☆London Woodland Witches & Pagans

Wicca & Witchcraft is a mystery-religious tradition that includes worship of the divine as as a Horned God & Triple Moon Goddess (and many other deities), works with wild energies of the 4 Elements Air, Fire, Water, earth, and uses ritual magic & Spellcraft for personal empowerment and bettering lives.

Started by Gerald Gardner in the mid 1950's in Southern England, UK, and aided by Doreen Valiente, the `Gardnerian Wicca' grew. Alex & Maxine Saunders began a parallel path later called `Alexandrian Wicca'. These were initiatory paths where participants practised in private Covens! But since then Wicca has grown internationally and evolved with many facets.

This 1-Day woodland based experiential course is led by Mani - Witch & High Priest with 30 yrs of Wicca & Coven experience, and co-facilitate by a fellow Witch & coven leader. .

This course serves as a sound introduction for all Seekers interested in Wiccan path - either as a standalone exploration for you, or progressing to further study that can lead to initiation and training in a Coven!

Contents
This is a basic introduction & experiential course that aims to cover all essentials of Wiccan path with explanations, and ritual works demonstrated; Pathworking & meditation are used for opening, chants & circle dance are included for energy raising; You'll learn about wiccan tools/ techniques, and some understanding of invoking God & Goddess and working with those energies. Some transpersonal Psychology & shadow work is briefly introduced as part of the development.
* Take notes during the course. (but no recording under any circumstances).*

• Why do you want to learn / join Wicca?
• Personal energy & attunement:
• Origins of Modern Wicca ; Wiccan Law & 3 principles;
• Altar in Wicca - how to create one ; what to include;
• Magical tools : Broom, Athame, sword, white handled knife, wands, scourge, staff, pentacle, Cup, Cauldron, Robes, cloaks, crowns, masks
• Sacred Space: Sweeping/ purifications; Consecrations with salt & water/ incense; casting magic circle (words/ demo);
• Elements, Gateways & Quarters; Symbols & qualities of Air/fire/Water/Earth in wicca; Element triangles; invocation words for calling elements (demo);
• Group energy raising (chant, dance etc) .
• Horned God & Moon Godddes in Wicca. Deity work, invocations.
• Ritual magic & Spellcraft in Wicca.
• Wheel of the year. 8-festivals; Esbats- Full moons/ new moon rites.
• Initiations & Coven.

Mindset
We treat the entire Course as a magical event. Infact we begin with consecration and sacred space and close at the end of the course. So please maintain reverence and respect through out, refrain from talking about politics or controversial issues. We will ofcourse have mirthful moments and breaks for socials within the course.

After the Course
Those wishing to progress further beyond this course are encouraged to attend our Full moon rituals & seasonal gatherings, observe and participate, and get magically involved more.

NO Recording / No photography
Tutor may take some photos with permission for publicity purpose. You can take photos of the altar during breaks or after the course ends.

Important notes on cancellations / updates:
If severe weather or other local issues arise, the event may be postponed or cancelled. In such a case, full refund will be given to those who paid in advance.

Refund policy
In perfect trust, we are happy to offer full refund if you cancel 3 days prior to the Course.

----- Practical details **Please read fully**------

Fee: Full fee £45. Advance fee : £35 (get tickets via our eventbrite page. link below)

Meeting point / Time:

• 10.30am-- Windmill Tea rooms, Windmill Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 5NQ

This course takes place entirely in a quiet area in a public woods. However We meet *outside* At Windmill Tea room (seating area) between 10.30am -11am. Then we will go to the woods to do the Course (few minutes walk into the woods to a quiet space with log circles to sit). . Course will end by approx 6pm.

Rain: If it's wet/ raining, we will put up a Tarp cover, as we have done in previous outdoor workshops.

Travel: From Wimbledon or Putney, take the bus No 93. Alight at bus stop "Parkside Hospital' . Then walk into `Windmill Road' and walk about 5-10mins. You will see the actual Windmill. Turn right towards car park and veer left into Cafe/ Tea rooms.

Car park/ cafe/ toilets: This place has free car park / toilet facilities. Car park fills up so get there early to park.

Cafe spending: It has most types of food/ breakfast / coffees etc. If using card payment, there may be a minimum spend of £10.. or a 50p surcahreg for lower spends.

Own food/ drinks; You can bring your own packed lunch or snacks.. but can't eat those in cafe area. But we have the whole woods !! Please refrain from eating during actual delivery of the course as it can be distacting to tutors and other attendees who wish to focus and stay in a magiacl mind-set.

What to wear / bring: Please dress really appropriate for weather! Even on a sunny day, it can get cold quickly.***

• Good water-proof coats, proper boots/ shoes for mud/ rain; Gloves, scarf. hats; possibly a bag/ ruck sack to put all your belonging and set aside (on the ground, when doing ritual).
• Bring a soft cushion to sit on (as we'll be seated on logs or the ground).
• Bring a blanket to wrap up for your comfort.
• Bring a hot flask of drink for your self and any snacks for breaktime.

Enquiries
You may have questions on requirements for this course or it being held in the woods . Please write to us via direct email or direct message in advance. We will write back . In order for prepartions (ours & yours) , we will close bookings & enquires 3 days prior to the course.
Bright Blessings
-Mani
-------------------------------------

About the lead Facilitator:
Mani is an initiated Witch & Gardnerian High Priest, starting his wiccan path in mid 90's by studying under Craft elders Dr.Vivianne Crowley & Chris Crowley. Mani has been running private Covens & public rituals since 2001. ` Mani has a Physics B.Sc degree, training in Transpersonal Psychology & counselling, and blends some Hindu & Shamanic practices into pagan rituals.

It's that dark time of the year.. as Autumn fades and winter approaches, our thoughts tunr to Pumpkins and halloween parties. But deeper within we ready our selves to honour our dead ancestors and remember our dead! Join us this night in the woods, where we burn away our regrets and fears in a small transformative Cauldron fire, guarded by the witches and the dark goddess Hecate. Then we prepare to invoke the Dark Lord of Death and Resurrection.. that he may open wide the veil between our world and that underworld where spirits rest.. We then call on our dead ancestors and loved ones gone, remember them . This is then followed by energy raising and rejoicing of our own glorious lives..

Ritual format (may vary on the day):

• Meeting & greeting attendees at the entrance to woods (`Queens Wood road) & walking all to ritual spot, where altar is set up.
• Opening prayers & attunement,
• Consecrations & Circle casting.
• Calling of elements.
• Calling of Goddess Hecate & Burning of Regrets.
• Calling of Dark Lord.. opening veil between worlds
• Honouring ancestors ..
• chants, drums, spiral dance.
• Communal Blessing of Food & drinks
• Closing circle & feasting & socials
• Tidy up / departures.

-- PRACTICAL DETAILS ----------

Fee: £10: cash collected at start or Eventbrite in advance. (Link below )
Duration: 4pm to 8pm
Venue: Queen's Woods, High gate, London (N6 5UU). These events are held in a public Open woods, with rough terrain, and in natural weather conditions .

Meeting point:

• Pease Gather at ENTRANCE to the woods on `QUEENS WOOD ROAD' / Capital Ring. Aim for postcode N6 5UU.
• Google map ref: 51.580240, -0.142252

Ritual Team member will come meet you, collect cash fees, and lead all into the woods, to our ritual space.

Woodland safety --

• If you feel unwell (even if it's just cough/ cold) please stay at home. There will be plenty of our Events & socials that you can attend in the future. (44+ coming up in 2026!)
• The woodland terrain is unevent, at places quite steep, there are tree roots, fallen logs. We veer off the foot paths and into actual woods for ceremony. It is mostly unsuitable for anyone with breathing issues, heart conditions or mobility issues.
• Those attending with any mobility issues must being your own Carer/ support.
• There are no formal toilets nearby or cafe etc. (all are about 15-20minute walk).

What to bring?

• Ritual items (optional): Moon crowns, flower crowns Ritual cloaks, capes, masks; lanterns, candles in jars..
• Torch light for safe walking at night.
• Warm clothing & rain-coats/ outdoor shoes or boots (and ankle covered socks! ).
• Small ground sheet to sit on for social.
• Your own Cups/chalice to drink from.

Food & Drinks for Social after ritual ---
Please bring food & drinks to share (optional)... example: bread, butter, pitta bread, cheese, small picnic food, soft drinks, wine.
If there are unopened food items at the end, we share them with you to all to take home.

Tidying up: Help us keep woods tidy . Please take any rubbish out to bins on pavements.

-- POLICY / GUIDELINES ------

• The Woodland terrain is NOT suitable for those with mobility issues.
• NO Drugs, NO filming or photos during ritual !
• No children allowed.
• Inclusivity: We are inclusive of all race, pagan beliefs, genders, sexuality, LGBTQP+
• All attendees are responsible for their own well-being and Health & safety.

Contacting Organiser:
Please send us a private message if you need more info. Please avoid last minute enquiries as our team gets busy preparing for this big event.
We look forward to welcoming you & sharing our magic with you.

Bright Blessings
-Mani & London Woodland Witches .

--- Our social media ---

Join us on the banks of river Thames for our November Full moon ceremony.. part of our monthly circles. 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.

General Outline:-----

We start with a brief pathworking - a guided 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 consecration where each person is blessed with consecrated water & incense.
• Then a magic circle is cast with a wand, and visualisation of a protective bubble / sphere around us.
• 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 ** Goddess & 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.

----PRACTICAL INFO----

Date: Wednesday 5th November 2025.

Duration: 7.00pm meeting by Millennium Bridge. Event is held by river bank. Event ends at 10pm.

Fee: Cash £5 or £5+ charges via eventbrite.

Ritual venue & Meeting point

• 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 -These events are held in a public area by Thames shore, about 5-10meters away from water's edge. There are concrete steps going down from pavement to rivershore. Our rituals are planned on date/ time where tide is low.

What to bring?
You can bring the following optional items to enhance your experience of this ritual event. Torch light, good clothing for outdoors are highly recommended..

• Ritual items (optional): Moon crowns, flower crowns Ritual cloaks, capes, masks; lanterns, candles in jars..
• Torch light for safe walking at night.
• Warm clothing & rain-coats/ outdoor shoes or boots (and ankle covered socks! ).
• Small ground sheet to sit on for social.
• Your own Cups/chalice to drink from.

--- FEASTING & SOCIAL ---

Please bring food & drinks to share (optional). example: bread, butter, putting bread, cheese, small picnic food, soft drinks, wine.
If there are unopened food items, please share them out and take them home. .
Tidying up: please Take any rubbish out to bins on pavements.

-- POLICY & GUIDELINES ---

Over the 21yrs we have been holding woodland events, we've developed some essential guidelines. Here are key points.

• The Rivershore venue is NOT suitable for those with mobility issues.
• NO Drugs, NO filming during ritual ! No children allowed. Our events are for members' personal, magical, spiritual purposes only!
• Inclusivity: We are inclusive of all race, pagan beliefs, genders, sexuality, LGBTQP+
• All attendees are responsible for their own well-being and Health & safety.

We look forward to sharing our magic with you. Please send us a private message if you need more info.
Bright Blessings
-Mani & London Woodland Witches .

----

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 --