With the new phenomenon that is “Etsy witches,” people have begun to bring their spiritual practices such as tarot, spells and psychic readings online. Perhaps you want your crush to like you back or you have an ex you want to never forget you. Or maybe you want to make sure there’s no rain on your wedding day. All different spells can be bought through the Etsy website and performed by a self proclaimed “Etsy witch.”
A real Etsy Witch provides insight into the sacred world of magic, tarot, spells and spiritual energy readings. Alyssa, from Alyssa Medium Studio, shared her personal experiences after being in the psychic and witch industry for over 20 years. By contacting her through Etsy, I was able to gather the secrets she was willing to share about her business and practices.
Everyone has to start somewhere. For Alyssa, it began before she ever offered her gifts in a business setting.
“My journey as a psychic began in childhood, guided by the wisdom of my great-grandfather, who was a renowned seer of his time. As a child, I discovered I had a unique ability to sense the emotions and even life experiences of people just by holding their hands,” Alyssa said.
There are an abundance of practices offered in the spiritual world. Depending on what you are looking for and who you go to, there may be one category specific for you.
Alyssa’s work falls into three main categories:
- Spells: focused energetic workings to create change. These primarily involve Love and Relationships, Protection and Clearing, and Career and Abundance.
- Readings: spiritual guidance like tarot or no-tool psychic readings, which provide clarity and illuminate a path forward.
- Spiritual Empowerment: where clients are taught how how to perform their own simple rituals to manage and protect their own energy.
Common Requests:
The types of requests Etsy witches receive are endless. You might be seeking your soulmate, need some money — but don’t want to get a job — or just wanting to test out the waters to see if this “magic stuff” you’ve heard of really works. No matter the request, there are always going to be others out there looking for similar, if not the same, thing as you.
Alyssa says the most common requests involve love, relationships and reconciliation.
“People seek help to heal a heartbreak, to attract a worthy partner or to remove obstacles from a connection that they know, deep down, is meant to be. A close second would be Protection Spells, as more and more people are becoming aware of the need to protect their peace in a chaotic world,” she said. 
But Etsy witch clients aren’t always asking for something all that deep and profound. There are always funny or weird orders that stand out from the rest. Maybe try to think of the strangest wish you have yet to voice out loud and give it a go. You never know what could become possible if you don’t ask.
When asked what the funniest or most interesting spell request she’s ever received, Alyssa said, “I once had someone request a spell to help their cat win a local ‘most handsome cat’ competition. It was such a pure and loving request, free from any of the usual heartbreak or drama.”
The Business Side:
It can be easy to forget for some people that Etsy is as much of a business as any. Depending on the spell, business and whether it is the person’s full-time gig, the price can vary drastically. Spells or tarot readings can cost anywhere from $5 to upwards of $300.
It isn’t just money that affects the business. Etsy Witches have been largely impacted by social media.
When it comes to the business side of things, Alyssa said, “It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it has made spiritual guidance incredibly accessible. It has helped to de-stigmatize the practice. On the other hand, it has also led to a ‘fast-food’ mentality. People sometimes expect a spell to work like a microwave, delivering instant results without understanding that energy unfolds organically.”
Trick of the Card:
Part of the business is dealing with “non-believers.” If you think about it, all businesses deal with this when audiences don’t believe their products work or are as effective as others. Spells and tarot just have hundreds of years of stigma and misconceptions attached to them across many different cultures. From being the villains in Shakespeare’s plays to facing persecution in the Salem Witch Trials, being a witch has scarcely been easy in society.
The art of tarot card reading is one that has been around since the 15th century and originated in Italy. It even began as a mere card trick. Now it is seen as a spiritual guide that can tell you your future, past, or present. People who practice tarot have taken to TikTok and Etsy in order to reach a larger audience.
“The biggest misconception is that we can ‘force’ free will. Another is that it’s all ‘dark’ or ‘evil.’ People often think a spell is an instant, magical fix that requires no effort on their part. The truth is, a spell opens a door, but the client still has to be brave enough to walk through it,” Alyssa said.
Getting Personal:
Just because someone offers a practice, doesn’t mean they don’t need a pick-me-up too every once in a while. A masseuse is going to get a sore back every so often and need a massage themselves. Same goes for energy practices.
“No doctor should perform surgery on themselves, and no spiritual practitioner should be an island. I have my own trusted readers and guides who I consult to maintain my own clarity, to get a second opinion on complex energetic situations, and for my own personal growth,” Alyssa says.
And of course, it’s normal to be a little biased or have some favorites when it comes to certain spells or energy practices.
Alyssa said she finds “deep satisfaction in Protection and Cleansing spells. When you perform a ritual that lifts a heavy, years-long burden of negativity from someone, you witness them reclaim their own light and sovereignty. It’s not just about getting a specific result; it’s about giving someone their life back.”
Spells and Practices: (Spiritual Drivethrough)
Each and every Etsy witch has a different way of creating certain spells and routines that work best for them. It isn’t just about the spells and magical gifts that they offer. The visual design of the Etsy shop, photographs that represent offered practices, and the way they market themselves makes all the difference. But when you get down to it, the actual spells themselves and how they actually work are the most important part that keep customers coming back.
Alyssa says, “A spell is essentially a highly focused, intention-driven ceremony. You can think of it like spiritual acupuncture. I first diagnosed the energetic situation [asking], ‘Where is the blockage? Where is the flow weak? Where is there interference?’ Then, using tools like candles, herbs, crystals and focused incantation, I channel a high concentration of specific energy to that point.”
In order to make these spells and energy shifting become a reality, there has to be a particular ritual done. It can change based on the request, spell or client.
Alyssa enters what she calls a “meditative state” and uses details provided by the client, along with herbs, candles, and oils to help focus her attention on the spiritual energy. She even casts a sacred circle and uses tarot and or her psychic abilities to help guide her towards the specific intention.
Specific Spell Examples:
- “Third Party Removal Ritual” to clear interference in a relationship
- “Road-Opener and Prosperity Anchor” for career and finance
- “Heartline Healing & Truth Awakening Ritual” facilitate forgiveness and communication
Skeptics:
There is some debate on whether or not this business is something that “works” or is sustainable. The good news is, if you don’t believe in it, you don’t have to buy it. If it doesn’t work for you, that’s okay. There will always be skeptics, and that’s one thing that Alyssa has to deal with within her business.
With regard to skeptics, Alyssa deals with them “respectfully, and without any attempt to convince them. My work is not about converting skeptics; it’s about serving those who are actively seeking this form of support. I often say that you don’t need to understand the mechanics of electricity to turn on a light switch. Belief is a personal journey, and I honor whatever path a person is on.”
Whether you believe in the phenomenon that is Etsy witches or not, you can’t deny it is a fascinating approach to the spiritual business world. If you don’t see something in your life aligning or going the way you wish it would, think of jumping on Etsy and seeing if someone else can help guide you to the outcome you desire.
words_lucy carlson-pietraszek. photo_ ava stroshane. design_joel wainberg & charlotte deangelis.
This article was published in Distraction’s Fall 2025 print issue.
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