Take a trip with two experts on psychedelic history as they discuss ecology, altered states and modern pagan practice. In this video, Andy Letcher and Julian Vayne meet for a mind-expanding exchange. They delve into everything from entheogenic culture, to druids, to magic mushrooms, to the indigenous music of the British Isles, to the contemporary use of Fly Agaric. There's also a Q&A afterwards. Be prepared for far-out theories, kaleidoscopic concepts and otherworldly anecdotes. SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES Dr Andy Letcher is a Senior Lecturer at both Schumacher College, Devon UK – where he is the Programme Lead for the MA Engaged Ecology – and at the University of Exeter, where he teaches on the PGCert Psychedelics: Mind, Medicine and Culture. He is the author of 'Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom', and numerous papers on psychedelics, ecology, animism and paganism. He is currently researching ritual and animistic usage of psychedelics by contemporary British Druids, and the contemporary use of the Fly Agaric mushroom. Julian Vayne is a British occultist, independent scholar and author with over four decades of experience within esoteric culture. Julian is a co-organizer of the psychedelic conference Breaking Convention, a founding member of the post-prohibition think-tank Transform. He sits on the academic board of The Journal of Psychedelic Studies. Julian facilitates psychedelic ceremony, as well as providing one-to-one psychedelic integration sessions and support. In addition to exploring traditional sacred medicines, Julian’s work includes the first published accounts of the entheogenic ritual use of ketamine and several novel psychedelic sacraments. Original Event Date: 10 April 2024

Suzanne Corbie explores the deeper meanings of the tarot’s twenty-two major cards. The imagery of the tarot is filled with hidden depths – each card contains a wealth of correspondences relating to the Qabalah, alchemy, witchcraft, angels and more. In this workshop, Suzanne Corbie examines the symbolism contained within the major arcana of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, helping participants to deepen their interpretative skills and understanding of the cards. These skills can be used for more effective tarot readings as well as aiding meditation. SPEAKER BIO Suzanne Corbie is a Wiccan priestess with over 40 years' experience. She was previously a tarot reader at Treadwell's for many years. Original Event Date: 29 August 2023

Rebecca Beattie introduces the seven planetary powers – seen by the pre-moderns as the governing energies of all nature. This lecture gives an introductory overview of the pre-modern planetary powers that have been called upon by magical practitioners since ancient Babylon. Rebecca discusses each planet – Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn – and outlines their mysteries, symbols and attributes. She then covers how one can work magic with each of them using their corresponding colours, crystals, herbs, plants and foods. SPEAKER BIO Rebecca Beattie has spent more than 20 years studying and practising witchcraft and Wicca, and has a deep understanding of the history and traditions underpinning them. A published author, her books include 'Planetary Magic: A friendly introduction to creating modern magic with the seven energies' and 'Wheel of the Year: A Nurturing Guide'. Original Event Date: 13 February 2023

Dr Alexander Cummins and Hannah Sanders discuss the rich history of cunning magic and the traditions it has inspired. Cunning magic is not merely confined to dusty history books. It's very much still used today and has inspired a wealth of magical traditions. This engaging conversation explores the taut thread running from legends to modern magic. Learn who cunning folk were, what did they did, and what they still do. SPEAKER BIOS Dr Alexander Cummins is a contemporary cunning-man and historian of magic. His magical specialties are the early modern grimoires, divination (especially geomancy) and the myriad folk necromancies of working with the dead. Hannah Sanders has a doctorate in anthropology and is a longstanding practitioner of folk and herb magic. She was the last apprentice of writer and tarot reader Joyce Collin-Smith, and she is the granddaughter of a well-known Irish fortune teller. Professionally, she is a traditional folk singer. Original Event Date: 21 November 2023

Doctoral researcher Anna Titov examines the philosophical connections between magical acts and environmentalism. In this rigorously researched lecture, Anna looks at contemporary witchcraft through the lens of ideas from 20th century phenomenology through to object-oriented ontology. She asks the timely question: can magical practice help us to halt our damage of the environment? As she explores, witchcraft practice involves the creation of an ‘otherworld’ – an act performed in order to bring change into the 'real' world. It can therefore be seen as an act of self-preservation in response to the ‘Anthropocene’ (the era of human-made change on our planet, most notably including the climate crisis). She asks: how do witchcraft practitioners create these 'otherworlds' for change? What is the interaction between the liminal element inside them and our perception? She also examines the empathic connections that witchcraft practitioners form with nonhuman entities (and therefore the overall environment). In doing so, Anna invites us to consider that magical practice may indeed be a first step towards stopping the destruction of our world. SPEAKER BIO Anna Titov is a writer and researcher in philosophy. She is pursuing a PhD at the Centre for Ethics as Study in Human Value (Pardubice), focussing on notions of subjective physical experience in the wake of a waning natural world. She completed an MA in Continental Philosophy at Warwick in 2021, with a dissertation that looked at trans-anthropocentrism in Nietzsche's middle writings. Her areas of interest are Nietzsche, phenomenology, embodied philosophy, and esoteric spirituality. Original Event Date: 27 September 2023

Pagan scholar Peg Aloi and Pagan Fed president Sarah Kerr discuss paganism and the Satanic Panic of the 1980s–90s, before turning their attention to the renewal of alarmism today not only on the fringes, but in various parts of the mainstream media and political institutions. What is happening? Do Pagans again need to worry about being demonised after thirty years of relative acceptance and truthful presentation of their ways? Or is this a blip? This is an important conversation that every Pagan will want to take note of.

Julian Vayne and Steve Dee explore the varied elements of their heady magical practices, from Chaos Magic to Zen. Steve Dee (author of ‘Chaos Monk’, ‘A Gnostic’s Progress’ and ‘The Heretic's Journey’) joins his magical partner and co-author Julian Vayne for a heart-to-heart about their occult fusion practices. Expect a conversation that ranges far and wide across the esoteric terrain. In this video, they cover everything from mental health, mindfulness and wellbeing through to the use of embodied practices such as pilgrimage. They also speak about BDSM as a transgressive and transformative magical technology. Along the way, they dive deep into the gnostic current of heretical Christian sects and re-imagine witchcraft for the 21st century. Join them for a journey into the darkness of gnostic illumination. SPEAKER BIOS Julian Vayne is a longstanding occultist who brings experience from a range of esoteric traditions. Also an author and public speaker, he is co-organizer of the psychedelic conference Breaking Convention, and sits on the academic board of The Journal of Psychedelic Studies. Original Event Date: 25 May 2023

Living legend Janet Farrar joins us for a conversation between priestesses, as she and Rebecca Beattie share their thoughts on the craft, priestesshood, and the past, present and future of Wicca.

Dr Jonathan Woolley and Dr Rebecca Beattie discuss celebrations, connection and the Wheel of the Year. They talk about their shared understandings of the deeper meanings of the festivals, the cultural significance of hidden practices and how the public image of their respective traditions have changed over time. Original event date: 26th April 2023