Mortality and Magick

A ‘Death Cafe’ is a social event where people gather to discuss topics related to death, dying, and mortality in a relaxed, informal setting, generally often over coffee and cake. Reading this recent article really gave me the boost to get this idea out that has been kicking around my brain for the last 2yrs after discussions with my dear friend on a very long drive home from a witchcraft conference. I digress, what’s a death cafe I hear you ask? The concept was initiated by Jon Underwood in 2011 in the UK, inspired by the work of Bernard Crettaz, a Swiss sociologist who held similar events. The aim of a Death Cafe is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their finite lives. You might think this isn’t relevant for practitioners of magick, however I’ll expand on that further below.

Key aspects of a Death Cafe generally include:

• Open Discussion: It provides a safe, respectful environment for participants to share thoughts, feelings, and experiences about death and dying.
• Non-Directional: There is no agenda, objectives, or themes imposed on the conversation. Participants are free to discuss whatever they feel is important.
• Non-Profit: These events are always offered on a not-for-profit basis, organised by volunteers.
• Confidentiality: Participants are encouraged to respect each other’s privacy and maintain confidentiality about personal stories shared during the event.
• Supportive Atmosphere: While the subject matter can be heavy, the atmosphere is intended to be light-hearted and supportive, fostering a sense of community and understanding.

Death Cafes are part of a broader movement to normalise and neutralise conversations about death, reduce the taboo surrounding it, and encourage people to consider their own mortality and end-of-life plans.

I want to create a discussion group or series of events specifically tailored for conversations among those practicing various forms of magick, including witches, pagans, and occultists. This is not an opportunity to sell services, but rather to engage in interesting and stimulating discussions on the topic.

A Death Cafe for witchcraft practitioners fosters open discussions on death, deepens understanding of spiritual beliefs, rituals, and ethics, and offers community support and personal growth in a taboo-free space.

Various topics we might discuss:

• Personal Beliefs and Practices
• Personal Experiences
• Spiritual Preparation
• Connection with Ancestors
• Death and the Natural Cycle
• Ethical Considerations (ghosts, necromancy etc)
• Cultural and Historical Context
• Grief and Healing
• Reincarnation and the Afterlife
• Death in Modern Society
• End Of Life Care

Interested in getting involved? Respond to this thread, leave your email address with us, or comment here, and I’ll keep you updated.