Etsy, a popular arts and crafts e-commerce platform, has been hosting thousands of magical spells for sale, despite a ban on the sale of “metaphysical services” for nearly a decade. Sellers like “Nick the Alchemist” offer spells promising everything from wealth to curing chronic depression, with prices ranging from a few dollars to hundreds. These spells have generated millions of dollars in sales for some sellers, with many boasting hundreds of offerings and thousands of 5-star reviews.
Etsy’s rivals, such as Amazon and eBay, have stricter policies regarding the sale of metaphysical services, making it difficult to find spell listings on their platforms. Etsy sellers often include disclaimers stating that the spells are for entertainment purposes only, providing some legal protection. However, many buyers are left disappointed when the spells do not produce the desired results, as Etsy exempts them from the platform’s mediation system and many sellers do not offer refunds.
Despite the lack of scientific proof that magic works, sellers like Nick the Alchemist have found success on Etsy, with some making hundreds of thousands of dollars selling spells. While some buyers claim to have experienced positive outcomes from the spells they purchased, others feel they have been taken advantage of. One buyer, Winfred Ruiz, discovered that the photo proof provided by a seller was fraudulent and requested a refund, feeling that buyers are being deceived.
Some sellers, like Rowan Morgana, have built thriving small businesses selling spells on Etsy. Morgana, a 74-year-old practitioner of Wicca, has made over $200,000 selling spells that people can practice on their own. Another anonymous seller found spells to be a financial lifeline during the pandemic, pivoting from selling crystals and elixirs to spells when the supply chain was disrupted. They have found spells to be more profitable, offering add-ons like crystal accelerators and dragon’s blood power ups.
Despite the controversy surrounding the sale of magical spells on Etsy, sellers like Nick the Alchemist continue to defend their work as genuine and legitimate. While some buyers may be dissatisfied with the results of the spells they purchase, others claim to have experienced positive outcomes. Ultimately, the sale of magical spells on Etsy raises questions about consumer protection, ethical responsibility, and the role of platforms in regulating the sale of metaphysical services.
