This week I learnt how to do sliding knots, or slip knots, to fasten jewellery on waxed cotton cord. I made a video showing me using the technique on a crystal pendulum pendant. It is a bit more fiddly than just tying a regular knot, but it creates a fastening that's adjustable and looks neat.  When doing a slip knot it helps to also use a cord-threading needle or a hairgrip or something like the plastic placking clip I use in the video. Here's how to do it: Place both ends of cord along the needle/hairgrip/packing clip, with the eye of the needle or rounded bit of clip towar ..read more

Here's a list of events for pagans, witches and those with similar interests. There are online things you can do anywhere plus in-person talks and workshops in or near London, and some conferences and festivals further afield. Now - 22 June; Making More Mischief: Folk Costume in Britain. Folklore exhibition. Venue:  LCF East Bank, 105 Carpenters Rd, Stratford,  London E20 2AR. Time: 10am - 5pm. Free entry. https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-college-of-fashion/cultural-programme/making-more-mischief Now - 24 May; Exhibition - Pariah Genius: John Deakin, The Psychobi ..read more

Hocus Focus: A Beginner's Guide to Manifestation Through Intention and Spellwork is an excellent book aimed at anyone new to witchcrft. It's by Corinne Marley and I was kindly sent a copy by Summersdale Publishers, Despite being an experienced witch myself, I found it absolutely delightful.  I particularly like that the book emphasises the importance of putting mental energy into spells rather than just treating them like a recipe of ingredients. That's why it has "Focus" in the title and "Manifestation Through Intention" in the subtitle. Setting intentions, focusing on what you wa ..read more

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 c ..read more

Enter the Witch's Forest and you might find gods, ghosts and monsters, magic, charms and natural remedies. Open the pages of the book with that title and you will learn their secrets.  Witch's Forest is the latest in Kew Gardens' series by Sandra Lawrence, published through Welbeck. Here's the description: "There is more folklore, mythology and magic associated with our trees and forests than with any other living things. Known throughout the world as dark and wild places where witches make mischief and eerie creatures dwell, forests are also places of sanctuary for the ancient magic and ..read more

Yesterday I went to follow Fowlers Troop and the Deptford Jack in the Green for their May Day parade. Here you can see Morris dancers and musicians with Jack in the distance at one end of Deptford High Street. It was a lovely day and great fun. The event takes place every year and is so popular that I was asked not to share information about it on my events listing beforehand in case too many people turned up. The organisers can't cope with huge crowds, so limited attendance to those who live locally or have been before. I also took a short video, which I shared to Instagram. You can fin ..read more

Beltane is today, May 1, although the May Day bank holiday is next Monday. Here's a list of talks, workshops, rituals and other events for pagans, witches and those with similar interests over that time. As well as online activities, I also list in-person things taking place in or near London - and a few larger events further afield.   Now - 22 June; Making More Mischief: Folk Costume in Britain. Folklore exhibition. Venue:  LCF East Bank, 105 Carpenters Rd, Stratford,  London E20 2AR. Time: 10am - 5pm. Free entry. https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-colleg ..read more

I drew a tarot card for the world today and Strength appeared. I think it's true to say that many of us are finding we need to draw on our own inner reserves of strength at the moment, because life is tough. However, the Strength card in tarot is generally seen as positive and optimistic. It often shows a lion, which can be fierce, but the animal's potential for violence is tempered by compassion. In the Rider-Waite- Smith deck, a woman is shown stroking the lion and gently opening his mouth. It sometimes gets humorously called the card about giving a cat a pill! That might be intended as a b ..read more

  Here are details of the talks, workshops and other events I'm involved with from now until the end of June. There are talks and workshops on witchcraft, folklore, crafting and psychogeography. May In-Person Workshop on Amulets, Talismans and Charms On Saturday 11 May I'm running an in-person workshop on Amulets, Talismans and Charms at 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.  https://www.treadwells-london.com/  Ps ..read more

  Here's the recording of the online talk and reading I did for the launch of Erosion, my new Gothic novel. It went out on Facebook Live and you can still watch the replay there, but I put it on YouTube and am sharing it here on my blog as well.  I did a book signing at Treadwell's recently and the shop still has a few signed editions left, so if you want one pop in or order online. Treadwell's Bookshop is at 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury London, WC1E 7BS. The website is at https://www.treadwells-london.com/ You can view Erosion on Amazon in both paperback and ebook fo ..read more