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Wicked Wednesdays: Tarot Reading with Melissa Mercury + Devil’s Botany

Glimpse into what your future holds with an individual tarot reading with Melissa Mercury at The Last Tuesday Society. Guests will be invited to order a Devil’s Botany Absinthe cocktail to sip on while embarking on a 15 minute private tarot reading.

To reserve a table for drinks in The Absinthe Parlour, book via: https://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/absinthe-parlour/reservations/

Individual tarot readings will last roughly 15 minutes.

Event is for over 18s only.

MELISSA MERCURY

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. It’s a fantastic way of exploring and growing.

THE ABSINTHE PARLOUR

A drinker’s cabinet of wonder filled with unusual spirits, from the old world and new, together in one curious exhibition of extraordinary elixirs. Allow each round to provide you with a passage to the furthest corners of the world, transported to an experience outside the boundaries of time. Seek and you shall find: hidden here are explorations of alchemy & magick, pleasure & fantasy, celebrating the point at which curiosity unlocks a world unknown.

The Last Tuesday Society’s Absinthe Parlour is truly a hidden treasure of East London.

Shortlisted “Bar of the Year 2024” – The Spirits Business 2024
Absinthe Menu Shortlisted “Specialist List of the Year” – Imbibe 2020
Voted “Best Bar in London” – DesignMyNight Awards 2019

 

The Gods of Egypt – RavenRissy – Zoom

The Gods of Egypt

Ancient Egypt! Mysteries and wonder! Hieroglyphs, mummies, kings, pharaohs and the Book of the Dead, but all of this would not be possible without the Gods! This lecture will give an overview of the different types of Egyptian Gods, where they lived when visiting earth and how the Gods were depicted. RavenRissy will share a glimpse into the life of an Ancient Egyptian and how the ideology took a drastic turn for a period of time with the Amarna Period, all the way from sunny Brisbane Australia.

Speaker Bio

RavenRissy has a degree in Graphic Design, as well as a BA in the Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, specializing in Egyptology, Art History and Archaeology. She has studied internationally in Cyprus, Italy, and Germany. RavenRissy has over 15+ years of experience working within Paganism and Mythology. She is the founder of the Pagan Folk band Hem Netjer, founder of Pagan Folk Nights event group, co-founder of Wyld Women’s Weekend, May Queen, featured in the book Spinning Wyrd and has studied at Magic Universities based in Scandinavia, Latin America and Europe. She is an accomplished artist, musician, author, lecturer. RavenRissy is currently teaching classes privately. You can find RavenRissy at: https://linktr.ee/RavenRissy

Hosted & Curated by:

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

Medieval Graffiti – with Wayne Perkins

Medieval Graffiti: Apotropaic Symbols & Ritual Protection Marks

Surveys undertaken by the author have recorded a fascinating corpus of medieval and historic graffiti which includes compass-drawn circles, ‘Marian’ marks, pentangles & saltires, all of which will be discussed in this illustrated talk.

Many of the marks are so-called ‘ritual protection marks’ – also known as ‘apotropaics’ (from the Greek, ‘to turn away evil’) – whose purpose was to defend the buildings against evil spirits and to confer good luck. This graffiti spans the entire medieval period but appears to peak between AD 1650 –1850, the time of the so-called ‘witch craze’ in Europe. Recent re-evaluation of these marks has revealed many more subtleties and diverse meanings than hitherto imagined, and we’ll explore them tonight.

The talk will begin with examples culled from the medieval buildings of England, then expand the discussion to compare the corpus of graffiti with international examples.

About the Speaker

Wayne Perkins is an archaeologist of 23 years with a special interest in apotropaic graffiti, folklore and concealed objects recovered from ancient buildings.

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 Hallouminati: Cheese Tasting with The Dark Knight Of Cholesterol

The Hallouminati Club Sponsored by Devil’s Botany

A Cheesy Speakeasy in the Austin Osman Spare Room at The Last Tuesday Society

Join Raw Cheese Power for an evening of cheese tasting, talk & tales! An experienced cheese trader & occultist, our host – also known as the Dark Knight of Cholesterol – brings five courses of rare & exquisite cheeses direct from the French countryside.

Fun & informal, the event is a chance to try, learn about and discuss cheese history, heritage & artistry within a cultural & geographical context, plus anything else, of course!

Tickets include a free glass of Devil’s Botany Chocolate Absinthe Liqueur to end the tasting.

Doors open at 18:30. Event Time: 19:00 – 21:00. Please arrive beforehand. Guests are welcome to stay for a drink after the event as the venue’s bar will remain open to the public throughout the evening.

The Unsettling Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ – with Antony Clayton – Zoom

Mansion of Gloom: The Unsettling Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’

Edgar Allan Poe’s atmospheric tale of madness and premature burial has intrigued and disconcerted readers ever since it first appeared in 1839. In the twentieth century, it attracted interpretations from all fields of artistic creativity: film, television, theatre, opera, music, literature and art.

There have been around twenty film and television adaptations: European filmmakers, from the aesthete Impressionist Jean Epstein in 1928 to schlockmeister Jess Franco in the 1980s, American directors Roger Corman and Curtis Harrington, Czech animation wizard Jan Svankmajer, and British directors such as Ken Russell and Ivan Barnett, whose 1946 adaptation was filmed at a Hastings guesthouse which at the time was the home of notorious occultist Aleister Crowley. Roderick Usher has been played by many eminent actors including Martin Landau, Denholm Elliott, Oliver Reed and, of course, Vincent Price.

The story remains relevant – 2020 saw the release of Lady Usher and in 2023 horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan created the acclaimed eight-episode series The Fall of the House of Usher for Netflix. Musically it has inspired an opera by Philip Glass, an unfinished opera by Debussy and concept albums by The Alan Parsons Project, Peter Hammill and Lou Reed. Steven Berkoff has adapted the story for the stage, Ray Bradbury wrote a science fiction story ‘Usher II’ and numerous artists including Arthur Rackham, Harry Clarke, Alastair and Leonor Fini have produced illustrations.

The House of Usher’s fortunes continue to rise.

 

About the Speaker

London-born and now living in Hastings, Antony Clayton is the author of Subterranean City: Beneath the Streets of London (2001 & 2010), London’s Coffee Houses (2003), Decadent London (2005, 2019), Secret Tunnels of England, Folklore and Fact (September 2015), Netherwood: Last Resort of Aleister Crowley (2012 & 2017) and Mansion of Gloom: The Unsettling Legacy of Poe’s ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ (December 2024). He has given talks at the British Library, ICA, Conway Hall, Freemason’s Hall and various other venues in and out of London.

Your curator and host for this event will be the writer Edward Parnell, author of Ghostland: In Search of a Haunted Country. Ghostland (William Collins, 2019), 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. His latest book is Eerie East Anglia (pub. Aug 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 live event on the night – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day.

[Image: a scene from Roger Corman’s 1960 adaptation of The Fall of the House of Usher.]

Richard Dadd – the Artist of Bedlam Asylum – Lena Heide Brennand – Zoom

Richard Dadd-the Artist of Bedlam Asylum

Discover the enigmatic world of Richard Dadd, the brilliant yet troubled artist who created mesmerizing works during his time at Bedlam Asylum. Join us for an intriguing lecture that delves into the life and art of Dadd, whose masterpieces reflect a unique blend of fantasy, madness, and the haunting beauty of the human psyche. From his vivid depictions of mythical creatures to his intricate landscapes, Dadd’s art offers a glimpse into his tumultuous mind and the turbulent era in which he lived. As we explore his captivating journey from promising artist to asylum inmate, we’ll uncover the themes of obsession, isolation, and imagination that permeate his work. This lecture promises to be a visual and intellectual feast, inviting art lovers and history enthusiasts alike to engage with the legacy of a man whose genius was forever intertwined with his struggles. Don’t miss this opportunity to unravel the complexities of Richard Dadd’s artistry and the shadows of Bedlam.

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

don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

The Birth of Horror: Exploring Early 1900s Horror Cinema – Lena Heide-Brennand – Zoom

The Birth of Horror: Exploring Early 1900s Horror Cinema

Join us for a captivating lecture on the origins of horror cinema, delving into the eerie and groundbreaking films of the early 1900s. Discover how pioneering filmmakers like Georges Méliès and F.W. Murnau crafted some of the first horror masterpieces, such as “Le Manoir du Diable” (1896) and “Nosferatu” (1922). We’ll explore the cultural and historical contexts that influenced these early works, the innovative techniques used to create suspense and fear, and the lasting impact these films have had on the genre.

We’ll also examine the profound impact of silent films on the horror genre. Without the use of sound, early filmmakers relied heavily on visual storytelling, expressive acting, and innovative special effects to convey terror and suspense. This era laid the foundation for many of the visual and thematic elements that continue to define horror cinema today.

Additionally, we’ll discuss the transition to sound in horror films and how it revolutionised the genre. The introduction of sound brought new dimensions of fear through eerie sound effects, chilling scores, and the power of dialogue. This transition allowed filmmakers to create more immersive and psychologically complex horror experiences, forever changing the landscape of horror cinema.

Whether you’re a horror aficionado or a curious newcomer, this lecture promises to be a spine-chilling journey into the dawn and evolution of horror cinema.

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

“Where Did the Witch’s Hat Come From? The Checkered Past of a Pointy Icon” – Dr Yvonne Owens – Zoom

“Where Did the Witch’s Hat Come From? The Checkered Past of a Pointy Icon”

In this presentation, I deal with the Welsh national costume for women as a possible source and inspiration for what is now the familiar image of the Witch’s hat and delve into the ale-wives’ tall hat, a millinery device to advertise their wares in crowded markets and street fairs. The 17th and 18-centuries’ positive fashion influences on elite Witch figures, the negative anti-Puritan and anti-Quaker influences, and some other related discussions are explored. But there are also the medieval ladies’ pointy headdresses, called henins, and the magical Scythian women’s tall, pointed headdresses to think of. The famed ‘Siberian Ice Maiden’ is the mummy of a woman from the 5th century BC, found in 1993 in a kurgan (mound burial chamber) of the Pazyryk culture in Republic of Altai, Russia. She was buried in her full regalia, including a tall conical hat, as a magical personage, which is to say a shaman, warrior and/or priestess- queen. A very ancient Hittite Goddess of Hurrian descent, Sauska (also known as Shaushka, Sausga, and Anzili) was a deity of fertility, war, and healing. She is thought by some scholars to be the original source for Inanna, and Ishtar stylings. She wore a very tall conical hat as part of her sacred regalia. The pointy black hat was just one of many symbols connected to witchcraft in the past. Some early images of witches did include the wide-brimmed pointy hat, but basically the conical Witch’s hat is an early modern convention. The depiction of witches with conical hats was especially popular in England and Scotland.

Bio

Yvonne Owens is a past Research Fellow at the University College of London, and holds an M.Phil. (European Studies) and Ph.D. (History of Art) from UCL. She was awarded a Marie Curie Ph.D. Fellowship in 2005 for her interdisciplinary dissertation on Renaissance portrayals of women in art and sixteenth-century Witch Hunt discourses. Her publications to date have mainly focused on representations of women and the gendering of evil “defect” in classical humanist discourses, cross-referencing these figures to historical art, natural philosophy, medicine, theology, science and literature. Her book, Abject Eroticism in Northern Renaissance Art: the Witches and Femme Fatales of Hans Baldung Grien (Bloomsbury London) was published in 2020 and her edited anthology of collected essays, titled Trans-Disciplinary Migrations: Science, the Sacred, and the Arts, was published by Cambridge Scholars Publishers in 2024. Previous books include The Witch’s Book of Days (1993, Beach Holme Publishing, with Jessica North and Jeanne Kozocari), The Cup of Mari Anu (1994, Horned Owl), and The Journey of the Bard (1995, Horned Owl).

Curated & Hosted by:

Marguerite Johnson is a cultural historian of the ancient Mediterranean, specialising in sexuality and gender, particularly in the poetry of Sappho, Catullus, and Ovid, as well as magical traditions in Greece, Rome, and the Near East. She also researches Classical Reception Studies, with a regular focus on Australia. In addition to ancient world studies, Marguerite is interested in sexual histories in modernity as well as magic in the west more broadly, especially the practices and art of Australian witch, Rosaleen Norton. She is Honorary Professor of Classics and Ancient History at The University of Queensland, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

don’t worry if you miss it – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day

The picture credit is: Portrait of an innkeeper known as ‘Mother Louse’, after David Loggan, c. 1650-1700, The British Museum.

After-Hours Seance with Patti Negri

After-Hours Seance with Patti Negri at The Last Tuesday Society & Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities

Join Patti Negri behind closed doors at The Last Tuesday Society & The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities for a safe and just slightly spooky seance to connect with your loved ones on the other side. As we journey through the veil together, everyone will have a chance to invite in and communicate with their deceased loved ones. It’s a full experience of insight, magic and communicating with the other side. If you have seen Patti do seances on Ghost Adventures or other TV shows and are worried about dark spirits – she promises, none will be allowed – and no one is going home with any (even if you want to). Good, fun, communicative spirits will be the only one permitted!

This will be a special opportunity for a group seance with renowned Psychic-Medium Patti Negri.

Event is suitable for ages 18+ only.

Patti Negri, Psychic-Medium and “Good Witch” is best known for her recurring role on the Travel Channel & Discovery Plus’s #1 show GHOST ADVENTURES and the #1 paranormal show on YouTube TFIL OVERNIGHT with Elton Castee. She is the international bestselling author of OLD WORLD MAGICK FOR THE MODERN WORLD: TIPS, TRICKS, & TECHNIQUES TO BALANCE, EMPOWER, & CREATE A LIFE YOU LOVE. She has a new book coming out from Lewellyn in 2025 called DOLLCRAFT about Haunted Dolls and magical poppets.

Patti’s body of work includes appearances on dozens of shows from Portals To Hell, MASTER CHEF, WipeOut and America’s Got Talent to Influencers, YouTubers and crossover talents like Lilly Singh, LaurDIY, Good Mythical Morning and AwesomenessTV.

She has graced numerous magazine covers, contributed to over 20 books and conducted seances on radio, film, and TV working with such legends as Emma Stone, Jon Voight, Josh Duhamel, Chevy Chase and Gregory Hines.

Patti has a popular award-winning weekly podcast called The Witching Hour and has a second weekly podcast, The Witch’s Movie Coven. Patti is a founding partner and Vice President of Paraflixx.com Streaming Service, and founding partner and educator at UniversityMagickus.com (or magicku.org) an online spirituality and mysticism School.

Seance Seance

Whale Tales: Myths, Folklore and Legends of Whales and Dolphins – with Professor Joanna Page

Our fascination with whales and dolphins stretches a long way back in history. The oldest rock art depicting dolphins has been dated to around 43,000 years ago, and whales and dolphins have figured prominently in the myths, folktales and legends of many different cultures. This Zoom talk will explore stories from ancient Greece to modern-day Brazil, via the Old Testament, the Qu’ran, the mediaeval bestiary, Scottish folklore, and the First Nations tribes of the Pacific Northwest. It will demonstrate that in many instances, myth actually meets science: our understanding today of the intelligence and creativity of whales and dolphins, and their rich social lives, often reveals important truths at the heart of these legends.

 

Professor Joanna Page is based at the University of Cambridge, where she directs CRASSH, one of the largest interdisciplinary research centres in the world. Her interests are broadly located within the environmental humanities, and many of the books she has published explore the relationship between science and culture. She also works for the marine conservation charity ORCA, giving talks on marine biology and ecology, and surveying whales and dolphins in the North Atlantic and beyond.

Your curator and host for this event will be the writer Edward Parnell, author of Ghostland: In Search of a Haunted Country. Ghostland (William Collins, 2019), 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. His latest book is Eerie East Anglia (pub. Aug 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 live event on the night – we will send you a recording valid for two weeks the next day.

[Image: A narwhal and large sperm whale. Engraving. Wellcome Collection. Source: Wellcome Collection.]