While the Harry Potter series has portrayed witchcraft and magic in a cinematic way, there is actually a group that practices witchcraft in a serious manner. They are the Wiccans, or Wicca. Wicca is primarily a Western movement of nature worship based on pre-Christian traditions and is recognised as an official religion in the United States. Like many pagan religions, Wicca practises magic and witchcraft.

In Mumbai, there exists a meetup group of witches, they are 23 in numbers. They meet at a venue selected by the members every month. This is the place to meet witches or anyone interested in the occult arts. Among them are local witches, Wiccans and occultists from Mumbai and around.

The one name that comes to mind the moment we think of the witches is Ipsita Roy Chakraverti, who proclaimed herself to be a "witch" in the 1980s, creating a storm in the country. By witch, the very first image that we conjure is that of a wicked old lady, of broomsticks, cauldrons and smelly potions. Forget it. There is nothing like that with the Wiccans.

Now based in Delhi, Ipsita is the face of Wicca in India, she is a look alike of famous writer Shoba De. Born to a diplomat and a royalty, Ipsita studied in Canada and U S and there she came in contact with a secret group where she was initiated into Wicca. On returning back to India, she travelled extensively, performing witchcraft and healing people. She also wrote two books - "Beloved Witch" and "Sacred Evil". The second one was made into the film of the same name, in which her role was performed by actress Sarika. But off late, Chakraverti has stopped interacting with people, and has become a recluse. Being a witch, her attire is typically black and silver. "Black is an important colour for witches, it is the colour of absorption and therefore of inscrutability and mystery, of women and of thunderclouds," she had once said. Every witch maintains a personal diary, called "The Book of Shadows," in which she notes her experiences, her discoveries and what she considers magical.

It is believed that Wiccans were the first healers and counsellors in the Western society. All of them were women, who were spiritually very strong and became "too powerful" for the comfort of orthodox Christianity. They were accused of practicing witchcraft or black magic and many of them were put to stake and burnt alive.
In India too, women were killed for being witches. Ipsita researched Dakini Vidya, which draws its strength from goddesses Kali and Durga. Whenever Ipsita went to interiors, she was stoned for being a witch. With the spread of knowledge, she was accepted as a healer.  Two years back, Ipsita even formed a Wiccan "brigade" to help curb slaying of witches in rural areas.

Love spell
Take three red roses, make sure atleast one has a thorn. Float them in water in a crystal bowl. Take a slender twig and say the spell thrice as you swirl the water in a clockwise direction. Later, pour the water into earth and scatter the rose petals in the four directions. Now say following words -

"Give me three roses, and a thorn, He is mine as he was born, As the ripples go round and round, May his heart to me be bound."

Money spell
Then there a spell for money  Take a green candle and place it on a folded tenner note. Light the candle, collect three smooth pebbles and put them in a small wooden box. While you are working the spell, keep the lid open. Now sit in front of the candle flame and say the spell thrice.

"Fire of fortune, spirit of gold, Give me my wish – my wish ten fold. Turn stone to gold, green flame rise high, Diamonds and silver at my doorstep lie."

Place the note inside the box and leave the candle to burn out completely. Then, shut the box and keep it in a safe place where none else can touch it. Watch the money pile up !

(Spells courtesy:  ispitaroy.tripod.com)