Paganism has had a presence in the United Kingdom for centuries. Originally from Ancient Greece, the religion came to the UK in the mid-5th century and has been practised since then, with the majority of neo-pagans based in the southeast and west of England. There has been a recent resurgence in witchcraft and pagan practices in the United Kingdom, especially within the Gen Z population, who use crystals and rituals, a practice that stems from pagan and witchcraft practices.

My interest in paganism began when I first saw photographs of pagan festivals such as Montol in Penzance and Obby Oss in Padstow, and I was immediately struck by the practice’s deep roots in Cornish history, and how many people continue to participate in its rituals actively. I decided to explore this fascinating sub-culture and create a visual document of these largely unseen people who are part of a beautifully rich and long-standing community.

The occult has always had this allure to me, always drawing me in for a closer look, fantasizing about participating in something so different and romantised.

There has been a dramatic change in the attitude towards the metaphysical and the occult in contemporary times. Young individuals are exploring ideologies and subcultures that where not as visible in the previous generations. Paganism, Wikka, Witchcraft are all a part of the same umbrella, and it is through this body of work I aim to discover its magnetic pull towards Generation Z and how in a time of logic, science and materialism, an ancient form of beliefs and rituals have resurged into the forefront of the media and culture.

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