Bewitching, wise and with a warmth that welcomes me into her weird and wonderful world, Emma Griffin couldn’t be further from the stereotypical image of a witch I have in my mind.
Emma, 49, is often compared to Harry Potter witch Molly Weasley, who juggles being a mum with fighting against Voldemort during the second wizarding war. I’ve come to her cosy home in Cornwall and while there isn’t a pointy black hat or black cat in sight – I do notice a small black cauldron on the table surrounded by candles and a broomstick by the door.
And while she only came out of the (broom) closet as a witch five years ago she tells me how she’s played with dead people from the age of four – while her parents were holding a seance to communicate with the other side. But it wasn’t until she was a teenager that she started to experiment with magic – although back then she didn’t realise it was witchcraft.
“When I was a teenager, I remember the heartbreak of being dumped by my boyfriend,” Emma, who has now been with her husband for more than 30 years, tells me. “I sat in my bedroom and cried for hours. I didn’t know about love spells back then but I started writing about the kind of partner I wanted to call into my life, pouring my feelings onto the page. I described my ideal boyfriend and all his qualities before placing this paper into our fire and burning my wish.”
Not long after that day, 17-year-old Emma met Steve at art college and recalls how he was “everything I had written about – and so much more”. They have a son Harry, now 22, and daughter Holly, 25, who is the third generation of witches in the Griffin family. On meeting Steve, Emma adds: “It felt like the universe had heard my teenage heart and answered. Years later, we got married, and he’s still the love of my life. Since then I’ve helped women – including a few famous names – heal from past relationships, call in soulmates who align with their true selves and find clarity in their life purpose, guiding them back home to who they truly are.”
Although Emma can’t disclose which famous faces she has been helping because she respects their privacy, there are plenty of celebrities who believe in magic and the power of witchcraft. New Zealand singer Lorde, 28, has even claimed to have seen the ghost of David Bowie and says she is not fazed when she sees dead people. “It would be no surprise to anyone that I am not weirded out by ghosts or spirits. I am basically a witch,” she once confessed.
Witchcraft appears to be becoming more and more accepted these days with the hashtag #WitchTok attracting billions of views on TikTok. But Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze told an American newspaper way back in 1992 that he believed in the power of crystals and manifesting. “I absolutely believe in crystals,” he said. “They are a major part of my life. I believe that things you believe in can come true.”
Austin Powers actress Heather Graham even goes as far as to admit that she has dabbled in hocus pocus and has cast spells with some surprising results. “I have this group of friends and we get together and we call ourselves The Goddesses and we wish for things and then a lot of amazing things have happened to all of us,” she told American TV host Jimmy Kimmel back in 2009. “We burn things—honouring the elements of earth, wind, air and fire. We did this thing where we were calling on the wind and the air and this whole storm started on my roof… It was amazing… empowering.”
Emma charges £100 for a one-to-one reading and has gained 96,000 followers on Instagram and another 35,000 on Tiktok. Her familiar (animal spirit guide) is a tiny black chihuahua called Walter with tan coloured paws and a waggly tail. I can’t help but feel I’ve been given the seal of approval when he jumps on my lap and gives me a cheeky kiss. I ask Emma if any small animal can be a witch’s familiar? And how can I tell if my rescue dog Caramel is up for the job – should I ask her permission?
“You’ll be able to tell if she is open to being your familiar,” she laughs. “Sit with your dog and say out loud, or in your mind, that you want them to be your familiar and watch how they react. If they come up to you and look curious while you’re meditating or doing a simple spell they are happy to get involved. If they disappear when you light incense for example, that could be a sign they’re not very comfortable with it.”
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I ask her if I – or indeed anyone – can cast a love spell to change the fortune of their love life. “I can teach you how to cast a love spell but it has to be done at a certain time of the month,” Emma says. “I don’t work with people to help them get their ex partners back but I can help them heal from past relationships and manifest the soulmate they deserve – everyone is worthy of happiness.”
How to cast a love spell this Valentine’s Day:
Step 1: Let go of the past
“Wait for the next Full Moon – February 12 – and make a note in your diary to do the following within five days – making sure you do everything safely:
“Light a candle, grab a journal and write down all the pain including who’s caused that pain.
“Make a note of any patterns and write down what these partners taught you. You must have chosen them for a reason – so you want to give them gratitude even if they broke your heart.
“Start the process of letting go by writing a letter to your exes but make sure it isn’t negative – maybe you could say something along the lines of ‘thank you but I’m going to release the pain’.
“Carefully burn your letter in the candle – making sure you do this outside and nowhere near anything that can catch fire, so it’s safe. As it’s burning write down how you are feeling before flushing the ash down the toilet.”
Step 2 – Call in your soulmate
“After you’ve let go of the past you can call in a new partner on the New Moon (at the time of writing the next one will be February 27)
“Start by writing a ‘shopping list’ the day before – it can include their height, living situation, how they make you feel etc but steer away from things like how much money they earn.
“On the New Moon it’s time to read out your letter – perhaps prepare a nice bubble bath with wine, a rose, honey or lavender and play your favourite playlist in the background. Or you could dress in your favourite outfit, and watch a nice romantic comedy before reading out your letter.
“Your letter could perhaps say ‘On this New Moon I’m calling for love. I’m ready for this, I deserve this, I’m not going to settle for anything less than I’m worth’. As you read it out loud burn bay leaves – each bay leaf will amplify your wish.
“Then write a letter in your journal like you’re informing your future self that it has happened. Like: ‘I’m so pleased to tell you that I’m married and happy and about to travel to Thailand.’ Write your ideal scenario with the person of your dreams and keep it somewhere safe.
“Think about what actions you are going to take to help the universe – maybe smiling more at people, joining the gym or a new group or signing up for a dating app and be wary of the universe testing you.
“There is no guarantee that the first person you meet will be the one – make sure you are intune with your intuition and ask yourself if they remind you of an ex.”
The Witch’s Way Home: Magic, Spells and Rituals to lead you back to your most powerful self by Emma Griffin is available now from all major retailers.
