Fantasy Books

Join author and scholar Felix John Taylor for a talk on his new book on the legendary Victorian occult society The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The first full-length narrative history of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the esoteric society at the centre of the 19th- and 20th-century rise of the occult. Occultism has long been associated with the visual and literary arts, the wild and the avant-garde, and nowhere was this more embodied than in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Founded in London in the 1880s by Freemasons, it was the world’s most famous secret society. In this fresh, bracing narrative history, Felix John Taylor recounts its rise and fall through the men and women for whom the Order represented both an alternative to traditional Victorian religious values and a space for imaginative exploration. Devoted to the study of ceremonial magic, the Order attracted a long list of eminent writers, actors and visual artists to its ranks. It looked towards a ‘golden age’ of spiritual enlightenment, with progressive ideals – class and gender were no barriers to entry – and teachings from tarot to alchemy and astral projection that were gradually unveiled as members ascended ten ‘grades’. While its temples were formally spaces to practice magic, Taylor finds that the Golden Dawn was at various points more an arts club or society of writers. 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. The Golden Dawn, with its role in the foundation of Wicca and modern developments in magic, is a vital thread connecting Victorian esotericism to the present-day occult revival. This visually arresting, meticulously researched literary history teases out these connections, while offering a compelling account of the Order and its members.

**We are using Playwaze to manage booking and payment. Please go to the link below to book. Make sure you check the date you want to attend and book and pay for the correct date:** [Playwaze - Session Dashboard](https://playwaze.com/lcwbc-badminton-club/3yupmsu7wwt/session-getdashboard) **Do not book or join waitlist here on Meetup as it will charge you additional fee.** **The number of attendees shown here is not accurate. The actual number is shown on Playwaze.** **Thank you** **Brian Ng**

**Join us for a superb Easter weekend of amazing hiking in England's most mountainous and beautiful national park.** Number of nights - 3. £369 for a bed in a shared twin room. For solo travellers (which is most people in the group) we will assign you a room buddy of the same gender. £455 for a private single room. £489 for a private double room (single occupancy). With the most breathtaking natural landscapes and the highest mountains in England, there really is no other national park in the country to compare to the Lake District. Nowhere else can offer quite so much opportunity for outdoor adventure with the finest hiking options. It is hard to imagine a more lovely place to spend the Easter holiday weekend. Delightful villages, craggy mountains, babbling streams, mossy woodland and beautiful wildflowers all add to the magic of this region at this time of year. Our wonderful three star hotel is located high in the Cumbrian Fells, while the countryside setting ensures peace and quiet. It is the perfect place from which to hike and explore in the Lake District. We have visited the delightful Shap Wells Hotel a number of times as we love it's secluded valley and woodlands full of wildlife including native red squirrels in the grounds. You are virtually guaranteed to see them in the morning! The rooms offer all the necessary comforts in a warm, relaxing, family run environment. This is a charming country hotel with a mile-long drive along a private road with breathtaking, rugged scenery in every direction. A pretty waterfall and trickling stream running by the front door will leave you with no doubts in your mind that this is a wonderful place in which to get away from it all. Evening meals are included and will be served at the hotel's restaurant. We will have at least 2 hikes to choose from each day exploring the highlights of the local area. The Lake District boasts stunning views, picturesque villages and hikes which offer a mixture of rugged mountains, ancient woodlands, fields, riverside and lakeside walking. On our last visit we have enjoyed many gorgeous hikes and the following are just some of the endless possibilities: **Place Fell & Ullswater from Patterdale (approx. 9 miles)** This is a great introduction to fell walking in the Lake District. Although the ascent to the summit of Place Fell (657m) is not too strenuous, the views across to many high peaks and along Ullswater are dramatic and extensive. The final section along the shores of Ullswater has been described in one walking guide book as the loveliest walk in the Lake District! **Watendlath, Borrowdale & Castle Crag from Derwent Water (approx. 10 miles).** This is an exceptionally beautiful hike and a personal favourite. Borrowdale is considered by many to be the most scenic valley in the Lake District and the ascent of Castle Crag adds a little adventure and superb views. There can be very few hikes as varied as this one and a couple of tea rooms in delightful villages along the way allow us to enjoy some light refreshment. Although we do not aim for any high summits there will be extensive views on a clear day. There are also a number of ascents (some long) but the only really steep ascent (up Castle Crag) is relatively short. **Blencathra and Atkinsons Pike via Hall's Fell (approx. 8 miles).** This is a superb route for hikers wanting to reach a significant Lakeland summit (Blencathra 868m) via an adventurous route but not wanting an overly strenuous day out. Starting from the village of Threlkeld this hike tackles the ascent of Blencathra via the steep and rocky hike/scramble up the cockrel's-comb rocky edge of Hall's Fell. The summits and ridges on this hike will offer superb and far reaching views across the Lake District and also the Vale of Eden. On a clear day the view from the summit of Blencathra is hard to beat and the overall route is wonderfully satisfying and somewhat adventurous. A head for heights is necessary. **Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield and St Sunday Crag from Brotherswater (approx. 12 miles)** This route offers superb fell walking territory from start to finish. Some ascents are steep and the terrain is somewhat challenging taking in several peaks. It is definitely a varied option with far reaching views of mountains and lakes. From the top of Fairfield (873m) we might be rewarded with views of Ullswater, Windermere, Striding Edge and Helvellyn. The walk starts by heading up from Brotherswater, over Dove Crag and Hart Crag to the summit of Fairfield, the highest point of our hike. From there the excitement really begins as we enjoy a bit of scrambling over Corfa Pike and onwards over the ridge of St Sunday Crag. We then start our descent back down to our car park at Cow Bridge. **Kendal, Scout Scar and Cunswick Fell (approx. 7 miles)** This is a walk in the limestone country that lies on the south eastern fringes of the Lake District. From lovey market town of Kendal the route heads up out of the town and continues by way of field and moorland paths to the edge of the escarpment of Scout Scar, a superb viewpoint looking westwards towards the central Lakeland mountains. We then continue along a fine scenic path along the edge of the escarpment which leads onto Cunswick Fell and then over Kendal Fell before descending through woods back into town where there are plenty of pubs and cafes. **High Street, Harter Fell, Branstree & Selside Pike from Haweswater (approx. 11 miles)** Don't be fooled by the unusual title. At 828 metres High Street is a serious mountain, which gets its name from an ancient Roman road that once ran across the long summit ridge. The hike begins with a challenging and rocky ascent up Rough Crag. A series of summits then offers superb and extensive views for miles around. A true Lake District classic for those who don't mind a bit of rough terrain! The full 11 miles would make this a strenuous hike but it is possible to safely return to the carpark along a clear track which descends from the pass between Harter Fell and Branstree. Although this shorter (7 miles) option cuts out two summits, it still involves a lot of ups and downs with some rocky ground, which makes it an "energetic" day out in the mountains. **Shap Abbey (approx. 5 miles)** Shap Abbey is a key feature on this delightful walk. Gaunt and evocative ruins rise up above the banks of the lovely River Lowther. There is more of interest on this walk besides the ruin, not least a huge and mysterious monolith early in the walk, created by stone age settlers of this region. The tiny village of Keld is also very attractive and we can enjoy miles of wild moorland where skylarks trill from high above. ............................................................................................... We will have experienced hike leaders offering fabulous hikes of different length and difficulty each day so you can choose exactly the kind of walk you like. **Don't miss this fabulous weekend away! :D** PRICE INCLUDES: * 3 nights quality hotel accommodation. * 3 breakfasts. * 3 delicious three-course evening meals. * A choice of guided hikes. Our leaders are Mountain Leader (MLTE) trained and qualified first aiders. * Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992. Amazing value!!! :D PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: * Transport expenses. * Lunches - depending on the hike you choose we can either take a packed lunch with us or stop in a village pub. To confirm your place on this trip please use internet banking. The account details are: Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS Sort Code: 090127 Account Number: 22440622 The following "terms and conditions" apply to all trip reservations: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngc5A61k76qb6HGMeTK96AVaXn0565yPS9p42IPzIy8/](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngc5A61k76qb6HGMeTK96AVaXn0565yPS9p42IPzIy8/edit?usp=sharing) Only payment secures your place. Your RSVP is not sufficient for us to hold a bed for you. Please use **LAKEDISTRICT** as your payment reference. IMPORTANT NOTE: We consider safety to be our number one priority and while we never take unnecessary risks, we do recognise that any outdoor activity involves a danger of personal injury or death. Remember that you should be aware of and accept these risks as you are responsible for your own safety and you should not undertake anything beyond your abilities. It is also your responsibility to be correctly equipped for the weather and activity you have chosen to participate in. We recommend that everyone participating in outdoor activities obtain appropriate insurance. The BMC offer excellent policies for all outdoor enthusiasts at very competitive rates: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/insurance/Landing.aspx

**We are using Playwaze to manage booking and payment. Please go to the link below to book. Make sure you check the date you want to attend and book and pay for the correct date:** [Playwaze - Session Dashboard](https://playwaze.com/lcwbc-badminton-club/3yupmsu7wwt/session-getdashboard) **Do not book or join waitlist here on Meetup as it will charge you additional fee.** **The number of attendees shown here is not accurate. The actual number is shown on Playwaze.** **Thank you** **Brian Ng**

🖤🌹🎤Girls-only meet-up is back for the spring season. 

Join us for a relaxed evening at Kerb Social for a drink and some games! This is a relaxed get-together where we’ll chat about all things anime, gaming, J-fashion, K-dramas, BL—you name it! Whether you're a longtime member or thinking of joining for the first time, this is the perfect chance to connect, celebrate the festive season with new friends and enjoy some delicious snacks & drinks. We’ll bring some casual games to break the ice and keep things fun and low-key. Expect good vibes, chill convos, and a chance to meet some lovely new faces. 📍Where: KERB Social Club
⏰ When: Friday, 3d April 2026 | 7:00 PM ✨Got questions? Message us in the WhatsApp Group or here.
🏳️‍⚧️This is a trans-inclusive space

In this event, we will discuss about a science or philosophy book chosen by London Science and Philosophy Book Club. The attendees will be divided into groups and each of them will focus on a chapter in the book. This month we will discuss about a fascinating book called Warriors and Worriers by Joyce F. Benenson. If you haven't read the book, it's no problem. I will bring you up to speed with the discussion materials. We will meet in a nice lounge area at 6 p.m for introductions. Please come on time so you will not miss out on valuable discussion midway. If you end up in the waitlist, feel free to show up. Book Description: The question of exactly what sex differences exist and whether they have a biological foundation has been one of our culture's favorite enduring discussions. It should. After a baby is born, a parent's first concern is for its physical health. The next concern is its sex. Only in the most modern societies does sex not virtually guarantee the type of future life a new human being will have. Even in modern societies, one's sex usually plays a large role in the path a life follows. Scientists have published thousands of papers on the subject, with the general conclusion being that men and women are mostly the same, whatever differences exist have been socialized, and what differences exist have to do with women bearing children and men being physically stronger. In Warriors and Worriers, psychologist Joyce Benenson presents a new theory of sex differences, based on thirty years of research with young children and primates around the world. Her innovative theory focuses on how men and women stay alive. Benenson draws on a fascinating array of studies and stories that explore the ways boys and men deter their enemies, while girls and women find assistants to aid them in coping with vulnerable children and elders. This produces two social worlds for each sex which sets humans apart from most other primate species. Human males form cooperative groups that compete against out-groups, while human females exclude other females in their quest to find mates, female family members to invest in their children, and keep their own hearts ticking. In the process, Benenson turns upside down the familiar wisdom that women are more sociable than men and that men are more competitive than women. Agenda: 6 p.m to 6:30 p.m: Introduction and Socializing 6:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m: Book Discussion 9:30 p.m to late night: Drinks, Dinner or Feel free to go home.

Join us at the All Good Bookshop for regular board game sessions! Bring your own games or join in with what other people bring! This is free to join, but we'd love it if you'd donate £3-5 while you're there. You can also buy coffee, books, etc (if you're struggling financially, don't worry - we'd rather you came than didn't)!

In the digital age💻📡📱, do you still like getting a physical book to read? Where do you buy them? Amazon? Waterstone? Blackstone? How about join us for a bookshop crawl, let's try to find some hidden gems of independent bookshops. (Or just tag along for a chat😁) For this west London tour, we will start from Turnham Green Station, walking Chiswick High Road and King Street towards Hammersmith Station. We will do 5 bookshops📚📚📚! Don't worry, it's not a marathon, don't feel under any obligation to finish all the bookshops. The two hour time is just a guidance, some shops take longer and some are less. If you ever want to stay in one shop for longer (I know, been there, done that😂) feel free to do so, you can join us at other shops. (See itinerary below) Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the shops, so you are not obliged to buy any books, just get whatever you like. *** 📚💃🏼 📖💃🏿☕️ ITINERARY ☕️💃🏾🍷💃🏻🍴📚 We will all meet up at Turnham Green Station, don't worry if you are late, join us in along the walks. Then the tour shall begin! 1: Oxfam Bookshop Address: 90 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, London W4 1QN Comment: Always try to have one on the tour, staple for second-hand books. 2: Bookcase London Address: 268 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 1PD Comment: (First time doing west London, will update in the future) 3: Foster Books Address: 14-16 Bury Pl, London WC1A 2JL Comment: (First time doing west London, will update in the future) 4: The Small Library Company Address: 40 Chiswick Ln, Chiswick, London W4 2JQ Comment: (First time doing west London, will update in the future) 5: Everybody Reads Address: 6 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 1TH Comment: (First time doing west London, will update in the future) 6: Books for Amnesty Address: 175 King St, London W6 9JT Comment: Another chained charity bookshop, very much like Oxfam. Generally we finish here, then for people who want to stay we usually find somewhere to have food and further discussions in the afternoon. *** Wow, you made it, hopefully you have found some books that will make you happy🎈🎉✨. For people who likes to have more socials or talk more about books (or just to show off your purchases😆), we can find some place for a cup of coffee or a late lunch. *** Google map link for the bookshops: (TBA)

If you're looking for a laid back Saturday playing some board games and talking nerd stuff in a pub with some awesome people, this is the meetup for you! Whether you're new to London or just want to get some long-lost in-person socialisation, we're a friendly community and welcome you all. **What to expect:** We officially play from **2 PM to 7 PM**, but we keep it casual. Show up when you can, and stay as long as you like. If you’re having a good time, there’s usually a group that stays late for a few extra pints and chat. **Some house rules:** * We aim to ensure these events are friendly, welcoming and safe, and so we ask you abide by our [Code of Conduct](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YEl0gv61SkBFN-YF6fyVvuQYicWbWhRL/view?usp=drive_link) * We have a community box of games we keep in the pub, but please feel welcome to bring your own games along. Just be prepared to teach us how to play! * We don't charge a cover fee, so please help support the pub by ordering food and drink throughout the afternoon. * Please keep your RSVPs updated so we can manage numbers and ensure we can reserve enough tables.

If you love anime & manga then please join us for our weekly meetups, where we basically just sit, chat and read anime & manga! We usually sit in the back of the pub. If the weather is nice we may sit outside at the back of the pub, or even outside on the downstairs floor. In this meetup, you can BYOM (bring your own manga) or read one from the selection we will bring. See this as an opportunity to discover, recommend or simply enjoy Japanese comics & anime with like-minded people! Note: This is not a book club. Also, the TCR bar is kind enough to allow us to use their space to host this meetup, and has asked if possible for attendees to support the venue by purchasing a drink or food while you're there. Please don't bring your own food or drink to consume at the venue, as the venue does not allow this! You can also join our discord group: [https://discord.gg/nDMBbQ2CKu](https://discord.gg/nDMBbQ2CKu)

**\*\*\* PLEASE READ ALL OF THE BELOW \*\*\*** WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO TAKE PART? **You *must* RSVP using the Attend button on this page.** That's true for both DMs and players. You must be **18+** to attend. There's a **£4 fee payable by PayPal or cash** (see below). Please find **Zander**, the Organiser, on your arrival. You'll then be assigned to a game. TIMES Please ensure you arrive **before 1.00pm**. If you arrive late, it may not be possible to find you a game. If you're part of a group of two or more, you all have to be 18+, RSVP for yourselves (no 'plus ones') and arrive between 12.30pm and 12.40pm on the day, not 1.00pm. If you arrive at 1.00pm, you'll still be able to play, but may be placed in different games. DO I NEED TO KNOW THE RULES OF D&D? DO I HAVE TO BRING OR PREPARE ANYTHING? **You don't have to have any knowledge of D&D's rules or have previous experience of D&D or another tabletop role-playing game.** You don't have to bring or prepare anything. We can lend you everything you need including a pre-generated character. If you want to bring or create your own character, please arrive at 12.40pm and discuss your character with your assigned DM. Please respect their decision in the unlikely event that they say you have to use a pre-generated character. They may have story or rules reasons they can't disclose. DUNGEON MASTERING We're always on the look-out for DMs. If you'd like to DM, please PM Zander in the Organiser list ASAP. VENUES AND MONEY MATTERS There's a charge of £4 payable by PayPal in advance or in person at [PayPal.me/WizardOfLondon](www.PayPal.me/WizardOfLondon). IMPORTANT: Please include your Meetup username with your PayPal payment. Alternatively, you can pay in person by cash. For questions about the charge such as why there's a charge, what the refund policy is and what concessions are available, please see the [FAQ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AiaaISCQcKbMqACnNUbTXk68kdy2YUSuM5eAv3XKZwU/edit?usp=sharing) (if the FAQ link isn't working, please copy and paste this: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AiaaISCQcKbMqACnNUbTXk68kdy2YUSuM5eAv3XKZwU/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AiaaISCQcKbMqACnNUbTXk68kdy2YUSuM5eAv3XKZwU/edit?usp=sharing) ). The venues are businesses and, as such, rely on us spending on food and drink while we are there. Our continued use of the venues is dependent upon it. Please spend as much as you reasonably can; if you're thinking of having lunch at your venue, please do. The venues have vegetarian and vegan options. The venues accept payment by card, cash, Apple Pay and Google Pay, so please bring one of those. Please do NOT bring drink from outside except tap water in a transparent plastic bottle. Please do NOT bring food from outside. Bringing food or drink (except tap water) from outside can result in you being permanently banned by the venue's management. HYGIENE If you're ill or suspect you're coming down with a contagious sickness such as covid or flu, please do **NOT** attend. If you're unwell, you may be asked to leave. DOGS AND PETS Registered guide dogs are absolutely fine. Please bring proof with you for the pub's management. Other dogs and pets aren't permitted. \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ If you have any questions not answered above, please PM Zander, the Organiser.

This Month's Book: *On A Sunbeam* by Tillie Walden Join us for discussion at the Granville Public Library from 6 to 7pm. Follow us on Instagram: @granvillepridebookclub

Let's bedazzle some books while we discuss our April pick: Bloodguard by Cecy Robson! Book description: One hundred years. Tens of thousands of gladiators. And today, only one will rise… Everything in the Kingdom of Arrow is a lie. Leith of Grey thought coming to this new land and volunteering to fight in the gladiator arena—vicious, bloodthirsty tournaments where only the strongest survive—would earn him enough gold to save his dying sister. He thought there was nothing left to lose. He was wrong—and they took everything. His hope. His freedom. His very humanity. All Leith has left is his battle-scarred body, fueled by rage and hardened from years of fighting for the right to live another day. Then Leith meets Maeve, an elven royal who is everything he despises. Everything he should hate. Until the alluring princess offers him the one thing he needs most: a chance to win the coveted title of Bloodguard—and his freedom. But in a kingdom built on secrets and lies, hope doesn’t come cheap. Nor will his ultimate revenge… Event: Please bring your own book, journal, bookmarks, etc to bedazzle. If you have bedazzling supplies, please bring them as well. I will supply gems, glue, and picker tools, but if you have certain colors in mind, you may want to bring your own.

* Second ever book club! April meet up. All are welcome. * The book will be Play Nice by Rachel Harrison (determined by votes from March Book Club. Let me know if you’d like a free digital copy of the book) * This event will be at the main library, meeting room 1B, the location will not be changed for this event due to the number of people attending, we will just add more chairs if needed! * Feel free to come whether or not you’ve started or finished the book ◡̈ * Small snacks will be provided. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Starting in June I will try to keep future book clubs at the Dublin Library. Now that I understand their reservation system, I will be on top of it with booking that location as soon as the date is released for the month. Thanks for your understanding with the varying locations in the meantime.

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

We’ll be having a game night! Bring a game, snack, drink or just yourself!

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia