Come with us as Anna Willatt delves into the weird and wonderful corners of Kent. Leaving the origins of Tarot behind, we now head off to find the modern witches of the Isle of Thanet

Have you seen that episode of Scooby-Doo where they find out it’s real witches at the end? And they let them just crack on with their witchy ways?

Sorry for the spoiler, but you should definitely still watch it. By the way, I’m sure it’s an island they visit and I’m going to call that island Thanet because this is my article and I can do what I want as long as the editor doesn’t take this bit out. Still with me? Great.

After last time’s romantic historic gothic vibes, I thought I’d pull this article into modern times by chatting to two of Thanet’s resident witches. If you check out the side bar, you’ve got some inspiration on how to decorate your home for Litha (midsummer’s day) and see the end of this beauty of an article for details of how to shop from these two witches - Olivia from Ostara and Emma from Pendle Witch. As they say in my actual favourite movie ever, Practical Magic, there’s a little witch in all of us.

My research only sets a ripple into modern witchcraft but is hopefully enough to whet your appetite to go on your own rabbit-hole adventures much like Alice - a rather mystical character when you think about it. Everyday magic or hard drugs? Let’s hope for the former, but I can’t guarantee anything when it comes to Lewis Carroll. I met Emma from Pendle Witch (@pendlewitchco) and Olivia from Ostara (@ostara_shoppe) in the same week over cuppas for them and flat whites for me - is there a link between witches and cups of tea? As they were both northern (as am I), I’d say yes. Science or magic, you decide.

Both our conversations started on the nomenclature of witches - and even the word witch. As both Emma and Olivia run businesses around their witchcraft, both agreed that the naming is for branding purposes but can be helpful. As Emma explained, her work is about educating and supporting people; for instance, see her Litha guide to learn more about celebrating midsummer.

Emma is a hereditary witch: “I really love working with energies, spells, tarot, crystals, people and even have a frog, Rammy, as my familiar who pays me regular visits! I also have a hearth altar, which is so cosy on a cold night, where I toss my intentions, herbs and hopes into the fire and watch them manifest into the ether.”

Olivia, who spent 10 years designing sets for film and TV, also mentioned that she considered herself as witchy but not a witch.

“To be a witch is to be a healer, a teacher, seeker, giver and protector of all things”

— Emma, founder of Pendle Witch

“Multimillion-pound budgets in the TV industry means buying up furniture and other props as fast as you can, which are discarded. I wanted Ostara to be something very different. I choose each piece with the intention of them bringing magick into your home. I weave knowledge of folklore, superstitions and witchy ways around each item to bring deeper meanings.”

But both Emma and Olivia expressed concern about the commercialisation of witchcraft, as a trend to be parcelled up in Urban Outfitters. Talking trends, it’s apt to come on to that as witchy behaviour is all the rage again, like it was in the 90s with The Craft (another excellent watch to paint your nails black to). As for why it’s so riveting again, I’ll leave that for another article, but many practitioners do express concern over the trivialisation and commercialisation of something they believe to be so powerful.

Ouija boards are something that Olivia and I agree we’d never touch – with us both believing in spirits and ghosts, they seem like unnecessary things with which to mess. Originally the boards were devised as a game and, interestingly, it is a trademark of Hasbro. So is Transformers. Are you worried about your Peloton becoming sentient? Doubtful. Furthermore, it seems disrespectful and possibly dangerous to an individual’s mental health, if nothing else. Mental health comes up in both my conversations, with witchy activities being seen to support anxiety and depression - as well as more detailed mental-health concerns. As a complementary therapy to medication and counselling, both Emma and Olivia shared positive stories of the therapeutic properties of tarot and spells.

But you came here for witchy goings-on, so how about Olivia’s tale of her cheeky-chappy spirit Edward, who pops ice vibes down her partner’s trousers and plays with her dog in their yard in Dane Valley, Margate? Or Emma’s luck over on Ramsgate’s West Cliff with casual summoning spells attracting wonderful and attractive people into her life?

Believe what you will, but you can certainly see how life is more interesting and enjoyable if you lean into that everyday magic that surrounds us all. Whether that be in plucking up courage to talk to someone new, taking a real dose of self-care and self-love, or simply allowing yourself to daydream and give into the unknown.

Witchcraft takes many forms and we’ve barely scratched the surface in this article. Thinking further afield, we are lucky to have influences from around the world here with us in our county. Emma tells me about Andy Wood, a shaman based near Canterbury who has spent time in South America experiencing peyote and ayahuasca. I also met Daphna, Margate-based owner of Lovorika and who is a descendent of a Balkan witch. “Growing up in NYC, I only met her a couple of times [as she lived in Serbia], but I instantly connected to her and knew from a young age I had a predilection for the spiritual and esoteric. As my maternal heritage is Middle Eastern, and perfumery is an ancient hermetic and alchemical art born of the ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Levant region, it is the perfect way for me to practise and honour my ancestors.”

And with that, I’ll bid you Adieu from this instalment of Esoteric Kent. Keep it spooky. For more, head to @esoteric_kent and keep your (evil) eyes peeled for craft workshops on secret society branding and adult-only day trips to spooky locations coming soon.

HOW TO CELEBRATE LITHA by Emma, Pendle Witch

The pagan festival of Litha is celebrated on the summer solstice, or midsummer, which falls on June 21 this year. This is the longest day of the year, where the god and goddess are at the height of their power and when we celebrate what our earth provides for us. Early fruits are ripening, flowers are blooming, vegetables are growing – this a time of abundance and bounty!

Here are a few ideas for how you can join the Litha celebration:

Gather your herbs - herbs gathered at midnight on midsummer’s eve were said to have unparalleled potency. Use fresh, or dry upside-down for use in spells, cookery or rituals.

Manifest your love - Litha is a perfect time to get married, renew wedding vows and celebrate love. If you’re single and want to bring love into your life, the solstice is a perfect evening to manifest your inner goddess and fill yourself with radiating positive energy.

Celebrate with food - there are some great recipes online for Litha cookies, cakes and treats. Using herbs and honey is traditional and represents the abundance of the land. Decorate with edible marigold flowers

Get crafty - making a Litha sun wheel is great fun for kids and adults alike. Create a spoked wheel by fashioning a simple cross from straw (you could use lollipop sticks or even chopsticks) and wrapping orange, yellow and red wool or yarn around each spoke in a spiral until you reach the end. Get as creative as you like by adding flowers, feathers and crystals.

Fire - early Europeans used to set large wheels on fire and roll them down a hill into a body of water to represent the balance of fire and water during Litha. Fire also assists with manifesting goals and represents the sun’s warmth. Light a small bonfire safely if you have the space, or simply burn brightly-coloured candles at the sun’s peak. You can dress your candles in summer herbs and essential oils for a beautiful look and aroma.

Make a flower crown - use an old headband or costume tiara as a base, or just a simple loose loop of string. Decorate with flowers, colourful ribbons and feathers and wrap with twine!