The Witching Hour, A Witch Friending Event

Why this exists

Something has been missing

The witchcraft and pagan community in Sydney is larger than most people realise. But knowing it exists and actually being part of it are two very different things.

Online communities help, but they don't replace sitting across from someone and engaging in real human conversation. Attending events is great for learning, but people mostly engage with the content and not each other. There isn't anything wrong with that, however it can be hard for people to put themselves forward and get to know each other. We crave friends who get it, who don't look at us funny for what we believe and do. There isn't anything specifically designed for making friends in our community.

That is what The Witching Hour is meant to be. We have borrowed the structure from speed dating and speed friending to create a fun event for you to find your people and make connections with other witches.

This event is for witches like you to build solid relationships that help you feel not just less alone but supported and empowered to go out and make some amazing magic together.

The format

How it works

A simple structure to take the awkwardness out of meeting strangers, but open enough for real conversation to happen.

Form groups of three

More perspectives means less pressure on any one person. You can just listen if you want.

Choose a tier

Three depths of conversation. Your group picks the level they feel comfortable with.

Draw a card

Use the app on your phone to draw one random prompt from your tier, or write one yourself.

Talk for ten minutes

Everyone answers, everyone listens. The app has a built-in timer.

Rotate

After time is up, form a new group of three. By the end you will have met a room full of witches.

Keep talking

After the rotations it is time for mingling. Go and find the people you liked and keep chatting.

The discussion cards

Three depths of conversation

Discussion prompts give you a starting point. Your group decides how deep they want to go.

Tier 1

Fun & Accessible

Discussion prompts that focus on the basics. Talk about your experiences and how you are developing your path. Suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

Tier 2

A Little More Depth

Discussion prompts that probe into specifics. Explore theory, history and technique. Fun for people with an established practice who want to discuss some interesting ideas.

Tier 3

Potentially Controversial

Discussion prompts that dig into topics our community has strong opinions on. If your group wants to challenge themselves this is the tier for you, but remember to stay classy.

Something Else

Write your own

Are the discussion prompts you are seeing not doing it for you? Tap the "Suggest a Prompt" button in the app and submit your own, then preview it on a card and start chatting. The organisers review all submissions and good ones go live for everyone.

At the event

Using the discussion card app

Tap the button below to open the app. No physical cards means we can change the prompts over time.

Open the app

Tap the button in the header. The app runs in your browser, nothing to install.

Choose your tier

Fun & Accessible, A Little More Depth, or Potentially Controversial.

Draw a card

Tap Draw a Card. Prompts will not repeat until the whole tier is exhausted.

Start the timer

Ten minutes. A chime sounds when it is time to rotate.

Suggest a prompt

Tap "Suggest a Prompt" at the bottom. Good ones go live for everyone.

OPEN THE CARD APP

Opens in your browser · No installation required

What to expect

The rules of the room

The Witching Hour is not a coven, a class, or a place to recruit. We are all expected to behave like well-put-together adults. Here are a few things that help it work for everyone.

Adults only, respectful space

This event is held in a bar and conversations can go places that aren't child-friendly. Please leave the kids at home. This is also not a pick-up event. Unwanted advances or boundary-crossing behaviour will get you asked to leave, no debate.

All traditions, no hierarchy

Initiate, eclectic, hedge witch, ceremonial, beginner, expert, everyone is equally welcome. Engage with the person in front of you, not their label or their credentials.

Disagree well

You don't have to agree with everyone. Debate is welcome. What isn't welcome is contempt, dismissiveness, or talking over people. If a conversation gets too heated, step away, come find us and we'll help.

No photos without asking

Feel free to post about the event but do not photograph other attendees or share identifying information about them without their explicit permission.

LGBTQIA+ and all abilities welcome

No reservations, no caveats. If something isn't right or we've missed something, come tell us and we'll fix it immediately.

Free, always

No ticket, no booking, no cost. Just show up.

"Be a kind and respectful adult, and we will all have a good time"

Ask us questions or just say hello

Hi, we're Jo and Reese, long-time members of the Sydney pagan community, local coven leaders and the people behind The Witching Hour.

If you have a question about the event, want to know if it's the right fit for you, or just want to say hi before turning up, we'd love to hear from you.