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Welcome to PF London (Pagan Federation London) which is one of the districts of the Pagan Federation. But PF London, by virtue of being in London, the capital City of United Kingdom, holds a unique position. London may not have prehistoric standing Stones and such Neolithic sites, but it holds plenty of history significant to pagans. Not only that, as Capitol City, it is a place of huge social, political and multicultural activities.
This means that as a District of the PF, PF London and it’s officers work quite hard to keep up with popular trends and demands - of pagans and others who are interested in Paganism.
So, not only does `PF London’ (especially this website) caters for Pagans, but it also towards all people who have an interest, not just in Pagan Federation but in Paganism itself. Thus PF London plays a role akin to one of an Ambassador.
In this website, we
- Give information about PF London Events (Open Rituals, Conventions, Picnics, Courses etc).
- Offer Support, guidance & advise to PF members & non-members.
- Give information / features on Pagan Community in London, ie as many Pagan/magical groups, Courses, gatherings, talks, shops - that exist in and around London.
- Provide resources- information on Paganism, festivals, about magic and so on- This is a relatively new development and we aim to fulfill this via information we create in sister-sites, and extracts in this site.
What does PF London do?
PF London functions with the support of it’s Officers (volunteers either persuaded to take positions, or volunteers who develop certain areas of PFL services and run those areas).
PFL organises `Open Rituals’ - seasonal indoor or outdoor religious ceremonies. Open rituals offer an opportunity for pagans to participate in group or communal worship, honoring, socialising and celebrating.
PFL organises annual major events like Conferences & Conventions- where experienced pagans, authors, tutors and other experts gather with all pagans- to offer Talks, Workshops, performances and interactions, as well as publicise pagan groups, networks, sell pagan products & services.
PFL organises or supports others who organise and run Pagan Moots & Talks- which are monthly social gatherings ..usually in a Public House (pub), a Coffee shop, a park or even a home. At these Moots, participants can relax, make friends, listen to talks, exchange ideas, support and generally socialise.
PFL publicises (or organises) Pagan and magical Courses and workshops that are much sought out by new pagans and interested people.
PFL provides information & networking - via website (this one), newsletter (Tamesis Times), yahoo e-groups, online networking (in facebook).
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PF London Conventions
Up until 2004, most Pagan Federation annual  Conferences were held in London, so PF London had no need for separate ones. But during the few years when PF Conferences were not organised, PF London began creating District Conventions. These have had their own unique themes and magical continuities.
2011: Pagan Federation Conference (40th anniversary special. 8th & 9th Oc’11)- Details soon.
2010: PFL Wyrd-i Convention - Day in the life of magic (June’10- at ULU).
2009: PFL Gaia-Sol Convention - (June’09- at ULU).
2008: PFL Gaia-Fortuna Convention - (September’08- ULU).
2007: PFL Gaia3 Convention- Earth, Environment & Kinship (April’07- ULU).
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Pagan Federation & the Media.
The PF began some 40 yrs ago to address a need of defending the Pagans and pagan traditions. In those days, there were much discrimination and defamation for both Pagans and Pagan Traditions. (Thankfully, as a direct result of the work PF has been doing with authorities, education bodies, law and the Media, this has drastically reduced.. though occassionally the need arises for the PF to campaign, educate and defend!).
PF considers the liaison and work with Media, amongst other things, to be highly important and valuable.
Bodies such as the BBC (Radio & TV), Channel 4 (TV), numerous News paper Journalists, Photographers, Student Researchers have and continue to approach pagans.. and pagan bodies - for either sympathetic features, study.
PF & PFL always welcomes such approach from genuine people.
We ask that you give genuine regard and respect for our religious and magical practices, and not intrude where certain boundaries may be set (for the sake of keeping privacy and spiritual depth). Pagans are just ordinary people- some like being filmed or interviewed, others don’t. In that respect, Pagans are no different to a Hindu, Buddhist, Christian or Muslim.
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Outdoor Events, Parks & Woods in London
Pagans in London are very fortunate in having several woodlands, forests and parks in and around London, within easy reach (a 6-zone travel card gets us to almost all of them, by train, tube, bus or tram!). Many have been used for pagan gatherings, socials, seasonal ceremonies, Hand-fasting, workshops.
- Epping Forest (North East )- Central line tube to Loughton, Epping then bus or 20min walk. There is also the Debden Campsite, open between May-September.
- Queen’s Wood (North )- Northern line to High Gate. About 10min walk from tube station, with a pub enroute.
- Richmond Park (South West)- Train/ District line to Richmond, then bus. Deer roam freely. Many old oak trees.
- Oxleas Woods (South East)- Train to Falcon Wood, then 15 min walk. Environmentalists & Eco magicians worked hard to save features of this.
- Windsor Great Park (West)- Train to Ascot, then 1 hr walk. Access by car is best. The realm of the `Hern the Hunter’ and it’s myth with old English King. Hern’s Tribe has done annual rituals here for well-being of Sovereignty of Land. Old oaks, Deer park and occasional sighting of Hern’s spirit.
- Trent Park (North)- Tube to Cockfosters/Oakwood and walk. A large woodland.
- Wimbledon Common- (South) - Tube/Train to Wimbledon (District line/ BR).. then bus, or walk 30min through Wimbledon village.
PF London has held events , ceremonies in most of these (Annual Pan’s Picnics, Seasonal rituals, Lammas Camp etc). In 2011, PFL Lammas camp/workshops & ritual will be at Epping Debdon Campsite, and Earth Day/ Outdoor Beltane at Trent Park. Details will be posted in this website.
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PFL Services & formal participation.
PF London carries out many of the Membership services that Pagan Federation has created for pagans (members and non-members benefit!)
In Addition, PFL Officers (DM Mike) are engaged in Interfaith dialogues, Networking/ consultations with local Education authorities, and the Metropolitan’s Police Pagan Network.
Others such as Liz L are engaged in coordinating Hospital visits, Prison visits (for any Pagan unfortunate to have ended up there!).
The PF, through the joint body PEBBLE, has a strong link to Home Office in an advisory capacity, and campaigns for pagan’s rights.
Individual pagans (members of PF or non-members) approach PF officers for advise, support and guidelines...when they face difficulties in their personal, domestic, social or work environment- where those difficulties have arisen because of their pagan approach or identity.
IF YOU have any such difficulties, do contact the PF Officers of your local District.
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