Wiccan circles are groups of individuals who practice Wicca, a modern pagan witchcraft religion. These circles are often formed to create a community of like-minded individuals who come together to celebrate Wiccan rituals and ceremonies. They provide a space for Wiccans to connect with others who share their beliefs and to deepen their understanding and practice of the religion. **Finding Wiccan circles close to you** can be a challenge, especially if you are new to Wicca or live in an area where there are not many Wiccans. However, there are a few ways to locate Wiccan circles in your area. First, you can search online for Wiccan groups or circles.
First, you can search online for Wiccan groups or circles. There are numerous websites and forums dedicated to Wicca where you can find listings or directories for groups in your area. These websites may also have forums or discussion boards where you can ask for recommendations or connect with other Wiccans who may know of circles in your area.
North West
The CA, LA, IM, FY, BB, PR, L, M, SK, BL, OL, WA, WN and CH41 – CH66 postcodes.
District Information: Paganism in the North West
This is a geographically diverse area, with many practising Pagans from all walks of life. We have a diverse range of open Pagan activities on offer throughout the year, with camps, moots and conferences, and we liaise with many other Pagan bodies and organisations to provide support for the Pagan community, and to represent Paganism to the wider world, as well as being invited to share information about Paganism at Interfaith events throughout the region
Follow some of the links here and on the Pagan Federation North West Website to see some of our regular meeting points, groups and events. This is not representative of all Paganism in the Northwest, but you can find the rest at the camps, moots and conferences. This is where you are most likely to meet the people who can teach you the magical arts simply answer your queries, or share a pint at the pub in like-minded company.
If you visit our facebook page, also called Pagan Federation North West you will find yourself in a Pagan world, and can chat/live chat with a very friendly crowd, some anticipating their first camp with bated breath, others with years of experience. Obviously we cannot police all people who come to all of our events or who join the forums, so would advise that normal social networking etiquette applies to Paganism as much as any other religion/social group, if you are looking to join a group it is advisable to go to a good few events to see who you really get on with, and that they are genuinely part of the Pagan world. So once again, welcome, and Merry Meet!
Paganism in Cumbria
Cumbria is home to the Lake District National Park, the wild Cumberland coast, and greatest English mountains. Its very name evokes images of Britain’s most beautiful countryside, a land of myths and legends, with more complete stone circles than any other county. ‘The Lake District’ also evokes country cottages, cosy pubs, the poetic landscapes of the Romantic Movement and the world of Beatrix Potter. Here residents and visitors alike feel the true power within the land, coming specifically to enter into a communion with Nature, and to be at one with the seasons as the year wheel turns.
Religious impulse and fulfilment have often been allied to a sense of closeness to the splendour of nature. This is borne out by the rich tapestry of faiths that make up the religious population of Cumbria as well as the plentiful civic rites from Ambleside’s traditional rush bearing parade to Ulverston’s contemporary rivers of light.
Needless to say we also have a flourishing population of adherents to the Old Religion. Druids, Shamans, Heathens and Wiccans meet in groves, groups, blots and covens as they have always done; pagan moots meet in pubs and cafes, and to camp together and sing around bonfires, and semi-public outdoor festivals are organised on a regular basis. Experienced and initiated Priests and Priestesses undertake baby naming, handfastings and requiems, and CRB checked counsellors and chaplains attend hospitals, hospices and prisons to provide for the needs of Cumbrian Pagans.
As you get to know the area you will find some great magical places, such as Kirkby Stephen with the famous Loki Stone in the church, pretty Ulverston with its cobbled streets, Kendal with its lovely ruined castle, not far from Levens Hall with its glass goblet reputed to have been given by the fairies as “the luck of Levens”.
As well as our stunning national Park with its mountains and coasts we have some of the best stone circles in Britain, including Long Meg and Castle Rigg, as well as others which are often quiet and far from the tourist trail. We also have Cumbria’s little known but deeply spiritual Humphrey Head was the place of sanctuary to the last wolf in England, and the now defunct holy well. The Dent Meditation Centre is not Pagan, but has a great programme for personal and psychic development. For those in search of something a bit more lively the Carlisle Moot meets regularly every month of Saturday lunchtime in front of the Guildhall (see Moots and Groups).
In Cumbria various Pagan paths and organisations exist side by side often very quietly. It can be disheartening for people who are trying to find their way in Paganism, but attending the various friendly camps in lovely surroundings is a very good way to meet like-minded people.
Paganism in North Lancashire
Lancashire has a rich heritage in occult lore, and is the site of the brooding Pendle Hill and the Lancashire witch trials. There are several Pendle Witch walks and The Castle at Lancaster offers a tour which features these famous prisoners. For those more interested in the natural world than the historical Festival Bowland provides year round celebrations of the natural beauty of the Forest of Bowland.
Lancaster itself home to some very vibrant and social pagan groups with Lune Pagans in town and Lancaster University hosting the second longest running University Pagan Society (after UCLAN in Central Lancashire), which welcomes non-students, (see moots and groups).
The famous Blue Whale café offers wonderful vegetarian and gluten free food and The Gregson Centre is home to many of the towns other alternative groups. Or if you like your witchy history visit The Golden Lion on Moor Lane where the Pendle Witches supposedly had their last drink according to the plaque outside and the memorabilia within.
Morecambe, over the river boasts some of the greyest weather known to man and was home to one of the top comedians of the sixties, Eric Morecambe. It’s also the place for one of the most enthusiastic pagan groups in the northwest.
Lancashire is home to the mysterious fairy steps near Beetham, beautifully magical walking country as well as Silverdale, one of Britain’s top ten camps sites at Gibraltar Farm, and some of the North West Pagans’ favourite camps. The Wolfhouse Gallery at Silverdale offers lovely food in congenial surroundings and looks out towards Cumbria.
Paganism in Manchester, Bolton and Oldham
This region covers the M, BL and OL postcode areas. As well as Bolton, Oldham and the big cities of Manchester and Salford this area includes other industrial south east Lancashire towns like Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bacup and Bury. It extends as far as Westhaughton, Ramsbottom and Littleborough. There is a small bit of the West Riding of Yorkshire around Todmorden and Saddleworth, and a bit of Cheshire around Sale and Carrington.
Although a lot of the area is built up, there is also plenty of countryside and a few surviving ancient sites such as the Pike Stones on Anglezarke Moor and the stone circle at Cheetham Close near Turton. Anglezarke is a sparsely populated civil parish in the Borough of Chorley. It is dominated by reservoirs that were built to supply water to Liverpool, and a large expanse of moorland with evidence of Bronze Age settlements. Popular with walkers and tourists, it lies in the West Pennine Moors in Lancashire, and is close to the towns of Chorley, Horwich and Darwen.
There are also sites of modern pagan celebration such as Holcombe Hill, Rivington Pike and the moors above Oldham where Alex and Maxine Sanders performed rituals in the 1960’s. Some locations in Manchester are also significant in the history of modern paganism such as the John Rylands library, Corn Exchange and Northern Quarter along with the suburb of Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
Manchester is also home to one of the regions longest running pub moots meeting in The Waldorf on the first Monday of the month. Radcliffe also hosts a well established moot and there is a newer one in Bolton too.
Stockport, North East Cheshire and High Peak
Besides Stockport the SK postcode area covers a large area of north east Cheshire including Macclesfield, Hyde and Stalybridge and part of Derbyshire including Glossop and the spa town of Buxton. There is plenty of varied beautiful countryside ranging from typical Cheshire mere and moss country to the hills and moors of the western Peak District containing ancient sites galore. One of the most significant finds from the pre-Christian era was discovered at Lindow Moss, just outside Wilmslow when Lindow Man was unearthed in the 1980’s.
Paganism in The Isle of Man
The Isle of Man is steeped in history, and has many Pagan sites of interest. The name itself derives from that of the Celtic sea God Mannanen; it is the Isle of Mannanen with all its wonderful shores and Celtic beauty. Curator at Manx National Heritage Museum Allison Fox looks after a fine necklace dating from the 10th Century. She says of the owner, known as “The Pagan Lady”, She was buried within the Christian cemetery at Peel Castle but she had grave goods with her which is a feature of a Pagan burial, including charms, and has been described as a healer and shaman. The Pagan Lady’s Necklace is currently on display at the Manx Museum in Douglas. If you type “Pagan Isle of Man” into Google you will come across all sorts of references that make for great days out with adults or children, looking at its heritage, and exploring its pagan past. It was of course once the site of the Witchcraft Museum where Gerald Gardner was the resident witch and curator, also running there the coven that went on to initiate the first Neo Pagan witches in America. Today the Isle of Man remains a very popular holiday destination and home to a number of Pagans and initiates of the Western Mystery Traditions.
Due to the upheaval caused by Covid-19, please contact the organisers of each individual moot to get news of the current situation regarding the moot.
CHESHIRE:
Stockport Moot
2nd Monday of the month 8pm
The Boars Head Pub, Market Place, Stockport, Cheshire SK1 1TY Tel Susan – 0161 285 2963
https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=39413841596
CUMBERLAND:
Carlisle Moot
Contact Rachael on 07515 596262
Or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/195390013835976/?fref=ts
Cleator Moor Moot
Contact Rachael on 07515 596262
Email [email protected]
Or join our Fb group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/511932205543853
WESTMORLAND
Kendal Moot
Second Saturday of the month at 1:00pm.
Waterhouse Cafe, Brewery Arts Centre, 122A Highgate, Kendal, Westmorland
LA9 4HE
Contact – Cynthia – 07522 908572 or email [email protected] or Fb
https://www.facebook.com/groups/747790951997252/?fref=ts
DERBYSHIRE:
Glossop Moot
Third Thursday of the Month
Glossopdale Pagan Folk, The Globe Inn, 144 High Street West, Glossop,
Derbyshire SK13 8HJ from 8pm.
A group for all pagan folk of the Glossopdale area.
FFI contact The Moot Committee at [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/groups/glossoppaganfolk/
LANCASHIRE:
Blackpool Moot
https://www.facebook.com/groups/blackpoolmoot/
Bolton Pub Moot
3rd Tuesday of the month from 7:30 onwards Sweet Green Tavern, 127 Crook
Street, Bolton, Lancashire BL3 6DD.
3rd Saturday of the month from 8pm in Ye Old Man and Scythe 6-8
Churchgate, Bolton, Lancashire BL1 1HL for a more casual, social moot.
Open rituals for most festivals are held in the Doffcocker Inn, 780
Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Lancashire BL1 5QD.
FFI contact Sally – 07787 090100
Or Fb https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoltonAreaPagans/?fref=ts
Burnley/East Lancashire Moot
Third Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm
Upper Room, The Fortes Arms, 1 Lower Barnes Street, Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire BB5 5TA
Contact 07751 769431
Email: [email protected]
http://burnleypagan.webs.com/
Chorley Pagan Moot
For details contact Leiwolf Crook on 07833 252597 email lei_ [email protected]
or via https://www.facebook.com/groups/1041914139176356/?fref=ts
Lancaster – Lune Pagans Moot
https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117450248301005
LIVERPOOL:
Circle of Pagans Liverpool Pub Moot
3rd Monday each month, 8pmish
The Pilgrim, 34 Pilgrim Street, Liverpool, Lancashire L1 9HB
https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32132980621
MANCHESTER:
Manchester Pagan Wheel
For info email [email protected]
Tel ~ Robin ~ 07933 259195
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manchesterpaganwheel/
Preston New Horizons
Mind, Body and Spirit group
Meet every Friday except Bank Holidays, doors open at 7:30pm, talk
starts at 8:00pm
Admission £3:50
Galloway Hall, 131 Brackenbury Road, Preston, Lancashire PR2 3BS
Contact:
via email, [email protected]
at websitehttp://newhorizonz.co.cc/ or on
Fb https://www.facebook.com/newhorizonzpreston/?fref=ts
Preston Pagan Moot
Meet the second Saturday of every month at The Grey Friar, 144 Friargate, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2EJ.
Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/312446289388050
Preston Shared-Earth Group
Irregular meetings
Tasha – 01772 761897
Karen – [email protected]
UCLAN (Preston) Pagan Society
During Term-time Only:
Saturday evenings at 7pm in Harrington 115
Contact via:
http://uclanpagsoc.weebly.com/
Fb https://www.facebook.com/groups/uclanpagan/?fref=ts
The Twitter Feed
Warrington / St Helens Pagan Moot
Wigan Pagan Moot
Third Thursday of the month in the Edington Arms, 186 Ladies Lane,
Wigan, Lancashire WN2 2QJ from 7.30pm
Contact Gary for details at [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/WiganPaganMoot/?fref=ts
Trading activities are carried out by Pagan Federation, a not for profit company limited by guarantee and registered in England number 04056879
Registered address: c/o Ozkan Accountants Ltd 2nd Floor, Suite 12, Vantage Point New England Road Brighton BN1 4GW
Cleator Moor Moot
Contact Rachael on 07515 596262
Email [email protected]
Or join our Fb group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/511932205543853
Another way to find Wiccan circles close to you is to reach out to local metaphysical or new age stores. These stores often cater to the pagan community and may be able to provide information about Wiccan circles or events happening in your area. They may also have bulletin boards where local groups can post information about upcoming gatherings or open circles. You can also consider attending pagan or Wiccan events in your area, such as festivals, workshops, or retreats. These events often attract a wide variety of Wiccans and may provide an opportunity for you to meet others and learn about local circles or groups. Lastly, don't underestimate the power of networking and word of mouth. Talk to other pagans or Wiccans you may know or inquire within your social circles to see if anyone knows of any Wiccan circles or groups in your area. This can be a great way to find circles that may not be widely advertised or easily found through online searches. Once you have found Wiccan circles close to you, it is important to take the time to explore and evaluate each circle to find one that aligns with your beliefs, values, and goals. Attend open gatherings or meetings to get a sense of the group dynamic and how they practice Wicca. Ask questions, express your intentions, and seek guidance from experienced members to ensure a good fit. Joining a Wiccan circle can provide a sense of community, support, and growth in your spiritual journey. Being able to connect and celebrate with others who share your beliefs can be a transformative and enriching experience..
Reviews for "Honoring the Divine Feminine: Wiccan Circles and Goddess Worship"
1. Lisa - 1 star - I attended a Wiccan circle close to me and it was a complete disappointment. The atmosphere was extremely chaotic and disorganized. The leader seemed unprepared and unaware of what was happening. It felt more like a gathering of lost souls than a spiritual ceremony. I left feeling confused and unsatisfied, with no intention of returning. I would not recommend this Wiccan circle to anyone.
2. John - 2 stars - The Wiccan circle near me was a letdown. The location was not well-maintained, and the energy felt heavy and stagnant. The participants lacked enthusiasm, and it seemed like they were just going through the motions instead of truly connecting with the spiritual aspect. It was a lackluster experience overall, and I won't be going back.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - The Wiccan circle I attended was mediocre at best. While the leader seemed knowledgeable, the gathering lacked a sense of unity and inclusivity. There was little room for personal exploration or growth, as the rituals felt rigidly structured and limited in creativity. It was an average experience that left me wanting more from a Wiccan circle.
4. Mike - 2 stars - The Wiccan circle close to me was a disappointment. The communication leading up to the event was lacking, with important details missing. The actual circle felt rushed, and the rituals were poorly explained. It felt like a missed opportunity to truly connect with the spiritual realm. I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsure if I would give it another try.