine Briggs. Hosted by the Folklore Society. Venue: The Cello Factory, 33-34 Cornwall Road, Waterloo, London SE1 8TJ London. Time: 3pm. For more details and to book, email thefolkloresociety@gmail.com

Saturday 21 May; Grow your Garden the Biodynamic Way. Talk by Philip Martyn and Dr Sue Peat. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35, Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 2.30pm – 5pm. Tickets £8 (£5 concessions). http://www.rsh.anth.org.uk/

Saturday 21 May, Shaman, Psychedelics and the Future for Humanity with Daniel Pinchbeck. organised by Mind Body Spirit Ltd. Venue: The Tabernacle - 34-35 Powis Square, London W11 2AY, Time: 7pm-10pm. Tickets: £42.18. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shaman-psychedelics-and-the-future-for-humanity-with-daniel-pinchbeck-tickets-20424131126

Sunday 22 May; Workshop on the Path of Earth run by Shamanic Spirit at a venue in Croydon, South London. Starts 10am. For more details and to book places call 07952 041477. For more information, visit http://shamanicspirit.co.uk

Sunday 22 May; The Kith of the Tree and the Well Heathen Moot. Upstairs at The Horseshoe Inn, Melior St, London SE1 3QP. Time: 2pm.

Note: I am not responsible for any of the events listed here. Do check with the organisers about tickets and timings before turning up to any event. I try to keep my listings accurate, but do not always know of late changes, cancellations or ticket availability.