The rise of the internet and e-commerce means it’s easier than ever to buy unusual items you can’t find on the high street, including metaphysical items such as spells. But online marketplace Etsy is clamping down on such sales, causing anger among sellers.
Etsy is a community where people can sell unique, unusual and handmade goods. It has 1.4 million sellers and 32 million items for sale, including metaphysical items.
The Daily Dot is reporting Etsy recently changed its rules, tightening up on sales of services such as spells. In the help section ‘Can I sell services on Etsy’ it states:
“Any metaphysical service that promises or suggests it will effect a physical change (e.g., weight loss) or other outcome (e.g., love, revenge) is not allowed, even if it delivers a tangible item.”
Spells and hexes could previously be sold if they produced a physical item and gave no guarantees of effectiveness, a witch (who wanted to remain anonymous) told The Daily Dot.
The policy change allegedly occurred without warning in early June. Since then angry sellers have taken to the marketplace’s forum to discuss the move. An administrator from Etsy clarified the position.
“Metaphysical shops may remain on Etsy as long as they comply with our policies…..To be clear, this is not a ban on all metaphysical items. At Etsy, we believe in freedom of thought, expression, and religion. You may sell astrological charts, tarot readings, and other tangible objects, as long as you are not making a promise that object will effect a physical change or other outcome, such as weight loss, love, or revenge. Medical drug claims or claims of a medical cure are also not allowed.”
Unhappy sellers have started a petition to stop Etsy banning Metaphysical items
eBay banned the sale of spells and tarot readings in September 2012 due to disputes between buyers and sellers.
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