Explore the historical, cultural, and symbolic evolution of witchcraft and folklore at this new summit. From spellcraft and Maleficia to fairies and tarot, uncover the many ways witches and magical traditions have shaped culture, belief, and identity across time.

Witchcraft has long been a site of tension and transformation – a symbol of rebellion, mysticism, and misrepresentation. At this summit, we move beyond history to explore how witches, magic, and folklore have shaped – and been shaped by – gender, power, and spiritual practice.

From spellcasting and fairy lore to the portrayal of witches in modern culture, this summit offers an interdisciplinary exploration of witchcraft’s diverse forms and enduring influence. Bringing together leading historians, literary scholars, and practitioners, the event delves into the complex history, cultural significance, and spiritual dimensions of witchcraft and folklore.

Whether you’re a scholar, practitioner, or curious learner, you’ll gain fresh perspectives on the symbolism, practice, and evolving meaning of witchcraft across time.

👭 Connect and network with like-minded individuals

📜 Explore witchcraft’s history, folklore and cultural meanings

🎓 Learn from world-leading experts in history, witchcraft, and spirituality

🔮 Enjoy a full day of talks, workshops, and Q&As

Talks and workshop include:

• An Introduction to the History of Witchcraft
• Witches of London
• Fairies and Witches: Love, Death, and Desire
• By Candle and Curse: Spells and Maleficia Through the Ages
• Wicked Witches? Reconsidering the Witch in Pop Culture
• Creative Tarot: Minor Arcana
• Living the Magical Life: Experiences of a Wiccan High Priestess
• Plant Magic
• Q&As with speakers

Our Speakers

Dr Julia Phillips is an Hons Senior Research Associate and lecturer at the University of Bristol. She received her PhD for her research examining how witches and witchcraft were featured in newspapers in Victorian Britain. Her work has been published in books, academic journals, and popular magazines, and she is a regular presenter at conferences and events. Her primary research interests are the study of witchcraft in the 19th century and the development of modern Pagan Witchcraft in the 20th & 21st centuries.

Dr Debora Moretti is a historian and archaeologist, and a researcher at the University of Hertfordshire and the Centre for Renaissance and Early Modern Studies at the University of York. After a career in both academic and commercial archaeology, focusing on the material evidence of magic and witchcraft in archaeological contexts, Debora completed her PhD in History at the University of Bristol (UK). Her research, which formed part of the Leverhulme Trust-funded project "The Figure of the Witch," supervised by Professor Ronald Hutton, was dedicated to the image of witches and witchcraft in late medieval and early modern Italy.

Dr Zoë Enstone is the Associate Head for English Literature at York St John. After a BA (Hons) in English, Zoë specialised in medieval studies at postgraduate level with an MA in English Literary Research and a PhD titled ‘'Witchcraft & Vilaine': Morgan Le Fay in Medieval Arthurian Literature’. She has previously taught on English literature and language modules at the University of Leicester and the University of Nottingham, mainly focused on the medieval period.

Dr Vivianne Crowley is a specialist in the psychology of religion and spirituality, and the work of Carl Gustav Jung. Formerly Lecturer in Psychology of Religion at King’s College University of London and a program committee member of the American Academy of Religion, she is an international teacher of Wicca and magic, who has been an esoteric practitioner for over 50 years. She is the author of the best-selling classic Wicca: the Old Religion for the Modern World and many books on contemporary psychology and spirituality, including Jung: Journey of Transformation. Her recent book Wild Once, published by Penguin, is an inspiring guide to living a magical life.

Diane Purkiss is Professor of English at the University of Oxford, and a fellow of Keble College. She has published works on witchcraft, fairies, and also on the English Civil War,the occasion of England's biggest witchhunt. She has been in more than a dozen television documentaries; she even has an IMDb entry and a Wikipedia page.She has spoken to general audiences at numerous literary festivals and to many local history societies.

Note

This is a 16+ event.

If you need financial assistance, please email hello@seedtalks.co.uk

If you would like to submit a proposal to speak or exhibit at this event, please send an email to workwithus@seedtalks.co.uk

Refund Policy: Refunds accepted up to 7 days before event.