Moots FAQs

What is a moot?

Nowadays, a moot is regular meeting of pagans, and those interested in paganism.

Where and when are moots held?

Usually (but not always) in the evenings in a pub, but sometimes in a cafe or private house, generally once a month.

Who can attend a moot?

Anyone can come to a moot; you don't have to be Pagan!

Does it cost?

Attendance at a moot is generally free; at most, there will be a small charge to go towards the cost of room hire, refreshments etc.

What happens at a moot?

There will usually be someone giving a talk or presentation, or else people will just get together for a chat.

What a strange word - where does it come from?

The word moot derives from the Saxon word Witangemote meaning meeting of the wise. It was the name given to village meetings in saxon England and was eventually contracted to Moot; hence you can still find Moot Halls in some English villages. A moot point was originally an item of debate or discussion at a meeting.

In the 1970's the British Earth Mysteries crowd were looking for a distinctive name for their regular meetings and conferences and thought that it was a good idea to revive the old name of Moot. The UK's first national pagan meeting in Leeds had a few Earth Mysteries people attending; they suggested it as a title for the meeting, the pagans liked it and now most open pagan meetings (in the UK at least) are called moots.

(with thanks to Steve Jones of the Wakefield Pagan Moot)