A RECORD crowd of over 2,000 people across the UK descended on Coventry over coronation weekend for the uniquely magical festival for witches and pagans.
People braved the rain to take part in the two-day festival, which featured a packed programme of talks, rituals, workshops, events and performances.
Workshops and rituals included incense-making, spellcraft and wand decorating as well as woodland walks, Viking re-enactments and yoga.
People could also dance the day away at the witches’ ball, tuck into plenty of food at the feast nights and enjoy a Viking battle.
There was plenty of family-focused entertainment and workshops including falconry and a shopping village packed with goods including furniture, cloaks and mead.
And there was a special tribute to King Charles III on his coronation weekend, with the ceremony shown on a screen at the venue and the festival holding a Circle of Friendship and Family ritual.
The festival was launched in 2021 to raise awareness and remove some of the taboo attitudes surrounding witchcraft and paganism.
Organiser Julie Aspinall, from the Coventry-based Coven of Gaia, teams up with other covens from around the country to stage the popular festival twice a year.
She said: “The festival has been growing in popularity since we first started it with people coming from across the country to get involved in an event that welcomes everyone.
“Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t stop the rain coming, but that didn’t put people off.
“We welcomed witches and pagans, families, beginners and people who just wanted a great weekend away, and everyone had an amazing time.”
Planning has already started for the next festival, which will take place on September 16 and 17.
Visit https://www.covenofgaia.co.uk/ for more information on the festival and to buy tickets, which will go on sale shortly.
