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Moving, stress, and spellwork
When I was preparing to move from Adelaide to Brisbane in November 2025, I felt completely ungrounded. Everything was packed away, including my altar, candles, herbs, and divination tools. My familiar, Lucifer Autumn, had already been flown up to Brissie weeks in advance, the house smelled of cardboard and cleaning products, and I felt spiritually flat. I craved a sense of connection, a little spark of magic to remind me who I was.
With my tools tucked away and my nervous system still trying to manage the upheaval, I turned to Etsy. I had seen dozens of creators and “witches” selling spells, custom rituals, candle magic, and intention jars. I’d also been seeing some of them pop up on TikTok. People swore their lives changed after a spell purchased on Etsy, and while I wasn’t looking for a miracle, I was hoping for a little nudge in the right direction. A tether back to my power.
So, I chose two Etsy witches. One based in the UK, the other in the US. I went with my intuition for one, and popularity for the other. And, let’s just say the experiences could not have been more different! I learned a lot, not just about online spellwork, but about trust, intuition, and the energy exchange of magic. And now, I want to share what I learned with you.
What a good Etsy witch experience can look like
The UK-based practitioner was everything I had hoped for and more. He sent me a message using my name, Bry Jaimea, which is always a good start. He included a photograph of the candle ritual he had performed on my behalf, with clear attention to detail. The photo wasn’t blurry or vague. It was clear, specific, and tailored.
He also included affirmations for me to recite, and a short note on how to connect with the energy of the ritual. It wasn’t long or complicated, but it showed care and clarity. Even better, he didn’t make overblown promises. His spell was gentle, focused, and aligned with my intentions. And within days, I could feel a shift. Not fireworks. But a subtle, undeniable series of events that felt like energy moving in the right direction.
It wasn’t exactly what I had anticipated, but it was most definitely real. The spell created a ripple effect that helped me feel more grounded, clearer in my choices, and opened the door to some unexpected but welcome changes. He didn’t just sell me a spell. He held space for me. And that is what magic is about.
What a bad Etsy witch experience looks like
Now for the US-based seller. She had thousands of five-star reviews, her aesthetic was lovely, her listings well-written. Her thumbnails looked gorgeous, and most importantly real. So I purchased one of her spells, filled in the form, linked a photo, and waited.
When I received my “completed spell” only a few hours later, at what would have been 1am in the US, I knew I had been scammed. The message she sent me didn’t use my name at all, and instead, it looked like a default greeting. She’d asked for a photo, which I had linked via my website, allowing me to track whether it was viewed… and it wasn’t. There was no indication the spell was personalised, and although her listing promised a photo of the ritual, I never received one.
What I did receive was a poorly written message with a jpeg attached of a generic ritual, written in the kind of tone ChatGPT might use when prompted poorly. It was not tailored to my request, not personal, and definitely not the kind of spellwork I was expecting. My name was wrong throughout. It felt like she had taken someone else’s ritual, swapped a few words, and sent it out with zero care.
When I messaged her, I was polite and curious. I noted the incorrect name, and the lack of personalisation, however she completely ignored my message. So I left an honest review. Not rude, not nasty. Just honest. And she responded by gaslighting me, telling me I had misunderstood and accusing me of being “furious”.
That was the moment I realised just how careful we need to be when engaging in paid spiritual services online.
Why Etsy spellwork can be risky
Etsy is a marketplace, not a coven. Anyone can set up a shop and call themselves a witch. There are no safeguards, no formal vetting, and no way to truly know whether the spell you are buying is coming from someone who understands the ethics of magic.
Some Etsy witches are incredible. Deeply intuitive. Grounded. Experienced. But others are opportunists, copy-and-paste spell sellers who may never cast a single circle or light a single candle.
Spellwork is an energetic exchange, and if someone is selling a love spell to twenty people a day for $12.99 with a turnaround time of 24 hours, you have to ask yourself whether that work is energetically sustainable or spiritually ethical. Magic takes time, focus, and intention. It’s not mass-produced.
And that’s where many Etsy witches fall short. The work becomes transactional. Automated. Hollow. A scam.
What to look for in a trustworthy Etsy witch
They don’t sell you images of your soulmate
If someone claims they can draw or show you what your soulmate looks like for a fee, be cautious. This trend has exploded across Etsy and TikTok, but it often preys on vulnerability. Real spiritual work doesn’t peddle fantasy or create false hope. Your soulmate isn’t a sketch someone can pull out of the ether for $6.99. Trust yourself to recognise connection when it arrives in your life.
They speak to you like a human
The energy of a message can tell you a lot. A trustworthy Etsy witch will address you by your name, explain their process clearly, and make you feel like you are part of something sacred.
Look for someone who offers guidance on how to connect with the ritual or spell once it’s been cast. You should feel held and included in the process, even if you are not physically present.
They provide proof of work
Photos, videos, or a detailed description of the ritual should be included if it’s promised. If someone says they’ll send a photo and then doesn’t, that’s a red flag. Magic is invisible, yes, but care is not. A genuine practitioner will want you to feel safe, seen, and involved.
They don’t make impossible promises
Anyone who guarantees immediate love, wealth, or reunion should be treated with caution. Ethical witches understand that magic is a collaboration. They may promise to shift energy, open pathways, or support your intention, but they will not promise miracles on demand.
Be wary of sellers who offer curses, hexes, or binding spells without any ethical disclaimer. These are not toys. Remember, magic has consequences.
Their shop isn’t overloaded
Shops that have hundreds of listings and an unrealistic turnaround time may not be offering real spellwork. It’s not physically possible to perform dozens of rituals a day and remain energetically grounded!
Look for sellers with a focused offering, a handful of spell options, and a clear description of their process. Fewer listings often mean more care and attention.
Other red flags to watch for
Copy-and-paste rituals
If the spell or ritual you receive feels generic, like something found in a blog post or AI tool, trust your instincts. Real spellwork is personal. It carries the energy of the person who wrote it. If it feels hollow or flat, it probably is. Look for signs like incorrect names, mismatched intentions, or vague language. These are clues that no real connection or care was present.
No interaction
If your seller doesn’t message you, acknowledge your order, or answer your questions, that’s a problem. Energy work should never feel like a vending machine. Communication matters. A lack of interaction suggests you’re just another number, not a valued client. You should feel seen, heard, and supported throughout the exchange.
Aggressive responses to reviews
Check their previous reviews. Have they attacked or gaslit customers who left less-than-glowing feedback? A witch who can’t hold space for honesty is not someone you want to work with. Defensive or dismissive replies often indicate a lack of maturity and integrity. A genuine practitioner will thank you for your feedback, even if it stings, and strive to improve.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
If you’ve had a bad experience, you’re not alone. It’s easy to feel silly or ashamed, but please don’t! It happens. Whether it’s a copy-and-paste ritual, an ignored message, or a flat-out no-show, your experience is valid. Magic is deeply personal, and when someone treats it like a product on a shelf, it’s natural to feel disappointed or even betrayed.
Leave an honest review. Not cruel. Just truthful. This helps others, and it holds sellers accountable. You can also report sellers to Etsy if they’re misleading customers, making false claims, or failing to deliver what was promised. Etsy might not be perfect, but transparency can help protect the wider spiritual community.
Then, cleanse your energy. Light a candle. Speak to your spirit team. Write your own spell. Reclaim your power. You don’tt need anyone else to make your magic real. You are the spell, and every time you choose yourself, every time you trust your own power again, you deepen your connection with your path.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever bought a spell online hoping for a little boost, you’re not silly. You’re human. We all crave connection. We all need support. And sometimes, we just want to feel like someone out there is holding space for us when we can’t do it ourselves.
But your magic is too precious to hand over to just anyone. Whether you’re drawn to a UK candle witch or a local herbal charm-maker, make sure the exchange feels right. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is, and if someone makes you feel seen, grounded, and connected, that’s the sign you’re in safe hands.
My experience taught me that not all Etsy witches are created equal. Some are walking a true path, and others are walking a trend. If you’re going to invite someone into your spiritual space, even from afar, let it be someone who honours that invitation with care and reverence. Your energy deserves that.
And if you’re ever in doubt? Light a candle. Say your own name aloud. Whisper your wish into the flame. You are a witch. You are enough. And your magic will always find its way back to you.
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