Discovery of real spell book from 1800s conjures entrepreneurial spirit in Sheffield
A spell book of a 1800s witch is being used by enterprising academic professor and a scientist from Sheffield this Halloween
Handmade ghost figurines “enchanted” with a real spell and instructions for the user to perform rituals are for sale this Halloween.
Conjured up at her Holmfirth kitchen table, the figurines, known as ‘Haunts’, have been created by academic Professor Lisa Bradley and scientist Sarah Smith, bringing together witchcraft, storytelling, symbolism and the art of ritual.
The spell book of Prof Bradley’s great-grandmother Harriet Shields, a shopkeeper from Hartlepool who had a hidden secret, is the inspiration behind the enterprise.
Prof Bradley, 48, an award winning lecturer at the University of Sheffield, former journalist and mass market horror and thriller novelist drew on this family heritage and love of storytelling to create the figurines.
She said: “I am a big believer in ghosts, all kinds, having had some first-hand experience myself. This is despite being a cynical ex-crime reporter and academic. And belief is power.
“We of course don’t expect everyone to believe our Haunts have actual magic abilities, although we do!
“Call it ritual, prayer, a spell, meditation. It’s what it means to you. In this stressful, exhausting and overwhelming world, we wanted to create something both of comfort..and of inspiration. But you might just be surprised at the result. We are already collecting stories from Haunt “keepers” of how their Haunt has created positive change.
“Call it a placebo effect, psychosomatic, or witchcraft. Does it matter if the result is the same?”
Fused with the science of psychology and intention setting designed by Mrs Smith, each Haunt is handmade with subtle variations designed to help its keeper focus on something they wish to welcome into their life - or something they are ready to leave behind.
The founding collection features eight characters, divided into two collections: Light Haunts, which focus on drawing in intentions such as love, prosperity, confidence and opportunity, and Shadow Haunts, which explore the process of releasing fear, guilt, anxiety and grief.
Each Haunt is priced at £29 and is available through the brand’s online apothecary.
An unexpected beginning
The story of Haunts began around a kitchen table on December 23, 2025, when the two women, both at a personal and professional crossroads in their lives, realised the trends of manifesting and positive thinking sometimes aren’t enough - that people need something tangible to work with.
The founders later discovered that December 23 falls on the final day of the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, when small figurines known as sigilla were exchanged as gifts.
For the pair, it was a fitting coincidence - and the beginning of Haunts.
Mrs Smith, 44, who is an award winning permanent cosmetic artist and holds an Msc in Research and is currently studying for an MA in nursing, said: “We wanted to create something that was beautiful, a little bit mysterious and meaningful beyond the object itself.
“Magic, for us, is about recognising that the power to change your life is already within you. Sometimes, though, you need something tangible to bring you back to that intention,” she said.
Not just for Halloween
Although launching on the spookiest night of the year, Haunts is designed to be kept long after the pumpkins have been carved and the candles have burned down.
The brand draws on witchcraft, folklore and Victorian-era symbolism.
Prof Bradley said: “I received the book when I was just 14. It was like something from Practical Magic. My grandma Esme gave it to me, although she didn’t believe in anything like that. It contained annotated spells for “ladies to obtain good husbands” and instructions on how to read tarot and tea leaves, both of which I still do.
“But it was the charm of the spells that I really wanted to experiment with, and bring the old ways into modern life. They are simplified versions of them, but just as powerful in my opinion, as it’s all about the intention.”
The women are operating under the names Esme and Evelyn, honouring their family lineage.
The launch website, www.hauntme.co.uk, opens the door to the world behind the figures, introducing their mythology, individual identities and rituals.
Visitors can explore the collections through the online Apothecary and discover the stories behind the brand, and share their stories about how the Haunts worked for them.
Haunts launches on October 31, 2026.