A bad witch's blog

Folklore: St Swithun's Day, Rain & Apple Christening

2026-07-14T08:00:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow, 15 July, is St Swithun's Day. Most people have heard the saying that if it rains then it will rain for 40 more. There's a rhyme that goes:

St Swithun's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St Swithun's day if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mare

The Bishop of Winchester, who died in the year 862, would probably be forgotten if it wasn't for that bit of folklore. However, he wasn't associated with rain until after his death. According to a legend, he had asked to be buried outdoors but his remains were later reburied inside the church. A storm brewed on the day his body was moved, and rain continued to pelt down for over a month. It didn't stop until he was reburied out in the churchyard. This was taken as a miracle.

But the rain wasn't always seen as a bad thing, and the saint's water-bringing powers became associated with growing apples. According to Steve Roud in The English Year, it was believed that rain on St Swithun's Day and afterwards was essential to produce a good crop. A Warwickshire saying was that you should never eat apples until St Swithun had "Christened them".

Having an apple tree in my own garden, I know that getting rain at this time of year is important to help the fruit plump out properly. Otherwise they can be too small and hard.

I've looked at the weather forecast for tomorrow and at the moment it isn't saying rain. I might do a spell to help the clouds water the garden.

Rounding the Year

Quite a few annual customs linked to Christian saints' days are more about seasonal cycles and harvests than religion.

My book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year 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.)

Planning to Spend More TIme Enjoying Nature

2026-07-13T08:00:00.000+01:00

If you follow my blog you probably noticed I didn't post anything on Thursday or Friday last week. I strained my back badly while taking gardening waste to the recycling centre on Wednesday, then spent the next couple of days in bed as I was hardly able to move.

While I couldn't do much that was physical, I did do a lot of thinking. This included reassessing what was really essential while I was unable to get about, but also what I wanted to spend time doing when I recovered.

From my bedroom window I could see trees and watch birds including a delighftul flock of parakeets. While I'd have much rather been able to move about more and get into the garden, just being able to watch nature through the window helped cheer me up.

Over the past few months I've been reading the novels of Ann Radcliffe for a course run by Sam Hirst via Romancing the Gothic. Radcliffe's heroines also often take consolation in nature. Even if they're imprisoned in some gloomy castle there is usually a window through which they can see forests and greenery outside, and feel their spirits improve.

Nowadays, science has shown the natural world can help us feel better if we have the blues. So, I've taken the decision to cut back a little on the time I spend sitting at a desk staring at my laptop screen this summer, and more time enjoying the outdoors. Instead of sharing things about 5 times a week, I'll probably post 3-4 times.

It isn't the first time I've taken a bit of a summer break from blogging, and I'll try to share more pictures of trees and flowers and birds via Insta. You can find me on Instagram as @starzalucya.

The photo at the top is one I took in my local park last year

Magical Online & London Events in the Next Weeks

2026-07-08T08:00:00.000+01:00

Here's a list of events for pagans, witches and those with similar interests over the next couple of weeks. There are online things you can do anywhere (bolded) plus in-person talks and workshops in or near London, as that's where I'm based, and some conferences and festivals further afield.

Now - 11 July; Rediscovery: The Gary Dickinson Exhibition. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 11am-6pm Free entry https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

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 -17 July; That Large Ghost, Curated by Jack Catling Exhibition. Venue: Swedenborg House, The Swedenborg Society, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2TH. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/private-view-that-large-ghost-curated-by-jack-catling-tickets-1990949444383

Now - 8 September; The Sun and The Moon: Art Inspired by the Celestial. Exhibition. Venue: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London, SW3 4RY. Open 10am-6pm. Tickets from £13. https://www.saatchigallery.com/whats-on

Now to 13 September; Hail, Delirium! Surrealist Dorothea Tanning art exhibition. Venue: The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: during normal opening hours. Free entry. https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum/

Now – 16 August; Olivia Plender: Little Fennel’s Complaint Exhibition. Venue:: Modern Art Oxford, 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford, UK, OX1 1BP. Open from 11am Tuesday - Sunday. Tickets from £7.21. https://modernartoxford.org.uk/

Now – 13 September; The Material Heart: Front Line to Home Front. Exhibition of WWI folk art. Venue: Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF. Open: Tuesdays – Saturdays, 11am – 6pm. Tickets free with general museum admission ticket or a ticket to the Paint, Pattern, Print exhibition that's also on, costing £11.50. https://fashiontextilemuseum.org/

Now on; Vikings: The Immersive Experience. Venue: Dock X, Unit 1 Canada Water, Surrey Quays Rd, London SE16 2XU. Opening hours: daily from 9am. Adult tickets from £23 and children from £16. https://vikings-immersive.co.uk/london/?

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

Wednesday 8 July; Shadow Work with the Dark Goddess. Workshop with Abiola Abrams, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 8 July; Revealing the Stele, with Gary Dickinson. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 2.30 pm. Tickets £25. https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday 8 July; Sacred Gong Meditation with Joe Summerfield. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 7pm. Tickets: £45. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 8 July; Sylvia Plath, Witchcraft and Radical Poetry. Talk via Seed talks online. Time: 7pm. Tickets from £13.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713?

Wednesday 7 July (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 8 July (tbc but usually 2nd Wed each month); Enfield Town Circle Moot. Venue: Crown and Horsehoes, Horseshoe Lane, Enfield, EN2 6PZ. Time: 7pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EnfieldTownCircle/

Thursday 9 July (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 9 July; Monstrous Women with Elisabeth Brooke. 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 9 July (2nd Thursday each month); Magick Without Tears Moot. Venue: Fitzroy Tavern, 16 Charlotte St., London W1T 2LY. Time 6pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mwtpubmoot

Thursday 9 July; Healing with Your Higher Power. Start of 2-session course with Kim Chestney, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 9 July; How to Kill a Witch Launch and Soirée with Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10/£20. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 9 July; The Medium’s Path: Foundation. Start of 6-session course with TJ Higgs, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 9 July; 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/

Thursday 9 July; Pan. Talk by Cunning Folk at South East London Folklore Society. Venue: The Electric Elephant Cafe, 186A Crampton Street, London, SE17 3AE. Time: 8pm, Free but £5/£8 donations welcome. Email cunningfolkmusic@gmail.com to book a space or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cunning-folk-7829505560

Friday 10 July (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 10 July (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 10 July; Trance Mediumship with Master Chou, by Sarah Tyler-Walters. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 7pm. Tickets: £30. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 11 - Sunday 12 July; Sacred Tobacco Training with Renato Guerrero. Venue: Berkeley farm, Essex, a few miles outside London. Time: 10am start. Tickets: £260. https://www.aho.community/

Saturday 11 - Sunday 12 July; Persephone's Journey. Two-day workshop with Jane Meredith, author of Journey to the Dark Goddess. Venue: Sheffield, UK Times: - 10am - 5pm both days

Cost - £180, concession £160. Priestesses & Melissas of the Sheffield Temple - special price £135 (paid directly to Ann). Registration at https://forms.gle/qBuPhT7c33Xq9a4CA More details: https://www.facebook.com/events/726993956934621?

Saturday 11 July; Your First Steps into Mediumship with Claire Broad. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 11 July; Mindfulmess in the Park (Bromley Town Centre). Venue: Church House Gardens, 53 Mill Vale, Bromley, BR2 0EN. Time: Noon. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/1544720900390348/?

Saturday 11 July; Qigong Workshop. Venue: Flopsy Wood, Cock Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8LS. 2pm. Tickets £10. https://www.facebook.com/HertsEvents

Saturday 11 July; Sound Bath. Venue: Flopsy Wood, Cock Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8LS. 4pm. Tickets £15. https://www.facebook.com/HertsEvents

Saturday, 11 July; Secret Garden: Storytelling for Adults 2026. Venue: St John’s Church, Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY. Time: 5.30pm. Tickets free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/secret-garden-storytelling-for-adults-2026-tickets-1988329391735 (also a London Dreamtime event https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/)

Sunday 12 July; The British Museum and the Magical Revival Walking Tour with Caroline Wise organised by Treadwell's Bookshop. Meet at: British Museum (North Entrance), Montague Place, London, WC1B 3DG. Time: 10.50am. Tickets: £50. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Sunday 12 July; Goddess Sekhmet Healing Ceremony with Pixie P Carney. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 12 July; Satanic Flea Market Midsummer Mayhem. Venue: Multi Story, Peckham Levels, Level 5, 95a Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST. Time: noon-6pm. Tickets £5. https://www.facebook.com/events/1288909286744032/?

Sunday 12 July; Candle magic workshop based on my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic. The venue is Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. It starts at 1pm and tickets are £25 per person. To find out more and reserve a place visit: https://www.treadwells-london.com/.

Sunday 12 July: Mapping Lost London - afternoon of talks via London Monthy of the Dead. Venue: The Guinness Vaults, London WC2H 9FA. Time: 1.30pm. Tickets £30 for the entire event. https://londonmonthofthedead.com/index.html?

Sunday 12 July: 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 12 July: Luna Iter (Ritual in the Tower) Celebrating Early Harvest. In-person ritual in Hackney, East London for members of the group, guests and seekers on the path. Meet at the Pembury Tavern, 90 Amhurst Rd, London, from 4.30pm, moving on to a historic site to start the ritual at 6pm. Entry: £10. https://www.hildegardmaier.co.uk/luna-iter or https://www.facebook.com/groups/1230392930656154

Sunday 12 July; Harnessing the 12 Zodiac Signs with Carmen Turner-Schott, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Monday 13 July (every 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 13 July; Blake, Ginsberg and “Ah! Sunflower”: Film, Music and Conversation. Venue: Swedenborg House, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £5. https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

Monday 13 July; The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: Magic Arts and the Occult Revival, with Felix John Taylor . Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets from £16.14, includes a cocktail. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Monday 13 July; Sketch: The Trial of William Lilly, followed by Sir Elias Ashmole: astrologer, alchemist, antiquary, and more, talk by Bernard Eccles, via the Astrological Lodge of London. Hybrid event. In-person venue: Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Starts 6.30pm. Tickets £6/£9. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 13 July; Theosophy. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. Tickets free https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/events/

Monday 13 July; South East London Pagans Moot. Venue: The Ivy House, 55 Stuart Road, London, SE15 3BE. Time: 7.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Monday 13 July; (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 14 July (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 14 July (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

Tuesday 14 July; Finding the Philosopher's Stone. Talk by Eliza Swann, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 14 July; New Moon: Birth of Isis Thames ritual with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at Millennium Bridge, Thames Embankment, · London. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £6.13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803 or https://mani.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/PaganFrontiersOfLondon.

Wednesday 15 July (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 15 July (and other dates); 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: 6pm. 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

Wednesday 15 July; Summer Witchcraft Practices. Workshop with Levannah Morgan, via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 15 July (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 15 July; The Weekly Planetary Grand Tableau. Start of 2-session course with Laetitia Barbier, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 15 July; A Women’s Shamanic Apprenticeship. Start of 6-session course with Beáta Alföldi, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 15 July; Sea Alchemy, Seidr and the Goddess Mysteries of the Deep with Helena Scott. 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

Thursday 16 July; Artist's Guide to Lucid Dreaming with Dave Green. 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 16 July; Drumming for Infinity. 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 16 July; Renaissance Art and Magic Talk and Soirée with Clare Lapraik Guest . Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 16 July; Meeting the Horned Deity. Workshop with Julian Vayne, via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 16 July; 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

Thursday 16 July; Gong Bath. Venue: Akasa Felstead Street, London E9 5LT. Time: 7pm. Tickets: from £23.46. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sunita-kaur-34415293427

Friday 17 July (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 17 July; Mr Wright and Mrs Always Right: Gary Wright and Geraldine Beskin in Conversation. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 6.30pm Cost £20 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Friday 17 July; 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/

Friday 17 July; Shamanic Cacao Ritual in the Woods (July) with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at the entrance to Queen's Woods, Queen's wood Road, London N6 5UU, to be led into woods to the ritual spot. Bring a torch and wear suitable clothing and footwear. Time: 7pm. Tickets £10.50. More info: https://mani.org.uk/ or visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803

Friday 17 July (and other dates); Hex and the City Walking Tour with Maria Beadell of Herstorical Tours. Meet: Cowcross St, Farrringdon, London EC1M 6BY. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.herstoricaltours.co.uk/

Saturday 18 July; A Festival of Tarot and Oracle Wisdom wwith marketplace, deck signings, deck creator meet and greets, readings, talks, raffle, and cafe. Venue: St. Augustine's Arts and Events Centre, Stanford Ave, Brighton BN1 6EA. Time: 10.30am to 5pm. Tickets: general entry: £3 on the door. Full-day talk ticket: £45 early bird (until end of May) £55. Details at thetarotfayre.co.uk Follow at instagram.com/thetarotfayre

Saturday 18 July; Embrace the Light with Joan Osborne. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 18 July; A Mary Magdalene Festival organised by Wicca Moon. Venue: Spiritualist Church, Eltham. Time: 11am. Tickets £45w. https://www.wiccamooninherservice.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Saturday 18 July (and other dates); Auralis 7D Transformative Breathwork W/ Levin. Venue: Hilton, 61 - 67 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU. Time: 11am. Tickets from £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121074557489?

Saturday 18 July; The Opening of the Red Tent. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: 11am. Free event. https://www.wiccamooninherservice.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Saturday 18 July (and other dates); Sonie Alchemy and Reiki. Venue: Hilton, 61 - 67 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU. Time: 12.30pm. Tickets from £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121074557489?

Saturday 18 July; The Laboratory of Magic. Start of 2-day workshop with Julian Vayne exploring collaborative ritual and chaos magic. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Starts at 1pm. Tickets £120. https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 18 July; The Isis and Magdalene Energies with Mel Collins, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 18 July; Magical Herbalism with Bel Senlle, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 19 July; The History of Witchcraft and Women: Magic, rituals and the patriarchy via Seed talks. Online event. Time: 8am. Tickets from $18.95. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/seed-talks-online-1262239?

Sunday 19 July; Writing and rewriting fairytales course via City Lit. Venue: Keeley Street, London. Time: 10.30am. Fee: £79/£40. https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/writing-and-rewriting-fairytales

Sunday 19 July; How to Read Auras and Chakras with Nishant Sharmaa. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 19 July; 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 19 July (then Sunday 16th Aug, 13th Sept, 18th Oct, 15th Nov); Base Chakra. Wicca Women’s Circles Focus on a Chakra. Venue: Crystal Wicca, West Wickham, BR4. Time: tbc. Tickets: £33 or £55 for two classes. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Sunday 19 July; Dawn of the Oak Pagan moot. Venue: The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon Road/Greville Street, London EC1M 3JF. Time: 2pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawnoftheoak/ or https://allevents.in/london/dawn-of-the-oak-london-pagan-and-heathen-meeting-15th-february-2026-tickets/80001854227648

Sunday 19 July; Southwark Hysteries with Maria Beadell of Herstorical Tours. Meet: Green Dragon Court, London SE1 . Time: 4pm. Tickets: £22.50. https://www.herstoricaltours.co.uk/book

For activities after these dates please visit my events page.

Please note that I am not responsible for the content of any of these events. 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 I earn commission from advertisers for some links.

Book Endorsement: Herne the Hunter - God of the Forest

2026-07-07T08:00:00.000+01:00

Herne the Hunter is a folkloric figure much loved by modern pagans, but his origins are mysterious. Andrew Anderson explores that mystery in his book Herne the Hunter, which comes out soon and is published by Moon Books. I was lucky enought to read it before it went to press and wrote this endorsement:

“Herne – is he a pagan god, the ghost of hanged man, an English folk hero, a spirit of the wildwood, or a character created by Shakespeare to entertain Elizabethan audiences?
"Andrew Anderson’s Herne the Hunter shows that he has been depicted as all of these. Fascinating and meticulously researched, this book takes a deep dive into the history, legends, myths, and creative interpretations that have turned a horned man said to haunt the woods of Windsor into one of the most popular archetypes honoured in modern paganism.
"As a student of literature, I was personally fascinated to learn that Herne’s metamorphosis is primarily due to the way writers have re-imagined him, from Shakespearean theatre, to Gothic novels, to television’s Robin of Sherwood and even descriptions in books that come with oracle cards. Andrew Anderson shows the power of storytelling in shaping the way we envisage both forces of nature and deities.”

Herne the Hunter is beautifully written and full of excellent research. I highly recommend it.

About the author

Andrew Andersone is a Druid with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. He lives in Stratford-upon-Avon and works as an environmental manager. He loves working with the spirit of a place and spending time in the nearby Cotswold hills.

You can also view Herne the Hunter on Amazon.

Please note: I earn commission from some links

Florence Farr Day: What Raffle Prize Would You Pick?

2026-07-06T08:00:00.000+01:00

These were just some of the amazing prizes in the raffle at the Florence Farr Conference on Saturday. What would have you taken if your ticket was picked?

I was really lucky. One of mine was chosen early and I got the lovely Isis statue that I'd had my eye on all day. I later also won some beautiful jewellery.

It's probably unfair to focus on the raffle, even though I'm still glowing with happiness at the things I got, and the money raised from it went to a breast cancer charity. The entire conference was wonderful. Hosted by the College of Psychic Studies, it celebrated the extraordinary visionary, dramatist, pioneer of women's rights and leader of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Florence Farr. She was one of the most extraordinary women of the Victorian era, but until recently was almost forgotten.

This year saw the fourth in-person day of celebratiing her magic, art, drama and literature. There were talks and performances led by Caroline Wise, Sue Terry, Isabella Javor. Melissa Seims, and Sally North.. all of whom are experts in esoteric fields of study.

I'm looking forward to next years' event already, but you might see me post more photos of my Isis statue and maybe see me wearing the jewellery.

My Witchy Events: Candle Magic and Cloud Scrying

2026-07-03T08:00:00.000+01:00

Here are details of the witchy events I'm involved with from now until the end of August. There's a London-based workshop on candle magic. I'll be at the Awakened Spirit festival in August where I'll be teaching cloud and tree scrying.

July

Candle Magic Workshop In-Person at Treadwell's
On Sunday 12 July I'm running a workshop based on my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic at Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. It starts at 1pm and tickets are £25 per person. Visit https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

August

Awakened Spirit Festival
This lovely community based festival runs from Friday 14 to 16 August, offering workshops and live music. I'll be running a cloud and tree scrying session on Saturday afternoon. The venue is Crossland Riverside, Box End, Bedford, MK43 8RN. Weekend tickets including camping are £150, day tickets are £60. https://awakenedspirit.co.uk/

About me

I'm Lucya Starza and as well as writing A Bad Witch's Blog I'm the author of books in the Pagan Portals series on Candle Magic, Guided Visualisations, Poppets and Magical Dolls, Scrying, and Rounding the Wheel of the Year. My Gothic novel Erosion is also published by Moon Books.

You can buy my books at Treadwell's Bookshop, via Amazon, at the College of Psychic Studies in London and at other bookshops as well as at my author page at publisher Moon Books. Please note I earn commission from advertisers for some links.

Pagan Eye: Catalpa Tree Blossom on a London Street

2026-07-02T08:00:00.000+01:00

This beautiful blossom is on a catalpa tree growing near where I live in London, SE20. I photographed it with another flower behind it - an example of the street art that has also bloomed in the area.

At one time catalpa trees, or bean trees, were relatively rare in England. They're native to America. However, in recent years they've been planted more frequently in gardens and beside roads in my country because they're really pretty with heart-shaped leaves and huge blossom in summer rather than spring. Long bean pods appear in the autumn.

Many years ago I blogged about the Rochester catalpa tree. I tried to research what it meant in folklore and for magic, but didn't come up with much. Googling on the topic again, I learnt that now people are saying it can represent a huge range of things including tenacity, beauty, connection to spirit, and love. None of the sites mentioned their sources.

Apparently the tree has very long tap roots and can survive in areas with little rainfall, so I'd like to think it represents both beauty and tenacity in difficult situations.

If you are in the SE20 area, there's another bean tree in Crystal Palace Park and it's listed in a tree trail you can do. Here's the link: https://crystalpalaceparktreetrail.wordpress.com/

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it. I'm not quite sure what I'll be including - it could be a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. 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 and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

Other previous related posts:

https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/07/pagan-eye-camomile-growing-in-my-local.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/05/pagan-eye-what-do-you-think-girls.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/05/the-rochester-catalpa-tree.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/the-rochester-catalpa-tree-revisited.html

Magical Online & London Events in the Next Weeks

2026-07-01T08:00:00.000+01:00

Here's a list of events for pagans, witches and those with similar interests over the next couple of weeks. There are online things you can do anywhere (bolded for clarity) plus in-person talks and workshops in or near London, as that's where I'm based, and some festivals further afield.

Now - 11 July; Rediscovery: The Gary Dickinson Exhibition. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 11am-6pm Free entry https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Friday 19 June -17 July; That Large Ghost, Curated by Jack Catling Exhibition. Venue: Swedenborg House, The Swedenborg Society, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2TH. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/private-view-that-large-ghost-curated-by-jack-catling-tickets-1990949444383

https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

or email: rainbowawakening1@gmail.com

Wednesday 1 July; Begninners Tarot. Start of 8-session online course with Jane Meredith. Time: 9.30am. Tickets AUD $400, concession: $350. https://www.facebook.com/events/1688469552400307/?

Wednesday 1 July; Venus Rising Oracle with Outi Harma. Talk and signing, Venue: Watkins Bookshop, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: noon. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Wednesday 1 July (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 1 July (usually on a Wednesday each month); Sophie Hollinshead: Lincolnshire Witches and Cunning Folk. Online talk via the Folklore Centre. Time: 7pm. Tickets £5. https://www.folkloremythmagic.com/

Wednesday 1 July (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 1 July (first Wednesday of the month); Drumming and Meditation online with Taz Thornton. Time: 7pm. Free https://www.facebook.com/TazThorntonOfficial

Wednesday 1 July; Deathbed Visions: What do we see at the edge of life? with Stuart Gray. 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

Thursday 2 July (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 2 July; Fungi: Creatures and Cultures with Kit Ondaatje Rolls. 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 2 July (tbc); Event with Kingfisher Coven. Venue: Lost Souls Pizza Camden, 245 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BA. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £6.13 https://www.eventbrite.com/o/keith-broad-kingfisher-coven-88810783003

Thursday 2 July; Ancient Divination. In-Person Workshop with Jules McArthur. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 2 July; Gong Bath. Venue: Akasa Felstead Street, London E9 5LT. Time: 7pm. Tickets: from £23.46. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sunita-kaur-34415293427

Friday 3 July (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 3 July (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 3 - 5 July Rewilding The Witch Summer Camp. Venue: The Leftfield, High Birch Road, Weeley CO16 9BU. Tickets: £40-£90. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rewilding-the-witch-summer-camp-tickets-1980770918137

Friday 3 July; Revealing the Stele, with Gary Dickinson. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 6.30 pm. Tickets £25. https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Friday 3 July (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 4 July; Journey to the Akashic Records workshop with Frances Billinghurst, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 10.30am. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 4 July; Florence Farr and the Magical Imagination IV, esoteric conference. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am -6pm. Tickets £70. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/special-events/esoteric/florence-farr-conference/?

Saturday 4 July; Shamanic Drumming. Venue: Flopsy Wood, Cock Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8LS. Noon-2pm. Tickets £20. https://www.facebook.com/HertsEvents

Saturday 4 July; Trip to Brighton March of the Mermaids with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at Brighton Peace Statue at noon. Donation to charity - £3 recommended. More info: https://mani.org.uk/ or visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803

Saturday 4 July; Travelling Beyond the Body. In-Person Workshop with Fio Gede Parma. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Tickets: £50. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Saturday 4 July (date tbc but usually first Saturday each month); Gong Bath. Venue: Upminster Sanctuary Pea Lane, Upminster, RM142XH. Time: 7pm. Tickets: tbc. https://upminstersanctuary.com/

Sunday 5 July; The History of Mermaids, Sea Spirits and Women via Seed talks. Online event. Time: 8am. Tickets from $18.95. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/seed-talks-online-1262239?

Sunday 5 July; The Power of Breath with Sven Carlson. Start of 6-session course with Maria Antoniou, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 10am. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 5 July; Talk on Mediumship 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 5 July; Midsummer ritual for members of the Woodspirits group. Venue: Highgate, London. Meet from noon for a social then ritual at 3pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4032235040150960

Sunday 5 July; Kundalini: The Lived Phenomena. Workshop with Ann Mathie. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 1pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 5 July; Understand Grief and Trauma with Tarot. Workshop with Jo Tiller, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 5 July (first Sunday each month); Empowerment and Inner Strength - 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/?

Monday 6 July (every 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 6 July; Week 6 – The Houses (Part 2). Free online talk via the Astrological Lodge of London. Starts 5pm. Tickets free. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 6 July (and other dates); Ascending with Angels, led by David Goddard. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 6.30 pm. Tickets £40. https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Monday 6 July; The Final Portrait: A History of Death Masks with Nick Reynolds. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets from £16.14, includes a cocktail. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Monday 6 July; The Witch's Apprentice: Everyday Magic. Start of 4-Part Course with Rebecca Beattie, author of Planetary Magic and Nature Mystics, via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start. Tickets: £80. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Monday 6 July; Hermetic Magical Training, Stage 1. Start of 4-Part Course with Julia Phillips, via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start. Tickets: £120. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Monday 6 July; Talk onDoing Astrology in a Conscious Universe with Wendell Perry followed by chart discussion. Online talks via the Astrological Lodge of London. Starts 7pm. Tickets £6/£9. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 6 July (tbc but usually a Monday early in the month); Sister Sharing Circle by Claire The Soul Nurturer. Venue: Secret Soul Sanctuary, Sydenham Hill, London SE23 3PH. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £14.79. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/claire-the-soul-nurturer-35479207053

Monday 6 July; Monstrosity, Folk Magic and Mysticism Against The Canon with Sergei Zotov. 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 6 July; (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 7 July (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 7 July; Connect with the Seasonal Cycles. Talk by Tiffany Lazic, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 7 July; Hypnosis and Trance For Magic. Start of 2-Part Workshop with Mark Vincent via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £50. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday 7 July; Tarot Reversals. Start of 4-Part course with Delphine de la Mar. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £150. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday 7 July; Dragons and their Hoardswith Jeremy Harte. Talk via the Folklore Society online. Time: 7pm. Tickets £6. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-folklore-society-32190494089

Tuesday 7 July (tbc but usually first Tuesday each month); Talk at Romford Pagan Moot. Venue: The Golden Lion, 2 High Street, Romford. Time: 7.30pm. Entry £4: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064489640955

Wednesday 8 July; Sylvia Plath, Witchcraft and Radical Poetry. Talk via Seed talks online. Time: 7pm. Tickets from £13.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713?

Wednesday 8 July (tbc but usually 2nd Wed each month); Training group workshop by the Wytchery. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store St, London WC1E 7BS, UK. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.meetup.com/the-wytchery/

Thursday 9 July (2nd Thursday each month); Magick Without Tears Moot. Venue: Fitzroy Tavern, 16 Charlotte St., London W1T 2LY. Time 6pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mwtpubmoot

Thursday 9 July; 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 11 - Sunday 12 July; Sacred Tobacco Training with Renato Guerrero. Venue: Berkeley farm, Essex, a few miles outside London. Time: 10am start. Tickets: £260. https://www.aho.community/

Saturday 11 - Sunday 12 July; Persephone's Journey. Two-day workshop with Jane Meredith, author of Journey to the Dark Goddess. Venue: Sheffield, UK Times: - 10am - 5pm both days

Saturday 11 July; Mindfulmess in the Park (Bromley Town Centre). Venue: Church House Gardens, 53 Mill Vale, Bromley, BR2 0EN. Time: Noon. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/1544720900390348/?

Sunday 12 July: 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 12 July; Harnessing the 12 Zodiac Signs with Carmen Turner-Schott, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 12 July; South East London Pagans Moot. Venue: The Ivy House, 55 Stuart Road, London, SE15 3BE. Time: 7.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

For activities after these dates please visit my events page.

Rounding the Year: Taking Stock of my Goals & Wishes

2026-06-30T08:00:00.000+01:00

How has the past 6 months gone for you? It seems to have gone quickly for me, and it's been a rollercoaster of good things and unpleasant surprises.

Every January I make a list of ambitions (you can see it here) and a Wheel of the Year vision board, which you can see in the picture above. I try to check how I'm doing regularly. The half-year mark is a good time.

When it comes to my blogging intentions, I've been on track with what I aimed to do each month, including writing about seasonal folklore, books, crafting, and posting divinations for the world.

One of my resolutions I've not worked towards yet is "Interview at least 6 pagan authors". So, if you are a pagan author who hasn't been interviewed by me yet but wants to be, let me know. You can email me at badwitch1234@gmail.com.

The vision board reflects some great social events and a writing opportunity that flowered between Spring Equinox and Beltane. The Greenoaks Gathering was fun and something of an adventure before the Summer Solstice. I hope there'll be more days out and holidays before Lammas, rather than just "coming home", which I wrote on the chart. I wonder if I manifested those things, or if they'd have happened anyway?

The worst unpleasant surprise of the year so far was my cat Tommy dying suddenly. I still miss him. When I look at the vision board, however, I see that dark spiral before Imbolc. I intended it to mean a time for rest and introspection, but not laying my cat to rest. Still, I accept life always has moments of sadness. No one can guarantee they won't happen at any time.

Looking further round my Wheel of the Year vision board I see the time of harvest. I was in my garden yesterday and noticed fruit and berries filling out on the trees and bushes, although some fell prematurely in the recent thunder storm. I hope we don't have too many more of them before summer ends.

How are your plans for the year doing? Please leave a comment.

Rounding the Wheel of the Year

My book Pagan Portals - Round the Wheel of the Year 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/the-bad-witchs-10-new-year-resolutions.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/01/magical-craft-my-2026-wheel-of-year.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/12/rounding-year-reflections-on-new-years.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/12/new-year-resolutions-looking-back-at-my.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/the-bad-witchs-10-new-year-resolutions.html

Art: Frida Kahlo & Day of the Dead Imagery @ the Tate

2026-06-29T08:00:17.472+01:00

I went to the new Frida Kahlo exhibition at London's Tate Modern yesterday and loved it, both as someone who enjoys art and who is interested in folklore and mythology. Day of the Dead imagery is one aspect of Mexican culture that appears both in Frida's paintings and in other artist's work that she inspired.

The photo at the top shows Altar for Frida Kahlo by Carmen Lomas Garza with other paintings in a room displaying creations in homage. The picture to the right shows one by Frida herself called Girl with Death Mask.

Here's more general information about the exhibition from the Tate website:

"Frida: The Making of an Icon... showcase[s] over 30 of Kahlo’s most iconic works that introduce her ‘many selves’ – the dedicated wife, the intellectual, the modern artist, and the political activist. Alongside treasured garments, jewellery, photographs and memorabilia, there are over 200 works by her contemporaries and the artists she inspired from later generations, celebrating her lasting impact on those who continue to reimagine and reclaim her remarkable story."

Frida: The Making of an Icon  is on at the Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG until 3 January 2027. Tickets are £25 or free for nembers. You can find out more here: https://www.tate.org.uk/

Book Review: Pagan Portals - The Wild Hunt

2026-06-26T08:00:00.000+01:00

Fairy and folklore expert Morgan Daimler's latest book is on The Wild Hunt, and it's brilliant. I was delighted to read it before it's officially published next month.

The concept of a group of spectral horsemen and hounds swooping down from the sky in relentless pursuit of their prey, animal or human, is a topic that fascinates me both as a writer and a witch who might potentially be out in the wilds of nature at a time the Hunt is said to ride.

But what exactly is the Wild Hunt and who leads them? Well, there are many theories and many folktales from around the world that seem to fit the archetype, but are they the same phenomena or just similar?

The answer seems to be, no one quite knows, but this book offers an overview of the various entities that could be called by that name, or operate in a similar way. Morgan is renowned for her painstaking research into the topics of all her books, and this is no exception, but this new title in the Pagan Portals series far more than a scholarly exploration of folklore. It's also about how to deal with "the spirits who hunt the skies". It covers how to avoid them, how to work with them in pagan ritual as safely as possible, and even includes a guided visualisation to meet them.

Here's the synopsis of Pagan Portals - The Wild Hunt offered by Moon Books on the publisher's website:

"This book is an introduction to the Wild Hunt, the group of spirits which hunt the sky, heralded by the baying of hounds and the sound of horses' hooves in the air. With stories from across Europe and its history, the Wild Hunt is as intriguing today as it's ever been, and many modern pagans are drawn to learn about it and even interact with it. Here you will explore the history of the Wild Hunt and similar groups of spirits from Europe to the US, looking at who may lead the Hunt and what its wider purpose might be."

You can view Pagan Portals - The Wild Hunt on Amazon

(Please note: I earn commission from some links)

About the author

Morgan Daimler teaches classes on Irish myth and magical practices, fairies, and related subjects in the United States and internationally. She has been published in multiple anthologies as well as articles in various magazines, and she is one of the world's foremost experts on all things Fairy. Besides the titles available through Moon Books Morgan has a high fantasy novel 'Into Shadow' through Cosmic Egg and has an urban fantasy/paranormal romance series called Between the Worlds. Morgan has also presented papers on fairies and on fairies and witches at several university conferences.

Pagan Eye: The River God Father Thames in London

2026-06-25T08:00:00.000+01:00

This pyramidal-shaped work of art depicts the river god Father Thames and you can find it at William Henry Walk, Nine Elms Wall, London, between between Vauxhall and Battersea. It was crafted by sculptor Stephen Duncan in 1988.

The photo was taken by my witchy friend Jessica Howard, who is a fellow writer at Moon Books and the author of The Water Witch. I was delighted to learn about this depiction of Father Thames as I'd not seen it myself. I really must pay a visit.

Father Thames is London's most famous river god. No one yet knows how long ago he was first named, but there's archeological evidence of worship in general at the banks of the river since ancient times.

You can see another representation of Father Thames at Trinity Square.

I've blogged more about deities of the Thames here: https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/10/deities-of-week-thames-isis.html

Pagan Eye Posts

On each of my Pagan Eye posts, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it. 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 and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

The photograph at the top is copyright Jessica Howard

Other Previous Related Links

https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/09/london-gods-neptune-at-secret-rivers.html

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/03/london-goddesses-isis-her-temple-by.html

http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2019/05/goddesses-of-london-trivia-and-cloacina.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/10/review-thames-sacred-river-by-peter.html

Magical Online & London Events in the Next Weeks

2026-06-24T08:00:00.000+01:00

Here's a list of events for pagans, witches and those with similar interests over the next couple of weeks. There are online things you can do anywhere (bolded for emphasis) plus in-person talks and workshops in or near London, as that's where I'm based, and some festivals further afield.

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

https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

or email: rainbowawakening1@gmail.com

Wednesday 24 June; Qabalistic Psychology and the Path of the Initiate with Dr. David Shoemaker, via The Atlantis Bookshop. Venue: The White Hart, 191 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5QD. Time: 6.30 pm. Tickets £15. https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday 24 June; Bloomsbury Folklore Club – Trees. Via London Dreamtime. 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 24 June (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 24 June (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 24 June (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 24 June; Sacred Gong Meditation with Joe Summerfield. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 7pm. Tickets: £45. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 24 June; Nordic Midsummer Stories with Lena Heide Brennand. 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

Thursday 25 June (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 25 June; Witch Choir with Nicole Bettencourt Coelho 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.

Thursday 25 June; Quantum Healing of the Future. Talk by Gemma Petherbridge, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 25 June; Heartspaces spiritual gathering. Venue: Essex Hall, Essex Street, London WC2R 3HY. Doors at 6.30pm. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121061473538?

Thursday 25 June (last Thursday every month); Solar Magic 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

Friday 26 June (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 26 June (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 26 June; Releasing the Knot of the Mind with Anam Thubten. 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

Friday 26 June; Friday Lates: Art beyond the human - spirits, ecologies, and A.I. Workshop with Christopher Collier via City Lit. Online event. Time: 6pm. Full fee: £19. https://www.citylit.ac.uk/

Friday 26 June; Woodland Cacao and Angelic Magic with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at the entrance to Queen's Woods, Queen's wood Road, London N6 5UU, to be led into woods to the ritual spot. Bring a torch and wear suitable clothing and footwear. Time: 7pm. Tickets £8.83 - £15. More info: https://mani.org.uk/ or visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803

Friday 26 June; An Evening of Soul Mediumship with Claire Broad. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 7pm. Tickets: £30. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Friday 26 June (4th Friday of the month); The Wild Wood Tarot study group. Free online event. Time: 7pm. https://www.meetup.com/astrotarotkitchen/events/

Saturday 27 June; Earthfest 2026 family-friendly community day celebrating sustainability. Venue@ Aga Khan Centre, King’s Cross, London. Time: 10am-5pm. Tickets free. https://web-eur.cvent.com/event/bf21234d-d776-479f-8984-620cb1e7e3b9/summary?

Saturday 27 June - 11 July; Rediscovery: The Gary Dickinson Exhibition. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 11am-6pm Free entry https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Saturday 27 June; Rebalance with the Chinese 5 Elements. Workshop with Doe Warnes. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 27 June; Divination to Meet Your Inner Oracle. Workshop with Tyrone Cusacks. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11apm. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 27 June (and other dates); 9D Transformative Breathwork. Venue: Hilton, 61 - 67 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU. Time: 12.30pm. Tickets £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121074557489?

Cancelled due to weather: Saturday 27 June; Connecting the Trees - A Call to Arms. Part of a series of environment rituals. Venue: Moat Mount Open Space, off Barnet Way, London. Time: 1.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/trefor.wickens

Saturday 27 June (and other dates); Crowley Crawl 2026 with Marco Visconti, author of The Aleister Crowley Manual. Venue: West End London walk. Time: 2pm. Tickets £50, For £70 for walk plus visit to The Hidden Society cocktail bar on Goodge Street. https://www.marcovisconti.org/events/crowleycrawl2026?

Saturday 27 June; The Forgotten Dimension. Workshop with Lars Muhl and Naleea Landmann, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 27 June; Tarot and the Miraculous Body. Workshop with Davide De Angelis, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 27 June (and other dates); Full Moon Ceremony. Venue: Hilton, 61 - 67 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU. Time: 7pm. Tickets £45. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121074557489?

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

Saturday 27 June; When the Spirit Moves You: The Strange History of the Poltergeist, with Deborah Hyde. Online event via the Folklore Library and Archive. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £6.13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-folklore-library-archive-68703440013?

Sunday 28 June; Crystals for Beginners. Workshop with Sarah Jane Dennis. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 28 June; Connect with the Archangels of Joy. Workshop with Liesl Duffy, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 11am. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 28 June; Mediumship and Spirit-Inspired Art. Workshop with June-Elleni Laine. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 28 June; 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 28 June (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 from 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 28 June; 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 28 June; The Healing Portal of 'Know Thyself. Workshop with Lars Muhl and Naleea Landmann, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 28 June; Storytelling Sunday: Doors (Guest Host: Emily Hanna). Via London Dreamtime. Venue: Love Shack, 299 Cambridge Heath Road, #Arch 298, London E2 9HA. Time 2pm.Tickets £6.66. https://connectionwithwonder.com/events/

Sunday 28 June; The Art History of Folk Horror and Women. Talk via Seed talks. Hybrid event. In-peson venue: 21 Soho, 3 Sutton Row, London W1D 3QPTime: 4pm. Tickets from £13.

Sunday 28 June; Jungian Dream Interpretation Workshop via Seed talks. Online event. Time: 5pm. Tickets from £17. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jungian-dream-interpretation-workshop-tickets-1988174750198?

Monday 29 June (every 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 29 June; Starting Your Psychic Journey. Start of 5-session course run by Gary Wright, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 5pm. Tickets: £180. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Monday 29 June; Week 5 – The Houses (Part 1). Free online talk via the Astrological Lodge of London. Starts 5pm. Tickets free. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 29 June; The Dark History of Women and The Paranormal. Talk via Seed talks online. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets from £17. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713?

Monday 29 June; Magical Symbols: Patterns in Ritual Building with Wayne Perkins. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets from £16.14, includes a cocktail. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Monday 29 June; 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

Monday 29 June; Moonchild – A Nurturing 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 29 June; Full Moon Women's Gong Bath Ceremony. Venue: Akasa Felstead Street, London E9 5LT. Time: 7pm. Tickets: from £25,63. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sunita-kaur-34415293427

Monday 29 June; Full Moon Ritual by the Thames with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at Millennium Bridge, Thames Embankment, · London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £6.13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803 or https://mani.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/PaganFrontiersOfLondon.

Monday 29 June (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

Monday 29 June; Theosophy. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. Tickets free https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/events/

Monday 29 June; Talk on the Horoscope through a Psychological Lens with Pamela Tyler followed by chart discussion. Online talks via the Astrological Lodge of London. Starts 7pm. Tickets £6/£9. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 29 June (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 30 June (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 30 June; Sacred Purification for Renewal. Workshop with Hannah Sandersl via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Tuesday 30 June; The Levitating Hamster and the Salmon of Doubt.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/ or https://wegottickets.com/f/21077

Tuesday 30 June; Investigating Psychic Criminology with Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe. 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 1 July; Begninners Tarot. Start of 8-session online course with Jane Meredith. Time: 9.30am. Tickets AUD $400, concession: $350. https://www.facebook.com/events/1688469552400307/?

Wednesday 1 July (first Wednesday of the month); Drumming and Meditation online with Taz Thornton. Time: 7pm. Free https://www.facebook.com/TazThorntonOfficial

Friday 3 July (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 3 July; Revealing the Stele, with Gary Dickinson. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 6.30 pm. Tickets £25. https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Saturday 4 July; Shamanic Drumming. Venue: Flopsy Wood, Cock Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8LS. Noon-2pm. Tickets £20. https://www.facebook.com/HertsEvents

Saturday 4 July (date tbc but usually first Saturday each month); Gong Bath. Venue: Upminster Sanctuary Pea Lane, Upminster, RM142XH. Time: 7pm. Tickets: tbc. https://upminstersanctuary.com/

Sunday 5 July; Midsummer ritual for members of the Woodspirits group. Venue: Highgate, London. Meet from noon for a social then ritual at 3pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4032235040150960

Sunday 5 July (first Sunday each month); Empowerment and Inner Strength - 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/?

For activities after these dates please visit my events page.

Midsummer Lore: Street Parties and St John's Wort

2026-06-23T08:00:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow, June 24th, is traditionally Midsummer's Day and was once among the most widely celebrated festivals in England. Modern pagans put more emphasis on the Summer Solstice, on June 21st, but according to Steve Roud in The English Year:

"...from the time of the earliest records, midsummer in in England was celebrated with bonfires, processions and parades, and by decorating houses and churches with greenery."

In Christian terms, June 24th was also the feast day of St John. Steve Roud also points out that the time from St John's Eve on the 23rd right up to St Peter's Day on June 29th was something of a holiday. John Stow, writing in the 1590s, described London during those days as being filled with street parties. People set out tables for all the neighbours to feast, drink, and have fun together.

Bonfires would be lit as part of the festivities, but also because it was thought fires would clear the air of any malignancy. Stow also describes various herbs and flowers that were traditionally hung over doorways on St John's Eve:

"...every man's door being shadowed with green birch, long fennel, St John's wort, orpin, white lilies...garnished upon with beautiful flowers."

He also mentions the streets being hung with lamps that were kept alight late into the night.

St John's wort

Historically, St John’s Day was when it was particularly customary to gather St John's Wort. This herb with yellow flowers has long been seen as a means to keep evil away magically and as well a herbal remedy. From at least medieval times it's been hung over doors and windows to keep away malefic spirits. In some areas, the flowers were traditionally dipped in a bowl of water and left outside exposed to the night until the following morning, when people washed their faces in the flower dew.

You can see St John's Wort in the photo at the top.

More seasonal lore

My book Rounding the Wheel of the Year offers more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in 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.)

My Candle Magic Book Has Sold a Milestone 9,500 Copies

2026-06-22T08:00:00.000+01:00

I got some great news from my publisher: Pagan Portals - Candle Magic has now sold more than 9,500 copies. It was the first of my books on witchcraft published by Moon Books, and has done really well since it was launched at Treadwell's Bookshop ten years ago, in 2016.

Here's what's written about it on the back cover and on Moon Books' website:

"Candle magic is something almost everyone has tried, even as a child - who hasn’t made a wish over a birthday cake? Candle spells are among the easiest yet also the most effective to perform. They are perfect for anyone who wants to have a go at casting a spell for the first time and for the solitary witch with a busy life. Yet candles are also an important part of modern pagan witchcraft rituals. They are used to mark the quarters of the circle, placed on the altar and can represent the changing seasons of the year. This book is aimed at all who want to use candle magic, from beginners to those experienced in the craft; with everything from simple castings to elaborate and beautiful ceremonies. It offers a background to candle magic as well as spells, rituals, divination techniques, meditations, a guide to making your own candles and more."

I want to thank everyone who has bought my books, attended my events and supported me by writing reviews over the years. I also want to thank Treadwell's for keeping all my books in stock at the lovely esoteric bookshop at 33 Store Street, London, WC1E 7BS.

Candle Magic Workshop In-Person at Treadwell's

On Sunday 12 July I'm running a workshop based on Pagan Portals - Candle Magic at Treadwell's Bookshop. It starts at 1pm and tickets are £25 per person. To find out more visit https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

My Next Pagan Portals Title: Dowsing

My next title in the Pagan Portals series is Dowsing: A Witch’s Guide to Divining with Pendulums and Rods. It's published by Moon Books. This is the description on the website:

"In Pagan Portals - Dowsing Lucya Starza teaches the basics of using pendulums, rods, and the tingles in your fingers to find what you are looking for, whether that falls within the elemental categories of earth, air, fire, and water, or the boundless remit of the realm of spirit."

The book is due to reach shops early in 2027 but can already be pre-ordered.

You can view Pagan Portals - Dowsing on Amazon.

(Please note: I earn commission from some links)

Previous Related Posts

https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/03/revealing-cover-of-my-next-book-dowsing.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/06/my-witchy-events-charms-dowsing-dolls.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/02/craft-recycled-wax-candle-for-magical.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/03/easy-candle-wishing-spell.html

Sacred Traveler Solstice Divination: Fogged In, Go Slow

2026-06-19T08:00:00.000+01:00

I drew a card for the world from the Sacred Traveler Oracle in the days before the Summer Solstice. "Fogged In" is what it said. At first glance it seemed a strange divination when the sun is at its peak and many of us are planning exciting things like festivals or holidays. But the message is "Go slow; take time."

It makes more sense when you consider that many of us are living in a state of almost constant uncertainty. We don't know what the future holds in terms of security and even freedom to be ourselves. This is the fog that surrounds us. If the way forward is unclear, go carefully and mindfully. The book that comes with the set offers these words, which put it into greater perspective:

"When you take the time to go slowly, new perceptions emerge that you can't see if you're moving fast. Move away from the rapid pace of everyday life, and step into the majesty of stillness."

Solstice is often interpreted by pagans as being when the sun appears to stand still. In astronomical terms it doesn't, but psychologically this rings true. This is the perfect time to put stresses and worries on hold. Be quiet and still in the moment. Think and ponder rather than rushing into anything rashly. The book definition continues:

"Resist the impulse to go ahead with your first instinct. Take time to tune in to your deeper intuition. Power is born in those times when you relax into the present moment."

While the fog muffles sight and sound, we can still use our our psychic awareness to sense our best way forward - carefully.

The Sacred Traveler Oracle is one I regularly use in my readings for the world at in early summer. It's when many of us travel. There can be a spiritual element, including visiting sacred sites or going on a pilgrimage.

You can view The Sacred Traveler Oracle on Amazon It is by Denise Linn and published by Hay House.

(Please note I earn commission from some links)

Craft: Making a Viking Glass Bead at Greenoaks

2026-06-18T08:00:00.000+01:00

Here's a photo of me in a Viking glass bead workshop, run by Scarlet Impressions at the Greenoaks Gathering last weekend. You can see the finished item inset in the picture.

It was the first time I've done anything with molten glass and I was a bit nervous before I started but Scarlet - who you can see on the left - was reassuring and gave expert tuition.

The basic technique is similar to making rolled paper beads, which is something I've done many times before. The difference is that this time I was rolling layers of molten glass around a rod rather than strips of paper. You have to keep turning the molten glass in a flame to keep it even and make the layers blend properly.

The pattern is created by adding dots of molten glass of different colours, then keep turning so that they stick. My finished bead is a little wonky, but I'm sure I'd get better with practice.

The technique of placing dots of different coloured glass on top of each other is the same used to make blue eye patterned amulets traditionally worn to protect against the evil eye.

You can read my earlier general review of Greenoaks here: https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/06/i-had-wonderful-time-at-greenoaks.html

Other previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/05/witchy-craft-making-polymer-clay-charm.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/05/poppet-craft-pipecleaner-and-clothes.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/04/craft-i-painted-pebbles-it-was-easier.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/03/upcycling-crafts-paper-flowers-from.html

Magickal Events for the Solstice and the Week Ahead

2026-06-17T08:00:00.000+01:00

The Summer Solstice is on 21 June. There are lots of pagan-friendly events you can take part in. I've listed rituals, talks, workshops and exhibitions for the next couple of weeks. For in-person things, I mostly mention events in or near London, because that's where I live. I also include a few big festivals further away and online events you can do anywhere.

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

Now - 1 November; Exhibition: The Saxons. Venue: Discover Bucks Museum, 9 Church Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2QP. Time: Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm. Sunday noon – 4pm. Adult tickets from from £5.90. https://discoverbucksmuseum.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

or email: rainbowawakening1@gmail.com

Wednesday 17 June; 'A History of Science in Reverse: The Doctrine of Signatures, 1885-1609'- Lecture. Venue: Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AB. Time: 2pm. Free but book a ticket. https://warburg.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events

Wednesday 17 June (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 17 June; The Morrigan: The Nightmare Queen. Hybrid talk by Professor Ronald Hutton, author of Triumph of the Moon and Blood and Mistletoe, via Gresham College. In-person venue Gresham College, Barnard's Inn Hall, Holborn, London EC1N 2HH. Time: 6pm. Free to register for online viewing. https://www.gresham.ac.uk/

Wednesday 17 June; Space for Storytelling Free Workshops (Theme: “Site Specific”) with London Dreamtime. Venue: St Johns Waterloo crypt, London SE1. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets free https://londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Wednesday 17 June (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 17 June (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 17 June; Rebecca Tamás and Malcolm Gaskill: The Book of Mysteries. Venue: London Review Bookshop, 14 Bury Pl, London WC1A 2JL. Time: 7pm Tickets £10. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rebecca-tamas-malcolm-gaskill-the-book-of-mysteries-tickets-1987077846329?

Wednesdays 17 June; An Introduction to Inspired Writing. Start of 2-session course with Anne-Marie Bond, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 17 June; Threshold Magic. Workshop with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 17 June; Wakefire: An Incantation To Summer. Venue: Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London, NW1 7AY. Time: 8pm. Tickets £23. https://www.efdss.org/

Wednesday 17 June (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/

Thursday 18 June (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 18 June; The Alphabet of Happiness with Klaudia Mitura. 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 18 June; Private View: That Large Ghost, Curated by Jack Catling (Exhibition Run: Friday 19 June-Friday 17 July). Venue: Swedenborg House, The Swedenborg Society, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2TH. Time: 6pm. Free but reserve a space. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/private-view-that-large-ghost-curated-by-jack-catling-tickets-1990949444383

Thursday 18 June; Drumming for Infinity. 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 18 June; Heartspaces spiritual gathering. Venue: Essex Hall, Essex Street, London WC2R 3HY. Doors at 6.30pm. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121061473538?

Thursday 18 June; Live Welsh Folk Music. Talk and Performance by Chris Avery. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 18 June; 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

Thursday 18 June; Summer Solstice Ritual Online Ceremony with Julian Vayne via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 18 June; Natalie Haynes – The Myth of Medea. Live In Conversation with Robin Ince. Venue: Saint James Church, Clerkenwell Close, London EC1R 0EA. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £35/£15. https://howtoacademy.com/events/natalie-haynes-the-myth-of-medea/?

Thursday 18 June; PF London Midsummer Open Ritual via Pagan Federation London. Venue: Pirate Castle, Gilbey's Wharf Oval Road NW1 7EA London, UK Time: 7.15pm. Entry £8 for PF members, £10 for non-members (cash only). https://www.facebook.com/groups/pflondon/events

Thursday 18 June; Nocturnes, Symphonies and Seances:Whistler’s Life and Art with Antony Clayton. Talk online 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

Friday 19 June (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 19 June; Solstice Dawn Chorus Walk at Camberwell Old Cemetery with London Wildlife Trust. Venue: Camberwell Old Cemetery, Forest Hill Road, London SE22 0RU. Time: 4.30am. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/7357843879?

Friday 19 June (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 19 June; Summer Solstice Yoga and Meditation plus Optional Wild Swim on the Heath. Venue: Hampstead Heath, Next to Mixed Bathing Ponds, London NW3 1BP. Time: 6pm. Tickets: From £10.19. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-solstice-yoga-meditation-optional-wild-swim-on-the-heath-tickets-1990899509025?

Friday 19 June; Hex and the City Walking Tour with Maria Beadell of Herstorical Tours. Meet: Cowcross St, Farrringdon, London EC1M 6BY. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.herstoricaltours.co.uk/

Saturday 20 June; Hand Reading Made Simple with Robin Lown. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 20 June; Mediumship and Spirit Communication with Sean Collyns. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 20 June; Understanding Tarot Court Cards with Avril Price, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 11am. Tickets: £120. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 20 June; Feeling Spirit: Clairsentience with Hernan Cotroneo, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 11am. Tickets: £120. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 20 June; (almost the) Summer Solstice exhibition and open day. Venue: Wild Cat Wilderness

53 Riverview Park, London, SE6 Starts 11am. Last entry 2pm. Free but book a place. https://www.facebook.com/events/1774593763916122?

Saturday 20 June; Summer Picnic. Venue: Primrose Hill, Primrose Hill Road, London NW1 4NR. Time: noon. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-picnic-tickets-1990773505144?

Saturday 20 June (Saturday closest to the festival); Summer Solsice at Coldrum Stones with Kent Gorsed. Venue: Coldrum Long Barrow, West Maling, Kent. Time: noon. Free. https://www.facebook.com/kentgorsedd/

Saturday 20 June; Sea Witches Fancy Dress Tea Party. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9. Time: noon, Free event just turn up https://www.wiccamooninherservice.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/wiccamoonuk/

Saturday 20 June; Sacred Lodge Sacred Ceremony Celebrating Summer Solstice. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain Kent. Run by Lynn Gosney. Time: 12.30pm start Tickets £30 min donation, email lynn.gosney@hotmail.com for info and to book. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain/

Saturday 20 June; There will be Summer Solsice rituals taking place at Avebury Stone Circle from noon on Saturday to sunrise on Sunday. One of these is the annual Free and open Gorsed of Caer Abiri ritual at Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire. Meet at the Red Lion pub from noon for druidic ceremony at 1.30pm. Offering of bread, mead, or Bardic performance always welcomed. Free event, just turn up. There will also be a Sunset Ceremony and a Sunrise Ceremony that are also free to attend. Be respectful and leave no litter. https://www.facebook.com/groups/49080749624/

Saturday 20 June; Spooky Isles Midsummer Eve Social Gathering. Venue: The King and Queen, 1 Foley Street, London W1W 6DL. Time: 2pm. Tickets £8 - £17 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121088529614?

Saturday 20 June; Oracle of the Celestial Deities and Legends, Heroes and Villains Oracle with Letao Wang. Talk and signing, Venue: Watkins Bookshop, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: 2pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Saturday 20 June; Woodland MidSummer Ritual 2026 with London Woodland Witches and Pagans. Meet at the entrance to Queen's Woods, Queen's wood Road, London N6 5UU, to be led into woods to the ritual spot. Bring a torch and wear suitable clothing and footwear. Time: 2pm. Tickets £6.13. More info: https://mani.org.uk/ or visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mani-woodland-witch-34325436803

Saturday 20 June; Wolf Pack Solstice. Venue: Watermill Wolves, TN39 5JB; Time: 4.30pm. Tickets £21. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whiteravenceremonies/2064917?

Saturday 20 June; Summer Solstice Gig with Tamesas and DFC. Venue: Devonshire Road Nature Reserve, 170 Devonshire Rd, Forest Hill London SE23 3SZ. Starts 5.30pm. Tickets £10. https://www.facebook.com/events/2129172960990754?

Saturday 20 June; Summer Solstice Circle. Venue: 145 Willersley Avenue, Sidcup DA15 9EP. Time: 6pm. Tickets: From £11.55. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-solstice-circle-tickets-1988510077170?

Saturday 20 June to Sunday 21 June; Summer Solstice at Stonehenge. English Heritage is allowing managed free open access to the stones for the sunset and sunrise, although the car parking is charged. Times: 7pm Friday to 8am Saturday. Details: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/solstice/ The event will also be livestreamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EnglishHeritage

Sunday 21 June; Crown Chakra. Wicca Women’s Circles Focus on a Chakra . Venue: Crystal Wicca, West Wickham, BR4. Time: tbc. Tickets: £33 or £55 for two classes. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Sunday 21 June (closest Sunday to the festival); Pagan Federation Online Summer Solstice Festival. Starts 10am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/paganfederation/events

Sunday 21 June; An Introduction to Dowsing with Vicky Sweetlove. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 21 June; 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 21 June; Druid Fest. Venue: Flopsy Wood, Cock Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8LS. Noon-6pm. Entrance by donation. https://www.facebook.com/HertsEvents

Sunday 21 June (closest Sunday to the festival); Druidic Ritual to celebrate Summer Solstice on Primrose Hill with the Loose Association of Druids. Gather in the Hawthorne Grove at Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8YH, at 12.30pm to prepare the site for the ritual at 1pm. Nearest tube: Chalk Farm. Bring a small contribution of food and drink to share. https://www.facebook.com/LooseAssociationOfDruidsOfPrimroseHill

Sunday 21 June; Summer Solstice Open Ritual and Picnic with members of Hertford and Ware Pagan Moot. Meet at: Pindar Lane Car Park, Windmill Lane Cheshunt EN8 9AJ. Time: 1pm. Free. Bring your own picnic. https://www.facebook.com/events/1004451185387095/?

Sunday 21 June (tbc but usually closest Sunday to the festival); Anderida Gorsedd Summer Solstice open ritual. Venue: Long Man of Wilmington, Wilmington, near Eastbourne, East Sussex. Meet near the car park between 1.30pm and 2pm, walk up to the chalk hill figure at 2pm. Afterwards, the Giants Rest pub. https://www.facebook.com/groups/227609495203/

Sunday 21 June; Wild South London Midsummer Nature Festival in Beckenham Place Park. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: from 1.30pm. Tickets free but reserve a place. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-south-london-midsummer-nature-festival-in-beckenham-place-park-tickets-1989902891114?

Sunday 21 June; 'What the Folk?: Solstice Late' at Museum of the Home and picnic with the Saturday Morning Folklore Club. Venue: St Mary’s Secret Garden,

50 Pearson Street, Hoxton, London. Time:· 2pm. Tickets free but reserve a place. https://www.meetup.com/saturday-morning-folklore-club/

Sunday 21 June; Summer Solstice Picnic with South East London Pagans. Venue: Greenwich Park, South London. Time: 2pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Sunday 21 June; Solstice - 21st June an afternoon of vocal music, movement, and art. Venue: St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG. Various times from 2pm,. Tickets £0 - £16.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/solstice-21st-june-tickets-1985522287611?

Sunday 21 June; Dawn of the Oak Pagan moot. Venue: The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon Road/Greville Street, London EC1M 3JF. Time: 2pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawnoftheoak/ or https://allevents.in/london/dawn-of-the-oak-london-pagan-and-heathen-meeting-15th-february-2026-tickets/80001854227648

Sunday 21 June; Wild Pavements - a Summer Solstice urban walk with Amanda Tuke and Bookseller Crow, followed by a talk. Meet at: Bookseller Crow On The Hill, 50 Westow Street, London, SE19 3AF. Various times from 2.30pm. Tickets £5 to £22. https://www.outsavvy.com/event/35151/wild-pavements-an-urban-walk-with-amanda-tuke-and-bookseller-crow?

Sunday 21 June; Southwark Hysteries Solstice Special with Maria Beadell of Herstorical Tours. Meet: Green Dragon Court, London SE1 . Time: 4pm. Tickets: £22.50. https://www.herstoricaltours.co.uk/book

Sunday 21 June; Free Global Solstice Ceremony Live-streamed from Glastonbury. Hybrid event. Time: 5pm. Free. https://soul.rebeccacampbell.me/solstice/

Sunday 21 June; Talk and Tarot: The Sun Card - Solstice Special. Venue: Bonnington Cafe and Community Centre, 11 Vauxhall Grove, London SW8 1TD. Time: 6pm. Tickets £7. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talk-tarot-the-sun-card-solstice-special-tickets-1989183151353?

Sunday 21 June (closest Sunday to the festival); Summer Solstice Litha Wheel of the Year: Pagan Ceremony. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3 1NG. Time: 7pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 21 June; Summer Solstice Shamanic Ceremony with Beáta Alföldi, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 21 June; Midsummer and Creative Writing. Workshop with Bernadette Russell via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Monday 22 June (every 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 22 June; Chart discussion followed by talk on A Look At Lilith by Naomi Martin, via the Astrological Lodge of London. Hybrid event. In-person venue: Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Starts 6.30pm. Tickets £6/£9. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 22 June; Mummies, Warrior Queens and Raucous Rulers: tasting and talk with Wet Ink. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets from £26.20, includes a cocktail. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Monday 22 June (monthly); Melissa's Tarot Club. Monthly online Workshopvvia Treadwell's Bookshop. Time: 7pm. Cost: £15 per person. https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Monday 22 June; Develop the Intuitive Mind: Foundation. Start of 6-session course with Maria Antoniou, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Monday 22 June (usually 4th Monday each month); Dancing with Wyrd: Upstairs at the Angel with Meggie Reid. 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 22 June; Summer Solstice Ritual. Venue: Crystal Wicca, West Wickham, BR4. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £22. https://www.facebook.com/TheCrystalWicca

Monday 22 June; Summer Solstice Restorative Yoga and Sound Bath - Beckenham. Venue: Azelia Hall, 258 Croydon Road, Beckenham BR3 4DA . Time: 7.30pm. Tickets £25. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/120958978057?

Monday 22 June (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 23 June (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 23 June; Crossbones Vigil for St John's Eve 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

Tuesday 23 June; 'Green’ myths, legends and folk tales with Rosalind. Talk via the Folklore Society online. Time: 7pm. Tickets £6. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-folklore-society-32190494089

Tuesday 23 June; Develop the Intuitive Mind: Beginner. Start of 6-session course with Maria Antoniou, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £200. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 25 June; Quantum Healing of the Future. Talk by Gemma Petherbridge, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £22. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 25 June (last Thursday every month); 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

Friday 26 June; Friday Lates: Art beyond the human - spirits, ecologies, and A.I. Workshop with
Christopher Collier via City Lit. Online event. Time: 6pm. Full fee: £19. https://www.citylit.ac.uk/

Friday 26 June (4th Friday of the month); The Wild Wood Tarot study group. Free online event. Time: 7pm. https://www.meetup.com/astrotarotkitchen/events/

Saturday 27 June; Rebalance with the Chinese 5 Elements. Workshop with Doe Warnes. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11apm. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 27 June (and other dates); Full Moon Ceremony. Venue: Hilton, 61 - 67 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU. Time: 7pm. Tickets £45. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121074557489?

Sunday 28 June; 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 28 June; The Art History of Folk Horror and Women. Talk via Seed talks. Hybrid event. In-peson venue: 21 Soho, 3 Sutton Row, London W1D 3QPTime: 4pm. Tickets from £13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713?

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 from some links.

I Had a Wonderful Time at the Greenoaks Gathering!

2026-06-16T08:00:00.000+01:00

I was away at the Greenoaks Gathering last weekend and it was absolutely bloomin' brilliant, despite my tent half collapsing on the Friday night.

I danced so much that my 66-year-old body really felt the aches the next day. As well as music and dancing, the pagan festival offered talks and workshops. I taught one on dowsing. It's the first time I've run the class, but I hope to offer it again at other events. There was also a market, lovely food and drink, and the campsite even had some real flushing toilets with sinks and soap and loo paper!

The collage above shows some of the photos I took. Here's the details:

Inkubus Sukkubus, the Saturday headline act.
Fire dancers in the meadow.
Handmade witch dolls with individual personalities plus and other creations by Hook and Broom.
Mari Lwyd (horse skull hobby horses) face off against each other in the marquee.
Music by guitar and fiddle in the market.

While I was there I had a go at crafting a Viking-style glass bead in a workshop run by Scarlet Impressions. I'll be blogging more about that later this week.

Greenoaks Gathering is an annual event at Hatters Campsite in the Cambridgeshire countryside. You can find out more here: https://www.greenoaksgathering.co.uk/

Festival TIme: I'm Off To The Greenoaks Gathering!

2026-06-11T08:04:16.848+01:00

I'm off to the Greenoaks Gathering tomorrow morning. It's a lovely Pagan gathering in the beautiful Cambridgeshire Fens, at an eco venue called Hatters Campsite and it runs from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June. There'll be music, talks, workshops, kids activities, rituals, and a magickal market.

I'll be running a dowsing workshop on Saturday afternoon, teaching how to used pendulums to find answers to questions. Then, on Sunday afternoon, I'll be giving a talk on poppets. All the activities are free - it's only the festival itself that requires a ticket

There are still some camping weekend tickets available, costing £122 for adults, but you can also just come for a day. An adult Saturday day and evening ticket is £61. Remember that includes all the entertainment and talks etc. You can find out more and book here: https://www.greenoaksgathering.co.uk/

Hatters Campsite, can be found at Second Drove Adelaide, Ely CB7 4UD.

The pictures are ones I took at last year's Greenoaks Gathering.

Magical Online & London Events in the Next Weeks

2026-06-10T08:00:00.000+01:00

Here's a list of events for pagans, witches and those with similar interests over the next couple of weeks, including the Summer Solstice. There are online things you can do anywhere (highlighted in bold so you can see them easliy) plus in-person talks and workshops in or near London, and some conferences and festivals further afield.

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

https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

or email: rainbowawakening1@gmail.com

Wednesday 10 June; Collage on Discarded Ceramics with House of Frisson. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49a Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1A 1LY. Time: 2.30pm Cost £50 https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday 10 June (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: 6pm. 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

Wednesday 10 June (2nd Wed each month); The Power of Practice. Training group workshop by the Wytchery. Venue: Treadwells, 33 Store St, London WC1E 7BS, UK. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.meetup.com/the-wytchery/

Wednesday 10 June (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 10 June (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 10 June; Spirit Allies for Support. Class with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 10 June (tbc but usually 2nd Wed each month); Enfield Town Circle Moot. Venue: Crown and Horsehoes, Horseshoe Lane, Enfield, EN2 6PZ. Time: 7pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EnfieldTownCircle/

Wednesday 10 June; Light Language. Start of 2-session course with Gemma Petherbridge, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £95. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 10 June; On Collecting as a Psychological Condition with Viktor Wynd. Talk online 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

Thursday 11 June (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 11 June; The Hieroglyphica of Horapollon with Sasha Chaitow. Online talk via Watkins Bookshop. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursday 11 June; Magick Without Tears Moot. Venue: Fitzroy Tavern, 16 Charlotte St., London W1T 2LY. Time 6pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mwtpubmoot

Thursday 11 June; Heartspaces - Heart and Soul spiritual gathering. Venue: Essex Hall, Essex Street, London WC2R 3HY. Doors at 6.30pm. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121061473538?

Thursday 11 June; The Symbols of Alchemy with Eliza Swann. Talk and Soirée. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 11 June (and other dates); Kundalini Yoga and Sound Healing with Claudia Chapman. Venue: The Goddess Studio, 116 Whitehouse Way, London N14 7LU. Time: 7pm. Tickets from £13. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/20248016862

Thursday 11 June (and other dates); Cosy Candlelit Gong Bath by Claire The Soul Nurturer. Venue: Secret Soul Sanctuary, Sydenham Hill, London SE23 3PH. Time: 7.45pm. Tickets: £20.21. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/claire-the-soul-nurturer-35479207053

Thursday 11 June; 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/

Thursday 11 June; Luck. Talk by Cunning Folk at South East London Folklore Society. Venue: The Electric Elephant Cafe, 186A Crampton Street, London, SE17 3AE. Time: 8pm, Free but £5/£8 donations welcome. Email cunningfolkmusic@gmail.com to book a space or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cunning-folk-7829505560

Friday 12 June (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, 12 - Sunday 14 June 2026; Greenoaks Gathering 2026. Pagan gathering in the beautiful Cambridgeshire Fens, at an eco venue. Music, talks, workshops (including a couple run by myself), kids activities, and a magickal market. Venue: Hatters Campsite, Second Drove Adelaide, Ely CB7 4UD. Tickets: £0 – £114.47. https://www.greenoaksgathering.co.uk/

Friday 12 June; The Secret History of the Universe with Jonathan Black. 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

Friday 12 June; 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/

Friday 12 June (and other dates); Welcome Women's Circle. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House | 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm - 9pm. Tickets: optional donation of £5 - £15. https://rsh.anth.org.uk/whats-on/

Saturday, 13 June; Folklore Inspired Creative Session with the Saturday Morning Folklore Club. Venue: The Crosse Keys, 9 Gracechurch Street, · London. Time:· 10am. Tickets free. https://www.meetup.com/saturday-morning-folklore-club/

Saturday 13 June; Sacred Power of the Serpent Queen. Workshop with Frances Billinghurst, author of Encountering the Dark Goddess, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 10.30am. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 13 June: Tantric Symbols for Self-Empowerment workshop with Nishant Sharmaa. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 13 June: The Gifts of a Highly Sensitive Person 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 13 June: Mediumship and Spirit Communication workshop with Sean Collyns . Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: contact the college. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 13 June: The Light in the Dark Oracle -Lucia Dami. Talk and signing, Venue: Watkins Bookshop, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ. Time: noon. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Saturday 13 June: Wild And Witchy Day Retreat. Venue: Station Approach, Leatherhead KT227SQ. Time: 2pm. Tickets: from £108.51. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-and-witchy-day-retreat-tickets-1989903435743?

Sunday 14 June: The Way of the Ankh workshop with Pixie P Carney. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time 11am. Tickets: £130. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 14 June; The Magic of Trees 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 14 June;. Betts Park - Mixed Adult Forest Bathing. Meet at Anerley Road, London SE20 8TQ. Time: 1pm. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/parkbathe-34393467709

Sunday 14 June; The Dark Night of the Soul. Workshop with Julia Shepherd, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £90. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 14 June; Pagan School Under 35s Summer Solstice. Venue: Queen's Wood Road, London. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £10 - £12. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/87136041303?

Sunday 14 June; Honouring the Sun Deities at Luna Iter (Ritual in the Tower). In-person ritual in Hackney, East London for members of the group, guests and seekers on the path. Meet at the Pembury Tavern, 90 Amhurst Rd, London, from 4.30pm, moving on to a historic site to start the ritual at 6pm. Entry: £10. https://www.hildegardmaier.co.uk/luna-iter or https://www.facebook.com/groups/1230392930656154

Sunday 14 June; Menstruation, Folklore, Tradition and The Power of Women.Workshop with Dr Deirdre Nuttall via Seed talks online. Time: 5pm. Tickets £17 - £26.50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/36463428713?

Sunday 14 June (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 14 June; Labyrinth Walk Meditation. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3 1NG. Time: 8pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 14 June; Psychedelic Plant Medicines and Faerie Realms with Zina Brown. Talk online 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 8 June; The Zodiac (Part 2). Free online talk via the Astrological Lodge of London. Starts 5pm. Tickets free. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 15 June; Bibi's Circle - Summer Solstice. 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

Monday 15 June; Dracula Returns To Derby with Dan Webber. Venue: Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets from £16.14, includes a cocktail. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-last-tuesday-society-viktor-wynd-museum-33776720489

Monday 15 June; Witchcraft’s Big Ideas class with Rebecca Beattie, author of Planetary Magic and Nature Mystics, via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Monday 15 June; Theosophy. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT. Time: 7pm. Tickets free https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/events/

Monday 15 June; Talk on The Astrological Sappho with Heather McVey followed by chart discussion. Online talks via the Astrological Lodge of London. Starts 7pm. Tickets £6/£9. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 15 June; The Principles of Kabbalah. Start of 5-session course with Mike Bais, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £180. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Monday 15 June (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 16 June (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/

Wednesday 17 June (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 17 June; Threshold Magic. Workshop with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £15. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday 17 June; Wakefire: An Incantation To Summer. Venue: Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London, NW1 7AY. Time: 8pm. Tickets £23. https://www.efdss.org/

Wednesday 17 June (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/

Thursday 18 June; Drumming for Infinity. 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 18 June; 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

Thursday 18 June; Natalie Haynes – The Myth of Medea Live In Conversation with Robin Ince. Venue: Saint James Church, Clerkenwell Close, London EC1R 0EA. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £35/£15. https://howtoacademy.com/events/natalie-haynes-the-myth-of-medea/?

Friday 19 June (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 19 June; Summer Solstice Yoga and Meditation + Optional Wild Swim on the Heath. Venue: Hampstead Heath, Next to Mixed Bathing Ponds, London NW3 1BP. Time: 6pm. Tickets: From £10.19. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-solstice-yoga-meditation-optional-wild-swim-on-the-heath-tickets-1990899509025?

Saturday 20 June; Understanding Tarot Court Cards with Avril Price, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 11am. Tickets: £120. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 20 June; Feeling Spirit: Clairsentience with Hernan Cotroneo, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 11am. Tickets: £120. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 20 June; Summer Picnic. Venue: Primrose Hill, Primrose Hill Road, London NW1 4NR. Time: noon. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-picnic-tickets-1990773505144?

Saturday 20 June; Spooky Isles Midsummer Eve Social Gathering. Venue: The King and Queen, 1 Foley Street, London W1W 6DL. Time: 2pm. Tickets £8 - £17 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121088529614?

Saturday 20 June; Wolf Pack Solstice. Venue: Watermill Wolves, TN39 5JB; Time: 4.30pm. Tickets £21. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whiteravenceremonies/2064917?

Saturday 20 June; Summer Solstice Circle. Venue: 145 Willersley Avenue, Sidcup DA15 9EP. Time: 6pm. Tickets: From £11.55. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-solstice-circle-tickets-1988510077170?

Saturday 20 June (date tbc); Summer Solstice Pagan Ceremony Online via Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel. Time: 7pm. Free. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 21 June (closest Sunday to the festival); Pagan Federation Online Summer Solstice Festival. Starts 10am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/paganfederation/events

Sunday 21 June; Druid Fest. Venue: Flopsy Wood, Cock Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8LS. Noon-6pm. Entrance by donation. https://www.facebook.com/HertsEvents

Sunday 21 June (tbc but usually closest Sunday to the festival); Summer Solstice ritual for members of the Woodspirits group. Venue: Highgate, London. Meet from noon for a social then ritual at 2pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4032235040150960

Sunday 21 June; Summer Solstice Picnic with South East London Pagans. Venue: Greenwich Park, South London. Time: 2pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Sunday 21 June; Summer Solstice Shamanic Ceremony with Beáta Alföldi, via the College of Psychic Studies. Online event. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

For activities after these dates please visit my events page.

Green London: Bloomsbury's Secret Gardens

2026-06-09T08:00:00.000+01:00

Here's a view of Montague Street Gardens, which is normally a private secret garden hidden behind buildings in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum. I visited for London Open Gardens weekend, organised by London Parks and Gardens.

It's a really lovely green space with trees, lawns, swirling gravel paths and some great statues. Planting includes evergreen hedging, camellia beds, a pocket meadow and a bee garden supporting pollinators.

I also visited Bedford Square Gardens, also in Bloomsbury, and photographed below.

As it says on the London Parks and Gardens website:

"Built between 1775 and 1786, Bedford Square is London's finest and most complete Georgian squares... Many of the elegant surrounding buildings were once fashionable townhouses, and are now offices. Pre-war iron railings enclose the large oval garden at the centre while shrubberies and mature London plane trees provide screening and shade. A restored summerhouse provides shelter."

London Open Gardens is an annual event, with over 100 green spaces to visit that are normally closed to the public. However, there are still many public parks that are open all year round.

About My Green London Posts

I've been blogging regularly about London's green spaces in an effort to dispel a prevalent myth in the pagan community that it's just all concrete. Even in the City, which is of course heavily built up, there are still places where nature thrives, while Greater London has huge areas of woods, commons, parks and beautiful gardens.

The pictures on this post were all taken by me. Please do not use them without my permission.

Some Previous Links
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/05/green-london-beltane-flowers-on-street.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/07/green-london-ruskin-park-tranquil-gem.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/04/green-london-rookery-streatham-common.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/green-london-plumstead-common-its.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/03/green-london-londons-first-botanical.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/09/green-london-st-alphege-gardens-city.html

Dowsing: I've Shopped For Crystal Pendulums

2026-06-08T08:00:00.000+01:00

I've been shopping for crystal dowsing pendulums for people to use at the dowsing workshop I'm running at Greenoaks festival next weekend. They came with a velvet chart. Here's what they are as they're photographed from left to right, top row to bottom row:

Strawberry quartz: Helps with questions of the heart
Zebra agate: Good for intuition
Peach moonstone: For questions on personal happiness and creativity
Kambaba jasper: For help with grief, anger, and sadness
Red aventurine: Boosts confidence, for help with getting the most out of life
Vesuvianite: For questions to help get over negativity and about the past
Black tourmaline: Helps block unwanted thoughts and insecurity when doing psychic work
Cream moonstone: For questions about creativity, imagination and fertility
Mahogany obsidian: For questions about sex and passion as well as creativity
Banded agate: A good-luck stone that can help with answering difficult questions
Red jasper: Help with questions about your ambitions and goals

I'll be adding these to the ones I already owned. These include ones made from rose quartz which is good for questions about love and friendship, garnet which is associated with passion and confidence, and wood which is grounding.

Greenoaks Gathering

The Greenoaks Gathering runs from Friday, 12 - Sunday 14 June 2026. It's a lovely Pagan gathering in the beautiful Cambridgeshire Fens (picured), at an eco venue. There'll be nusic, talks, workshops (including a couple run by myself on dowsing and poppets), kids activities, and a magickal market. The venue is Hatters Campsite, Second Drove Adelaide, Ely CB7 4UD. Tickets are from £0 – £114.47. Find out more here: https://www.greenoaksgathering.co.uk/

Pagan Portals - Dowsing

My next book in the Pagan Portals series is Dowsing: A Witch’s Guide to Divining with Pendulums and Rods. It's published by Moon Books. This is the description on the website:

"In Pagan Portals - Dowsing Lucya Starza teaches the basics of using pendulums, rods, and the tingles in your fingers to find what you are looking for, whether that falls within the elemental categories of earth, air, fire, and water, or the boundless remit of the realm of spirit."

The book is due to reach shops early in 2027 but can already be pre-ordered.

You can view Pagan Portals - Dowsing on Amazon.

(Please note: I earn commission from some links)

Previous Related Posts

https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/03/revealing-cover-of-my-next-book-dowsing.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/06/my-witchy-events-charms-dowsing-dolls.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/11/i-bought-pendulum-at-college-of-psychic.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/10/using-pendulum-as-divination-to-make.html

Rounding the Year: Bees and Blackberry Blossom

2026-06-05T08:00:57.448+01:00

While walking down my street this week I saw this patch of blackberry brambles in blossom being visited by dozens of bees. You should be able to spot three in the photo. Earlier in the day, a friend in another country had posted a picture she'd taken of ripe fruit on a blackberry bush. It reminded me how seasonal changes vary throughout the world.

This is one of the reasons I prefer to celebrate what I can see happening in nature around me rather than stick to a fixed structure of eight pagan wheel of the year festivals.

What's in flower or fruit in your area?

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/2026/04/rounding-year-helping-birds-in-nesting.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/02/rounding-year-daffodils-narcissus.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/03/springtime-camellias.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/01/rounding-year-flower-of-love-hope-or.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-too-soon-for-silver-birch.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/03/rounding-year-damson-blossom-green-buds.html

Customs: Summerween - Festival or Fakelore?

2026-06-04T08:00:00.000+01:00

I've not seen the movie Gravity Falls, but apparently it started a tradition called Summerween. In the film, the residents of a fictional American town love Halloween so much they celebrate in a similar way on June 22nd or the nearest Friday. They make melon lanterns instead of using pumpkins and tell spooky stories suitable for midsummer rather than summer's end.

I had no idea this had become something people actually celebrated - or at least were encouranged to celebrate by retailers - until I got sent a press release saying:

"Summerween brings a spooky edge to the sunnier months, blending long summer days with horror-movie nostalgia and playful gothic details. First introduced in Gravity Falls, the fictional celebration has since grown into a moment of its own, helped along by the many cult horror stories set around summer camps, road trips and lakeside escapes."

I was also sent the picture and links to where you can get those things and others like it. The image includes a spiderweb cushion from the Range, which I admit I like although I have sufficient spooky cushions already. There are also some appealing witchy mugs. If I didn't already have enough of them too, I might have bought Emma Bridgewater's Wise Witches Mug.

I'll admit I'm a sucker for most things Gothic, but I'm not a fan of anything overly commercialised. Some of that plastic in the photo above makes me cringe. How much of it will go straight into landfill after a party?

What do you think?

So, what do you think? Is this an interesting contemporary custom, in which a film has become modern folklore, or is it just commercialised fakelore to be shunned and discouraged?

Would you hold a Summerween party and tell ghost stories in the days - or nights - after Summer Solstice? Are you tempted to watch Gravity Falls if you haven't already? Will you be getting out the Halloween decor?

Please leave a comment.