Part 1: An Aussie Witch Abroad
- Tim Ozpagan
- May 13
- 3 min read
Updated: May 26
Adventures in Britain's Magical Landscape
Part One, London
While sleep-deprived and exhausted from an epic journey around Britain, I'm retracing my recent travels from the 18th of April to the 6th of May, which were nothing short of magical and inspiring.
Travelling with Bec Black my adventure began and ended in bustling London, a city brimming with hidden mysticism and vibrant energies. We delved into the historic treasures of Oxford's Ashmolean Museum and stood in awe before the enigmatic prehistoric chalk hill figure known as The White Horse of Uffington in Oxfordshire. In Glastonbury, Somerset—the heartland of modern Paganism—we immersed ourselves in ancient magic and found comfort at the Covenstead, a unique haven designed for witches.
The wild beauty of Cornwall called us next, where we wandered through the coastal landscapes and mystic fields stretching from Penzance to St Ives, exploring the Neolithic mysteries of the Mên-an-Tol and Lanyon Quoit standing stones. Bath captivated us with its enduring Roman legacies, while Chester and York took us back through Tudor times with their richly preserved heritage.
Our journey culminated in Edinburgh, where on April 30th, we celebrated the fiery and vibrant Beltane festivities. Amid this extraordinary gathering, of about 10,000 kindred spirits on Carlton Hill, we witnessed bonfires and the Green Man and the May Queen with their accompanying tribes.
Over the coming weeks, I'll share multiple dispatches filled with heartfelt stories, engaging conversations with fellow witches, insights from occult publishers and magical bookshop owners, and all the enchanting discoveries and fabulous bookshops we visited along the way.
I warmly invite you to join me as we retrace this magical journey together— you'll pick up some useful tips about the many places and people of interest to witches.
Exploring the London Mithraeum
One of our first stops was the London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE, located right in the heart of the city's bustling financial district. Hidden beneath modern streets lies the Temple of Mithras, discovered during excavations and brilliantly preserved. This ancient temple offers an evocative glimpse into Roman Britain's mystical past, complete with artefacts that speak volumes about the secretive and powerful Mithraic rites once practised here. The Mithraeum has been thoughtfully complemented by contemporary art installations, making it a fascinating crossroads between ancient mysteries and modern interpretations.
See here for the backstory to the discovery of the London Mithraeum.
A Pilgrimage to The Atlantis Bookshop
No magical tour of London is complete without a visit to The Atlantis Bookshop in Bloomsbury. Established over a century ago, this iconic store is a living tapestry of occult history and home to countless esoteric treasures. Mother and daughter, Geraldine and Bali Beskin, run this family enterprise with warmth and wisdom, presiding over a haven for witches, magicians, and spiritual seekers alike.
We immersed ourselves in its magical ambience, while beneath the bookshop is The Gerald Gardner Room, named after the founder of modern Witchcraft, who, according to Geraldine, ran coven rituals there.
Naturally, I picked up several wonderful titles, including a signed copy of John Callow's insightful "Prospero's Isle: Gerald Gardner and Witchcraft on the Isle of Man," beautifully crafted by Rose Ankh Publishing.
Later, on our return journey to London, we had the pleasure of dining with my dear friend and publisher, Sharon Day of Rose Ankh Publishing. Sharon's dedication to preserving and promoting the rich tapestry of Gardner's vision was truly inspiring. Her latest offering, "Prospero's Isle," is destined to become a cornerstone for anyone seriously studying the roots of contemporary Witchcraft.
For those intrigued by Gardner's pivotal role in reimagining modern witchcraft as a vibrant nature religion and a source of female empowerment, this book is a must-read. I wholeheartedly recommend getting your copy of "Prospero's Isle" here. Don't forget to mention I sent you!
For more about the magical treasures at The Atlantis Bookshop, click here.
This journey has reminded me again of the joy in exploring not just places, but the people and stories that make them resonate deeply with our magical paths. Stay tuned, fellow witches and scholars—there are many more stories to share in the following blog post episodes!
Next Part 2: Adventures in Britain's Magical Landscape, Glastonbury.
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