Witches Unite!

Posted by vk290

2 December 2025

Hear all about a recent magical summit, hosted by Seed Talks, which took place at the University of Exeter on November 22nd. Write up is provided by Dr Jennifer Farrell.

The day was filled with talks, activities and local witchy businesses!
Figurative sculptor Eve Shepherd constructed an impressive witches circle in the forum, which storyteller Dr Joanne Gilar then performed within.
Dr Jennifer Farrell shares her talk “From Sorcery to Witchcraft”
The event was incredibly well attended by Students, Staff and members of the public from the local area.
Several small and local businesses were celebrated at the event, including Green Witch Botanicals pictured here.

On Saturday November 22nd, the University of Exeter played host to The Witchcraft Summit, organised by Seed Talks in partnership with the Department of Archaeology and History. Speakers included myself Dr Jennifer Farrell, Prof Catherine Rider, Dr Rebecca Beattie, and Dr Julia Philips, all of us connected in some way with the University via our thriving Centre for Magic and Esoteric Studies.

This full day of talks attracted an audience from all over the southwest, and from places further afield, and we were especially delighted to see some of our current and former MA in Magic and Occult Sciences students there, along with some of our current History undergrads. The six talks in our Forum Alumni Auditorium covered various aspects of the history of magic and witchcraft, its links with both men and women, with medicine and religion, and its enduring influence in today’s culture.

*The lovely ladies of Green Witch Botanicals*

Adding to the success of the day were a number of exhibiting partners including the Brighton-based and multi-award-winning figurative sculptor Eve Shepherd who constructed an impressive witches circle in the Forum; Hadean Press who specialise in publications on magic, grimoires, and folklore; local Devon-based skincare company Green Witch Botanicals; and writer and storyteller Dr Joanne Gilar who shared a lunchtime performance of her stories on the “Witch Hare” right in the middle of our witches’ circle!

The day provided a really wonderful opportunity to share some of our diverse specialist strengths in the field of magic, witchcraft, and occult studies and, as one commentator on LinkedIn put it: the “mind-expanding” lectures “crossed disciplines / continents / medicine / community / fear / health / social habits / crime”, while the enthusiasm and attention of the audience made the day extra special.

*Check out Jennifer’s blog post on her previous well-attended Seed talk in the link below!*

As I mentioned in a previous post about my own individual events with Seed Talks, these occasions and the passion of the audiences they attract, demonstrate the myriad ways in which people from all sorts of different social and professional backgrounds relate to history, and to the rich and multifaceted histories of magic in particular.

This exciting and community building event was made possible by the innovative and industrious team at Seed Talks, the support and partnership of the Department of Archaeology and History, the event’s hosts, the fabulous exhibitors and performers, the speakers, and of course the tech staff at the Forum who all worked together to ensure that everything went smoothly on the day. But the largest thanks must surely go to our wonderful and enthusiastic audience who made the day such a joy to be a part of.

For more updates on my teaching, research, and public speaking you can follow me on Instagram @medievaljen or on LinkedIn.

Dr Jennifer Farrell