Paganism is a diverse spiritual practice that encompasses many different traditions and beliefs. One important aspect of Paganism is the celebration of various festivals throughout the year. These festivals are often tied to the seasons and the cycles of nature. In 2023, Pagans will have a rich calendar of festivals to celebrate. One of the first festivals of the year is Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 1st. Imbolc marks the beginning of spring and is associated with the goddess Brigid.
The Festival of the Accused tells the stories of those accused of witchcraft and its modern devotees.
Ham is represented by Anti Clone Gallery under the pseudonym Nullo, their silicone based work takes the form of design objects that intersect organic forms with the manmade. Nullo launched in 2019 via a runway show with a collection of surreal sex toys and fetishwear based on transhuman bodily augmentation and mutation, the project has since manifested through VR, performance, and sculpture.
Imbolc marks the beginning of spring and is associated with the goddess Brigid. It is a time to honor the growing daylight and the returning energy of the earth. Next on the calendar is Ostara, which falls on March 20th.
Rituals: Performance Art and Witchcraft
Marissa Carnesky, performer Parma Ham and Jennifer Higgie exploring magical practices in performance art.
This event takes place in the British Library.
From the heritage of folk and tribal ritual to the role of artist as shaman; the esoteric and incantatory are wellsprings of artistic inspiration. Why are so many in contemporary performance and live art turning to witchcraft as a model for creation? And what does magical thinking offer the artist that other ways of working cannot?
This panel explores the witch as touchstone for artists and performers and delves into the power of ritual to captivate and move us.
With performer, director and teacher Marisa Carnesky and the artist, curator, musician, and DJ Parma Ham . Chaired by the writer Jennifer Higgie .
The Festival of the Accused tells the stories of those accused of witchcraft and its modern devotees.
Jennifer Higgie is an Australian writer who lives in London. Her latest book, The Other Side: A Journey into Women, Art and the Spirit World is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
Marisa Carnesky is an Olivier award-winning performer, director and teacher. She is best known for her immersive theatre ride Carnesky’s Ghost Train which toured nationally and internationally for over a decade until 2015. More recently her experimental group performance work Dr Carnesky’s Incredible Bleeding Woman toured extensively to wide critical acclaim. Her work has been funded, commissioned and programmed by Arts Council England, National Theatre Studios, The Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Attenborough Centre For The Creative Arts amongst many others. She was awarded a Doctorate from Middlesex University in 2019.
Parma Ham (they/them) is an artist, curator, musician, and DJ, based in London. Since 2015 they have been a producer with the Serpentine Galleries . Ham is represented by Anti Clone Gallery under the pseudonym Nullo, their silicone based work takes the form of design objects that intersect organic forms with the manmade. Nullo launched in 2019 via a runway show with a collection of surreal sex toys and fetishwear based on transhuman bodily augmentation and mutation, the project has since manifested through VR, performance, and sculpture. Ham’s performances activate their design work, through narratives from local folklore and esotericism, via outsider queer aesthetics. Their work has been commissioned or programmed by Comme Des Garçon, Dover Street Market London and Paris, Soho House, Silencio, Burberry, and more. In 2019 Ham founded the Wraith event series and its sibling magazine Inertia , both platform ritual as performance, music, and posthuman fashion.
Image credit: Illustration from The Discovery of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot, 1584. Shelfmark:G.19129. British Library.
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Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event.
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Ostara is celebrated at the vernal equinox, when day and night are of equal length. This festival is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the fertility of the land. It is a time of growth and renewal, and Pagans often honor the goddess Eostre during this festival. Beltane is the next festival on the Pagan calendar, and it is celebrated on May 1st. Beltane is a celebration of fertility and the coming of summer. It is a time of great joy and merriment, with rituals often involving dancing around a maypole. The goddesses associated with Beltane include the May Queen and the Green Man. Midsummer, also known as Litha, takes place on June 21st. This festival corresponds with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It is a time of light and power, and many Pagans gather at ancient sites such as Stonehenge to witness the sunrise on this day. The sun god is often honored during Midsummer celebrations. The festival of Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is celebrated on August 1st. Lammas is a celebration of the first harvest and the abundance of the earth. It is a time to give thanks for the fruits of the land and to acknowledge the cycle of life and death. The god Lugh is often revered during Lammas rituals. Next on the calendar is Mabon, which takes place on September 22nd. Mabon is celebrated at the autumnal equinox, when day and night are once again of equal length. This festival is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest and to prepare for the coming winter. The goddess Modron is often honored during Mabon celebrations. Finally, the year ends with Samhain, which falls on October 31st. Samhain is the Pagan New Year and is often considered the most important festival of the year. It is a time to honor and remember the ancestors, as well as to celebrate the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The veil between the worlds is said to be thinnest on Samhain, making it a potent time for divination and spiritual communication. These are just a few of the festivals that Pagans will celebrate in 2023. Each festival has its own unique traditions and rituals, but they all share a common thread of honoring the cycles of nature and the sacredness of life. Whether they are celebrating the arrival of spring or the abundance of the harvest, Pagans will come together to honor their spiritual beliefs and connect with the natural world..
Reviews for "A Year of Spiritual Growth: Pagan Festivals to Attend in 2023"
1. Jane - 2 stars - The "Pagan festivals calendar 2023" was a huge disappointment for me. I was expecting a comprehensive and detailed guide to pagan festivals throughout the year, but instead, I found a calendar with only basic dates and brief descriptions. There was no information about the significance of the festivals, their origins, or any rituals associated with them. As an enthusiast of pagan traditions, I was looking for more depth and substance, and unfortunately, this calendar didn't provide that. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a thorough exploration of pagan festivals.
2. Mark - 1 star - I have to say I was extremely dissatisfied with the "Pagan festivals calendar 2023". It lacked any meaningful information other than the dates of the festivals. I was hoping for a calendar that not only listed the dates but also provided insights into the different pagan traditions, their history, and suggested rituals or activities for each festival. Unfortunately, this calendar fell short on all fronts. It was nothing more than a basic calendar with no additional value. Save your money and look elsewhere for a more comprehensive resource on pagan festivals.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was excited to get the "Pagan festivals calendar 2023," but it didn't meet my expectations. While it had a nice layout and included the major pagan festivals, the information provided was minimal and lacked depth. I was hoping for more background information, historical context, and practical suggestions for celebrating each festival. This calendar felt more like a basic list of dates rather than a resource that could enhance my understanding and connection with the pagan traditions. Overall, I was left wanting more, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking a more comprehensive guide to pagan festivals.
4. Michael - 1 star - The "Pagan festivals calendar 2023" was a complete waste of money. I was expecting an informative and engaging resource to help me explore and understand pagan festivals, but what I got was a simplistic calendar with no real substance. The descriptions provided for each festival were vague and lacked any historical or cultural context. There was no depth or insight to be found in this calendar, making it utterly disappointing. I would highly advise against purchasing this calendar if you're looking for a meaningful exploration of pagan festivals.
5. Emily - 2 stars - I was hoping that the "Pagan festivals calendar 2023" would offer a comprehensive overview of pagan festivals, but it fell short. While it accurately listed the dates of various festivals, there was very little additional information provided. I was expecting more background on each festival, traditions associated with them, and suggestions for celebrating. Without that essential context, the calendar felt incomplete and superficial. I would have liked to see more effort put into providing a comprehensive guide to pagan festivals rather than just a basic date reference.