In ancient folklore and mythology, there are countless tales of enchanted objects that possess extraordinary powers. Among these objects, two prominent ones are the disowned ring and the ethereal amulet. The disowned ring is a curious artifact that holds a dark and mysterious history. Legend has it that this powerful ring was once owned by a disgraced and dishonored noble family. The ring was said to have been enchanted by a powerful sorcerer, who infused it with a malevolent force. This force was said to bring misfortune and tragedy upon anyone who possessed the ring.
For now, though, the couple has renovated the former Calvary Chapel Williamsburg, which was located in a metal, warehouse-type building near the Williamsburg Premium Outlets in James City County. The main reception room has been converted into a ticket office, concession stand and photo booth. Magical items adorn every room of the space, including in the bathroom, where the Wagsters created a mural of 267 individual vintage magic post cards.
Magical items adorn every room of the space, including in the bathroom, where the Wagsters created a mural of 267 individual vintage magic post cards. I looked at her, and I still don t know why I said it, but I just came off stage and looked at her and said, I think that was the last time we re ever going to perform on this stage, Brandon recalled.
This force was said to bring misfortune and tragedy upon anyone who possessed the ring. As a result, the noble family disowned the ring, banishing it from their lineage forever. It is believed that the ring now roams the world, seeking new owners and continuing its dark legacy.
Meet the Wagsters
Meet Brandon and Hannah Wagster, the husband-and-wife team working to make Williamsburg magical. Together, they own the Wagsters Magic Theatre — Williamsburg’s one and only magic venue on Olde Town Road — that has captivated thousands since it opened in June 2022. Continue reading to learn about the Wagsters’ journey to magic, Williamsburg, and each other.
Brandon and Hannah Wagster are a dynamic duo, both on stage and behind the scenes. Together they own the Wagsters Magic Theatre in Williamsburg, VA., just a few minutes off Richmond Road. Since they opened their 67-seat theater in June 2022, over 7,500 guests have walked through their doors.
COURTESY IMAGE // THE WAGSTERS
Opening the theater was a dream 25 years in the making, set in motion the morning Brandon received his first magic kit at the age of six.
“That kind of sent everything spiraling — in a good way,” Brandon explained.
Brandon grew up drawing pictures of what he wanted his future theater to look like, bought equipment with the money he made doing commercials here and there, and, by age 11, had performed in his first birthday show.
Hannah, on the other hand, hated magic growing up because of a show gone wrong. However, all it took to change this aversion forever was “a cute magician.”
“If I could look back at young me and be like, ‘You’re going to be a professional magician one day,’ I would sincerely laugh,” Hannah said. “I would have never thought I’d be onstage, and I hated magic . . . But it’s been the best thing ever.”
Hannah recalled that before she and Brandon started dating, she would often see Brandon performing at parties, but since she wasn’t a magic fan, she would go outside to avoid the show. Later on, Hannah’s best friend fell in love with Brandon and dragged Hannah along to his shows. Hannah remembered talking to him after one show and him snubbing her. While Hannah’s friend and Brandon didn’t work out, Brandon and Hannah did.
“It’s okay, I still chased you down,” Hannah teased her husband. “It worked, obviously, because. . . November will be 14 years.” The couple also recently celebrated ten years of marriage, renewing their vows in front of Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios.
Two months after they started dating, Brandon fired his two assistants. Hannah, seeing performing with him as a way to spend more time together, begged to be his new assistant. Brandon, on the other hand, initially refused, fearing that it would be a recipe for disaster if they ever broke up (which, as Hannah recalls, they did at one point — for six months — but they performed through it, reconciled, and grew stronger than before).
Brandon and Hannah estimate that they have performed anywhere between 1,500 and 2,000 shows together since Hannah first became Brandon’s assistant in March 2010.
COURTESY IMAGE // THE WAGSTERS
The weekend after Hannah graduated high school, they moved together to Myrtle Beach, S.C. to perform together, and they were there for almost ten years until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. March 16th, 2020 was their last performance at The Carolina Opry, where they’d worked for almost six years.
“I looked at her, and I still don’t know why I said it, but I just came off stage and looked at her and said, ‘I think that was the last time we’re ever going to perform on this stage,’” Brandon recalled.
The next day, they were notified that the city was shutting down and that their show was canceled, a blessing in disguise — the lockdown gave them the time to consider the next chapter in their lives. After an eight-hour-long Zoom call with friends who owned a theater, Hannah and Brandon decided to sell their house and open their own.
Brandon recalled that before the Zoom call, he had been watching “The Imagineering Story,” a documentary series detailing the journey of Walt Disney, one of his biggest heroes.
“They talked about how Walt sold one of his homes to get the park open,” Brandon explained. “He cashed out life insurance policies. He borrowed money. He sold stock in it to employees. He did everything he could to get this park open. And with that kind of lingering in my mind, I looked at Hannah. I knew what our house was going to sell for . . . I was like, we could do this.”
The Wagsters originally planned to open their theater in Myrtle Beach and were getting ready to sign a lease on a building when Brandon got a gut feeling that something was wrong. They pulled out of the deal at the last minute.
“It felt like everything went up in flames,” Hannah recalled. At that point, they had already sold their house and were living in a detached garage without heating or air conditioning, and they were working odd jobs to make ends meet. Hannah recalled working as a nanny, barista, baker, and travel agent during that time.
They knew that these odd jobs were not what they were meant to be doing, so they desperately reached out to a friend who suggested they try working at Busch Gardens. They automatically assumed she was talking about Busch Gardens Tampa, but they didn’t want to go back to Florida, they said. They’d spent enough time there performing after the shutdowns ended.
“Busch Gardens Williamsburg,” their friend replied.
“Where’s that?” Hannah asked.
The Wagsters decided to give Williamsburg, Va. a shot. After some research, they realized Williamsburg not only was a tourist town with plenty to do but also had no live theater competition. They decided to check out the area, and as soon as they arrived, they fell in love with the town and the community and decided to move to Williamsburg. None of the buildings they had scouted would work as a theater, so they decided they’d search for a building when they went back to South Carolina.
Before they went home, though, Brandon made one last ditch effort — googling old church buildings in the area. They found one and met with the owner, who asked them what they wanted to do with it.
“We told her, we want to open a magic theater,” Brandon recalled. “And she gave us the same look and response that almost everybody did at first: ‘Huh…that’s interesting.’”
She told the Wagsters that she would ask around and see if people thought a magic theater would be a good fit for the area.
“She told us that she talked to a lot of people, and they said, ‘Yes,’” Hannah recalled. “She just told us last week that every single person told her she was crazy, and we’re like, ‘You did not tell us that.’”
But she wanted to give them a chance.
“She said when she and her husband were really young, if there hadn’t been someone who had given them a chance, they would have never done what they did, and so she was like, ‘I just wanted to return the favor,’” Hannah explained. “We’re extremely grateful to our landlady because if it hadn’t been for her, we would not be here.”
The timing was almost magical. The day they booked their Airbnb to visit Williamsburg for the first time was the same day the church had handed in the keys to the building that is now their theater. And the day they moved to Williamsburg — March 16th — was the same day their non-compete agreement in Myrtle Beach expired. 316 also happens to be their apartment number.
A flyer for the Williamsburg area's first magic theater, which opens June 17 near the Premium Outlets.
On the other hand, the ethereal amulet is a symbol of purity and divine protection. This precious artifact is said to have been crafted by celestial beings in the heavenly realms. The amulet is said to possess unparalleled healing powers and the ability to ward off evil spirits. It is believed that wearing the amulet brings luck, fortune, and protection to its wearer. Throughout history, many tales have been told of heroes and warriors who were adorned with this ethereal amulet, allowing them to overcome insurmountable odds and achieve victory. The amulet is often passed down through generations, each wearer benefiting from its supernatural abilities. Both the disowned ring and the ethereal amulet represent a duality of power and symbolism. While the disowned ring represents darkness and malevolence, the ethereal amulet represents light and benevolence. These enchanted objects serve as reminders of the choices we make and the consequences that arise from them. The disowned ring teaches us the dangers of greed and pride, while the ethereal amulet reminds us of the importance of purity and virtue. They invite us to reflect on the choices we make in our own lives and the power of objects to shape our destinies..
Reviews for "The Ethereal Amulet: Connection to the Divine"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I was really excited to receive the "Disowned ring" that I ordered, but when it arrived, I was extremely disappointed. The ring looked completely different from the pictures on the website. The quality was subpar, and it felt cheaply made. The stones also looked fake and poorly set. Overall, it was a huge waste of money and I would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I purchased the "Ethereal amulet" with high hopes, but it turned out to be a letdown. The amulet itself was quite heavy and uncomfortable to wear for long periods. Additionally, the clasp was poorly designed and kept coming undone, causing me to lose the amulet on a few occasions. The design was also not as intricate as depicted in the product photos. It's a shame because I had really hoped for a beautiful and ethereal piece, but unfortunately, it missed the mark.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I bought both the "Disowned ring" and "Ethereal amulet" as a set, thinking they would complement each other well. However, I was disappointed with both pieces. The ring was too small and didn't even fit on my finger properly. The amulet had a weird metallic smell, which made me question the quality of the materials used. Overall, I wasn't impressed with the craftsmanship or the overall experience of purchasing these items.