In times of uncertainty, an occult shop makes for recession-proof business. The goods: white magic accessories. The service: teaching people how to cast spells and make their own potions to fulfill their desires.

Filipino Jomar Fleras, founder of Sanctuario Spa in Manila, didn’t win the Presidential Award as Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year by President Gloria Arroyo for nothing. Adjacent to Sanctuario Spa, Notions, Potions and Magical Charms is the arbiter of authentic implements for white magic.

Fleras has been at the forefront of upgrading the spa industry in the Philippines. He is also a Reiki Master who eventually became a channel for angels. Reiki, or healing the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions of a person through energy, is already accepted as one of the 21st-century alternative healing modalities. He combines diagnosis, healing and counseling by claiming he “works with angels”, among them Uriel, the archangel of prophesy.

Fleras was surprised that there was a demand for ritual accessories—crystals, candles, magical herbs, cast iron pots, talismans and amulets for power and protection, crystal balls and witchcraft literature. He discovered that there are Wiccans, practitioners of modern witchcraft, in the country.

Practitioners are unified by their belief in the dual divinity of the god and goddess. They also worship the natural world, which they see as pervaded with powerful force that may be harnessed through rituals. Wiccans invoke their deities during mystic festivals, solstices and in the full moon. The store manager, Bella Donna, is a Wiccan and high priestess.

As in typical customers, the Wiccans and people interested in the occult had difficulty sourcing genuine and affordable crystals and the right candles for rituals. Fleras points out that although the market is inundated with crystals, majority are fake. “When you hold the crystal, it will choose you. It will vibrate. You should feel the energy. A real crystal is cold, but the longer you hold it, it will be warm. Through a magnifying glass, you will see imperfections such as cloud formations and insertions. Fake ones have no temperature reading and they are too perfect. They all look the same,” explains Fleras.

Wiccans use smaller candles in different colours, not the usual ones found in stores. The store’s black-and-white candles are used in a burning ritual. People write their intentions, offer it to the gods and goddesses and light candles. Some burn them. “It aids your thought process.

The whole ritual magnifies your intentions,” says Fleras.

The shop offers over 100 varieties of herbs, sourced from the Philippines, Thailand and India, such as sage for cleansing energies, juniper berries for love potions, cardamom seeds for attracting prosperity and damong maria (Artemisia vulgaris) for healing.

Basic ingredients such as basil are used as additives for homemade incenses. “It’s more effective if you concoct your own incense,” says Fleras. Customers are taught to prepare the herbs in a banga (pot). While the ingredients are being simmered, they recite incantations. He likens the process to lighting a candle in church and saying a novena. “It’s all in the power of thought, but novenas tend to be generic and sometimes mechanical,” he says.

Notions, Potions and Magical Charms also aims to educate people on how to use the paraphernalia effectively. For instance, they learn that beads should be cleansed and consecrated to make them work. “We make dolls, not just for voodoo but also for magical things; gayuma (love potions) and infuse herbs on crystals. They are imbued with the energy from the orasyon (whispered prayers), which works like a mantra,” says Fleras.

One reason the store teaches how to make potions instead of selling ready-made formulas is that they are orally effective. Fleras adds, “Nowadays, foods need BFAD (Bureau of Food and Drug) approval.” The formula is more potent if it is imbued with the vibrations of the maker.

The potions or love spells are applied on the pillow and homemade altars. “We teach people how to build an altar in a special place.” No dark motives should inspire people. Fleras says the store believes in the rule of three: Any negative thought or action performed will boomerang on the person thrice more.

The crux of all these divining and rituals stems from the power of thought and faith. “Be careful what you wish for.” Fleras clarifies the intentions should always be pure otherwise what they wish for could bring a curse. “For a wish to be granted, you need a balik (exchange). Ancient cultures made animal sacrifices, burned and prayed over. In Bali, people offer food to the deities.

In Asian countries, people would throw salt outside the store to ward off negative energies that blocked their businesses. In our culture, people make a panata (vow). Make an offering in the fire and throw herbs.” Call it the biblical “Give and you shall receive” or the karmic philosophy of taking service from the Universe and returning that favour. (By Marge C. Enriquez in Manila/ Philippine Daily Inquirer/ Asia News Network)

(Notions, Potions and Magical Charms is located at 1829 J. Bocobo St. near Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila; tel. +63-2-4501127.)