Professionals Tamborine Mountain 
It’s no secret by now that Tamborine Mountain is home to many people with a spiritual bent. Perhaps none are more striking in their practice of alternative ideals than Angel Cottrill, the titular village witch of Village Witch Alchemy. Her iconic store has left many a question in the minds of passers-by, and today she answers those questions.
by Kyle Hitchmough
For those who might not understand, what is it that you actually do here?
We’ve got a retail store that’s in alignment with the New Age era. We offer oddities and curios for people who practice the old ways, herb lore, those who are into magic and spellcasting, etc. Services we offer are insight and rebalancing, both readings and healings.
How did you come to open Village Witch Alchemy?
I was always the strange child who saw things other people couldn’t see. After 25 years of doing the same day job, I started hating people, hating my clients, hating what I did for a living. The old saying is “find what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Needless to say, I’ve had three days off since we’ve opened because every day is so fun now.
Do you have any particularly popular or bestselling items? What draws in the most people?
I stock a lot of dead things! People are always interested in what is going on in that room. I’ve got all sorts of dead animal things, from mummified hearts to the skulls of different creatures, I’ve got porcupine quills from the States, I’ve got saltwater crocs, I’ve got all sorts of weird stuff. Feet, skin, hair, inner body parts, and all the herbs to go with them. That kind of thing is a bit hard to find. No-one stocks that. “I’m just popping down to the corner store, I need a goat skull, a mummified heart and some herbs.” I learnt that I could produce things for myself, because everybody wants them and you can’t buy them anywhere. Where else can you buy an altar-sized broomstick? It’s a fine living.
What’s an average day for you working in a place like this?
I make a joke out of ‘all I need to do here is make it down to the end of the hallway with clothes on and open the door.’ We live in the back of the shop. People come here seeking answers. “Where am I going, what am I doing?” It’s guiding people—and having fun, since I create a lot of the stuff in this space and they’re always the things that sell first. I’m always at my table arts-and-crafting.
Are there any particular trends in your clientele?
Are you aware that there are witches’ covens in Brisbane? There are a few, and I often get repeat business from those covens who are seeking very specific ritual tools or ingredients or people who they say are ‘awakening’ to this new era of enlightenment. The one thing you’ll always get from me is the truth.
As a local, what’s your opinion on the Tamborine Mountain area and community?
It’s a small town and it really does fit into that stereotype. Everyone knows everything about everyone else. But I really like it since I don’t really care what people think of me. I do like the quiet, I love the mountain and the fact it’s covered in rainforest. I like the indigenous ancestors that dwell here— this was a sacred mountain for women’s business and women’s healing. Everything’s close, yet you still feel miles away from everyone, you’re not caught up in the hustle and bustle.
Your store isn’t the only one with a focus on spirituality on the mountain. What do you think makes it such a hub for spiritual people?
The mountain dwellers, I suppose. People come up here and it’s like stepping into another world. They can step into the rainforest, reconnect with nature. People are looking for something different. Mainstream shopping centers don’t often have much in the way of New Age concept stores, so they do seek those quirky little townships that may just have that.
What’s your favourite thing to do on the mountain?
Take in the rainforests, the streams, the waterfalls, and the views. I love the views. Whether I want to see the skyline of the Gold Coast and look upon the ocean or overlook the valleys, I just drive over to that side. It’s beautiful, and what I really love is when the mountain is shrouded in mist. It feels like one of the mystic floating mountains from the Avatar movie. When we sit there and the whole valley is covered in mist it feels like you are at the edge of the world.
What do you think Village Witch Alchemy really provides to the area?
Diversity. It gives a little bit of insight to the otherworldly. There are many people who have never seen such things, and when they come here and look at some of the stuff I’ve got in here, they’re like “People actually buy these things?” I like the whole idea of being able to open the mind of many who have never stepped into that world. In Europe, the streets and the townships are full of shops like this, but here in Australia they’re few and far between.
What’s been your most memorable moment from your time here?
It’s more of a generalization of what’s happened over the years. Previous to opening this store, I visited the mountain regularly. The people here always remembered me as the walking rainbow. I would always be sitting in gardens playing with Tibetan singing bowls, trying to draw crowds in to help my friends who owned stores here and now I’ve become this strange enigma that no-one understands. When I walk down the street now, I’ll be shrouded in black with all my weird makeup on and people giggle and say something or they’ll cross the street! The locals are used to me now, but originally it used to be quite interesting, standing in line at the supermarket at the end of the day. I’m the village witch!
We are always looking for new topics for our blog. If there’s something you like to see more of, email your suggestions to: social@professionalsserendipity.com.au, or email the writer at kyle.hitchmough@hotmail.com.
