You are magick!

So as I prepare to attend a séance tonight, I can’t help but think about my recent trip to Salem, Mass. a few weeks back.

I loved it there. Like – legit, loved it. I already can’t wait to go back (preferably next time for actual Halloween). Sister Circle Ladies - I see a reunion in our future :)

I really don't know why I still get anxious about what others think about how I choose to spend my time, or why I feel the need to put a disclaimer out for people I love dearly that think I have completely lost my mind, but I do. So here it goes...

I promise you that I am not sacrificing children at Satan's altar. Or doing any other horrific thing that your imagination may have conjured up.

Contrary to the bad rap that witches and the occult get - it's the fictional stories that mainstream culture perpetuate around the practice of witchcraft that is truly what is sinister.

You can either choose to continue judging, or read on to see my take on this so-called "dark magic," and what I learned on my journey to a friendly, quirky, small town full of emporiums, mediums, potion and sacred stone shops.

The history of the town is fascinating, and one of my favorite activities on the trip was attending the Salem Witch Walk with the super smart, very funny, uber articulate witch below. His name is Tom. (Aside: I feel like the website for the excursion doesn't do it justice, but if you check out many of the reviews on Trip Advisor you will see that many share my high opinion of this tourist attraction!)

We started our tour by casting a spell "calling the quarters" or honoring the elements of air (East), water (West), wind (North), and fire (South). This spell included a burning candle, a sword, an incantation , and the chance to walk away with a magic rock (yippie).

Tom was hilarious as he rattled off all the ridiculous 'charges' against witches, both of the past, and in modern society. It became very clear, very quickly, that so many are ignorant about what they readily condemn. We don't know what we don't know, but I say - take a moment to listen and learn. For instance, did you know the first rule of witchcraft is "do no harm." Magic is meant for good, people!

Before we got walking (in the blowing rain - which normally I would have complained about ad nauseam, but which in this setting added to the enhancement), we ended our pre-tour ceremony with the phrase "so mote it be". The phrase translates to "so must it be" or "and so it is." I don't know why, but I I'm fond of this throw-back way of saying "amen" :). I think I'll start using it in everyday conversation :)

Anyhow, one of the first stops on our walk was a memorial to the 20 victims (14 women and 6 men) of the Salem Witch Trials. The name of each victim is inscribed on a bench along with the date and means of execution. Tom pointed out that many of those targeted were what I would call 'trailblazers' in their time; women like Bridget Bishop - the first person executed in the trials. Bishop was married three times (frowned upon), willful (frowned upon), and owned property (frowned upon). Of course, part of the reason all of these were frowned upon was precisely because Bishop was a woman. While I'm grateful we've made some progress in how women are regarded in this day and age, many ugly prescriptions on what it means to be female unfortunately still prevail.

Our tour group continued to walk the cobblestone streets learning all sorts of things such as how pagan symbols were recast into widely practiced holiday traditions, why there is a 6 ft. statue of Elizabeth Montgomery prominently displayed on Essex Street, and that 70% of nearby Boston used to be ocean. Really, the talk was as informative as it was entertaining, and a must-do if you ever find yourself in this mystical city. There was actually one point during the day that I wish I could have captured with my camera without seeming like a total weirdo. A beautiful woman and what I'm assuming was her young daughter were hand in hand walking down the street, both in long hooded black cloaks. The sky was overcast, the rain was drizzling, and they literally seemed to float across the ground. I don't even know why I'm mentioning them here, other than to say there was a powerful, captivating aura about them, and a surreal quality to the moment I saw them coming toward me. I really really wish I could draw, because if I could draw - I would draw them.

My only regret about visiting Crow Haven Corner was that I was unable to secure a reading with Lorelei, the shop's famous Love Clairvoyant (I'm over a hundred dollars richer due to the fact that she doesn't take weekday walk-ins, but oh how I would have loved to have had one!) Any of you who know anything about my lack of luck in love will surely understand!

Next up was the Salem Witch Museum. For only $12 I got to see a narrated presentation on the trials utilizing 13 stage sets as well as an exhibit titled, "Witches: Evolving Perceptions." The exhibit showcased the evolution of the perception of the 'witch' from healing midwife to dangerous soothsayer to comic cartoon villain. It really is so sad that women who sought to heal, were themselves turned into people who were hunted and hurt.

One of the souvenirs I bought at the Salem Witch Museum was this awesome ornament:

Can I just say that I loved the emphasis on human rights in the message. It is a good reminder to not only remain vigilant, but to fight against, the imbalances of power still happening today.

I ended my day in Salem at the same shop I started at -- a bookstore (shocking I know!) I pretty much wanted everything in this store, but somehow bought nothing. I think at this point in the trip the thought of potential overdraft fees from my bank had me suddenly concerned about my spending lol. (I also met the nicest girl ever who worked the register and gave me the name of several psychics in the area!)

All in all it was an amazing trip. I learned as much about myself on it as I did about the intriguing, unconventional women who came before me.

That said, here's my final thoughts on Salem, Witches, and Magick in general:

1) I want to order this book:

2) I don't practice Wicca, but I can certainly get on board with the following Wiccan principles: respect for nature and its cycles, celebration of the divinity of both male and female as equals, and an acknowledgement of the creative potential within us all.

3) We are each our own special kind of magick. For more on this topic stay tuned for a creative piece that I wrote and that will be featured in Rebelle Society on Halloween!

P.S. If your wondering if the spelling of magick is a typo, and want to read a bit more on modern witchcraft check out this article by Sophie Saint Thomas.