The Northern Territory Government in Australia is repealing old legislation which makes tarot card reading and witchcraft illegal.

A recent review of the Territory's Summary Offences Act found a law citing anyone caught conjuring spells or predicting the future could face one year in prison.

The ABC reports the Witchcraft Act of 1735 was inherited from Britain and has since been repealed in most other parts of the Western world.

Attorney-General John Elferink said a legal quirk meant it stayed on the Territory's statute books.

He said a year in prison is a pretty stiff punishment for a tarot card reader and promised to finally repeal the legislation.

Tammy Hatherill, a tarot card reader and teacher based in Darwin, said readings are popular in the Top End. But, she said, many people do not know the Witchcraft Act exists, so getting rid of it would not make much difference.