“Spellcheck”
It’s important to get the ingredients just right when you’re casting a spell, advises a white magic witch
By BILL TAYLOR STAFF REPORTER TORONTO STAR
Section B, Page 1
Friday, Aug. 9, 1996
What’s the difference between a coconut and a cantaloupe?
Just about everything. Especially if you’re a white witch about to cast a marriage spell.
Lexa Rosean had to spell this out when she went on a TV show where, when no one could find the coconut she needed, a cantaloupe was substituted, “because they both start with a ‘c,'” she says.
“I had to explain that while you use a coconut in a spell for marriage, you use a cantaloupe to seduce a married person.” Clearly, spelling mistakes can have serious consequences. Though in the event of a successful seduction, Rosean also has a spell to win yourself forgiveness for committing adultery. It involves rubbing butter over your entire body, so there’s always the chance that when your spouse gives you a forgiving hug, you’ll slip right through his or her fingers.
Maybe you need to bathe in coffee, “the hard work spell,” says Rosean. ”You don’t have to drink it, just brew lots of it. Or bathe in it if you need to work really hard.”
All of this wisdom and more’ is packed into her book, The Supermarket Sorceress: 75 Simple Spells, Charms and Enchantments… (St. Martin’s Paperbacks, $9.99). “Use ancient spells and everyday items to make all your wishes come true,” it urges.
And, this being the age of pre-packaged everything, Rosean promises, ”You can use frozen or canned ingredients, although fresh is best.”
Perky and with a mischievous smile, she’s an unlikely looking witch, in spite of her black outfit and striking cat-green eyes. But the book blurb calls her “a Wiccan high priestess who organizes her own coven in New York City,” and she says she’s been “officially in the occult business since 1982, when I was formally initiated as a witch.
“I can’t tell you about that. Secret rites. But nothing black, not at all. It’s all based on ancient matriarchal religions. “
What’s the difference between being a white witch and the other kind? “Magic should not be used to manipulate others against their will,” Rosean explains. “This is considered black magic. It is best to keep the focus on ourselves. . . magic is best done with a mixture of reverence, humility and a healthy sense of humor.”
When she’s not offering psychic counselling, doing tarot readings and astrology, Rosean, 38, manages a white magic store in Manhattan. She uses spells herself, she says, “for creativity.
It’s important to get the ingredients just right when you’re casting a spell, advises a white magic witch
By BILL TAYLOR STAFF REPORTER TORONTO STAR
Section B, Page 1
Friday, Aug. 9, 1996
What’s the difference between a coconut and a cantaloupe?
Just about everything. Especially if you’re a white witch about to cast a marriage spell.
Lexa Rosean had to spell this out when she went on a TV show where, when no one could find the coconut she needed, a cantaloupe was substituted, “because they both start with a ‘c,'” she says.
“I had to explain that while you use a coconut in a spell for marriage, you use a cantaloupe to seduce a married person.” Clearly, spelling mistakes can have serious consequences. Though in the event of a successful seduction, Rosean also has a spell to win yourself forgiveness for committing adultery. It involves rubbing butter over your entire body, so there’s always the chance that when your spouse gives you a forgiving hug, you’ll slip right through his or her fingers.
Maybe you need to bathe in coffee, “the hard work spell,” says Rosean. ”You don’t have to drink it, just brew lots of it. Or bathe in it if you need to work really hard.”
All of this wisdom and more’ is packed into her book, The Supermarket Sorceress: 75 Simple Spells, Charms and Enchantments… (St. Martin’s Paperbacks, $9.99). “Use ancient spells and everyday items to make all your wishes come true,” it urges.
And, this being the age of pre-packaged everything, Rosean promises, ”You can use frozen or canned ingredients, although fresh is best.”
Perky and with a mischievous smile, she’s an unlikely looking witch, in spite of her black outfit and striking cat-green eyes. But the book blurb calls her “a Wiccan high priestess who organizes her own coven in New York City,” and she says she’s been “officially in the occult business since 1982, when I was formally initiated as a witch.
“I can’t tell you about that. Secret rites. But nothing black, not at all. It’s all based on ancient matriarchal religions. “
What’s the difference between being a white witch and the other kind? “Magic should not be used to manipulate others against their will,” Rosean explains. “This is considered black magic. It is best to keep the focus on ourselves. . . magic is best done with a mixture of reverence, humility and a healthy sense of humor.”
When she’s not offering psychic counselling, doing tarot readings and astrology, Rosean, 38, manages a white magic store in Manhattan. She uses spells herself, she says, “for creativity.
“It does work. I like to say that everything has a property or an energy about it. It’s all a matter of tapping that energy. A lot of these things we’ve been using for a long time. I work with herbs and incense and oils. But often I have to think about the modem equivalent of old ingredients.”
Earl Grey tea, for instance. Did you realize that if you’re an addict of the aromatic tea, you could be unwittingly increasing your earning potential?
“If you drink a lot of Earl Grey, it’s a money magnet,” Rosean insists. “I do believe that. And belief is as important as anything.”
Chocolate is also good for drawing money to yourself, as are ginger cookies and cinnamon buns. See, snacking is good for you.
But perhaps you’re more concerned with confusing your enemies and competitors. That involves blueberries, double-ply tissue and a cotton swab.
Want to influence your parents? You’ll need ice, 13 limes, sugar, a pitcher and a ballpoint pen.
Mothballs, Rosean says, protect against sexual harassment, kitty litter “works wonders” on your enemies, and eggs “banish negativity.”
As with coconuts and cantaloupes you have to be careful with your ingredients. “If you get the wrong thing . . . well, you need to pay attention,” she says. “I don’t think you’d turn anyone into a toad.”
That’s the trouble with 20th century sorcery; no one does a good toad spell any more.
And, this being the 20th century, magic has other limitations, too. “If you have any allergies or sensitivities to a particular ingredient, refrain from attempting that spell,” the book cautions. “Heed all warnings and instructions on the products you use.”
Spells can backfire for other reasons, Rosean says. “Love spells, for instance. You can’t force someone to love you against their will. The person working the spell will become more and more obsessed and the other person will just become angry.
“It’s best to leave it open. Don’t ask for a certain person, ask for a person with certain qualities.”
The book is dedicated to the memory of her mother, “who took me to my first supermarket and instilled in me my belief of magic.
“My family are okay about what I do,” Rosean says. “They think it’s interesting. My dad is always calling me for spells… when he goes to Vegas!”
Customers occasionally come into her store asking for black magic spells.
“I had a guy come in just before Father’s Day and I thought he was asking for ‘dad oil.’ I thought, ‘Oh, how sweet!’ Turned out he was saying ‘dead oil.’ He was out to get somebody. Out he went.
“Even if I was into that stuff, the amount of energy – your life energy – you’d need to kill a person, you’d be much better off just pulling a trigger.”
Earl Grey tea, for instance. Did you realize that if you’re an addict of the aromatic tea, you could be unwittingly increasing your earning potential?
“If you drink a lot of Earl Grey, it’s a money magnet,” Rosean insists. “I do believe that. And belief is as important as anything.”
Chocolate is also good for drawing money to yourself, as are ginger cookies and cinnamon buns. See, snacking is good for you.
But perhaps you’re more concerned with confusing your enemies and competitors. That involves blueberries, double-ply tissue and a cotton swab.
Want to influence your parents? You’ll need ice, 13 limes, sugar, a pitcher and a ballpoint pen.
Mothballs, Rosean says, protect against sexual harassment, kitty litter “works wonders” on your enemies, and eggs “banish negativity.”
As with coconuts and cantaloupes you have to be careful with your ingredients. “If you get the wrong thing . . . well, you need to pay attention,” she says. “I don’t think you’d turn anyone into a toad.”
That’s the trouble with 20th century sorcery; no one does a good toad spell any more.
And, this being the 20th century, magic has other limitations, too. “If you have any allergies or sensitivities to a particular ingredient, refrain from attempting that spell,” the book cautions. “Heed all warnings and instructions on the products you use.”
Spells can backfire for other reasons, Rosean says. “Love spells, for instance. You can’t force someone to love you against their will. The person working the spell will become more and more obsessed and the other person will just become angry.
“It’s best to leave it open. Don’t ask for a certain person, ask for a person with certain qualities.”
The book is dedicated to the memory of her mother, “who took me to my first supermarket and instilled in me my belief of magic.
“My family are okay about what I do,” Rosean says. “They think it’s interesting. My dad is always calling me for spells… when he goes to Vegas!”
Customers occasionally come into her store asking for black magic spells.
“I had a guy come in just before Father’s Day and I thought he was asking for ‘dad oil.’ I thought, ‘Oh, how sweet!’ Turned out he was saying ‘dead oil.’ He was out to get somebody. Out he went.
“Even if I was into that stuff, the amount of energy – your life energy – you’d need to kill a person, you’d be much better off just pulling a trigger.”