In this live interview, I am joined by Dr Christina Oakley Harrington—medieval historian, long-standing practitioner of witchcraft, and founder of the renowned Treadwell’s Bookshop in London—for a conversation that traces the intersections of scholarship, community, and contemporary esotericism.
We explore the historical development of modern witchcraft, with particular attention to the inclusive dimensions of early Wiccan covens such as the New Forest group. Drawing from Christina’s research, the discussion addresses the presence of LGBTQ individuals in the early history of the Craft, challenging homogenised narratives and highlighting the movement’s radical potential from its inception.
Our dialogue also reflects on the transformation of esoteric communities in London over recent decades. Christina discusses the decline of public gatherings such as the Pub Moots of the 1980s and 1990s, and considers the evolving role of the esoteric bookshop as a site of both knowledge transmission and community formation in the contemporary landscape.
The conversation further addresses her personal journey from academic research in medieval studies to the establishment of Treadwell’s, offering insights into the ways historical scholarship and spiritual practice can mutually enrich one another. We also touch on her written contributions, including Dreams of Witches and The Treadwell’s Book of Plant Magic, which exemplify her ability to synthesise rigorous historical insight with accessible spiritual praxis.
This interview will be of interest to scholars of contemporary religion, Pagan studies, gender and sexuality in esotericism, and those engaged in the lived realities of magical practice today.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Christina Oakley Harrington is an independent scholar of religion who works on twentieth century pagan witchcraft and the history of European herbal magic Trained as a medieval historian (PhD UCL), she was a Lecturer in History for twelve years on the faculty of St Mary’s University (Surrey). She is author of Women in a Celtic Church: Ireland 450-1150 (Oxford University Press) and Dreams of Witches (Black Letter Press) as well as articles both scholarly and journalistic. She co-edited Abraxas: International Journal of Esoteric Studies 2010-2015. Her popular work Treadwell’s Book of Plant Magic, aimed at a general audience, has sold over 10,000 copies in the five years since its publication. Since 2003 she has run Treadwell’s Bookshop in London, a crossroads between researchers and practitioners of Western esoteric traditions. In Spring 2025 she was Scholar in Residence at Harvard University’s Center for World Religions.
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00:00:00 Introduction: Dr Christina Oakley Harrington
00:02:03 Dr Oakley Harrington’s Pagan Journey
00:04:40 Treadwell’s Book Shop
00:09:34 Wicca, Pagans and the Old Religion Myth
00:13:26 How Pagans Grew to Love Prof Ronald Hutton
00:22:36 How Doreen Valiente shaped early Wicca
00:30:18 Interest in Paganism in Italian Universities
00:35:00 Sexual Practices in Early Wicca
00:40:37 Antinomianism: Rebelling or Reclaiming – Crowley’s influence
00:45:16 The film “The Love Witch”
00:52:27 LGBTQ+ & Homosexuality in Early Wicca
01:02:11 Viviane Crowley & Jungian Psychology in Wicca
01:06:10 Dr Oakley Harrington’s Definition of Magic
01:14:06 Can Science Prove Magic?
01:18:53 Treadwell’s Book Shop Address and Opening Hours
01:21:20 Support Angela’s Symposium
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Published on June 2, 2025
