Ever since Harry Potter hit the big screen, the idea of magic has
suddenly become cool again. Once the niche preserve of closet Buffy
fans and teenage girls with Wicca spell books, magic has started to
gain a real popularity.

Charms, spells and potions are being sold in ever increasing numbers.
But is there anything in this magic business, or is it all just a
great marketing ploy, cashing in on recent Hollywood hits?

To try and answer that question, researcher Amelia Piper has started a
unique experiment. She’s created a blog on which she is documenting
her testing of various free love spells
that she has found on the internet.

“I got the idea when watching the latest Harry Potter film,” Amelia
explains. “In the film, the character Ron comes under the influence of
a love spell.

“After watching the movie, some friends and I were having a laugh
saying how great it would be if there was such a thing as real love spells that
work. We did a quick search on Google and found a whole load of
them, so I thought why not try them out. The blog is like my science
journal, documenting my results.”

Piper is pragmatic about her chances. “I’m not holding out much hope,”
she says. “If I get a result, that will be a bonus. In the meantime,
it will be fun trying!”

This isn’t Amelia’s first experience of trying out magic. When she was
a little girl, she tried making her own love potion in an attempt to
stop her parents divorcing.

“We didn’t have the internet back then, but I remember going to the
library with my mother, and sneaking out a book about magic potions
and draughts. The book told me to mix up all sorts of horrible
ingredients, including crushed earthworms! I think it was a kids book,
not meant to be taken seriously, but when you’re seven you don’t
always know the difference!”

Pipers parents never did divorce, so maybe she has a magical gift? He
blog will surely reveal all in time.