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You could call Ryan a witch — Wicca, a term coined in the late ’60s/early ’70s and meaning “wise one”, is really just a gentler word for witch — and he follows what’s known as the Alexandrian craft, one of the more ritualistic and secretive branches of Wicca. Other branches include Gardnerian and Eclectic — these were established in the ’50s/’60s. Witchcraft itself is, of course, ancient. Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca are named after their respective “founders” Gerald Gardner and Alex Sanders, both British. O become a high priest or priestess is seriously hard work. First of all, when it comes to initiation into the Alexandrian craft, you’d have to send a hand-written letter to a high priest or priestess explaining why you want to enter the craft. If you’re selected, you get one-onone training, which includes copying out the Book of Shadows, a sort of Wiccan bible containing sacred texts and instructions for magick rituals. Note the difference between “magic” and “magick” — the former is card tricks and rabbits and women being sawn in half et cetera.

“Wicca is a religion and Alexandrian craft is a priesthood, a vocation in the same way as something like the Catholic priesthood,” Ryan says. “People underestimate the kind of discipline required to study the craft. It’s quite rigorous. It’s something you’ve really got to be bloody sure you want to do.”

Initiation takes up to six months. After that, training begins. This includes taking an oath of secrecy, because the knowledge is considered sacred and will not be understood outside of its context.

So what about magick? Casting spells? Ryan says there are eight methods to “raise power” in a craft circle. Wiccans say they play with energy during these spellcastings, and it’s not for amateurs. Some I spoke to said that while casting spells weird things sometimes happen, like rushes of cold air, or lights flickering, or a bongo drum playing on its own.

“Power is power is power, and power raised in the circle is like electricity, it can be used to shock someone to death or used for light,” Ryan says. “A lot of magick is used for healing.”

Spell-casting is not about asking for endless riches or to wake up one day and look like Ryan Gosling or Scarlett Johansson. No. Wicca, as it was explained to me, is largely about introspection, about confronting yourself — the good and bad — and discovering ways to improve. Spell-casting is part of that. You could liken it to prayer or wishing over a birthday cake — you can ask for something but if you’re not willing to take initiative and do something about the thing you prayed/wished for, nothing’s going to happen.

Magick, according to Ryan, is something even non-Wiccans use regularly, albeit subconsciously: “The way you set up a room before people come to visit you, atmosphere, body language. Body language is a huge thing; the active use of body language puts it into the realms of magick.”