Popular Magic: Then and Now

What kind of things do you do ‘just for luck’? Writing a wish on a piece of paper, burning it and drinking the ash with your New Year’s champagne, tying a ribbon on a special tree for good fortune, wearing a ‘lucky’ necklace to a job interview – these small rituals permeate our daily lives. They are difficult to categorise, belonging neither to any mainstream religion, nor aligning strictly with pagan revivals like Wicca or Druidry. Instead, these little rites exist on the fringes of other faiths and beliefs, often combining elements from different religions. What does unite them is a belief in magic.

Join Crystal and Anna in a conversation that will take you through medieval churches and pagan sacred sites in search of popular magic. The two speakers will explain the symbolism behind common popular magic traditions and uncover the unexpected ways in which they still persevere today.

The conversation will take place via Zoom. It is free to attend, but please register using the link below to give the organisers a sense of numbers. The conversation is 40 minutes long with 20 minutes for questions and discussion – you are welcome and encouraged to bring your own magical items for the discussion portion of the programme.