Norwich Pagan Moot is a gathering of Pagans and others who acknowledge the spirit in the Earth and Sky, Land and Sea. We hold two regular gatherings a month - the second Sunday evening talk or workshop and the fourth Saturday Coffee Moot. The on-line presentations are currently on holiday. In October, we have our annual Boudica's Brocante. We also have a number of public rituals and walks through the year, notably the annual Twelfth Night ritual on Mousehold Heath. Our 'oss, the Ickeny, usually makes an appearance at rituals, especially Twelfth Night! We are a friendly, welcoming and supportive organisation and do not discriminate on grounds of belief, gender, disability, race or sexuality. Our events are public and open to all. Find out more on the 'Events' page and in our Facebook group. Scroll down for our full contact details.
We do need your support for the costs we have to cover and our speakers often generously donate their time, research and presentations for free! So, please help us by making a donation, large or small, via Paypal to (please copy out, to avoid spam) ...
N.B. this is not a general contact address - scroll down for contacts!.
Older news is archived here.
The Ickeny, with prodder, Szara Froud, and Val Thomas, speaking, at Hidden Charms 5 on 12th April 2025. Picture: Alice Kerridge-Crick.
Val Thomas and Chris Wood had a presentation at the fifth Hidden Charms conference on 12th April 2025, at St Fagan's National Museum of History near Cardiff. This biennial conference covers apotropaic marks, concealed objects and other methods of magical building protection, and related topics. The presentation was entitled, The Multi-tasking ‘Oss, and considered the luck-bringing and protective aspects of (hobby) ‘osses across the UK, how they both terrify and protect their communities, their increasing popularity and the appearance of new ‘osses - like the Ickeny! As a teaser, the handout from a recent Moot talk by Chris on 'osses and other guising beats can be downloaded here! He is also reprising it on-line on 4th May (see the events page).
At the July Coffee Moot we had a visitor: Nicola Archer, who works for the Jigsaw Education Group (www.jigsaweducationgroup.com). She is its Regional Adviser for RE in the East of England and wanted to talk to Pagans with a view to producing material for use in school RE lessons to aid understanding of Paganism amongst the many religions and belief systems that exist. There were good conversations around the table (and in the pub afterwards) and several people gave Nicola their e-mail addresses so that she could contact them for further insights and understanding of Pagan beliefs and experiences - all for eventual consumption by young people, of course! We also agreed that the request for contacts would go on-line so that other people can contact her if they like. Her e-mail address is Nicola.Archer@jigsaweducationgroup.com and the questions she is asking people are as follows.
Nicola writes, "Your input will be so valuable in helping children understand, respect and become more knowledgeable about this worldview."
Val Thomas spoke at the Grimes Graves "Beneath the Surface" Flint Festival on 15th June, as a result of the English Heritage organisers reading her book, Of Chalk and Flint! Her topic was "Magical Connections in Ancient Norfolk Landscapes" and she joined other well-known presenters in a two-day programme of talks, performances and craft workshops, organised jointly by English Heritage and the Stone Club, celebrating the reopening of Grimes Graves as a visitor attraction.
At the end of the day, Val led a blessing of the site! This was made all the more special by English Heritage providing mead for a libation, poured by flint-expert David Smith from one of the fantastic glasses he has made from fused flint!
Grimes Graves is a Neolithic flint mine in Thetford Forest. The name comes from the idea that the pits visible on the surface were dug by Grímr (i.e. Odin) - but Thor was definitely making His presence felt on the Saturday!
Chris Wood writes…
Moot regular Cat Woodward has her debut volume of poetry out this month!
"Strange Shape is a love letter to Norwich, haunted by the spectral hellhound Black Shuck across the fens and fields of history, following the rivers towards the waves of the rising tides returning to claim the land. Imaginative, lyrical and full of dark magic, Strange Shape takes an East Anglian city and shifts it into unexpected forms."
Strange Shape can be purchased direct from the publisher, Story Machine and at a multi-author launch event at Anteros Arts Foundation (Fye Bridge Street) on Tuesday 9th April, 7 p.m. (no need to book).
Val Thomas writes…
I am delighted to announce that my new book, 'Hallowtide: A Dark Devotional', is now available to purchase in standard hardback and paperback editions from the wonderful Troy Books!
The book explores the sacred days between Hallowe’en and Martinmas, a moment of the year which offers a deep well of dark magic.
As the leaves yellow and fall, and pavements and forest tracks are covered in fairy gold, much that is strange and disturbing, yet exquisitely beautiful, emerges from the swirling mists. In the darkness, surrounded by the scent of decay, we feel keenly our own mortality and the presence of those who have died recently or long ago: family members, distant ancestors, friends and beloved animal companions. By indulging our emotions at this time, we embrace life with greater intensity.
The book casts its spell through personal memories and reflections on joy and loss, woven together with a little of the history and folklore of these holy days. It includes spells, recipes and pathworkings.
There are also nine Dark Devotions, powerful, tried-and-tested rituals which can be adapted to suit the tastes of the various streams of witchcraft and magical practice. They are perfect for the dark times but most are suitable for working throughout the year.
Beautifully illustrated by Alice Kerridge-Crick, this book will make you laugh, cry, reflect on life and loss and embrace the melancholy of the season while always acknowledging that renewal, growth and blossoming will return.
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Annette |
Principal Moot Organiser; face-to-face events; Living Norfolk Magic; Facebook |
01603 749 231 |
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Chris |
Coffee Moot; web-site; Twitter; external and media contacts; inter-faith; Ickeny Collection; speaker; guided walks |
01603 667 314 |
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Alice |
On-line events; Instagram; Facebook |
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Val |
Living Norfolk Magic; Facebook; author; speaker; herbalist; herb walks |
01603 667 314 |
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Szara |
Face-to-face events, especially Boudica's Brocante |
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