Meet Claire Ottewell: Bringing Ancient Wisdom and Modern Wellbeing Together

True wellbeing begins with understanding ourselves deeply, reconnecting with our individual nature and integrating all aspects of who we are.

For Claire Ottewell, founder of The Oily Witch, these concepts sit at the heart of her work. Based in Lewes, Claire has created a distinctive wellbeing business that brings together ancient wisdom, natural remedies and modern therapeutic approaches to help people reconnect with themselves and make meaningful changes in their lives.

An entrepreneur with a passion for both personal transformation and the natural world, Claire works at the intersection of aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, astrology, spiritual counselling and Green Witchcraft. Her approach recognises that wellbeing is rarely one-dimensional and that supporting people effectively means looking beyond the surface to explore the emotional, psychological and spiritual dimensions of being human.

A business rooted in nature and personal transformation

The Oily Witch grew from Claire’s belief that nature offers us an extraordinary resource for wellbeing, reflection and healing. Through bespoke aromatherapy blends, herbal teas, magical balms and aura sprays, she creates products inspired by the properties of plants and the traditions of natural healing.

Her work also extends into one-to-one consultations, hypnotherapy and spiritual counselling, helping clients explore the patterns, beliefs and experiences that may be holding them back. Through astrology and tarot, Claire offers additional tools for self-reflection, personal insight and navigating life's transitions.

Education is another important strand of the business. Through the Oily Witch Academy, Claire develops courses designed to make subjects such as astrology, witchcraft, essential oils and body healing accessible to people who want to deepen their knowledge and develop their own practices.

Rather than treating spirituality and business as separate worlds, Claire brings them together through a practical, grounded approach that encourages curiosity, self-awareness and personal responsibility.

Making space for a different kind of conversation

At a time when conversations around mental health, burnout and work-life balance are increasingly important, Claire believes there is value in creating spaces where people can pause, reflect and consider what they genuinely need.

Her workshops and ceremonies follow the rhythms of the seasons, the lunar cycle and the natural world. These gatherings offer opportunities for connection, contemplation and shared experience, while her individual work provides a more personal setting for exploration and change.

For Claire, this work is about more than products or treatments. It is about helping people recognise their own agency, reconnect with their intuition and find approaches to life that feel more authentic and sustainable.

Creativity, community and future ambitions

Claire's entrepreneurial interests extend beyond her core services. She is developing an Oily Witch Oracle Cards project in collaboration with local druid artist Andrew Edgar, bringing together art, Celtic tree lore, seasonal traditions and astrology in a distinctive creative venture.

Projects like this reflect her wider ambition to combine local collaboration with ideas that have the potential to reach audiences well beyond Sussex. As a business owner, Claire brings a multifaceted perspective to entrepreneurship. Building a business around specialist knowledge, creative products, personal services and educational experiences requires adaptability, resilience and a willingness to keep evolving. She is keen to connect with other local businesses, explore collaborative opportunities and contribute to a thriving Sussex business community.

Looking ahead

Through The Oily Witch, Claire is continuing to develop a business that challenges conventional boundaries between wellbeing, spirituality, nature and personal development.

Her message is simple: We never stop learning about ourselves. Personal growth comes in many forms, whether through understanding our experiences, challenging established beliefs, exploring new perspectives or reconnecting with the natural world. The journey towards greater self-awareness begins when we become curious about who we are and how all aspects of ourselves work together.

For Claire, the real magic lies in bringing these elements together in ways that help people live with greater awareness, confidence and purpose.

Discover more about Claire and The Oily Witch at www.oilywitch.co.uk.