DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?
Anthea Gerrie
Forget broomsticks and pointy hats - the modern witch is more likely to be the glamorous girl next door.
Former rock star Fiona Horne is another bewitching young woman who uses her powers for altruistic ends. The 34-year-old, who band Def FX gained huge success in her native Australia and the United States in the 1990s, now casts her spells for Aussies in need on her weekly radio and television shows.
'I've fixed problems for all types, from a truck driver who kept having near-misses on the road - I have him a spell to help him consider pursuing another career - to doctors, and housewives wanting to get pregnant.'
Fiona, who but her pierced chin resembles a young Donatella Versace, came out as a witch five years ago. These days, she keeps an altar in the bedroom of her seaside Melbourne apartment. 'It's a cane chest in which I store ceremonial garb like the purple lace dress I wear for drawing down the moon (invoking the goddess into the high priestess), my black satin cape and the Born Again Pagan T-shirt I sometimes wear for a laugh.' Fiona also keeps a large stack of dried plant material, including mandrake root, tonka beans, St John's Wort, along with incense, essential oils and witchy staples like pig's tusk. 'But even normal stuff can be used quite magickally - like keeping a pot of basil in the kitchen to encourage harmony.'
Having learned witchcraft by the book, Fiona weaves very precise spells - and now shares the recipes with Britons for the first time in a book she has just published. Although Fiona believes black magick is a bad idea and comes back to haunt the perpetrator, her book does include a chapter called Bitchcraft. It gives directions for hexing involving a black candle, red ribbon, patchouli leaves and frankincense, as well as the traditional effigy.
'I believe the magick to make things happen in t here for the taking,' says Fiona. 'Everyone has the power to be psychic and affect change; witchcraft gives you the tools to experience that power.'
The first successful spell Fiona cast after two years studying as a 'bookwitch' was when she moved into her seaside apartment, which seemed consumed by bad vibes. 'I loved the layout, but it had a strange energy - it had been an 1800s boarding house - and I couldn't sleep there. I did a purification ritual, using white sage and frankincense and wrote a special incantation which went, "Away, away to the past that dwells here - good peace and farewell." Then I opened all the windows and doors.'
Fiona says the change was remarkable. 'I slept really well for the first time in a week, and even my parents noticed the difference. They hadn't liked the flat much before, but when they came over they acknowledged some change I'd made that they couldn't quite put their finger on.'
Fiona believes it's possible to conjure yourself up a new man with the help of some pink candles. 'Think of what you really want and need in a partner and, when you are ready write down a list on a piece of pink paper. Place the list in front of the candles and as they burn, read you list out loud. When the candles have burnt down, close the piece of paper with the list on the inside and keep it on your altar. Or you could try sleeping with it under your pillow and see if you dream your future partner.'
But be warned, Fiona found wishing for the right partner was not quite specific enough. Although she did find someone who could offer unconditional friendship and support, and was intelligent, attractive and patient, her perfect live-in partner turned out to be a woman. Still, Fiona says, philosophically, 'Although it wasn't a romantic, sexual union, we spent 18 months happily living together, supporting and inspiring each other. I felt that all my needs were indeed fulfilled.'
Fiona is thrilled at the way witchcraft seems to be embracing the 21st century
and integrating itself into the internet community. 'There are online covens
now,' she says. But Fiona prefers to practice alone - as what is known as a
'solitary' - and says that although a lot of her friends are witches, many are
regular civilians. 'In fact, most of my friends are members of the cast of Neighbours.'