The Secret Chiefs is Britain’s longest running pagan & Occult talk Forum. It is a friendly fortnightly gathering run by Michael Bingas for the past 5 years!

Founded by Caroline Roberston under the name of ¬Talking Stick,’ it began at The Plough on 14th February 1990, moving through the years to The Marquis Cornwallis, The Dog & Trumpet, the Black Horse to the Princess Louise, there becoming Secret Chiefs on 15th March 2000. Now at the Devereux).

Secret Chiefs meet fortnightly on Wednesday evenings (occasionally Thursdays or Fridays) upstairs at the Devereux public house. We meet from 7pm and talks start at approx 8.30pm. Admission is £2 (£1 concession). All are welcome.  

Address: Devereux Pub, 20 Devereux Court, off Essex Street, London WC2. Nearest tube is Temple.

Forthcoming Talks:

Wednesday 23rd August – Donal Ruane
"Stories On A Stick"
In 2001-2, filmmaker Donal Ruane spent a year in the Peruvian Amazon, undergoing the rigorous training required of a shamanic initiate. His film 'Stories on a Stick' chronicles these experiences with the legendary hallucinogenic brew Ayahuasca and will be released on DVD later in the year..  The film includes interviews with visionary artist Don Pablo Amaringo and other ayahuasqueros and explores the beliefs and mythology surrounding ayahuasca usage among Mestizo shamans  in the  Upper Amazon and the influence of European folklore and magic on these beliefs.  (www.headoverheels.org.uk)

Wednesday  6th September – Meredith MacArdle & Christine Rhone
"Food And Drink Of The Gods"
Legend and mythology is full of reference to sacred foods and drinks.  Nectar, Ambrosia, Soma were some of the sacred names for substances which promised immortality.  Meredith and Christine have been eating divine food and imbibing heavenly drinks for many a year. Tonight they will share their secrets with you and may even offer a free sample or two!

Wednesday 20th September – Andy Collins
"The Cygnus Mystery – Its Occult Implications"
If cosmic rays from the Cygnus constellation have influenced human evolution and through it ancient cosmologies, alignment at megalithic sites and even world religions, as Andrew Collins claims in his new book "The Cygnus Mystery", then what does this mean for the occultist, magician and Thelemite? You'll find out tonight when he reveals all at Secret Chiefs

Wednesday 4th October - Larry Summers
"London: Murky, Mysterious,  Magnificent!"
Larry is an official tour guide of the City of London and Clerkenwell and will be training to become a Blue Badge guide in September. Tonight he will give a brief outline of London's history sprinkled with some anecdotes and lesser known facts, including such widespread themes as religion, radicals and rookeries to coffee, corruption and criminals.................

Wednesday 18th October – Rachael Bulla
"Joseph Smith And The Occult"
Rachael Bulla is researching the Druidic Ogham for a DPhil at Oxford University. She has been a devout member of the LDS (‘Mormon’) Church since age 10 and has been exploring ‘pagan magic’ in connection with her LDS spirituality for five years. She will discuss the ‘pagan occult’ aspects of the prophet Joseph Smith: his interest in astrology, magical sigils and talismans, magical treasure seeking, his use of seer stones and Urim and Thummim to translate the ‘golden plates’ (the ‘Book of Mormon’) and his involvement with Freemasonry.