Since we are near Christmas, I was a reluctant participant. But who knows where inspiration will surface in this age? And because a famous witch was in town, I thought she might be able to brighten the holidays. It turns out I was wrong.

There was one sign of hope during the interview. This witch spoke of her affection for angels. I noticed the other day at the mall that angels were flying out of the stores like crazy. So maybe there is some connection.

But angels are only one part of witches' spiritual arsenal. They have crystals to read and tarot cards that speak of the future. They will cast spells that bring good fortune. But most of them shy away from casting evil spells and putting people in danger.

Which brings me to the good witch I met recently. Her magical or Wiccan name is Silver RavenWolf, and she is from Pennsylvania, around Amish and Mennonite country, where she has picked up all kinds of tricks for making life easier. She is sort of the Martha Stewart of witchcraft.

For instance, did you know that warts can be removed with small stones from a creek that you rub on your warts and then cast into a grave before the body is buried?

That remedy is in her book "HexCraft, Dutch Country Magick" (Llewellyn Publications, $15.95). RavenWolf has many others, six books full of rituals and experiences for those who are fascinated by ancient spirits.

Silver, as her friends call her, is a nice lady, serious but without so much as a speck of mean witchery in her bones. Somewhere along the history of her life, she got rid of conventional religion and took up Wicca. She says it all came naturally, a long family line of hexers, diviners and possible witches.

She said her grandfather told people's fortunes by reading the bumps on their heads. Now there's a technique you can take to the bank.

Oh, I forgot to tell you there is a simpler way to rid yourself of warts. According to RavenWolf, you simply draw half circles on each side of the wart and repeat "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" three times. Presto, no more warts.

And if you have a co-worker or boss who is always giving you the "evil eye," she says, simply take two small bones, tie them together with black thread in the shape of a cross and wear it close to your heart. This is high fashion in the Wiccan religion.

If you have some graveyard dirt around the house, use it in a charm to catch thieves, stop gossip, cool the tempers of abusive family members or to stop a person from meddling in your personal business.

So I wonder why Wicca invokes the Trinity for magical solutions or why witches wear crosses to ward off warts and evil spirits? The answer, of course, is that witches, though not Christian believers, will use Christianity if the symbols prove to have power.

One might imagine that people who have many issues will be hanging bags of dirt and bones on their clothing, washing their bodies with herbs in public, burning candles and carrying them through the streets, and scouring the local swamp for toads and salamanders.

The strange thing is that I grew up with these kinds of folk remedies and religious experiences. Yet, I distrust them because I watched relatives deteriorate even as they discovered new miracle cures that would put them on the road to health -- sometimes called easy street. Ultimately, the cures always failed. Then they would resort to so-called nerve doctors until a hearse came with a black-suited driver and trucked them away.

Beyond this folk magic, the main things you need to know about Wiccans are the following: they believe in reincarnation, do not worship Satan and depend upon the Earth for their well-being and health.

You should also know that in her book called "Angels," also published by Llewellyn, RavenWolf informs us there are "28 angels that rule the mansions of the moon." That is incredible -- that she knows, for one thing. And, second, that anyone would care.

Clark D. MorphewDecember 13, 1997