Welcome to the Broom Closet

Please can you introduce yourself and share any information about your identity?
I’m Kerrie (she/her), I am the face behind Sparrow Spellwork and Tarot.

I’m 38 and a hereditary witch, living in Carlisle.
I’m married to Chris and have two daughters, two rats and a dog.
I identify as pansexual/panromantic, but found myself living a very hetero life these last 15 years, so I actively try my best to use my mainstream appearance to be the very best advocate and visible supporter to people in the queer community who may need a helping hand, whether it’s some mum type advice or a spell to help.

Could you tell us a bit more about your relationship with witchcraft and where it all started?
To quote Lady Gaga, I was born this way!
I come from a line of witchy women.

My grandmama was a healer, she practised aromatherapy and herbalism. If there was an ailment, she had a natural cure in her pantry or apocathery cupboard.
My mum was a broom closet witch, but taught me cartomancy, scrying and how to connect spiritually and channel energy in order to help others.

I have always been quietly practicing in the background of phases of life, but it wasn’t until my thirties that I “came out of the broom closet” fully.

What are the main types of witchcraft? Do you class yourself as a certain type of witch?
There are LOADS of different varieties of witch. There are hedge witches (like my grandmama), green witches, hearth witches and kitchen witches to name a few. Each society across the world also has their own variations.

Some witches like to be part of a coven, and some are solitary practitioners like myself.
I would class myself as a chaos witch, which is similar to an elemental witch (who takes aspects from many types of practices) but differs as a chaos witch tends to use herself as the basis of each ritual and the other elements are optional and adaptable. No orange spell candles for your strength spell? White will substitute any colour…. White tea light in the drawer? That’ll do the job just fine! YOU are the magick!

We all love Luna Amatores! Can you tell us more about your work there and the space it provides for queer people?
I’ve worked at Luna Amatores for nearly a year now, it’s the BEST place to work!

Korin (owner) has worked so hard to build a warm and welcoming environment for everyone who wants to come in. We have soooo many different people come through the door on the daily, and we strive to make people feel comfortable when they’re with us! I think it’s working because we get many people from the queer community who come in just to soak up the vibes, even when they aren’t in to buy anything. We always have time for a little chat (unless it’s really busy and we are working on our own!) and hope folks know it’s a safe space they can come to shop, for advice on crystals and the likes, and just for a browse and a little bit of calm!

You have also worked as an LGBTQ+ support worker, do you find there’s a cross over between queer identity and spiritual/esoteric practice?
Absolutely! The parallels between being opressed, villainised, and had “witch hunts” against you as a member of either community are remarkable. Even down to language used – “witch” was an insult – a slur, similarly to “queer.”

When I worked on the LGBTQ+ helpline, I heard from with many of people who were facing things being part of the LGBTQ+ community that I would have also been hearing if I’d worked for a “witch helpline” insead.

As you probably picked up on earlier, I use the term “being in the broom closet” and “coming out” as a witch, because similarly to being in the LGBTQ+ world, there’s lots of ways people aren’t comfortable being their true authentic selves at work, or at home with an unsupportive family, they cannot comfortably express themselves without judgement. This is so very sad, for both communities, in this day and age!

Why do you think witchcraft resonates with queer young people?
I think a lot of queer youngsters are looking for a way to reclaim their power within a restrictive and repressed society, and witchcraft welcomes everyone regardless of gender identity, sexual and romantic orientation. The sense of having found a similar minded “tribe” is a wonderful feeling, it’s like having a home and an identity, which many young people can struggle with while they are going through all the transitions involved in finding your path in the world. That said, there are still some gatekeepers out there who don’t want to share the craft, or people to develop skills – but that’s exactly what Sparrow is about – trying to make responsible witchcraft accessible and affordable for anyone who wants to practise.

What do you think the rise in witchcraft says about society and politics today?
I am grateful beyond words to be able to practise witchcraft and identify as a witch publicly, without fear for my life, unlike many practitioners before me.

There were many witch hunts historically in the UK, and laws passed to punish the practitioners by execution. The Witchcraft Act of 1736 which was slightly milder – it “only” imposed fines or prison sentences on people who claimed to be a witch or be able to use magical powers was only repealed in 1951 – until then it was illegal.

Society in the western world has come a long way accepting witches since, and more people are turning to them when they are needing help.
I do however feel there is a way to go globally, with witchcraft-related beliefs and practices still leading to murder, torture, and amputation of limbs in many countries today.

At the same time we are witnessing fewer people identifying with mainstream religion, what are your thoughts on that?
I think mainstream religion has done a lot of damage over the years to many different communities of people. We are able now to see the hypocrisy and outright lies that many of the churches have told their congregations.

I have spoken to a couple of vicars and the newer generation understand there are reparations to be made when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, but it runs much deeper than any apology for the many thousands of people hurt and killed in the name of “God.”

I think all people need an element of faith in their lives to help guide with life’s tougher choices, for personal growth, and for meaning, community and comfort
The mainstream religions are regularly leaving people feeling, at best, a little lack lustre, so I think that explains why so many are exploring alternatives and the older ways, such as Paganism.

What would your response be to people who still think that witchcraft is somehow evil or dangerous?
I’d simply ask them why they fear the people who were burned, rather than those building the pyres.

What would be an easy spell for a newbie witch at home during a cost of living crisis?
Oh there are so many, but a lovely one which can be done so easily is to write what you would like to manifest on a bay leaf (65p at Aldi for a jar of at least 10, so you’ve got a lot of spells for 65p) and burn it over a candle flame.

Visualise it, really put the power into it as you write it down and as it burns.
You can also put a bay leaf in your wallet or purse with an amount of money written on it, this is said to attract the funds!

As a bunch of witches here at QC, we were really excited to meet you and combine our ideas to create the BROOM CLOSET! Can you tell us about it?
The Broom Closet is about bringing together a group within the queer community who want to explore their witchy practice in a safe environment. We can come together without judgement or fear, as a tribe and create a beautiful community to help like-minded people of any age get to know and develop their craft. I want to be able to pass on skills and ignite ideas in others as it was in me by my predecessors, so attendees can go with a newfound confidence into the world of witchery. I want to be seen as a guide rather than a tutor, imparting the knowledge and then watching the witchlings learn to fly!

What can people expect at a gathering?

I want to allow people to have a go at the craft during the gathering if they want, but also if they just want to come and take in the knowledge and be able to take it home and further develop it in their own time and space. No pressure!

Although I’d love to create a little queer x witchy crossover community, each gathering will be standalone so you can attend as you wish. I know life is full of surprises, and commitment to weeks or months of courses is a lot to ask of folks.

I would love the attendees to feel they can come and ask advice on their craft – even if it’s not the subject of the week, I do run Q&A sessions on my Instagram twice a month, but not everyone is on socials.ill be nice to have some face to face interactions too!

Three things you would vanish?
Hypocrisy (infuriating), wind (the meteorological kind, not burps and farts – they can be funny). prawns (boody terrifying).

Three people you would turn into a frog?

Katie Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, anyone who litters.

Three essential songs for a dance on sabbat?

Dark Lady – Cher, Satan’s a Woman – Twin Temple, Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac

Photo Credits – Kerry shot by Red or Dead Photography.