London Fortean Society

The Golden Dawn and the Arts Tuesday 29 September 2026   The history and practices of the Victorian magical society known as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn have been written about for decades. But while its temples were formally spaces to study magic, author Dr Felix John Taylor ( The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: Magic Arts and the Occult Revival ) approaches the history of the Golden Dawn through the lens of its artistic and literary members, viewing the Order more as an arts club or society of writers (see Fortean Times 474: 36). Political schisms and sex scandals ensured that it was short-lived, yet for many members its occult practices came to shape their work and influence the wider culture over a much longer period. Date: Tuesday 29 September 2026 Time: 8pm (Doors 7.30) Venue: the Bell, 50 Middlesex Street E1 7EX  (Tubes: Liverpool Street, Aldgate, Aldgate East) Tickets: £5/£3  https://wegottickets.com/f/26030  

Dr. Thomas Waters, author of Magick: Decoding the Visual Culture of Spells, Illusions and Psychic Powers, uncovers key features of magic through stone age symbols, lavish spellbooks, twisted figurines, and enchanted weapons. Friday 4 September 2026 7 pm - 8.30 pm Book in advance: • £15 • £10 Student • £8 Living Support (plus booking fee). Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL Getting to Conway Hall Explore the nature and history of magic through an illustrated talk by Imperial College historian Dr. Thomas Waters . Stone Age symbols. Lavish spellbooks. Twisted figurines. Enchanted weapons.  Using remarkable objects, Dr. Waters uncovers key features of magic and explains why it has enchanted people since the dawn of humanity. Spanning prehistory to the present, the talk is based on Dr. Waters’ new illustrated study, M agick: Decoding the Visual Culture of Spells, Illusions and Psychic Powers (Thames & Hudson, 2026).  This inclusive event aims to welcome, entert...

  The Hidden Road To Self-Help Tuesday 25 August 2026   A global multi-billion industry, the world of Self-Help guidance and advice feels an inescapable part of life in the 21st century. Although many of its advocates suggest its origins lie in timeless practices and ancient belief systems, Ross MacFarlane shows that developments in the late 19th century – in communications technology, new religious movements and the occult revival – are key to our understanding of Self-Help. Whilst this talk can’t guarantee personal growth or a more fulfilling life, it will leave you with a greater understanding of the origins of the movement, introduce you to some of its more ‘colourful’ adherents and outline its direct influence on President Donald J Trump… Date: Tuesday 25 August 2026 Time: 8pm (Doors 7.30) Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street E1 7EX (Tubes: Liverpool Street, Aldgate, Aldgate East) Tickets:  £5/£3 https://wegottickets.com/f/23936      

  Still to come this year at the Bell  25 August – Ross MacFarlane – The Hidden Road To Self-Help 29 September – Dr Felix Taylor – The Golden Dawn and the Arts 27 October – Jerry Glover – Ancient Mysteries and Magic in the Balkans  24 November – John Constable – The History of Crossbones Late December – ’Twixt Xmas & NY: Fortean Drinks (TBA) Tickets for these talks are on sale 5-6 weeks before each event with full details on our flyers, on this blog and on our FB page The Bell 50 Middlesex Street E1 7EX (Tubes: Liverpool Street, Aldgate, Aldgate East)  Meetings are on the last Tuesday of the month and start at 8pm (doors 7.30)   Sign up for our newsletter at https://t.co/QgdLPmlFkM Fortean discussion at https://bsky.app/profile/forteanlondon.bsky.social Find details and order tickets for all London Fortean Society events via http://forteanlondon.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/LondonForteanSociety  

Tuesday 28 July 2026 The Highgate Vampire We explore the series of events that occurred at London’s Highgate Cemetery between 1968 and 1970 and the media furore that surrounded them. We look at the two main characters involved in drawing media attention to the cemetery during the height of the witchcraft revival in the UK, and the links with black magic and the occult, and discuss the aftermath and the cultural connections that this unique event inspired. Filmmaker Gary Parsons guides us through the tombs and catacombs to give a sense of how the Highgate Vampire stirred the British public into becoming hunters of the undead. Date: Tuesday 28 July 2026 Time: 8pm (Doors 7.30) Venue: The Bell 50 Middlesex Street E1 7EX (Tubes: Liverpool Street, Aldgate, Aldgate East) Tickets: £5/£3 https://wegottickets.com/f/22872    

The Levitating Hamster and the Salmon of Doubt Tuesday 30 June 2026     Animals contribute hugely to science but are rarely considered stars of the show. Even when a piece of research makes us laugh (and then think) hard enough to be recognised with an Ig Nobel award, the real heroes – the animals themselves – are often overlooked. Science communicator and host of Science in the Pub, Richard Marshall , has collected some of the funniest, quirkiest and most bizarre stories of animals in science, asking: Can a hamster levitate? Does a salmon emote? Did herring inspire a Doctor Who spoof? And just why are there so many cats in science? Date: Tuesday 30 June 2026 Time: 8pm (Doors 7.30) Venue: The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street E1 7EX (Tubes: Liverpool Street, Aldgate, Aldgate East) Tickets: £5/£3 https://wegottickets.com/f/21077