GLASTONBURY, England – Glastonbury’s annual Occult Conference took place on the 17th – 18th of February 2023, untroubled by storms this year but with a man down: organizer Trevor Jones is currently in hospital.
There was a fringe event in the form of a Gnostic Mass on Friday night and the conference began on Saturday morning with a talk on “Curses: Understanding the Occult Theory and Metaphysics,” and how to deal with them by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, who had flown in from Ireland for the occasion. This was followed by a lecture by author Rebecca Beattie on “Literary Witches,” focusing on Sylvia Townsend Warner’s well-known work Lolly Willowes and the writing of Mary Webb, particularly her novel, Precious Bane. Both of these excellent books were written in the 1920s and feature witches.
Workshops happen in parallel to talks and the Saturday morning workshop was led by Dr. Marco Romeo-Pitone on behalf of the Doreen Valiente Foundation, focusing on the Doreen Valiente Collection: a cross-traditional journey in modern Witchcraft material culture. This workshop also featured some of Gerald Gardner’s ritual equipment.
On Saturday afternoon, Jonathan Woolley delivered the first talk on “Natural Philosophy: An Introduction to Druidry and Place-Based Spirituality.” Due to the sudden illness of a speaker, the next lecture was given as a replacement by Liz Williams, on connections between Siberian and Celtic spirituality (spoiler: there are very few!). Louise Hodgson gave the final talk on the first day on “Aspects of Occult Cornwall.”
There were three Saturday afternoon workshops: Rebecca Beattie speaking on the Spring Equinox – crafting and preparation, Paul Weston on “Pax Cultura Avalon of the Heart Glastonbury Jubilee Celebrations,” which included a film, and Soror Brigantia on “Santisima Muerte.”
On Sunday the first lecture was given by Vikki Bramshaw, entitled “Out of the Mist: New Forest Folklore, Traditions & Charms.” This was based on her recent book with Avalonia Publishing (highly recommended for anyone interested in the practices of the New Forest in Hampshire). Prior to lunch, Deja Whitehouse delivered a presentation on, “The Abominable Mercury; Frieda Harris and the trickster god,” based in part on her doctoral research into Frieda Harris and Aleister Crowley’s Tarot work.
Glastonbury Abbey Ruins – Image credit: Chris Talbot – CC BY-SA 2.0
After lunch, the Conference hosted a panel on the work and life of the late Jake Stratton-Kent, Britain’s foremost necromancer and writer, and one of the occult community’s true originals. Jake had been a staple of the Occult Conference for many years and his lectures and workshops were always eagerly anticipated. He will be greatly missed.
After this Liz Williams delivered a scheduled lecture on the life and work of Helena Roerich, esotericist, writer, and wife of Russian artist Nicholas Roerich.
Sunday workshops were led by musician Su Wainwright, who spoke on “Using Our Voices in Ritual – A Practical,” followed by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone on “A Practical Guide to Working with Magical Energy,” a substitute talk by Elaine Bailey (due to speaker illness) on Anna Bonus Kingsford and Dion Fortune, and finally a workshop by Jonathan Woolley on “Beyond the Bookshop: Pagan Community after Covid,” focusing on community building.
Finally, John Crow and Katy Kaos led the closing ritual, based on the work that John has conducted at Crossbones Cemetery in London over many years.
On Monday morning there was a second fringe event: an Abbey Walkaround with Paul Weston – the “Glastonbury Abbey Historical Memory Theatre Walkabout.” “Bare patches of grass as portals to epic immersion on the Wheel of Fortune: the rise and fall of empires and dynasties focused through the locations of former burial sites. Forgotten dramas. Mandatory mood-setting though Dion Fortune and Frederick Bligh Bond.”
Editorial note: Liz Williams is a committee member, along with Trevor Jones and Sally North. TWH wishes Trevor Jones a speedy recovery.
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