Forget eye of newt and wing of bat - oils, herbs and crystals are the new age tools used to cast spells, says spiritual practitioner Ruth Aitken from Wickford.

Mrs Aitken, 47, recently opened her business, Spellcrafter, in Wickford Business Park, selling natural ingredients like stones, crystals, oils, colours, candles and herbs to cast spells for healing and happiness.

The Art of Spell Crafting is the lecture Mrs Aitken will present at the Mind Body Soul Exhibition at The Brentwood Centre on Sunday, March 24, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

Besides running her Wickford business, Mrs Aitken also hosts psychic and spiritual groups and has stalls at many exhibitions in Essex, London and western England.

For more information on Ruth Aitken's business Spellcrafter call 01245 323333.

The Mind Body and Soul Exhibition runs from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, March 23 and 11am to 5pm on Sunday, March 24. Entry is £4.50 for adults, £3.50 for concessions and children under 16 free if accompanied by an adult.

For more information on the exhibition call 01206 500999, e-mail info@mbs.info or log on to www.mbs.info

Published Friday, March 22, 2002