Nose too big? Unlucky in love? Want to smell of vanilla? Try the internet

Whatever the problem, some TikToker or YouTuber is offering to solve it. How did a wonder of science end up in the hands of astrologers and witches?

I've just been doing my semi-regular roundup of what's new in the world of woo-woo, so let me fill you in. Grazia has a $15k an hour intuition coach" teaching A-listers to tap into their sixth sense, which is a little tame, but I struck gold with the Atlantic, which has introduced me to the concept of subliminals". This is properly out there: TikToks or YouTube videos that, the claim goes, can work magic, giving you a smaller nose, making you smell of vanilla (?) or getting your crush to call you IMMEDIATELY". They remind me of the slips of paper that used to arrive in our letterbox when I lived in Brussels from local marabouts (sorcerers), promising sexual potency, the removal of curses, weight loss, guaranteed parking spots and more.

It's another iteration of a wave of magical thinking that shows no sign of weakening. I've ticked off manifesting (willing what you want into being), lucky girl syndrome (erm, believing you're lucky?), ghost, psychics and #witchtok. There are people all over Instagram drawing tarot and offering blessings, spells, virtual aura readings and cures". Astrology never went away, but it's in rude health: Chaos awaits as Mercury retrograde spins into Venus," reads my latest unsolicited email. What next? Perhaps alchemy is due a reboot? God knows we could all do with some free gold.