Meet the Festival Council

Julie Aspinall

Julie has been spell casting for as long as she can remember. She is continually learning all that she can about her craft but her ways are the the old ways.

She is a Council Member of the Coven of Gaia which teaches the ways of the Witch and Pagan to all those that need it. She organised the first festival in Coventry on behalf of the Great Mother, in order to bring together those new to the path and those established, with the intention of creating a family. She has formed The Council and continues to be the business brain behind the festival.

Joanne Tolan

Joanne is an eclectic witch who loves crystals.

She is a member of the Council of the Coven of Gaia and supports their work in empowering people to be themselves. She is a follower of The Morrigan and loves Odin and Norse Mythology. She says, "I believe that we don't need to hide - our path is beautiful and we should be proud of who we are!"

Janey Manton

My name is Janey and I am a Cheap Witch! My path is Eclectic - I'm a Wiccan Druid with Shamanic leanings and an interest in Heathenry and I love Labyrinths!

I have been active in public life as a proud Pagan for more than 30 years. I enjoy teaching and have led moots, public rituals, conducted hand-fastings and funerals, contributed to Multi-Faith as Co-Chair of Coventry Community Forum and as an advisor to Coventry SACRE. I am a LifeRites minister, support the aims of the Pagan Seminary and anything that leads to Peace!

Lynda Smith - Chairperson

My name is Lynda Smith and along with my husband Pete, I own and run Fantasy and Reality in Coventry. As with many of us, my pagan journey began from a young age when I was aware I was a little “different” to others at my catholic school. As a young child I would astral travel at night, which I found absolutely terrifying but was scared to tell anybody about it. My favourite times were spent outdoors in nature. It wasn’t until I was an adult though that I was able to find the path that suits me. I was a solitary witch for many years, learning as I went along, and now am lucky to be part of a wiccan coven as well.

Our business began over 16 years ago, starting as a jewellers and gift shop and then evolving to what it has become now. I consider myself immensely fortunate to be able to work with crystals every day!!!! I have also been able to set up a monthly moot, tarot group and other workshops, which I really enjoy doing.

Anne Edge

My name is Anne Edge and I am part of the event’s team at Coven of Gaia Events Ltd and a member of The Coven council l. I sort of fell into being a witch after my mother died when I was 9 and I felt my beliefs had let me down. I have practiced, privately and solitarily for about 32 years now and joined a Coven in 2020, this helped me greatly and as a Coven we have gone from strength to strength, educating and helping those that ask for it. The ultimate goal would be to give knowledge of the craft to everyone and bring the pagan and witch ways out of the dark, so that no one has to practice in secret anymore.

Alexia Costadina

I have been practising the craft for about 20 years. Like most of us I practised in secret at first but now I am very loud and proud.

I am the owner of Solstice Divine. A holistic, spiritual and Hellenic influenced shop and podcast.

I am the High Priestess of TĪD MŌNA coven a closed coven based in Birmingham. We are a strong collective practicing a Traditional British path focused on balance. We are as close as family and seek to support each other. We can’t wait to rid the negative stereotypical view that covens get and enrich our community.

Amanda McWhirter

My name is Amanda. I’m an eclectic witch and the majority of my work focuses on the elemental kingdoms. I'm honoured to be a High Priestess of the Magdalene Order and I've been practising magic and dancing between worlds since I was a little girl (much to my mothers horror!)

I founded The Elemental Apothecary a few years ago where I make poppets and provide other magical services to heal.

I’m a writer, marketeer and seeker/bringer of peace and love in all I do