Rounding the Year: English Bluebells in Early May

Here are English bluebells, which I photographed this weekend at the Arlington Bluebell Walk in Sussex.

Bluebells are a quintessential May flower. In England the native species is sadly hybridising with non-native Spanish ones, so English bluebells are getting rare. One way to tell the difference is that in English bluebells the flower stem droop to one side and almost all the flowers are on one side of the stem. Spanish bluebells are more upright with flowers all the way round it. 

Share your seasonal photos!

I'm inviting people to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or 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 or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear
  

Where to find my book

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 the book on Amazon and find it at estoeric bookshops or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

(Note: I earn commission from some links.)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-too-soon-for-silver-birch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/rounding-year-sharing-seasonal-pictures.html

Rounding the Year: Time to Get Out & Smell the Lilac

The beautiful photo of lilac in bloom at the top of this post was taken by my witchy friend Jane Mortimer. She sent it to me with the message: "Just thought I'd send you a snap I took of the lilac blossom in my back garden before it goes over. It smells absolutely divine, and each time I go out there I just have to bury my nose in it. I wish I could bottle the lovely scent.  The dried flowers don't smell anything like as good as when they're fresh, so I just have to accept that lilac blossom is one of the fleeting pleasures of April!"

I replied: "Just the other day I was walking through my local park and stopped to enjoy the scent of lilac growing there!" 

You can see it on the right in the photo I took, but I think smelling spring flowers can be even more lovely than seeing them. In fact, lilac scent is said to help raise the spirits and alleviate depression. I can well believe it. Artificial perfume just doesn't compete. 

Lilac in folklore and mythology

In Greek mythology, lilac is associated with sound too, as the branches can be hollowed out and turned into pan-pipes, as used by the god of nature: Pan.

You can use lilac flowers in love spells, both to attract a new love and revive an old one. However, in parts of Eastern Europe, lilac is commonly picked to adorn rooms in times of mourning and at funerals,  perhaps because they symbolise remembering loved ones who have passed on.

What's in bloom in your area? Is it early or on time this year? 

Share your seasonal photos!

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or 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 or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

Where to find my book

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

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-new-leaf-buds-at-spring.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/07/spells-making-peace-dust-from-foraged.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/09/the-triple-tree-seeing-and-hearing.html

Rounding the Year: Too Soon For Silver Birch Catkins?

My silver birch tree has new leaves and catkins. I'd normally be delighted at this sign of spring, but actually it worries me a bit because it's a month earlier than it was a decade ago. We're still in March, but my post for April 25 in 2013 showed the same tree in this stage of budding.  You can find that post here.

What's in bloom in your area? Is it early or on time this year? 

Share your seasonal photos!

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or 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 or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear
  

Where to find my book

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

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-new-leaf-buds-at-spring.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/spring-spellcraft-growing-herbs.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/spring-herb-lore-greater-periwinkle-or.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-flowers-birds-pancakes.html

Rounding the Year: New Leaf Buds at the Spring Equinox

One of the things I find most joyful at the spring equinox is the sight of new leaf buds on trees. The photo at the top shows the first green leaves on the horse chestnut tree in my local park. 

When I was a child, my mum and I would go down the garden to cut sticky buds from the massive horse chestnut tree at the end. They're called "sticky buds" because they're covered with a protective natural adhesive that keeps the buds safe all winter and allows the new leaves to form a bit earlier than those of some other trees. You can just see the brown, sticky remains of the bud scales below the leaves in the picture.

Mum and I would carry our bunch of twigs indoors and put them in a vase of water to watch the leaves unfurl indoors. It seemed magical then, and it still seems part the seaon's enchantment to me now. I no longer live in a house with a horse chestnut tree, but I went into my garden yesterday and pruned a few sycamore twigs and put them in a vase for my spring equinox altar. (There's a sycamore bud photo to the left)

I've seen a lot of memes shared about flowers suitable for an altar at this time of year, including daffodils, primroses and blossom. They are beautiful springtime blooms, but I think leaf buds are just as perfect. 

On the subject of memes, I thought I'd also mention that I've seen some very unseasonal flowers suggested for spring equinox altars too. My advice is always to go outside and have a look for yourself to see what's in bloom in your area rather than just relying on information shared on social media.

Share your seasonal photos!

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or 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 or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

Where to Find my Book

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

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/spring-spellcraft-growing-herbs.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/spring-herb-lore-greater-periwinkle-or.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-flowers-birds-pancakes.html

Magical Online & London Events over the Equinox

The equinox is next Wednesday, 20 March. The day and night will be equal and it is a celebration of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. There are magical events taking place from now onwards, and here's a list of online and in-person things to do. I generally list events in the UK, especially in or near London because that's where I live, but some are a bit further afield.

Now - 2 June; Rediscovering Gems - Exhibition of gems depicting deities, mythology and more. Venue: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Free entry. https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/rediscovering-gems

Now - 4 April;  Exhibition - Swedenborg’s Lusthus.  Venue: Swedenborg House, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Tickets free but reserve a place https://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

Now - 17 March, Elemental Art Exhibition by Chelsea Gallery. Venue: King's Road, London SW3 5EZ. Free. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/elemental-art-exhibition-tickets-837314619567?

Every Wednesday and Friday: Pop-In Days at the College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am - 4pm. Free, just pop in. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk

Wednesday, 13 March (every Wednesday); Live Chat hosted by Rachel Patterson, author of the Gods and Goddesses of England and the Kitchen Witch series of books. Time: 9am. Free. https://www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks/

Wednesday, 13 March (and other days this week); Admission to the The Viktor Wynd Museum of UnNatural History. Venue: 11 Mare Street, London, E8 4RP. Various times from 3pm. Tickets from £6.72 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/admission-mar24-viktor-wynd-museum-of-curiosities-unnatural-history-tickets-741978466567?

Wednesday 13 March (usually 2nd Wed each month); Enfield Town Circle Moot. Venue: Crown and Horsehoes, Enfield  Time: 6pm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EnfieldTownCircle/

Wednesday 13 March; Space for Storytelling. Venue: The Bridge St John, Waterloo. Time: 6.30pm.  Free (crowdfunded) workshops guest-hosted by Niall Moorjani with London Dreamtime. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/space-for-storytelling-crowdfunded-workshops-free-to-access-tickets-678030446317 or https://www.londondreamtime.com/calendar/

Wednesday, 13 March (and other dates); Witches and Witchcraft History - Pay What You Can Walking Tour by Wonders of London. Meet outside the exit of Tower Hill Station by Trinity Square Gardens, Tower Hill Station, London EC3N 1JL. Time: 6pm  Tickets by donation https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/witches-witchcraft-history-pay-what-you-can-walking-tour-london-tickets-687827950917?

Wednesday 13 March;  Icelandic Folk Magic - Launch Event. Albert Bjorn Shiell talks Icelandic folk sorcery on the sofa, hosted by our Christina Oakley Harrington, followed by party. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £10/£20 per person.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Wednesday 13 March; Monthly Astrology Circle. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £37. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Wednesday 13 March; The Yellow Nineties Book Launch by Catherine Fisher. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, London WC1A 1LY. Time: 7pm. Tickets: tbc. https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday, 13 March (every Wednesday); Feeling Sound Bath. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £15.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Wednesday, 13 March; Online weekly drop-in Tarot Circle via Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £27.80. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Wednesday 13 March;  The Psychology of Coincidences. Talk by Professor Chris French at Greenwich Skeptics in the Pub. Venue: The Star of Greenwich, 60 Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: donations of £3 welcome.  https://sitp.online/sitp/greenwich

Wednesday 13 March; The Beastly Prophet: Aleister Crowley and Thelemic Magick. Talk by Julian Vayne on Zoom through The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Thursday 14 March; Energy Healing and Breathwork. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 8am. Tickets: £18. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Thursday 14 March;  Theosophy - In-person study group. Venue: Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Rd, London · NW1 6XT. Time: 10.30am. Tickets £3 https://www.meetup.com/rudolf-steiner-spiritual-science/events/

Thursday 14 March; 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 14 March; The First Alchemists. Webinar with Tobias Churton via Watkins Bookshop. Time: 5.30pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursday, 14 March; An evening of  candle magic with Rachel Patterson, author of Practical Candle Magic. Venue: Waterstones, 77 High Street Staines-upon-Thames TW18 4PQ. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets from £3. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-rachel-patterson-at-waterstones-staines-tickets-801084373927?

Thursday 14 March (every Thursday); Talk on a paranormal subject for ASSAP members. Time: 7pm. Free event, with Zoom link details emailed out to members. To join ASSAP, for £5 per year, visit https://assap.ac.uk/

Thursday, 14 March; Yoga and Sound Bath. Venue: Beckenham Place Mansion, Place Park, The Mansion Beckenham Beckenham BR3 1SY. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £12. https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/

Thursday, 14 March - 13 April; Lyric Hammersmith Theatre presents the play Faith Healer by Brian Friel. Directed by Rachel O'Riordan. Venue: yric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL. Time: Mon – Sat, 7.30pm. Tickets: £15, £25, £34, £44. https://lyric.co.uk/shows/faith-healer/?

Thursday, 14 March; Celebration and launch of Kester's God-like: A 500-year history of Artificial Intelligence in myths, machines, monsters. Venue: The Bookseller Crow on the Hill, 50 Westow Street, London, SE19 3AF. Time: 7.30pm. Free event, just turn up. https://booksellercrow.co.uk/

Thursday, 14 March; Mind Body Spirit Festival Teaser. Introduction - Rosalind Moody (MBS Programme Manager); Miss Manifesther - Manifesting for Happiness 7.35; Art Giser - NLP 7.45; 

Karen Kay - Fairies and Mermaids 7.55; Amanda Charles - Psychic Psychology 8.05; Donna Noble - Positivity Yoga 8.15.  Starts: 7.30pm. Free online event. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mind-body-spirit-festival-teaser-free-online-event-tickets-857040460087

Thursday, 14 March; Sheela-Na-Gigs: Power, Politics and Sexuality. Talk by Jenny Butler on Zoom through The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Thursday, 14 March; Ancient Places of London. Talk 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.  Turn up on the night or email cunningfolkmusic@gmail.com to book a space.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2438110887/events

Friday 15 March; Goddesses of the British Museum. Walking tour in the British Museum  with Bernadette Valley of The London Goddess Temple. Time: 11am - 4.30pm. Tickets: £44. https://www.facebook.com/events/331086846515731/

Friday 15 March (1st and 3rd Friday each month); The Pagan Portal Podcast by Moon Books. Time: noon (or listen to recording later). Free event. https://open.spotify.com/show/11N4kNj65tTz9NFUcZTMa7?

Friday 15 March;  IRIE! dance theatre: Palaces and Prophecy. Site-specific work inspired by the research of Invisible Palaces. Venue: Upper Terrace, Crystal Palace Park, Anerley Hill gate adjacent to Crystal Palace Museum, SE19 2BA. Time: 5pm. Free, just turn up. 

Friday 15 March; A Brief History of Love. Talk by Liat Yakir. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5.30pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Friday 15 March (and other dates); 2-4-1 London Witches and History Walking Tour. Meet at Southwark View Point, Minerva Square, London SE1 9DF. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £14. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2-4-1-london-witches-history-walking-tour-tickets-852453670877?

Friday 15 March; Mind, Body Restore Online Yoga. Time: 6.15pm. Free online event. https://www.meetup.com/freestuffandfreeevents/

Friday 15 March;  Online Meditation Session. Time: 7.30pm. Free online event, but donations welcome. https://www.meetup.com/freestuffandfreeevents

Friday 15 March; Strumpets and Harlots Walking Tour with Maria Beadell's organised by Treadwell's Bookshop. Meet at Covent Garden Tube Station, Long Acre, London WC2E 9JT. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £18.50. https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Saturday 16 March; Quest Annual Conference. Organised by Marian Green, editor of Quest magazine. Venue: Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Bristol BS3 1QC. Tickets: £35. 

http://www.magicalquest.co.uk/conference.html

Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March; Experience Braco's Gaze: Small Intimate Sessions. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Various times. Tickets: from £30. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 16 March; Walking in the footsteps of your year, at this Ostara Solar Festival. Sacred walk. Starts at: London Stone (TBC prior to the walk), 111 Cannon Street London EC4N 5AR. Time: 10am. Tickets: £25. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/jeremy-rye-31055883021

Saturday 16 March; Spiritual Creatives - Saturday Social (Online Chat). Time: 11am. Free event. https://www.meetup.com/spiritualcreatives/events/299259288/

Saturday 16 March; Sacred Sweat Lodge for Spring Equinox. Venue: Shamanic Centre Caer Corhrain Kent. Run by Lynn Gosney. Time: 11.30am. Tickets tbc, email lynn.gosney@hotmail.com for info and to book. https://www.facebook.com/shamaniccentrecaercorhrain/

Saturday 16 March; Poppet workshop based on my book Pagan Portals - Poppets and Magical Dolls. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 1pm. Cost: £22 per person.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Saturday 16 March; Sun Magic. Online workshop with Rachel Patterson via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £75. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday 16 March; Watchers of the Old Ways Spring Equinox Ceremony. Venue: Rollright Stones, Off A3400, Chipping Norton, OX7 5QB. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £1 entry to stones, £2 donation welcome for ritual. https://www.facebook.com/events/658017606339829/

Saturday 16 March; Spring Equinox Seed Swap. Venue: Hackney Herbal Garden, Trowbridge Rd, London E9 5LD. Time: 2.30pm. Tickets: free https://www.hackneyherbal.com/events

Saturday 16 March; Love Your Body - Harness Positivity. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 3pm. Tickets: £33. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Saturday 16 March; Kitchen Witch free online GROWTH ritual. Time: 7pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/327881919654087?

Sunday 17 March; 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 17 March (and other times and dates); Soul Restore Sound Healing. Venue: The Mandrake, 20-21 Newman Street, London W1T 1PG. Time: 11am. Tickets: £35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-mandrake-17825575648

Sunday 17 March; North West Kent Pagans Moot. Organised by NWK Pagans for members of the group. Venue: Chislehurst Caves. Time: 11am. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445487428816887

Sunday 17 March; Energy Cleanse and Inner Guidance. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 12.30pm. Tickets: £35. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Sunday 17 March; Dawn of the Oak. Pagan moot. Venue: The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon Road/Greville Street, London EC1M 3JF. Time: 3pm. https://www.meetup.com/the-kith-of-the-tree-and-the-well/events/

Sunday 17 March; 30 minutes Mindfullness. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, 3 Pilgrim's Place, London NW3 1NG. Time: 6pm. Free, but donations welcome. https://www.rosslynhillchapel.org.uk

Sunday 17 March; Evening Service: Ostara 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 17 and 24 March; Roleplaying the Occult Imagination.  2-Session Workshop with Peter Bebergal and Gareth Branwyn. Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £40 per person.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Sunday 17 March; Rosarium Philosophorum and the Ripley Scrolls. Talk by Prof Evans Lansing Smith on Zoom through The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 18 to 21 March; Unlock the Secrets of Card Reading challenge. Free online event with Hay House. https://experience.hayhouseu.com/certifiedcardreader-challenge-index/?

Monday 18 March; New Moon Lunar Magic in Pisces – Sound Bath with Nicole Bettencourt Coelho; Venue: Treadwell's Bookshop, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. Time: 7pm. Cost: £30 per person.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/ or reserve a place by visiting the shop.

Monday 18 March; Dark Fairy Tales From Around The World. Talk with Viktor Wynd. Venue: The Viktor Wynd Museum of UnNatural History, 11 Mare Street, London, E8 4RP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets £20. https://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum/events-exhibitions/

Monday 18 March; Pagan Paths Through the Dark Times. Workshop with Dr Rebecca Beattie, author of Nature Mystics, Wheel of the Year and Planetary Magic, via Treadwells Online, delayed viewing available. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Monday 18 March; Jupiter/Uranus Conjunction, with Smiljana Gavrancic (7pm); The Olympian Family, with Jessica Adams pt 2 (8pm). Two online talks on astrology via the Astrological Lodge of London. Tickets £12 per talk for non members. https://astrolodge.co.uk/

Monday 18 March; Your Mind Lives In The World. Online talk by Dr Roger Nelson hosted by the Society for Psychical Research. Time 8pm. Tickets £5 non members https://www.spr.ac.uk/

Monday 18 March; Hulders, Witches and Bitches. Talk by Lena Heide-Brennand on Zoom through The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Monday 18 March (every Monday); Crimson Circles. Livestream by Halo Quin, author of Crimson Craft. Time: 8pm. Tickets: various options including Patreon membership. https://www.facebook.com/groups/crimsoncoven/

Monday 18 March (every Monday); Tea With a Druid. Free online event by the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Time 8pm. https://druidry.org/

Tuesday 19 March (and other dates); Viktor Wynd's Guided Tour of His Museum plus a Devil's Botany Absinthe. Venue: The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, 11 Mare Street, London, E8 4RP. Time: 6pm. Tickets from £16 , includes a drink. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/viktor-wynds-guided-tour-of-his-museum-a-devils-botany-absinthe-tickets-492386570487?

Tuesday 19 March; Empower Your Potential with Spirit-Inspired Art. Online workshop with June-Elleni Laine via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 6pm. Tickets: £75. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Tuesday 19 March; Sacred Sound Healing. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £38.62. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Tuesday, 19 March; Spring Equinox Sister Circle. Venue: Secret Location Near Alexandra Palace, London N22. Time: 7pm-9pm. Tickets:  £27.80 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-equinox-sister-circle-tuesday-19th-march-7pm-9pm-tickets-816438739247

Tuesday 19 March; Spring Equinox Celebration with South East London Pagans Moot. Venue: One Tree Hill, London SE23. Time: 7pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7046502195365834

Tuesday 19 March; Spring Equinox Cacao Ceremony. Venue: The Mandrake, 20-21 Newman Street, London W1T 1PG. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-mandrake-17825575648

Tuesday 19 March (tbc but usually third Tuesday each month); Witches of London Gathering with Children of Artemis. Venue: Cittie of Yorke, 22 High Holborn, London WC1V 6BN. Time: 7.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/childrenofartemis

Tuesday 19 March; An introduction to Thelemic Magick Workshop. Start of 2 week online course with Julian Vayne on Zoom through The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £17.09. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Wednesday 20 March; Druid Order Public Spring Equinox Ceremony at the entrance to the Tower of London. Time: noon. Free, just turn up. (To meet the druids before, they will be assembling at The Ship, 3 Hart Street, off Mark Lane, London EC3R 7NB, from 11am.)

Wednesday 20 March (and other dates); Tea with a Medium. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, London WC1A 1LY. Time: 2.30pm. Tickets: £55. https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Wednesday 20 March; Ostara Celebration with Journalling, Yoga and Sound. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 6.30pm. Tickets: £30. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Wednesday 20 March; Monthly Gathering with Sacred Earth Activism online event. Time: 7pm. Free but donations welcome. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sacred-earth-activism-32557618093

Wednesday 20 March; Learn Marseille Tarot - Course on Major Cards. Start of 4-session course with Adrien Mastrosimone via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start. Tickets: £120. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Wednesday, 20 March; Spring Equinox Live Sound Healing Installation with sound artist Kate Fleur Young. Venue: Arusha Gallery, Percy Street, London, W1T 1D. Time: 7pm   Tickets: £22. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-equinox-live-sound-healing-installation-tickets-827271470237

Wednesday, 20 March; The New Witches Club Beginners Witchcraft Circle Spring Equinox Ceremony. Venue: Soma hŌṃe, 231 Stoke Newington Church Street #Studio 2 and 4 London N16 9HP.  Time: 7pm   Tickets: £28.88 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/desiree-sacred-wise-magick-41151406443

Wednesday 20 March (tbc but usually 3rd Wednesday each month);  The More Mead Moot. Venue: The Hope pub, Carshalton, Surrey. Time: 7.30pm. Free. https://www.facebook.com/Pagan-FutureFests-352385661439366/

Wednesday 20 March (tbc but usually 3rd Wednesday each month); Witches of Zoom CoA Gathering. Free online event. Time: 7.30pm.  https://www.facebook.com/ZoomWitches

Wednesday 20 March; Golden Dawn. Talk by Professor Ronald Hutton on Zoom through The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Wednesday 20 March; Working with Spirit Animals, Power Animals and Totems. Start of 2-session workshop with Scott Alexander King via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 8pm. Tickets: £105. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Wednesday 20 March; Online ritual with Arietta Bryant via The Crafty Witch. Free livestreamed event, with replay available afterwards. Time: 8pm. https://www.youtube.com/@TheCraftyWitchUK

Wednesday, 20 March; Tibetan Sound Bowl Meditation - online meditation class with Spiritual Tiik. Time: 8.30pm. Tickets from £12.74. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/spiritual-tiik-29294295627 

Thursday 21 March; Celebrating 102 Years of The Atlantis Bookshop with cake and drinks. Venue: The Atlantis Bookshop, 49A Museum St, London WC1A 1LY. Time: All day from 10am. Free, just turn up. https://theatlantisbookshop.com/

Thursday 21 March; "The Science of Weird Shit: Putting Paranormal Claims to the Test". Talk by Chris French. Hybrid event; In-person venue: Goldsmiths, University of London, Lewisham Way, London. Time: 4 pm. The talk is free but ticketed. Tickets from Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/professor-chris-french-putting-paranormal-claims-to-the-test-tickets-823567451417?. Or watch online via a Teams link on this website: https://www.gold.ac.uk/calendar/?id=14881

Thursday 21 March; Austin Osman Spare Biography and Tarot deck. Talk by Phil Baker and Mark Pilkington Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Thursday 21 March; Like Water We Reflect - Feminine Yin. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £35.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Thursday 21 March; Hags: Misogyny and the Middle-Aged Woman with Hadley Freeman and Victoria Smith. Venue: The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 2AY. Time: 7pm. Tickets from £9.99. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hags-misogyny-the-middle-aged-woman-with-hadley-freeman-victoria-smith-tickets-732736674117?

Thursday 21 March (monthly); Online Fertility Circle via Fire and Alchemy. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Thursday 21 March;  A Witch’s Tools - Magical Crowns and Circlets. Class with Hannah Sanders via Treadwells Online. Time: 7pm start, delayed viewing available. Tickets: £10. https://www.treadwells-london.com/events

Thursday 21 March; Rebirth Spring Equinox Energy Attunement. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £45. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Thursday 21 March; Effective Divination. Start of 2-session workshop with Dr Rebecca Beattie via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 7pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Thursday 21 March; PF London Spring Equinox Open Ritual with Ritual in the Tower (Luna Iter) via Pagan Federation London. Venue: Pirate Castle, Gilbey's Wharf Oval Road NW1 7EA London, UK Time: 7.20pm. Entry £8 for PF members, £10 for non-members (cash only). https://www.facebook.com/PaganFederationLondon

Thursday 21 March; A Short Course in Old Norse Cursing by Prof Bernt on Zoom through The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

Thursday 21 March (tbc); Online Spring Equinox Ritual with Cunning Folk. Online event. Time: 10pm. Price: Free. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cunning-folk-7829505560

Friday, 22 March;  Shamanic Drums and 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, 22 March; Charmed - Wellcome Collection Amulet Takoever Day. Lecturers, talks, storytelling and workshops on amulets from 10.30am-5.30pm. Events for adults and children.  I will be running a crafting workshop to make a Brigid's Cross or a Corn Dolly. Free, just pop in. Venue: 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. https://wellcomecollection.org/events/ZcNj2RAAAB8AJsFC

Friday 22 March; Moon Shadows Slavic folk tales. Talk by  Zdenko Bašić. Venue: Watkins Bookshop, London, 19-21 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ, UK. Time: 5pm. Free but reserve a place https://www.watkinsbooks.com/events

Saturday, 23 March; Magick, Art and Medicine Conference 2024. Venue: Ryde Castle Hotel, 16 Esplanade, Ryde, PO33 2ED.  Starts 9am. Tickets: £50. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/magick-art-and-medicine-conference-2024-tickets-747939425957?

Saturday, 23 March; Leaping Hare convention 2024. Market, workshops, performances and ritual. Venue: Highwoods Community Centre, Colchester, Essex. Starts 9.30am. Tickets £7.50. https://e-voice.org.uk/leapinghare/  or https://allevents.in/colchester/leaping-hare-2024/200025022432056

Saturday, 23 March; Ostara. Spring Equinox Grandfather Ceremony organised by Aho Studio. In-person event. Venue: Berkeley Farm, a few miles outside London. Time: 10am. Tickets: £180. www.aho.community 

Saturday, 23 March; Wild Witchcraft Conference 2024. Venue: Merchistoun Hall, 106 Portsmouth Road, Horndean PO8 9LJ. Starts 10am. Tickets £27.80. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-witchcraft-conference-saturday-23rd-march-2024-tickets-745545545797?

Saturday, 23 March; Spiritual Sites, Timelines and Ley Lines Central London Tour Morning, organised by Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary. Meet at Embankment station, Embankment Place, London WC2N 6NS. Time: 10.20am or 2.50pm. Tickets: £27.80. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Saturday, 23 March; Perfect Mediumship. In-person workshop with Anthony Kesner. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £115. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday, 23 March; Astrology 202 Diving Deeper. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 11am. Tickets: £37. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Saturday, 23 March;  Wicca Moon's 19th Birthday Tea Party and Easter Bonnet Competition. Venue: Wicca Moon, 50 Well Hall Road, London, SE9 6SH. Time: noon-5pm. Free to pop in, bring your Easter Bonnet if you want to. https://www.facebook.com/events/3474880639434005/

Saturday, 23 March; Amulets and Talismans: An Exploration of Magical Objects. In-person workshop by me, Lucya Starza. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 1pm - 5pm. Tickets: £80/£60. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday, 23 March; The Magic of Mary Magdalene. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £33. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Saturday, 23 March;  Intuitive Tarot Reading Workshop  with Emma Hewitt of Salamay Tarot and Healing Arts. Venue: Neter Maat Centre, Effra Road, London. Time: 2pm. Tickets  £40. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/emma-hewitt-salamay-tarot-healing-arts-38061527643

Saturday, 23 March; Communicating with Plant Spirits and Flower Devas. Online workshop with Nicholas Pearson via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 2pm. Tickets: £80. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Saturday, 23 March; Spring Equinox: Awaken to New Beginnings. Venue: The Lodge Space, 120a Lower Rd, London SE16 2UB. Time: 4pm. Ticket:  £38.62 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/house-of-merkabah-78831443213

Saturday, 23 March;  London Woodland Witches Spring Equinox and Earth Hour Drum Circle with Mani via London Woodland Witches, Wiccans and Pagans. Venue: Queen's Wood, Highgate, North· London. Meet at: 5pm. Tickets: £5 https://www.meetup.com/londonwoodlandwitches/events/

Saturday, 23 March; Crossbones Vigil to honour the outcast dead of Crossbones Graveyard, Southwark. Location: Redcross Way, London, SE1 1TA. Time: 6.45pm for 7pm. Free, just turn up, or attend online via Zoom  Meeting ID: 856 2417 8240, Passcode 377295  http://crossbones.org.uk

Sunday 24 March (and other dates); Community Herbal Healing: Reconnect with nature through local exploration. Venue: The Lodge Space, 120a Lower Road London SE16 2UB. Time: 10am. Tickets:   £16.96. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-herbal-healing-reconnect-with-nature-through-local-exploration-tickets-671394106847?

Sunday 24 March; Urban Shamanic Day Rretreat. Venue: She's Lost Control, 42 Valentine Road, London. Time: 10am. Tickets: £85.  https://sheslostcontrol.co.uk/collections/all-events

Sunday 24 March; Courting the Cards: Understanding Tarot Court Cards. Online workshop with Avril Price via The College of Psychic Studies. Time: 10am. Tickets: £105. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 24 March; Unfurl Your Heart Cacao Ceremony. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 11am. Tickets: £33. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Sunday 24 March;Unlocking the Spiritual Canvas. In-person workshop with June-Elleni Laine. Venue: The College of Psychic Studies, 16 Queensberry Place, London, SW7 2EB. Time: 11am. Tickets: £115. https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/

Sunday 24 March; Druidic Ritual to celebrate the Spring Equinox, 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 24 March; Anderida Gorsedd Spring Equinox 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, 24 March;  Ecstatic Equinox Fire and Dance Ceremony. Venue: Hilly Fields Stone Circle, London SE4 1LD. Time: 3pm. Tickets from £16.96. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ecstatic-equinox-tickets-861677589867?

Sunday 24 March; Ostara Fairy Magic Circle. Venue: Fire and Alchemy Spiritual Sanctuary, 52 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3EP. Time: 4pm. Tickets: £25. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fire-alchemy-58665271283

Sunday 24 March; Peace Fires. Online event or light a candle wherever you are and wish for peace and healling throughout the world. Free.  http://peacefires.org/

Sunday 24 March;  Raymond Buckland’s Wide World of Spirit. Talk by Steven Intermill and Toni Rotonda on Zoom through The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and Last Tuesday Society. Time: 8pm. Tickets · from £6.72. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-viktor-wynd-museum-amp-the-last-tuesday-society-12203346619

For activities after these dates please visit my events page. 

Please note that I am not responsible for the content of 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, this helps support my blog at no extra cost to readers.

Spring Spellcraft: Growing Herbs & Manifesting Wishes

Early March is a great time to sow seeds indoors. Even if you don't have a garden you can grow herbs from seed in pots for your windowsill. 

Here’s a spell you can do to manifest your wishes for the year to come as well as grow some lovely herbs. It uses the energy of spring to boost your magic and empower your intentions. I planted basil because it's associated with prosperity, good health, good luck and abundance, and tastes lovely in pasta sauces and  tomato dishes, but you can use other seeds if you prefer. 

You will need: 

• Seeds (the photo shows my basil seeds)
• A pot, propogator or seed tray plus something to put it on for drainage
• Lightweight potting mixture or compost
• Clear plastic to cover the pot while the seeds germinate. (You can reuse a clear plastic bag).

Put the potting mixture into the pot or seed trays. Sow a few seeds 1inch or 2.5cms apart in big pots or 1 or 2 per tiny pot. 

Here's the Magic!

As you plant your seeds, visualise what you want to manifest in your life. You can say something like: “As I sow these basil seeds, so I plant the seeds of what I wish to manifest in my life.”

Water the seeds, but don’t overwater them. The compost should be damp, not soggy. Visualise pouring your desire and emotional energy into your wish as you do so.

Put the plastic cover over the pot or tray and place it all in a warm, sunny window but out of direct sunlight. Visualise the warmth and light of the sun energising the seed and your wish.

Seeing Results

You should see the seeds sprout in a couple of weeks. You can then transfer them to larger pots, tubs or window boxes. When they’ve grown tall and produced a lot of leaves, harvest a few at a time to use as you desire. Putting them into your cooking or salads adds to the magic, if you grew edible herbs like I have.

You will hopefully experience the benefits of your spell in the weeks or months to come.

Rounding the Year

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity, so please leave a comment or share a photo of what you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns. You can find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author or share on Instagram or X with the tag #RoundingtheYear

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

You can also view Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon. 

(Notes: I earn commission from advertisers for some links, this helps support my blog at no extra cost to readers. This post is for information purposes, it is not medical advice.)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-flowers-birds-pancakes.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/10/spellcraft-making-what-you-desire-come.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/spring-herb-lore-greater-periwinkle-or.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/08/magical-books-treadwells-book-of-plant.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/11/review-green-wiccan-book-of-shadows.html