Screw You, I'm a Witch — The Lexington Line

Source: Wiccan Witchcraft — *Source:* *Wiccan Witchcraft*

The ride on the M15 from 46th Street and 2nd Avenue down to 9th Street included staring out of the window as rain poured down, which was something out of a novel. But the real story began once I ventured out of the bus and headed out on foot in search of the Wiccan mecca, also known as Enchantments. Fairy lights that took the place of streetlamps made East Village look like a Hallmark movie, but in reality, it was a lit path to the start of one’s magical expedition. Enchantments, which first opened its doors in 1982, is the oldest occult shop in New York and highly respected for its authenticity. I had previously been a customer of the shop, but on this day, I decided to let the magic do the talking. Thus began my own Wiccan journey.

I started my adventure towards enlightenment as soon as I walked through the doors and into a room where incense seemed to take the place of oxygen. I had discovered the entry point to a witch’s practice.

Source: Enchantments — *Source:* *Enchantments*

After perusing the colorful candles that lined the walls and the herbs that were listed as strictly for magical use, I decided to throw myself into the cauldron, so to speak. I approached Coleman Drew, a witch, and asked for some tips regarding getting into the practice for the first time.

In a poll collected via Google Forms, I asked respondents what they associated Wicca with. Most of them responded with answers of women who are connected with power, or women with magical abilities, or women who practice spells or rituals. But regardless, it was always women. Drew happened to be the only male in the store and the only one that seemed willing to help me, which was interesting considering the general misconception that only women can be witches.

He explained witchcraft as the “metaphysical effects on our physical world.” He discussed it as being a practice of “light and love,” and even touched on the idea of people who aren’t accepting of witches. He recited the biblical reference that “man’s rejection is God’s protection.” Basically, he advised me, a witch in training, to not let other’s non-acceptance of me hinder me from my own practice. As witches, we can offer information and knowledge of the practice, but if they are unaccepting of us, that’s God’s way of weeding out the toxic people in our lives.

God’s messages didn’t end there. Something about their candles intrigued me. They called to me. I decided that I might as well take advantage of the opportunity. I searched high and low for a candle that had already been imprinted with the intentions of love, wealth, and happiness. I came across two. The el Buda de Oriente candle claimed to give me “double fast luck,” to be money drawing, and to attract love. The Block Breaker candle was meant to allow clarity and to remove all the “blocks” in life that keep the witch who lights it from obtaining success. This one came with instructions that required a witch to recite the 23rd Psalm from the Bible and to use an essential oil prior to lighting.

I wondered why a witch would be reciting from the Bible when Wicca is considered to be a “modern-day, nature-based Pagan religion,” according to History. But then, as I delved further into the research of what seemed to be my newest calling, I found out that while Wicca is a part of the Pagan religion, it is also considered to be a “modern interpretation of pre-Christian traditions,” also according to History.

There are multiple types of magic. There’s candle magic, color magic, potion magic, star magic, crystal magic—the list goes on. Drew informed on all types of magic,but suggested that I pick up a few books to figure out which magic I really wanted to hone my skills on.

In one of the books titled Enchantments: A Mordern Witch’s Guide to Self-Possession, written by witch and Enchantments employee, Mya Spalter, Spalter talks about spells. Spells and intentions are basically the same thing. For example, when you light your candle and say your intentions or recite Psalm 23, that is a spell. A spell is equivalent to a prayer.

All of the pieces with Wicca seemed to click together for me. As someone who has identified as Catholic their entire life, it was pretty easy for me to understand all of the the pre-Christian traditions that Wiccans practiced. The idea of using altars, using objects to empower, and using spells were all very familiar.

However, a witch doesn’t need to embrace all aspects of magic. While I may never venture into potion magic, candle magic is definitely more my speed, it doesn’t negate my witchiness. All of these talismans that non-wiccans use today like candles, crystals, or essential oils are used under the premise of wellness, and yet they don’t even know that what they are doing is still considered witchcraft. You see, candles allow for intentions to be sent out. Crystals, according to Rachelle Charmen, author of Crystals: Understand and Connect to the Medicine and Healing of Crystals, “have the ability to amplify energies” and thus can amplify your intentions. Essential oils use scents for specific intentions as well. The list goes on, but it’s all about the intention.

While these objects may not be magic in and of themselves, they are “focus tools to unlock something inside of you,” Drew said. Each object is a tool to empower what the witch using it needs. Some people may want an altar. Some may choose the option of incense. It’s all about the individual witch.

With his closing remarks on intentions, I decided on mixing my magical abilities and purchasing the el Buda de Oriente candle along with a dram of essential oil meant for the purpose of uncrossing. Uncrossing, according to another Enchantments employee, is meant to give a witch a clear mind. It’s meant to help them with decision-making and to diminish distractions. I definitely needed that.

So, with a new frame of mind and ten fewer dollars in my bank account, I stepped out of the shop and seemingly out of a time machine. I was transported back onto the streets of East Village and what seemed like something straight out of a Hallmark movie. The deed was done. I was a witch.

Editor’s Note: The actions taken in this article were prior to at-home orders, and are not to be seen as a promotion of disrupting quarantine.