Best known as the creator of the arch-rationalist Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) also had a deep fascination with the supernatural, which found expression in his eerie, Gothic fiction. This talk delves into the spectral terror, weird horror, and occult intrigue of Doyle’s lesser-known stories in the genre. His fascination with the supernatural shaped his fiction throughout his career, from early tales of Arctic fright and ancient curses to later works exploring spiritualism, psychic phenomena, and the limits of human perception. Beyond the page, Doyle’s unwavering belief in the unseen – particularly spiritualism – became a defining aspect of his public life during his later years, drawing admiration from spiritualist circles but controversy from elsewhere.
Join us for an evening of spectral visitations, haunted minds, and the blurred line between science and faith.
James Machin is an editor, researcher, and writer who lives in Tring. Recent books include British Weird: Selected Short Fiction, 1893–1937 for Handheld Press – and his short fiction has been published in Supernatural Tales, The Shadow Booth, and Weirdbook. His edition of Conan Doyle’s 1895 novel The Stark Munro Letters for Edinburgh University Press was published in 2024 and he has since commenced work in his next volume in the same series, Conan Doyle’s 1908 collection of ‘grotesque’ tales, Round the Fire Stories. More information about the Edinburgh Conan Doyle Project can be found here: https://edinburgh-conan-doyle.org/
Your host for this event will be the writer Edward Parnell, author of Ghostland: In Search of a Haunted Country. Ghostland, a work of narrative non-fiction, is a moving exploration of what has haunted our writers and artists – as well as the author’s own haunted past; it was shortlisted for the PEN Ackerley 2020 prize, an award given to a literary autobiography of excellence. Edward’s first novel The Listeners (2014), won the Rethink New Novels Prize. He recently edited Eerie East Anglia: Fearful Tales of Field and Fen (2024) for the British Library’s Tales of the Weird series. For further info see: https://edwardparnell.com
Don’t worry if you can’t make the talk live on the night – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day
With his new book Atomic Albion, Tom Bolton journeys to the margins. Britain has sixteen nuclear power stations. Most go under the radar, but their presence is enormous, both physically and culturally. They divide opinion like nothing else. Are they relics of a past era, or a crucial part of our futures? Are they cathedrals of science or temples of doom? Tom’s talk will discuss his travels in search of nuclear power station, from the Essex marshes to the Anglesey coast, from the Dungeness shingle to the far north of Scotland, he explores how nuclear sites shape the places around them, and enters the occult world of nuclear power.
About the speaker
Tom Bolton writes about place and culture, architecture and landscape. His latest book, Atomic Albion, is published in Autumn 2025 by Strange Attractor Press. He has published five books: London’s Lost Rivers: A Walker’s Guide Volumes 1 and 2 (Strange Attractor, 2011 & 2019), Vanished City (Strange Attractor, 2013), Camden Town: Dreams of Another London (British Library Publications, 2017) and Low Country (Penned in the Margins, 2018), the latter shortlisted for the New Angles Prize. He works in architecture and urban design, and has a PhD on London’s railway terminals. He also writes on theatre and music for publications including Plays International and The Quietus.
Don’t worry if you can’t make the live event on the night – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day.
The life and legacy of author, herbalist and pagan trailblazer Scott Cunningham
In his all too brief lifetime, Scott Cunningham (1956-1993) wrote over 16 books which beteeen them changed the way that pagans, wiccans and occultists practiced and thought about their craft. Over thirty years after his death, his books remain hugely influential .
Tonight, join his sister, author Christine Cunningham Ashworth for an intimate talk and Q&A about Scott, inspired by her acclaimed book Scott Cunningham – The Path Taken. Discover the personal stories behind his beloved works and gain insight into the man who shaped modern Pagan literature.
” Here you will learn how Scott, writing in the 1970s and 80s, felt he had to live in two closets, both as a gay man and as a witch. Still, he legitimized solitary witchcraft by helping individuals ‘remember’ the natural, everyday practice of magic; he made Wicca, its knowledge, and essential practices, available to everyone.” –Mary K. Greer, author ofWomen of the Golden DawnandArchetypal Tarot
About the Speaker
Christine Ashworth’s biography of her brother, Scott Cunningham – The Path Taken – Honoring the Life and Legacy of a Wiccan Trailblazer, was published in September 2023 by Red Wheel/Weiser Books. You can find her at ChristineAshworth.com.
Don’t worry if you can’t make the live event on the night – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day.
Please note this is NOT a ZOOM event but an in person workshop at our museum – tickets include a complimentary glass of Devil’s Botany Absinthe
The Last Tuesday Society is delighted to invite Lucya Starza to host an in-person scrying workshop at our most curious venue.
In this live workshop, Lucya Starza teaches the art of scrying: the ancient visionary practice of gazing on water surfaces, mirrors, flames and crystal balls. It can be used for personal guidance, inspiration, far-seeing, fortune-telling and even prophecy. This two-hour hands-on class covers the history, theory and techniques of scrying with various tools and devices, and includes a practical session of water divination. All materials are provided, plus there’s a handout to take home.
About Lucya Starza
Lucya Starza is an eclectic witch living in London, England. As well as being a Wiccan and having a long-standing interest in traditional witchcraft, she grew up in a family where folk magic practices were part of everyday life. She writes A Bad Witch’s Blog at www.badwitch.co.uk and is the author of Pagan Portals – Scrying as well as other books published by Moon Books on candle magic, poppets, guided visualisations and the Wheel of the Year.
Devil’s Botany is London’s first absinthe distillery, founded by Directors of The Last Tuesday Society’s Absinthe Parlour & Cocktail Bar.
International Women Day Special – Witches and Bitches
“Huldre, witches, and bitches – Views on women through the ages.” It’s quite peculiar , but women have always posed a bit of a challenge for society throughout all eras. Just think of the philosophical discussions the ancient Greeks had many centuries before our era, where respected men in society gathered to speculate on whether women could actually be categorized as human beings or merely as bothersome creatures. They concluded that women should not be taken seriously. The perception of women has changed countless times through the ages. Women have been seductresses, nightmares, huldre, witches, and bitches. They have been labelled hysterical beings destined to stay within the walls of the home, dedicating their lives to their husbands, children, and the household. Women have changed politics, academia, finance, and the workforce. They have been the muses of art, the goddesses of the catwalk, and the eternal headache of the conservative patriarchy. Welcome to an informative and entertaining lecture where we dive into the history of the societal role of the woman and the development of the feminist movement.
Bio:
Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer with a master degree in language, culture and literature from the University of Oslo and Linnaeus University. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and main focus has always been topics that others have considered strange, eccentric and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience, Lena’s New Book – Mythical Creatures in Scandinavian Folklore is now available on Amazon
don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day
This workshop is the perfect introduction for anyone interested in learning more about tarot in a fun and relaxed environment. Join Melissa Mercury as she invites you to start your journey with the cards. You don’t need to be ‘psychic’ or have any experience to join, just an open mind. All you need to bring is yourself, notebook and pen, and a tarot deck (preferably the Rider Waite Smith Deck or one similar). There will be the option to purchase a deck on the night if you would like one.
This workshop includes:
+ A brief history of tarot
+ Meanings of the Major Arcana – the first and most famous 22 cards in the deck
+ Guided meditation
+ 3 card tarot spreads – the opportunity to get hands on and practise your skills with supervision and guidance from Melissa
+ Downloadable PDF with the card meanings and spreads
Also included with your tickets:
+ A glass of Devil’s Botany Chocolate Absinthe Liqueur
+ Admission to the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities
About Melissa Mercury, owner of Mercury Tarot:
Melissa qualified in Tarot at London School of Astrology in 2016 and has been reading the cards professionally ever since. She has read for over 10,000 people and been a guest on the Love Island and Paranormal Activity podcasts. In 2024 she appeared on stage with Gail Porter at Paranormal Activity Live to discuss the history of tarot and offer guests a live reading.
Melissa uses tarot as a tool to guide and support people looking for clarity in areas such as love, work and mental health. Tarot can provide clarity, confidence and a safe space to discuss difficult subjects.
Devil’s Botany is the UK’s first absinthe distillery, founded by Directors of The Last Tuesday Society’s Absinthe Parlour & Cocktail Bar. Celebrating spirit’s connection to art, literature, magic & mixology, Devil’s Botany is unleashing the future of absinthe with bold expressions for the adventurous drinkers of today.
Glimpse into what your future holds with an individual reading with resident Tarot Reader, Tobias, at The Last Tuesday Society. Tickets include a Devil’s Botany Absinthe to sip on while embarking on a 15 minute private tarot reading.
Tobias is an experienced reader who provides personal and inclusive sessions, tailored to each individual’s preferred experience. Do you want to ask the cards a question? Perhaps you seek general advice? Or maybe you simply wish to try it out as a new experience! Whatever you would like to gain from your reading, you are welcome.
