On Campus
Barri Mason, csurc@warwick.ac.uk
Rituals and magic can be performed more or less anywhere, but I personally (and many others that I know) prefer to perform them outside. I always find that a ritual performed 'in the eye of the sun or moon', as the Druids say, is far more satisfying in some way. Performing a rite in my room in Rootes could somehow never quite match one done in a grove of trees somewhere in Tocil Wood. The society has always performed rites outside, regardless of the weather. Those of you who have spent time in a Magic Circle will perhaps have noticed that it gets slightly warmer inside than the surrounding area - this is of great benefit on a cold night! A bottle of mead will go to the first person who casts a rainproof Circle.
We have conducted rites in various locations around campus, most of which gradually become too overgrown to use as the year progresses. By far the most effective location has been the Quarry, which Antony discovered using the cunning 'falling into it' strategy employed by at least three society members on the first Avebury trip. We believe it to be the remains of a Neolithic flint mine, now a sheltered and reasonably secluded place with enough open space, even in summer, to perform group rituals. The spirits that dwell there are quite happy for rituals to be performed on the quite obvious proviso that we keep it clean. We go there regularly to pick up litter, any volunteers would be warmly welcomed.
Most of our group rites are now performed in the Quarry. If you want to do a private rite there, particularly at a significant time (full moon, etc) then it may be a good idea to warn the rest of the society so that no one has the same idea and interrupts you. There is nothing more annoying than trying to perform a quiet meditation while someone is screaming an incantation to Kali a few metres away!
The Quarry has the advantage of being secluded without being treacherously difficult to find in the dark. If privacy is the overriding factor, then Tocil Wood may be a better place. The newer (eastern) part of the wood gets extremely overgrown in the summer, but in the winter there are a fair number of sheltered places suitable for rituals. There are a number of spirits in places that will delight in mocking you when you get things wrongs, but that's tree sprites for you.
The old part is more interesting. It is an ancient bluebell wood now managed by the local wildlife trust and sadly cut in half by the path from central campus to Gibbet Hill. In the smaller half there is a fey-and-dike arrangement thought to be the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. I would advise walking around in the day first, as it is quite closed in and gets very dark at night. It's not really big enough to get lost in (though we have almost succeeded) but there is a bog in the centre which could be quite unpleasant if you wander from the path in the wrong place so be warned! There are a number of little groves and hollows that are quite good for small groups or solitary works, but bear in mind that the spirits in this part are a lot older and bigger than those elsewhere on campus. Also be warned that the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust often run night walks and bat watching in the area - watch out for notices along the paths showing the dates.
For a more open ritual, there is a field in between Tocil Wood and Gibbet Hill where a new wood is being planted. There are a few places sheltered by hedges that are good for ritual provided that you pick your time well. The whole area is a dog-walker's paradise, and people will insist on walking their dogs at the oddest of hours. It is the only reasonably secluded place on campus that offers a good view to the north-east, making it a perfect location for Midsummer. There is also a small meadow in between the new and old halves of Tocil Wood, but that too gets extremely overgrown in summer.
There are not many other locations on campus suitable for Pagan activity, but the woods and fields continue for quite some way if you just want to clear you hangover with a nice gentle walk.
Beyond campus there are many other woods, the nearest being Wainbody Wood just beyond Gibbet Hill, then Crackly Wood near Kenilworth. Further a field, there are two Druid Wells in Sutton Park, North Birmingham and a reputedly good location at Witchbury. The Birmingham Pub Moot have more information on these locations.
Like most followers of Western Pagan traditions, I hold nature in high esteem and always take great care not to damage these places as I use them. I urge all of you to show the same respect.