Online: Miracles of Our Own Making – A History of Paganism

7.15pm for 7.30pm Tuesday 12 May 2020
Online event in partnership with Conway Hall
Prebook Tickets. Our friends and partners at Conway Hall are a charity so do please add a donation when registering for a ticket. Please give what you can.
This event will be on Zoom, a link will be emailed to attendees on the day. 
Facebook event page (Jooooin us.)

Hasting Jack-in-the-Green Photo: Duncan Price

Miracles of Our Own Making is a historical overview of magic in the British Isles, from the ancient peoples of Britain to the rich and cosmopolitan landscape of contemporary paganism. We explore the beliefs of the Druids, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, the alchemy of the Elizabethan Court and the witch trials. We encounter grimoires, ceremonial magic and the Romantic revival of arcane deities. The influential and well known – the Golden Dawn, Wicca and figures such as Aleister Crowley – are considered alongside the everyday ‘cunning folk’ who formed the magical fabric of previous centuries.

Ranging widely across literature, art, science and beyond, Liz Williams debunks many of

the prevailing myths surrounding magical practice, past and present, while offering a rigorously researched and highly accessible account of what it means to be a pagan today.

Liz Williams holds a PhD in the History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge and is a widely published writer and journalist. She lives in Glastonbury, where she co-owns a witchcraft shop, and where she also lectures in creative writing.

This talk will be held online using the Zoom application (available for PC, Mac, iOS and Android). A link to join the talk will be sent to ticket holders around one hour before the event starts.

7.15pm for 7.30pm Tuesday 12 May 2020
Online event in partnership with Conway Hall
Prebook Tickets. Our friends and partners at Conway Hall are a charity so do please add a donation when registering for a ticket. Please give what you can.
This event will be on Zoom, a link will be emailed to attendees on the day. 
Facebook event page (Jooooin us.)

Shapeshifters: A History Online Event!

7.15pm for 7.30pm Wednesday 15 April 2020
Online event in partnership with Conway Hall
Prebook Tickets. We are requesting £3 or more donation for us and for Conway Hall Ethical Society. 

There is something about a shapeshifter – a person who can transform into an animal – that captures our imagination; that causes us to want to howl at the moon, or flit through the night like a bat. Werewolves, vampires, demons and other weird creatures appeal to our animal nature, our dark side, our desire to break free of the bonds of society and proper behaviour. Rituals in early cultures worldwide seemingly allowed shamans, sorcerers, witches and wizards to transform at will into animals and back again.

Today there are millions of people who believe that shapeshifters walk among us and may even be world leaders. Real or imaginary, shapeshifters lurk deep in our psyches and remain formidable cultural icons. The myths and magic surrounding shapeshifters are brought vividly to life in John B. Kachuba’s compelling and original cultural history. Featuring a fantastic and ghoulish array of examples from history, literature, film, tv and computer games, Shapeshifters explores our secret desire to become something other than human.


Shapeshifters: A History will be available to buy on the night.

John B. Kachuba is an award-winning author and Creative Writing instructor at Ohio University. He has investigated over one hundred haunted locations around the world and his books include Ghosthunters (2007) and Dark Entry (2018).

7.15pm (7.30pm start) Wednesday 15 April 2020

Online event in partnership with Conway Hall

Prebook Tickets. We are requesting £3 or more donation for us and for Conway Hall Ethical Society.