I put a spell on you

Nesta of the Forest was one of the last people in the country to be tried in court under the Witchcraft Act 1735.

A psychic, medium and spiritualist, among other transcendent abilities, she told fortunes from a room above the Pilgrim’s Rest Café on Worcester Street, Gloucester.

Found guilty on two counts of fortune telling in 1933, Nesta was ordered to pay a fine of two pounds and eight shillings. But after refusing to do so, she was prisoned.

In 1960, she cropped up again. Living in St Margaret’s Street, Cheltenham – this time her story made national press.

She cast a spell on two of her employees – a couple who she accused of stealing a garden spade. She wrote upon three separate pieces of paper, ‘They who steal a spade shall dig a grave for the one they love best.’

One, was posted to the couple. Another buried in Nesta’s garden. The last, burned. And within a short space of time after this incident took place, the pair’s baby and the wife’s mother died.

Consider yourself somewhat of a witch or wizard? Why not visit Spellbound in College Street, Gloucester. A shop full of spiritual resources – they’re a hub for witches, pagans and eclectics.