☆London Woodland Witches & Pagans

Join us to celebrate BELTANE 2025 in the woods.. with a Pagan Ceremony & Maypole Dance. We'll drum, dance, do magic and have a feast. We will collect all attendees at 2pm from the entrance to Queens' Woods (the entrance on Queen's Wood lane), lead all to our prepared Ritual space, and begin our Beltane Festivities.

About Beltane:

`The veil between the world of men and fairy (or spirit) is said to thin twice a year, at Beltane and at Samhain, which are on opposite points of the year wheel. At Beltane (May eve) the land is at it’s most lush and green, and fertile. If Spring Equinox is the time of fertility and mating in the animal kingdom, then Beltane is one of courting couples making commitment to one another- and Handfastings! In the God-Goddess myths, this is when the playful God is said to commit to the Goddess – which is symbolised by the Sacred Marriage! The Maypole dance that is traditional at this time symbolises the fertile powers of the masculine, penetrating the land, and the ribbons danced and woven around it lock that power! A ring of flower at the tip of the Maypole signifies the feminine. Magical working with the Fay (Fairies) is an important feature at this time, in contrast to the magical work with the departed spirits at Samhain, the opposite point'
(written by Mani for http://www.WitchcraftandMagic.uk )

Please bring food & drinks to share for the feast and social..
Ground sheets will be good to sit on.. .
Wear sensible warm, water proof clothing.. as well as any seasonal decorative items like cloaks, robes, capes, flower crowns..

Entrance ticket: £7 / £5 concessions . CASH collected at start of event.

Venue: Queen's Wood, High Gate.
These events are held in a public Open woods, with rough terrain, and in natural weather conditions .

Meeting point
(please go to this entrance.. NOT the cafe one)

Gather at The entrance to Queen's Woods at 2pm.
(Queen's wood Road, N6 5UU) .
Google map ref: 51.580240, -0.142252
Ritual Team member will come to collect you, and process into the woods, to our ritual space, where Ritual will commence.

** Health: If you feel unwell (even if it's just cough/ cold) please stay at home. There will be plenty of other socials that you can attend in the future. It will be unfair to spread any germs to other people at this festive time.

General conduct & inclusivity:----------

Please be kind, compassionate and on good behaviour throughout the whole gathering. We have a mixture of experienced & beginners at these rituals. Also, some people may have hidden difficulties, vulnerability and disabilities.

• We are inclusive of all race, pagan beliefs, genders, sexuality, LGBTQP+
• We will not tolerate any form of bullying harassment or discrimination.
• While organisers are not experts, we will do our best to safeguard.

What to bring? (optional)--------

• Moon crowns, flower crowns, antler crowns ( real or artifical craft items).
• Ritual cloaks / capes, masks you may like to wear.
• Torch light for safe walking in woods/ riverside at night.
• Extra warm clothing & rain-coats/ outdoor shoes or boots (and ankle covered socks! ).
• Small ground sheet or blanket to sit on for social.
• Lanterns / candles
• Your own Cups/chalice to drink from.

Please bring food & drinks to share ------------

Organisers bring a small amout of food & wine to put on altar and bless to share. Kindly bring some food or drinks to add to the feasting. It can be vegetarian, vegan or meat items. All are okay. Thank you. Example:

• Bread / pitta bread, french bread
• Humus, dips, butter, cheese, biscuits, crisps
• egg bites, ham / chicken slices
• fruits, nuts
• Red/ white wine, soft drinks, fruit juice,

Tidying up:-----

Once ritual is done, many people like to just rush off. However please be helpful by doing the following.

• Take any rubbish out to bins on pavements (empty botles, wrappers, used paper cups. There are recycling bins for botles and cans.
• If there are unopened food items, please share thme out and take them home. Organisers have full bags coming in and can't take these food home, no matter how well your intentions.

Policy at Beltane Maypole Event :----

NO Drugs, NO filming during ritual !
No children at this event, as Beltane ritual explores some themes such as sacred marriage, divine sex etc.

During Maypole dance, some limited photos may be taken, but NO professional photos with DSLR/ No videos for any use in journalism/ publications etc. We aim to create a safe event free from such media intrusion / marketting.
(No we don't need any free media publicity. Thanks!)

Contacting Organiser:
Please send us a private message if you need more info . We get very busy with preparations and travel on the day of ritual. So pls avoid last minute enquiries / comments.
We look forward to sharing our magic with you.

Bright Blessings
-Mani & London Woodland Witches .
----

About Paganism :
Pagans believe in the power of nature, and see the Divine as both male & female- as having many God & Goddess forms. Modern pagan practitioners use belief systems, images and symbols from ancient paths (Celtic, Egyptian, Druids, Witches, Mayans, Native Amerindians, Aborigini, Hindu,Norse and so on). Powers of elements -- air, fire, water, earth, nature spirits, angels, dragons, fairies, spirit animals, ceremonial magic and more are all integrated in modern rituals.

About Wicca:
Wicca, a moder form of Witchcraft religion, was established by Gerald Gardner in late 1950's in England (Gardnerian Wicca), then Alex Saunders (Alexandrian Wicca) with promient contributions from High Priestesses Doreen Valiente (mother of moder wicca) and Maxine Sanders. Wicca has a format of creating sacred space, consecrations, calling 4 elements, energy raising, then invoking Horned Good & moon Goddesses, followed by ritual magic! Wiccans celebrate the 13 full moons (esbats) and the 8-fold seasonal sabats - Imbolc, Spring, Beltane, Midsummer, Lammas, Autumn, Samhain, Yule.

Links --

Join us for our monthly riverside Full Moon ceremony, in Central London. These rituals are suitable for all interested in Paganism, Wicca & Ritual Magic, and Earth-based spirituality. We meet by pavement steps under Millennium Bridge (south bank), walk down to riverbank, then set up altar and do our ritual. There is a mirthful, friendly, social aspect to the meet n greet at start, and also at sharing food & drinks after the ritual. But during ritual, we all observe reverence for worship & magic!

These are Pagan religious rituals - facilitated by Mani (Witch & High Priest ). When organisers are setting up altar, You are encouraged to take 5-10minutes to walk along river bank and steady your mind & emotions .. and prepare for ritual & magic. Once we are ready to start ritual, all gather in a circle around the altar. Mani then offers brief introduction to this ritual - so all attendees can be fully aware and relaxed about the ceremony.

Ritual Outline:-----
Please be magically focused during Introductions & Run-through by facilitators, and during actual ritual! No prior knowledge is required. We facilitate this ceremony, with explanations and guidance. However please attend with an open mind - if this is new for you.

• We start with a brief pathworking - a guidedn visualisation for stillness and energy opening. This involves connecting to the Earth and the moon/ stars, as well as some personal Charkra work (optional).
• This is followed by Wiccan style consecration with blessed salt/water and incense for purification. Each person is blessed with consecrated water & incense.
• Then a magic circle is cast with a wand, and visualisation.. You can visualise a protective Bubble around ritual space for keeping magical energies in during ritual, and as protection for ritual work itself.
• Elements Air, fire, water, earth are called in east, south, west, north. We usually ask a few volunteers to read some of these element invocations.
• We raise group energy with easy chants while circling around or infront of the altar.
• Then call on Moon Goddess & Horned / woodland God energies.
• We then have a moment for some magic/ spell working. This varies each time.
• Feasting & social: We finish the ceremony with communal blessing of all the food & drinks people brought, share some thoughts/ feed-back, then close circle and feast.

Fee: £7 / £5 concessions. (cash at start of event )

Meeting point (please read this carefully):

Gather on the pavement-steps under the the Millennium Bridge (south bank side, near Tate Modern Gallery) . One of our team member will be there with a Lantern to meet you all! We walk down to river bank, set up altar and start ceremony.

Riverside Terrain access / Health & Safety :

• These events are held in a public area by riverbank, with some wet concrete steps going down, and gravel to walk. Ritual spot is about 5-10metres from river Thames' waters edge. We organise these Thames-rituals **at low tide** after checking Port of London authority Tide time tables..
• The venue is NOT suitable for those with mobility, respiratory, heart conditions . Those with health conditions & concerns should check well in advance with Organisers on this matter.
• We regret organisers don't have the manpower to assist anyone attending with mobility or health issues or carrying bags..
• All attendees are responsible for their own well-being and Haelth & safety.

General conduct & inclusivity:----------

Please be kind, compassionate and on good behaviour throughout the whole gathering. We have a mixture of experienced & beginners at these rituals. Also, some people may have hidden difficulties, vulnerability and disabilities.

• We are inclusive of all race, pagan beliefs, genders, sexuality, LGBTQP+
• We will not tolerate any form of bullying harassment or discrimination.
• While organisers are not experts, we will do our best to safeguard.

What to bring? (optional)--------

• Moon crowns, flower crowns, antler crowns ( real or artifical craft items).
• Ritual cloaks / capes, masks you may like to wear.
• Torch light for safe walking in woods/ riverside at night.
• Extra warm clothing & rain-coats/ outdoor shoes or boots (and ankle covered socks! ).
• Small ground sheet or blanket to sit on for social.
• Lanterns / candles
• Your own Cups/chalice to drink from.

Please bring food & drinks to share ------------

Organisers bring a small amout of food & wine to put on altar and bless to share. Kindly bring some food or drinks to add to the feasting. It can be vegetarian, vegan or meat items. All are okay. Thank you. Example:

• Bread / pitta bread, french bread
• Humus, dips, butter, cheese, biscuits, crisps
• egg bites, ham / chicken slices
• fruits, nuts
• Red/ white wine, soft drinks, fruit juice,

Tidying up:-----
Once ritual is done, many people like to just rush off. However please be helpful by doing the following.

• Take any rubbish out to bins on pavements (empty botles, wrappers, used paper cups. There are recycling bins for botles and cans.
• If there are unopened food items, please share thme out and take them home. Organisers have full bags coming in and can't take these food home, no matter how well your intentions.

Policy:-----
NO Drugs, NO filming during ritual ! No children allowed. Our events are for members' personal, magical, spiritual purposes only!

Contacting Organiser:
Please send us a private message if you need more info . We get very busy with preparations and travel on the day of ritual. So pls avoid last minute enquiries / comments.

We look forward to sharing our magic with you.

Bright Blessings
-Mani & London Woodland Witches .

----
About Paganism :
Pagans believe in the power of nature, and see the Divine as both male & female- as having many God & Goddess forms. Modern pagan practitioners use belief systems, images and symbols from ancient paths (Celtic, Egyptian, Druids, Witches, Mayans, Native Amerindians, Aborigini, Hindu,Norse and so on). Powers of elements -- air, fire, water, earth, nature spirits, angels, dragons, fairies, spirit animals, ceremonial magic and more are all integrated in modern rituals.

About Wicca:
Wicca, a moder form of Witchcraft religion, was established by Gerald Gardner in late 1950's in England (Gardnerian Wicca), then Alex Saunders (Alexandrian Wicca) with promient contributions from High Priestesses Doreen Valiente (mother of moder wicca) and Maxine Sanders. Wicca has a format of creating sacred space, consecrations, calling 4 elements, energy raising, then invoking Horned Good & moon Goddesses, followed by ritual magic! Wiccans celebrate the 13 full moons (esbats) and the 8-fold seasonal sabats - Imbolc, Spring, Beltane, Midsummer, Lammas, Autumn, Samhain, Yule.

Links --

Join us for our monthly riverside Full Moon ceremony, in Central London. These rituals are suitable for all interested in Paganism, Wicca & Ritual Magic, and Earth-based spirituality. We meet by pavement steps under Millennium Bridge (south bank), walk down to riverbank, then set up altar and do our ritual. There is a mirthful, friendly, social aspect to the meet n greet at start, and also at sharing food & drinks after the ritual. But during ritual, we all observe reverence for worship & magic!

These are Pagan religious rituals - facilitated by Mani (Witch & High Priest ). When organisers are setting up altar, You are encouraged to take 5-10minutes to walk along river bank and steady your mind & emotions .. and prepare for ritual & magic. Once we are ready to start ritual, all gather in a circle around the altar. Mani then offers brief introduction to this ritual - so all attendees can be fully aware and relaxed about the ceremony.

Ritual Outline:-----
Please be magically focused during Introductions & Run-through by facilitators, and during actual ritual! No prior knowledge is required. We facilitate this ceremony, with explanations and guidance. However please attend with an open mind - if this is new for you.

• We start with a brief pathworking - a guidedn visualisation for stillness and energy opening. This involves connecting to the Earth and the moon/ stars, as well as some personal Charkra work (optional).
• This is followed by Wiccan style consecration with blessed salt/water and incense for purification. Each person is blessed with consecrated water & incense.
• Then a magic circle is cast with a wand, and visualisation.. You can visualise a protective Bubble around ritual space for keeping magical energies in during ritual, and as protection for ritual work itself.
• Elements Air, fire, water, earth are called in east, south, west, north. We usually ask a few volunteers to read some of these element invocations.
• We raise group energy with easy chants while circling around or infront of the altar.
• Then call on Moon Goddess & Horned / woodland God energies.
• We then have a moment for some magic/ spell working. This varies each time.
• Feasting & social: We finish the ceremony with communal blessing of all the food & drinks people brought, share some thoughts/ feed-back, then close circle and feast.

Fee: £7 / £5 concessions. (cash at start of event )

Meeting point (please read this carefully):

Gather on the pavement-steps under the the Millennium Bridge (south bank side, near Tate Modern Gallery) . One of our team member will be there with a Lantern to meet you all! We walk down to river bank, set up altar and start ceremony.

Riverside Terrain access / Health & Safety :

• These events are held in a public area by riverbank, with some wet concrete steps going down, and gravel to walk. Ritual spot is about 5-10metres from river Thames' waters edge. We organise these Thames-rituals **at low tide** after checking Port of London authority Tide time tables..
• The venue is NOT suitable for those with mobility, respiratory, heart conditions . Those with health conditions & concerns should check well in advance with Organisers on this matter.
• We regret organisers don't have the manpower to assist anyone attending with mobility or health issues or carrying bags..
• All attendees are responsible for their own well-being and Haelth & safety.

General conduct & inclusivity:----------

Please be kind, compassionate and on good behaviour throughout the whole gathering. We have a mixture of experienced & beginners at these rituals. Also, some people may have hidden difficulties, vulnerability and disabilities.

• We are inclusive of all race, pagan beliefs, genders, sexuality, LGBTQP+
• We will not tolerate any form of bullying harassment or discrimination.
• While organisers are not experts, we will do our best to safeguard.

What to bring? (optional)--------

• Moon crowns, flower crowns, antler crowns ( real or artifical craft items).
• Ritual cloaks / capes, masks you may like to wear.
• Torch light for safe walking in woods/ riverside at night.
• Extra warm clothing & rain-coats/ outdoor shoes or boots (and ankle covered socks! ).
• Small ground sheet or blanket to sit on for social.
• Lanterns / candles
• Your own Cups/chalice to drink from.

Please bring food & drinks to share ------------

Organisers bring a small amout of food & wine to put on altar and bless to share. Kindly bring some food or drinks to add to the feasting. It can be vegetarian, vegan or meat items. All are okay. Thank you. Example:

• Bread / pitta bread, french bread
• Humus, dips, butter, cheese, biscuits, crisps
• egg bites, ham / chicken slices
• fruits, nuts
• Red/ white wine, soft drinks, fruit juice,

Tidying up:-----
Once ritual is done, many people like to just rush off. However please be helpful by doing the following.

• Take any rubbish out to bins on pavements (empty botles, wrappers, used paper cups. There are recycling bins for botles and cans.
• If there are unopened food items, please share thme out and take them home. Organisers have full bags coming in and can't take these food home, no matter how well your intentions.

Policy:-----
NO Drugs, NO filming during ritual ! No children allowed. Our events are for members' personal, magical, spiritual purposes only!

Contacting Organiser:
Please send us a private message if you need more info . We get very busy with preparations and travel on the day of ritual. So pls avoid last minute enquiries / comments.

We look forward to sharing our magic with you.

Bright Blessings
-Mani & London Woodland Witches .

----
About Paganism :
Pagans believe in the power of nature, and see the Divine as both male & female- as having many God & Goddess forms. Modern pagan practitioners use belief systems, images and symbols from ancient paths (Celtic, Egyptian, Druids, Witches, Mayans, Native Amerindians, Aborigini, Hindu,Norse and so on). Powers of elements -- air, fire, water, earth, nature spirits, angels, dragons, fairies, spirit animals, ceremonial magic and more are all integrated in modern rituals.

About Wicca:
Wicca, a moder form of Witchcraft religion, was established by Gerald Gardner in late 1950's in England (Gardnerian Wicca), then Alex Saunders (Alexandrian Wicca) with promient contributions from High Priestesses Doreen Valiente (mother of moder wicca) and Maxine Sanders. Wicca has a format of creating sacred space, consecrations, calling 4 elements, energy raising, then invoking Horned Good & moon Goddesses, followed by ritual magic! Wiccans celebrate the 13 full moons (esbats) and the 8-fold seasonal sabats - Imbolc, Spring, Beltane, Midsummer, Lammas, Autumn, Samhain, Yule.

Links --

Night of the Cradle is an ancient Egyptian Ceremony honouring the Birth of Goddess Isis. Join us on this Cancerian (water sign) New moon ritual by the shores of river Thames, in Central London - for our 13th annual Isis Ritual - where we invoke the Sky Goddess Nut, and enact a ritual birth of Isis. A statue is then annointed and bathed in milk and with ritual offerings. We will be focusing on magical work for Life (Ankh). These are good open rituals for all beginners to Paganism, as well as Wicca & ritual magic. Ritual facilitated by Mani - wiccan High Priest.

Mythology & context:

In Egyptian religious myths, the Sky Goddess Nuit & Earth God Geb come together to bear 4 children.. Isis is one of them and thee most revered Goddess in ancient Egypt. The night that Nuit gave birth to Isis is called the `Night of the Cradle' - and we have celebrated those annually as special rituals. This time we are holding a new moon to do this. The myth is that Isis married Osiris and was a dedicated loyal wife. However when Osiris was killed by Set out of jealousy, Isis embarked on some hard quests to bring her husband back to life. Osiris was resurrected and then became god of the egyptian underworld.

In this ritual we honour Nuit & Isis, and seek her blessings .

Ritual involves pathworking for energy attunement, consecrations, circle casting, calling of elemental quarters, then calling quarters using egyptian words.. Then there follows some Isis-honouring invocations, and when enough energy is raised, we get to magical work.

Event concludes with blessing of food & drinks, and a short social (and packing up / tidying up). End time is approximate.

Attendance Fee:
£7 / £5 concessions (cash at ritual start)

Meeting point (please read this carefully):

Gather on the pavement-steps under the the Millennium Bridge (south bank side, near Tate Modern Gallery) . One of our team member will be there with a Lantern to meet you all! We walk down to river bank, set up altar and start ceremony.

Riverside Terrain access / Health & Safety :

• These events are held in a public area by riverbank, with some wet concrete steps going down, and gravel to walk. Ritual spot is about 5-10metres from river Thames' waters edge. We organise these Thames-rituals **at low tide** after checking Port of London authority Tide time tables..
• The venue is NOT suitable for those with mobility, respiratory, heart conditions . Those with health conditions & concerns should check well in advance with Organisers on this matter.
• We regret organisers don't have the manpower to assist anyone attending with mobility or health issues or carrying bags..
• All attendees are responsible for their own well-being and Haelth & safety.

Inclusivity:----------
Please be kind, compassionate and on good behaviour throughout the whole gathering. We have a mixture of experienced & beginners at these rituals. Also, some people may have hidden difficulties, vulnerability and disabilities. We are inclusive of all race, pagan beliefs, genders, sexuality, LGBTQP+ We will not tolerate any form of bullying harassment or discrimination. While organisers are not experts, we will do our best to safeguard.

What to bring? (optional)--------

• Moon crowns, flower crowns, antler crowns ( real or artifical craft items).
• Ritual cloaks / capes, masks you may like to wear.
• Torch light for safe walking in woods/ riverside at night.
• Extra warm clothing & rain-coats/ outdoor shoes or boots (and ankle covered socks! ).
• Small ground sheet or blanket to sit on for social.
• Lanterns / candles
• Your own Cups/chalice to drink from.

Please bring food & drinks to share ------------
Organisers bring a small amout of food & wine to put on altar and bless to share. Kindly bring some food or drinks to add to the feasting. It can be vegetarian, vegan or meat items. All are okay. Thank you. Example:

• Bread / pitta bread, french bread
• Humus, dips, butter, cheese, biscuits, crisps
• egg bites, ham / chicken slices
• fruits, nuts
• Red/ white wine, soft drinks, fruit juice,

Tidying up:-----
Once ritual is done, many people like to just rush off. However please be helpful by doing the following.

• Take any rubbish out to bins on pavements (empty botles, wrappers, used paper cups. There are recycling bins for botles and cans.
• If there are unopened food items, please share thme out and take them home. Organisers have full bags coming in and can't take these food home, no matter how well your intentions.

Policy:-----
NO Drugs, NO filming during ritual ! No children allowed. Our events are for members' personal, magical, spiritual purposes only!

Contacting Organiser:
Please send us a private message if you need more info . We get very busy with preparations and travel on the day of ritual. So pls avoid last minute enquiries / comments.
We look forward to sharing our magic with you.

Bright Blessings
London Woodland Witches .
----

About Paganism :
Pagans believe in the power of nature, and see the Divine as both male & female- as having many God & Goddess forms. Modern pagan practitioners use belief systems, images and symbols from ancient paths (Celtic, Egyptian, Druids, Witches, Mayans, Native Amerindians, Aborigini, Hindu,Norse and so on). Powers of elements -- air, fire, water, earth, nature spirits, angels, dragons, fairies, spirit animals, ceremonial magic and more are all integrated in modern rituals.

About Wicca:
Wicca, a moder form of Witchcraft religion, was established by Gerald Gardner in late 1950's in England (Gardnerian Wicca), then Alex Saunders (Alexandrian Wicca) with promient contributions from High Priestesses Doreen Valiente (mother of moder wicca) and Maxine Sanders. Wicca has a format of creating sacred space, consecrations, calling 4 elements, energy raising, then invoking Horned Good & moon Goddesses, followed by ritual magic! Wiccans celebrate the 13 full moons (esbats) and the 8-fold seasonal sabats - Imbolc, Spring, Beltane, Midsummer, Lammas, Autumn, Samhain, Yule.