I HAVE MORE THAN A MILLION FOLLOWERS
Frankie Castanea, 23, from Colorado, US, has more than one million TikTok and Instagram followers @chaoticwitchaunt
I became interested in witchcraft when I was 16. I’d been reading tarot cards for a year, and it was a natural progression to explore the craft.
At first, I sourced information online, then I started reading books like Wicca by Scott Cunningham. I learnt how to work with herbs and crystals, and do simple magic.
The first spell I cast was to influence the weather.
I wanted a snow day so I could stay off school. I said a chant and put a spoon under my pillow, which is folk magic, and to my delight, it snowed. I was so happy it worked.
I came out as a witch to my parents soon after this spell and they didn’t react, which was great. Both my parents grew up as Christians, although they’re agnostic now, and very supportive.
I joined YouTube, Instagram and TikTok around May 2020 for something fun to do during lockdown.
My TikTok posts are short and funny.
However, I go into more detail about the craft on YouTube with longer videos. I cover everything from how to create an altar, to
protection. spells and the basics of
Protection spells are used to keep negative energy out of your personal space, and they’re one of my most popular posts. I’m not a witch for hire, though, I only do banishing and protection spells for myself and my friends.
I did a spell recently for a friend who works in construction, working with machinery. I did a ritual and blessed a cornicello pepper, which provides protection from the evil eye, and gave it to him to hang in his car. And when I moved house a few
My first spell was to influence the weather so I got a snow day off school
months ago, I made little bags filled with oregano, which I blessed and hung by the doors.
Oregano is a wonderful protection herb.
I wasn’t expecting my social media profile to get this big. I think witchcraft has become so popular online because it’s inclusive and the practice can help to empower people.
Being a witch for me is about making changes in your own environment and making a change in the world for good.
After seven years in practice, I’m still learning new things every day and will be for the rest of my life.
■Spells For Change: A Guide For Modern Witches , by Frankie Castanea (£12.99, Orion)