I’ve been meaning to write this article since Memorial Day weekend, and it appears later than I am writing because the shop I discovered during my mini-holiday is having an event this weekend, which I won’t be able to attend as I am presently in New Orleans at another event.
My good lady wife and I have a little hideaway over in Central Texas that we escape to when time permits. It’s situated in New Braunfels, Texas, which used to be a sleepier little town on the freeway between San Antonio and Austin. Like much of Texas, the urban areas are sprawling outward, and people anxious to “get out of the city” are dragging the city along with them. When we first moved to San Antonio after getting married in 1990, the gap between that city’s virtually rural outer loop and the edge of New Braunfels was significant. Now, it’s not all that noticeable, as the bedroom burgs between have all grown together.
Still, if you manage to get down into the old heart of this German settlement on the Guadalupe river, you can find eateries, antique shops, a surprisingly good night life, and a weekly farmer’s market. And not too far down Castell Avenue from Krause’s Biergarten (I highly recommend if you are into German food, and that’s also where we found the farmer’s market on Saturday) is the Empress, a unique little crystal, card, and book shop situated in an old house.
I have a penchant for local witch shops, and I believe in supporting them as much and as often as I can. I’m lucky enough to discover them almost everywhere I travel, but I have to say I didn’t expect to find one in New Braunfels.
Central Texas, outside of Austin, tends toward the conservative, and smaller towns typically have a number of active Catholic and Protestant congregations. So I have to confess to not expecting much when I saw the banner during a visit last year (the shop had closed for the day and we were already heading back to the big city). I was somewhat surprised to see that they were still a going concern this spring.
Now New Braunfels is a tourist town, and summers on the Guadalupe bring a wide range of people to engage in tubing and other water sports to escape the oppressive Texas heat. And I guess the influx into Texas from other areas has had an impact on the interest in all things witchy, so I am happy to report that the Empress is alive and well, and seems to be doing good business.
And that is well deserved, because it is one of the friendliest and most interesting shops I have visited in a long time. My readers will know that I am heavily vested in Tarot, and one of the metrics for a new shop is what kind and how many decks they have available. Imagine my surprise to not only see a large number of decks (though I already owned a lot of them) but that each deck had an open set of cards in front of them so that potential buyers could pick them up, look at the images, and get a feel for the cards.
I have said before that I respond first and foremost to the images on a set of cards. Reading the accompanying book comes later (if at all) so the ability to go through and see every…single…card in every deck was tremendous. I don’t recall ever being in a shop that had done that with more than maybe one or two decks at most, and here they have all the cards, for all the decks.
From a business perspective, that’s not a big deal, really. They can use the cards as demos for the various readers that work the store, and eventually sell the open pack at a discount. But the willingness to put that out there shows an understanding of the audience; of the community of strange folks like me who will appreciate it, that I have found in few other stores. It is the impression of openness and support for the community that inspired me to write this entry, and I hope to be able to develop a long standing relationship with the Empress and her business.
I did find two decks that I was drawn to, not already in my collection. One was the Runic Tarot, which reimagines the standard RWS style images through the lens of Norse mythology and the Rune tradition. So these can be read as standard Tarot, or the Runes to be found on the cards can be read as a Rune casting, or both. As I am only superficially aware of the Rune system, I can’t speak to how well this works, but I did run across an old text on Runecasting while booking that weekend, so I hope to have a better handle on it.
The other deck was the Magickal Botanical Oracle by Maxine Miller and well known occult writer Christopher Penczak (whose book Instant Magick I also found in the used book store that weekend; do not discount such coincidences, my friends, they point you where you need to go). Although my collection of cards is substantial (50+ decks now I think) most of them are traditional Tarot with only a few oracle decks. The majority of those tend toward things like the Ogham tree alphabet, or related Celtic topics typically from sources I am already familiar with elsewhere like John and Caitlin Matthews. So to get a new oracle set for me is a high bar (especially when I have an upcoming trip to New Orleans and am notorious for splurging on cards in the many shops to be found there).
But these cards, well. I cannot speak too highly of them. If you have any bent toward green witchcraft, they are worth every penny. I just found myself getting lost in the images for hours. Though the pallet is quite limited they are so ripe with symbol and layered with an almost living line work that they fascinate, inspire, and captivate.
I’d initially walked past these, as they were in a different area than the Tarot, and the wall of books in the next room had already caught my eye. But my wife called me back in and asked me if I had them. A brief shuffle through the open deck and I immediately added them to the deck in my hand. My good lady wife doesn’t see herself as particularly witchy, mind you. But she has a gift for finding things that resonate with me. That’s probably from having had me around for most of her life (and most of mine). If she tells me to take another look, I take another look. I was well rewarded.
The very impressive thing I found about this deck was that it stimulated ideas that were later to be found when I went back into Penczak’s accompanying text, which is by no means a “little white book”. That is an extraordinary thing for oracle cards. I might expect, given my many years of working with Tarot, to parse out meanings similar to those I experience with other Tarot decks, and that those meanings would jibe with the book. Here these cards handled fresh from the wrapping were giving me the same messages that Penczak had obviously gotten from them. There is definitely something in there looking back at us.
The gist of the deck is that it’s 33 cards give us insight into both beneficial and baneful plants in the Witches Garden. The dynamic drawings capture the spirit, literally, of each plant, and the 224 page text is about working with the plant spirits as spirits, not only for their herbaceous qualities. In this manner, the soul of the plant becomes accessible to those who may, for many reasons, not be able to work with actual mandrake or belladonna or others in this variety. The selection includes some I would not have expected, but there were no omissions that I felt of consequence. As an herbalist since my teen years, and very familiar with many of these plants, I nonetheless found the deck to be a powerfully refreshing approach and very useful tool, both in divination and magical workings.
So this unexpected side trip to the unexpected little shop in a small town in Texas netted unexpected fruit.
I’ve set this post up to drop, while I am participating in Heather Graham’s Writer for New Orleans. Unfortunately that means I won’t be able to return to the Empress for their celebration of the Summer Solstice which is happening on Saturday June 24th at the store located at 451 S Castell Avenue in New Braunfels, Texas from 11 am to 4 pm.
In addition to the store itself they will have a number of guest vendors, Tarot and card readers, and artists in attendance.
If you find yourself in the area I strongly encourage you to take to the time to go experience this very friendly community focused shop and all the people it has brought together. I think you will be rewarded.
Support your local witch shop, because they support you!
I had written a different article for this week. It was drenched in downer September thoughts and after the heavy stuff last week, I thought it might be better for all concerned to postpone it for a later publication. Ergo, I am going to do a bit of a review/recommendation article of some of the various occult -ish stores I have visited around the country.
I encourage you to visit, if not these stores, then the one’s in your neighborhood.
Between the ‘zon and B&N and the mad mutant masters of mass market merchandising, one can obtain almost all manner of book, bell, candle, card, crystal, pendulum, mirror, seal, sigil, tablecloth, wall hanging, and T-shirt related to the practice of esoteric beliefs that one wants.
Had I these resources when I was young and living in rural Appalachia with virtually zero access to any of it, I’d not be the person I am today. I think there is a danger to the ease with which we can get the trappings of the craft; a tendency to assume that all the shiny things are both necessary and capable of making the magic work. I have found that neither is true, and like my art, I have often had to make do with less.
Before there was a ‘zon, before there was a B&N, and before there was an internet, there was mail-order, and the mail order catalog from Universal Imports featured all manner of goodies that you can’t get on the ‘zon even today. I never had the money to send off for any of it, but I still have one of the catalogs in my bookshelf. It’s both nostalgic and a reminder of the kind of magic that was being done pre-twitter.
Magic finds us in mysterious ways (as it rightly should). In addition to the things I could imagine I might do with potions and talismans from Miss Anna Riva, I was also fascinated with something called the Necronomicon that was hawked monthly on the back cover of Famous Monsters of Filmland. At the “outrageous” price of fifty late 1970s dollars, it was far beyond my reach, but I was certain if I got it, then I’d be a real sorceror.
If you’re familiar with the book, you know that it might at best be considered a hoax (in the same sense that the 1938 War of The Worlds broadcast is – something of a well intentioned practical joke). It purports to be a “discovered” manuscript of the real work of Abdul Al Hazared, referred to in the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft.
The Necronomicon is a synthesis of many Renaissance grimoires (the Picatrix, the Grand Grimoire, etc. ), borrowing names from the lesser known Sumerian mythology, and giving the usual proscriptions for doing rituals in certain planetary hours using talismans carved under the proper stars on exotic (and impossibly expensive) metals and gems.
Of course if you’re in your teens and you’ve not yet read any Medieval grimoires, it sounds amazingly powerful, Especially when you are primed to talismans and sigils and oils from the Universal Imports catalog.
I went with the considerably less expensive paperback version of the Necronomicon that I found in a mall bookstore along with the Satanic Bible. The latter I have since passed on to someone more interested in that, but I still keep the Necronomicon on the shelf, even though much of it is clearly fictional. And that is because in reading the “history” included in the introduction it mentions the Magical Child Bookshop in New York City.
I went to New York my first year in college, and I was determined to visit this place. It’s gone now, but the fictional bookstore in The Craft and “Ray’s Occult” in the Ghostbuster movies have the bones of it. It rambled through an old house in the East Village, with a wall of herb jars, rows of ritual candles (of the adult kind “wink-wink-nudge nudge”) and all the other paraphernalia we associate with a witch shop. In those days, it was probably one of three or four in the country. I bought a few herbs and incenses that I could afford, and made my way back to the more mundane world I lived in.
There are several more occult shops in New York City today, and doubtless a few that are not easily found on Google. I went to one that was called the successor to the Magical Child, called Enchantments. It’s focused very much on the herb and incense trade, with a somewhat limited selection of other items. At least this was my experience in 2021, when the city was still recovering from the pandemic. During the lock-down, the witches at this store did the best they could to continue supplying local occultists with herbs, incenses and other requirements for their practice. For that alone, they have my respect and my recommendation. That said, it’s not the shiny crystal laden prop shop that some stores are. The atmosphere is thick with the scent of exotic concoctions (made fresh on the premises) and the quarters are close. But the experience is authentic, and the staff, even when busy, acknowledges visitors and is respectful and helpful. You can find them in the East Village:
Among the number of occult shops on Manhattan Island, not to mention the rest of the five boroughs, I am a repeat visitor to the Namaste Bookshop on 14th Street just down from 5th Avenue. It’s tucked into a small storefront, but is chock-full of crystals, cards, books, and altar items. The staff was friendly, helpful, respectful, and seemed to genuinely enjoy being there. If you are looking for Tarot or graven images, this is a good choice. Despite the name, they have a wide selection of items ranging from Egyptian to African to Nordic, Celtic, and other European Pagan. They have a broad offering of crystals and stones as well. They can be found at:
Bookstores in and of themselves can be great resources of occult information. While so many small shops, antiquarian stores and secondhand booksellers have vanished with the rise of the megamall and the broad illiteracy of a web-focused population, I would be remiss if I did not mention and highly recommend that venerable Strand Book Store in Greenwich Village. It’s been there for ages, and despite struggling during the pandemic is still holding on to some of the more expensive real estate in Manhattan. I fear it, too, will go the way of the dinosaur, but in the meantime, you can find this resource of used and antique books on Broadway at:
There are, of course, several other occult shops and book stores in the greater New York area, but these are the one’s I have recent direct experience of, so they are offered here.
A shelf in my library demonstrates the odd sources I have used over the years to collect texts on magic and the occult. A great number of these were from second-hand stores, a few came as review copies, others as book club editions, and a few from modern market purveyors. When possible I buy my witchy books from witchy stores. They carry a broader selection and are more likely to have stock of less widely published tomes.
I visited Salem, Massachusetts for the first time this year. I was in Boston on a semi-business trip and was not going to pass up the chance to see this place so tied into America’s witchcraft history. As you may imagine, there are witch shops everywhere – at least in the touristy section of town. I visited a number of them, and I leave it to the reader to explore on their own, but I will make mention of three that I feel I can recommend.
First up is Pyramid Books, though they have much more than books. The selection of books and cards was amazing, were the stones, and other items, many which were locally made. Having a large collection as I do, I didn’t find a set of Tarot that called to me, but I definitely believe a visit to Salem should include this store. There were a number of things I would like to have had if I were not limited by having to return on a commercial aircraft. Pyramid is on the main street near the wharf, at:
It’s just a short walk from Pyramid Books down to the wharf where you’ll find Enchanted of Salem. This store is affiliated with Laurie Cabot, the Official Witch of Salem. You’ll find a number of her books, magical charms, and related items here. I understand that she does make appearances from time to time, but that was not the case when I was there. It’s a small space, but a friendly one. There are books, cards, crystals, jewelry, and a genuinely interested and supportive staff. As with Pyramid, there was much more I would have purchased if I could have gotten it safely on the plane. I satisfied myself with a deck of Fabio Listrani’s Goetia Tarot, a small silver bell, some jewelry for my wife, and a charm to protect my grandcat Dean. I highly recommend this shop.
If you find yourself at the Witch Trials Memorial -and you should- you will be very near to the third shop I am sharing, Pentagram. Admittedly the “new kids” in town, Pentagram has a good vibe, well stocked shelves of books1 including an anniversary re-issue of the Necronomicon hardcover- now doubled in price , cards, and other necessaries. The staff is helpful and genuinely interested. I did not end up purchasing anything, because, again, my collection is fairly large. The owner and I discussed the difference between today’s mass market and the habit of scouring antiquarian stores where you might have to read a bit of Latin and Greek. I think they are definitely worth a look, especially for the new witch, and as they are right next door to the memorial, you’re going to be there anyway. Check them out at:
Salem is a bit of a mixed bag. I wandered into one souvenir shop that was half an occult store. These are the tip of the iceberg, and there are of course the gift shops at the various museums and experiences, as well as a number of other specifically witchy shops. These three are again, those I have personal experience of and feel good passing on.
Closer to home is another place one might rightly expect to be full of witch shops, and that is New Orleans. My time there is principally spent in the French Quarter, where my wife and I attended an annual writers’ conference until the pandemic (ever shall it be cursed) shut that down. I am hopeful that next year it will resume. Not to be deprived of the experience, I visited there in 2021 on my birthday weekend. The city was something of a ghost town due to COVID, and the shopkeepers were happy to see us. There are several magic shops in the Quarter, and I am sure there are more in the city proper, as well as a number of solo practitioners who offer products direct to clients. New Orleans is synonymous with Voodoo and Hoodoo, though the shops I have visited offer broader options. With so many to choose from, I will focus on a couple that are not perhaps as well known.
A selection of the shiny rocks I purchased for my birthday last year. The majority of these came from Earth Odyssey (below) but a few were picked up in other rock shops in the Quarter. The porphyry mortar and pestle was from a stall in the French Market, just before they closed for the day. If you have a capacity to haggle, you may find some great bargains there.
The first is primarily focused on crystals and stones, and that is Earth Odyssey. It’s a bit hard to find, as it’s nestled in the middle of Chartres Street away from the noise and bars typical of the quarter. They offer polished and raw stones, multiple shapes (spheres, pyramids, obelisks, wands, and mirrors) a selection of locally made jewelry, and a smattering of books and cards. The staff at my visit was made up of the owner and a few long time employees, with enthusiastic young people who found themselves in NOLA temporarily. They were all fabulous to work with, patient, supportive, and knowledgeable. I spent quite a lot, because I found a number of things I’d wanted for a while, and it was, after all, my birthday. They very carefully packed it all for me, as although I usually just drive over to New Orleans, this time we had flown. Everything got back in perfect condition. They are on my “must-visit” list for my next trip. You can explore them here:
If you are looking for a more witchy experience, I definitely recommend Crescent City Conjure for your needs. The store specializes in Voodoo, Hoodoo, and Witchcraft, and is practice focused more than prop focused. That is, you are going to find candles, oils, washes, spell kits, gris-gris bags, and other items from Southern American magic culture. It’s authentic, results oriented, direct magic, about hexing and protecting. While aimed at a practicioner’s market, they staff was courteous and fun with the wide-eyed tourists who wandered in there. It has the New Orleans vibe that way, everyone is welcome at the table. You can come sit at:
A word about the New Orleans experience, (and perhaps about Salem as well). New Orleans has traditionally been a very laid back environment. Despite the horrors of Katrina and the privations of the pandemic, the city’s spirit remains one of relaxed enjoyment of life. With this in mind, don’t expect that shop hours as posted are particularly rigid. Opening at noon can be noon, 12:15, 12:30 or maybe a little after 1:00. Closing may be whenever the shopkeeper gets tired for the day. This is not a disregard for the customer but a dedication to embracing the motto of the city – “laissez les bontemps rouler!” – Let the Good Times Roll.
I also make an annual trip down to Clearwater/Tampa/St. Petersburg in Florida. There are a few little shops in the retirement towns along the coast that I will mention if you ever find yourself in the area. There’s Enchanted Spirit in Dunedin, Florida (it’s pronounced Dun – eden, though my brain keeps reading it as Tolkein’s Dúnedain). It’s a very laid-back shop run by a couple I would guess are semi-retirees. They have a bookshelf with a good assortment, and some Tarot and oracle cards, but the majority of the shop is dedicated to incenses. oils, and stones. I gather reiki and crystal healing are very popular in the area. They have a number of beautiful raw crystals if you have deep enough pockets, but I’m confident you can find a few things in your price range and interests. They can be visited at
Just a few blocks away in this charmingly walkable little town, you’ll find Emelia’s Apothecary. Although the namesake owner sold it just before the pandemic, the new proprietors maintain her focus on natural herbal solutions and homeopathic treatments. You will find a good selection of high quality essential oils. Be prepared to pay a premium for the more exotic ones like neroli, but they stock it. There are also custom-blended lotions, spritzes, and other aromatics for curing what ails you, or at least making for a long relaxing bath. They are located at:
There’s a friendly old tree right outside. Be sure to say hello.
If you drive, or take the trolley a bit further up the coast you will come to Tarpon Springs. Like many towns that had an earlier industry, it has turned it’s old downtown into a walkable shopping area. Here you will find the Healing Hedge Witch, an apothecary with a small selection of stones, books, and cards. I visited them last month and found several items of interest that could easily go home in my checked luggage. The owner was very friendly, and closed the sale by giving me an “intention card”, which had a good message. I thought the practice innovative, and genuine. I will call again.
A very short walk also took me to the Bohemian Gypsea, an eclectic shop spread throughout an old Victorian style house. The exterior yard is filled with potted plants which are also for sale, and the interior is crowded with goods of all sorts. The proprietor offered me tea upon entering. That is unexpected, but set a happy tone. I spent the better part of an hour wandering through the stones and artwork in the back, before continuing upstairs to peruse their offerings of books and cards, and clothing in the Stevie Nicks style. None of it would have looked good on me, of course, but it was a varied selection. I ended up with another set of tree/forest based oracle cards, a tiny deck of RWS Tarot (for my bookshelf witch- who I’ll now have to build a table), and some Tibetan prayer cymbals. As I said, it was a very eclectic shop, and one worth a look. Their address is:
I felt like I was visiting the aunts in Practical Magic.
And finally, closest to home, are those shops that I visit two or three times a year (or more) in the greater Houston metropolitan area, for my local occult fix.
Furthest afield (for me anyway) is the Witchery in Galveston, Texas. Located a couple of blocks off the more promoted Strand district, the Witchery has been there for at least a decade that I know of. The Woods who own and operate it are very customer-oriented, The selection is wide ranging and high quality, including books, cards, stones, crystals, altar ware, and other paraphernalia. If you’re vacationing in Galveston it’s worth a stop. You’ll find them at:
Houston has a number of esoteric shops, and at least two pop-up occult markets. As a melting pot city, we have specialty shops for Eastern medicine, botanica yerberias, Voodoo and Hoodoo, as well as the more general witchy type stores. I’ve been to a lot of them over the years, and am always on the lookout for new ones.
Some that have gotten my recent attention, and money, are nearby in Old Town Spring. You may have heard of it as Hometown Horror on the Travel Channel did a piece on a supposed “cursed doll” at the Doll Hospital.
Like Dunedin and Tarpon Springs in Florida, the original downtown of this Western railstop has re-invented itself as a walkable shopping district with a mix of galleries, restaurants, bars, and boutiques. And among them are several little shops for the strange and unusual.
Let’s start with the Chakra Shop. As you might expect from the name, it’s focus is on spiritual balance and meditation. The wares features are crystals, raw stones, meditation aids, incense, a few books and cards, and jewelry. Yet it is one of those places that I will visit when I am in the area, because I am always treated well, and with respect. The prices are fair, and they offer many services. They are in Gentry Square in the heart of town at:
At the other end of the porch you’ll find Xuxa Mystical Bazaar. It’s an eclectic mix of crystals, herbs, incenses, and statuary, chimes, and singing bowls. This is a second location for Xuxa, and the hours are variable. The shop is small, and there’s a lot of stuff. The operator is helpful, but can get busy assisting people especially if they are compounding herbs.
A bit further down the street you’ll find the Celtic Odyssey Emporium and Spa. The name might tend to confuse, but there’s a good selection of occult items in this old house, including cards, books, clothing, blades, and altar ware. They have a section in the back with old games and toys, as well as costume pieces from Gaelic to steampunk. I typically go for the odd stuff. They offer readings as well. It’s close and sometimes crowded, but very cool.
However, I have to say that my new favorite shop for odd things is Mallott’s Hardware and Variety. Do not let the name fool you. It’s the variety that attracts, and this can include singing bowls, Egyptian statues, incense, crystals, antiques, artwork, and oddities. I spent a significant amount there, and was very pleased to contribute to a local family business who appreciated. The only downside to Mallott’s, is that it is located in the old bank building (be sure to look at the cowboy era vault in the back) and is very small. Because they have a tremendous amount of goods, access to the store is limited to a few people at a time, so during peak hours, you may be waiting on the sidewalk. That’s okay, as they keep a generous amount of incense burning on the sill and there are some items to shop through. The compact and intimate nature of the shop is part of the charm. Just be aware of your surroundings, there’s fragile and breakable stuff everywhere you turn. Like Aladdin’s cave, there’s a tendency to be fascinated by all the treasures. I believe they do offer call – ahead access, as their hours can be flexible.
Recent additions to my strange and unusual items may include items sourced from charity thrift stores (great place to find cursed jewelry) craft and hobby shops, and museum stores. The large singing bowl , Vajra bell , and the little Tibetan prayer wheel to it’s left were found unexpectedly at Mallott’s in Old Town Spring. The thing to remember when purchasing items for your altar or magic space is that it should resonate with you personally, and mean something to your workings. It doesn’t have to be what it says in the book or on the ‘Gram. Power begins when you see the thing on a shelf that you just have to pick up.
And if you do find yourself shopping in Old Town Spring, please visit the numerous restaurants and shops that are more mainstream. The people are very friendly, some of them are friends of mine, and they are grateful for the business people bring to their town.
Well, I hope you found this listing enjoyable and useful, and a pleasant diversion from my usual stuff. Worry not, the creepy and creepier will return as Spooky Season progresses.
And wherever you are, I do encourage you to search out the local purveyors of the weird and wonderful when you do your seasonal shopping. Many of them source product from local artisans and craftspeople. Amazon and B&N don’t need another billion, but that esoteric shop down the street, with only a few unusual clientele, needs to feed their kids, or their cat, or that dark something they have in the attic, and you can make that choice.
