About this Event
Explore the historical, cultural, and symbolic dimensions of witchcraft at this unique summit. From the portrayal of witches in pop culture and inquisitorial trials in Malta, to tarot and curses, this event uncovers how 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 look at how witches, magic, and folklore have been shaped by gender, power, and spirituality – and how they continue to resonate today.
Through a full day of talks, workshops, and discussion, leading historians and practitioners will delve into the complex history, cultural significance, and lived experience of witchcraft, magic, tarot and sorcery.
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 workshops include:
- Magic and Gender in the Middle Ages
- Creative Tarot: Minor Arcana
- From Sorcery to Witchcraft
- Magic Practitioners and the Inquisition: Malta
- Witches in Pop Culture
- A History of Curses
Our Speakers:
Dr Julia Phillips is Hon Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol. She received her PhD for her research examining how witchcraft featured in newspapers in Victorian Britain. Her primary research interests are witchcraft in the 19th century and the development of modern Pagan Witchcraft in the 20th/21st centuries.
Catherine Rider is Professor of Medieval History at the University of Exeter. She researches and teaches on the history of magic in medieval and early modern Europe, and she is especially interested in the relationship between magic and the Church and between magic and illness.
Dr Jennifer Farrell is a lecturer in the Department of Archaeology and History at the University of Exeter where she specialises in the history of the medieval supernatural. Within that field, she has particular interests in topics like prophecy, magic, gender, sexuality, demons, and Arthurian literature.
Dr Rebecca Beattie grew up on Dartmoor, which gave her an early appreciation of the power and joys of nature. She has been practicing solitary witchcraft for twenty years and an initiate of the Gardnerian Wiccan tradition for fifteen. She is acclaimed for her highly informed teaching of witchcraft subjects at Treadwell's Books in Bloomsbury. By day she is a professional in a major charity, with advanced degrees in Literature and Creative writing.
Proudly partnering with
The University of Exeter
Green Witch Botanicals
Rooted in a long lineage of herbal women, Marina, founder of Green Witch Botanicals, weaves ancestral wisdom into modern ritual skincare. Each product is handcrafted by Marina in Devon, blending sacred botanicals with intention to nourish the body and honour the spirit of those who walk the old path - @green_witch_botanicals_
Eve Shepard
Eve Shepherd is a multi award-winning internationally acclaimed figurative sculptor working in Brighton. Eve has worked as a professional figurative sculptor for some 30 years. Her work is held in many national and international public and private collections. She has created many large scale bronze public sculptures. Her most well known are a 4m high portrait of Wales’ first black head teacher, Betty Campbell for Cardiff city centre, a portrait of Professor Stephen Hawking for Cambridge University and the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and 3 busts for the Sea People Gallery National Maritime Museum, London.
This is a 16+ event.
If you need financial assistance, please email [email protected]
If you would like to submit a proposal to speak or exhibit at this event, please send an email to
Agenda
🕑: 09:15 AM
Doors Open
🕑: 10:00 AM
Talks Start
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Forum, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
GBP 36.00 to GBP 82.00
