The Kitchen Goddess

Remember the good old days, when the local witch never came out of her house, and kids (the brave ones) left offerings of flowers or little presents, such as thimbles or bookmarks, on the front porch? Times have changed. Witches are mainstream nowadays and psychics are just a phone call (1-800-TAKEMYMONEY) away. Filmmaker Donna Davies revisits her small eastern Canadian hometown, where she grew up in a culture teeming with old Celtic beliefs and tradition, full of tales and omens of the supernatural. She interviews some half dozen practitioners of the ethereal world of tea leaves, tarot cards, palmistry and other arcana for hire. Edna was pronounced dead in 1972 and now the smell of water (out of a plastic spray bottle) allows her to see visions. Olive will read your spoon, your teacup and your saucer. Donna is a witch who owns a shop called Raven Woods that sells ingredients for making spells. While one psychic admits that when she's answering her phone hotline she's asking herself what bills do I need to pay, many of these spiritual advisors and psychic counselors bring hope to a roster of clients who don't make a move without their daily dose of mystical messaging. Primarily a one-sided, talking-head love-letter to the intuitive goddess industry, this is, nevertheless, entertaining stuff and libraries looking for off-the-beaten-broomstick pop culture material will want to purchase a copy. I see a "recommended" in its future. Aud: C, P. (N. Plympton)