- Paganism, – the umbrella term referring to traditional Celtic religion is one of the fastest growing religions in the UK
- READ MORE: The astounding story of ‘Britain’s last witch’ who was convicted only 79 years ago under a centuries old law
Cinnamon, basil, cloves and a bay leaf – no it’s the ingredients of an autumnal dish but what you need to join one – of the many – witches covens popping up in the UK.
Paganism, – the umbrella term referring to traditional Celtic religion is one of the fastest growing religions in the UK.
Every week, thousands of people – primarily women – are meeting up in ‘covens’ and casting spells.
For some, it’s for sisterhood, while others use meet-ups to cast spells and right ‘wrongs in the world’.
According to the 2021 Census, 74,000 people in the UK referred to themselves as Pagans (up from 57,000 in 2011). A further 13,000 people listed their religion as Wicca.
Paganism, – the umbrella term referring to traditional Celtic religion is one of the fastest growing religions in the UK. A TikTok ‘witch’ is pictured
Women often share spells on TikTok about helping others
That figure may well be underreported too, pre-eminent scholar of British paganism professor Ronald Hutton investigated in the 1990s, he came up with 110,000, according to the Guardian.
‘Most of the pagans with whom I’ve kept in touch do not enter themselves on the census,’ he says.
And it’s not just in the UK, globally #WitchTok has racked up millions of views on TikTok – with groups meeting up in the US, Australia and beyond to ‘cast spells on Putin and Trump’.
Meanwhile, in publishing ‘witch fiction’ is dominating various bestseller lists including Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson and Now She Is Witch by Kirsty Logan.
US-based Frankie Anne Castanea, who refers to herself as a ‘Chaotic Witch Aunt’ on Instagram and TikTok – where she has more than 1.4million followers – previously told the Daily Mail: ”Witches are just normal people’.
Many TikTok users have said they ‘dream of joining a coven’
Others have shared rituals on their TikTok page sharing how it helps them
‘We don’t look different, we don’t dress differently, we have normal jobs and we go to the supermarket. It could be that we wake up in the morning and do a banishing ritual to clear away negative energy. Or wear the pentagram [a symbol of faith]. Or cast spells as we cook. But other than that, witches are just like everyone else.’
Anyone can practise witchcraft – the only things you need are a willingness to learn and to make mistakes. Just gather some tools and start researching spells.’
The most basic tool is the witch’s wand ‘for casting spells and directing energy’. Frankie’s first wand was a stick which was rolled in herbs and consecrated by burning. Wands often include crystals, which have individual meanings in witchcraft. You’ll also need a simple altar to work from. It can be anywhere that feels sacred to you – in Frankie’s case, an ordinary desk.
Simple is also best when it comes to spells, says Frankie, with things like ‘protection of the home’ being a good place to start. Because, be warned: spells can – and do – go awry. Early on, a love spell to strengthen a relationship resulted in Frankie’s then boyfriend becoming obsessive. Suffice to say, he was not happy when Frankie ended the relationship.
Some ‘covens’ have done binding spells against Putin and Trump
Some users take to TikTok to welcome new members to their group
Frankie has also fallen foul of the rule that curses should never be cast in your own home. ‘I didn’t protect my space before casting a painful curse, so there was an active curse on my family home for the next four years. Everything that could go wrong, did. My dad lost his job, my sister broke up with her boyfriend, I went through a bad time. We now have rules,’ Frankie adds with a grin. ‘No hexing in the house.’
And WitchTok will always be there to help the beginner. ‘It’s going to keep on growing,’ says Frankie emphatically. ‘I can already see a whole new wave of creators coming to the fore. Who knows? Witches might even go mainstream.’
Covens are popping up across the UK, Mama Moon HQ, in east London, sees people attend from as young as teenagers to those in their eighties.
One person complained they were the only witch in their hometown
To attend, you need to bring cinnamon, dried basil, cloves, a bayleaf, essential oils, a flower, hot charcoal, a handful of soil, and a dish to burn some paper in, owner and self-identified ‘eclectic witch’ Semra Haksever told Elle Magazine.
Sales of tarot decks, according to their manufacturers, have skyrocketed in the past year. Some have even become collectors’ items.
TV and media has seen a huge increase in witch content in recent years too.
Both Wednesday and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina have been huge hits of Netflix, while Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker’s Hocus Pocus reboot was also a Box Office hit.
Cash-savvy witch says she has been flooded with requests from strangers on how to perform witchcraft on a budget amid the cost-of-living crisis
A thrifty witch has revealed that the magical world hasn’t gone untouched by the cost-of-living crisis.
Alexa Thompson, 32, from John O’Groats in the Scottish Highlands, has been practicising witchcraft for over 23 years after picking up her ‘pagan habits’ from her father and grandfather.
With the price of everyday essentials sky-rocketing, the self-proclaimed witch has revealed she’s had to resort to using saucepans as cauldrons and birthday candles for casting spells.
Boasting more than 57,000 followers on Instagram, Alexa says she’s seen a surge in requests for how to practise witchcraft on a shoestring budget.
Alexa Thompson, 32, is well known for her special powers where she lives near John o’Groats, in the Scottish Highlands
Advising other potential witches how to get involved at home, the social media star said that supermarket pots of Italian herbs are a great starting point for spells.
She said: ‘I always say Italian herbs is a really effective blend, especially for money spells.
‘It’s got oregano, bay leaves and basil. All of those are great for money and abundance.
‘I posted a spell on Instagram for Ukraine so everyone could do it too. You just needed a pen, paper, tabletop, tea light, salt and black pepper.
Wannabe witches are using cut-price saucepans as cauldrons and birthday candles for spellcasting, such as for this protection magic
People can use everyday things for spells and magic such as salt, herbs and tea light candles that you may find at home
‘In a lot of witchcraft circles, salt is seen as protective as it has cleansing properties. Bay leaves are considered to grant wishes.’
Alexa explained spellcasting is less about the items you’re using and more about the intent behind them.
She added: ‘A really easy one is to write your wish on a bay leaf and then burn this with a tea candle.
‘You can pick up a cast iron frying pan for five pounds in B&M and that’s what I cast my spells in.
The traditional British witch has revealed the cost-of-living crisis has even struck the magical world
‘We all love a cauldron but they are really expensive, whereas a skillet still does the job and is much more affordable.’
Addressing some of the misconceptions around witchcraft, Alexa continued: ‘Witchcraft enhances your life, it’s not meant to be your whole life.
‘Originally with witchcraft, people had to make do with what they had – it’s amazing how little you need to get started.’
While no one else in her family identifies as a witch, Alexa says she is a ‘hereditary witch’ because of the respect for the natural world instilled in her since childhood.
The traditional British witch also revealed she had used magic to urge Russian troops to withdraw from Ukraine
She said if you have hard floors, you can sprinkle the herb blend on the floor or use plates and pans if not
She said: ‘My dad taught me the importance of not stepping on bugs. He’s in tune with the area we live in.
‘Similarly, my grandfather taught me country wisdom and witchcraft and paganism followed on from there for me.
‘Wicca, the modern pagan religion, didn’t really suit me.
‘Then, about ten years ago, I stumbled across some books on traditional British witchcraft, which is slightly different. That was where I found my tribe.’
She said although she had magic instilled as her at an early age, it shouldn’t be the go-to for every problem
‘If you took local myths and legends and mixed them all together, you’d come up with traditional witchcraft – the kind of witching you read about in Hansel and Gretel, but without eating children – we don’t do that!’
Ahead of Halloween, Alexa said that pumpkin spice also has essential protection properties.
She continued: ‘Pumpkin spice protects you from evil spirits. Cloves and cinnamon are both used to defend against spirits – it’s good for warding off evil, and protection.
‘You can also pick up lots of good things in charity shops. I found my slate placemat for £1.50.
‘It stops me accidentally setting a fire when lighting my spells but also is great to draw on with chalk.
‘Instead of using a crystal, I like to use a pebble or stone that calls to me.’
Alexa also advised using birthday candles instead of expensive alternatives.
‘Birthday candles come in lots of different colours. If you need a certain colour candle for a spell, birthday candles work well, though they do burn a bit quicker.’
Alexa said people should be careful about the spells they cast, especially if it is a negative hex that could backfire
The witch also has some handy spells to create a nicer work environment and discourage unwanted attention.
She said: ‘A honey spell can make someone sweeter to you.
‘If someone at work isn’t being nice to you, write their name on a piece of paper and put it in a jar of honey. It should sweeten their feelings towards you.
‘If you want to stop someone talking to you, say if you are being bullied, then write their name down and put the paper in an ice cube tray filled with water.’
She added: ‘Put this in the freezer and it should discourage the bully from talking to you.’
However, Alexa explained that witchcraft can’t solve everything and warned against casting spells in anger or heightened emotion.
‘If someone is harassing you, you should go to the police. It’s not a quick fix, you can’t cure diseases or reverse nature.’
She added: ‘Witchcraft is a lesson in self-restraint. If you cast a spell in anger like a hex, these can backfire and end up hurting a lot of people.’
Alexa said a clear head and mindfulness, along with a thirst for knowledge are important for finding your magical side.
She said: ‘Most libraries have books on witchcraft, but it’s important to also read about foraging so you can identify plants and their uses.
‘The best way is to try to be balanced, not everything is a sign.’
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