Serendipity Through Salem

If you know anything about me, you probably know that I am from Salem, the infamous witch city just north of Boston. From the haunted festivals, to popular witch museums and unique magic stores, Salem is an interesting place to be,

let alone to be from. I really appreciated growing up in such a fun place, but not in the way you might think. Living in Salem is my go-to fun fact in college. Everyone knows about my hometown in one way or another, so it was a good topic for conversation until the spiritual questions were inevitably asked. Several of my new friends would ask me what my favorite Tarot shops were or where I would get my psychic readings done. Growing up, I went on several field trips to the iconic tourist attractions, but I never actually went to any of the places my peers adored. All of those places just felt like a commercialized Halloween hub with all of the overpriced souvenirs and sessions. I loved Halloween as a kid and celebrated downtown, but the superstition and seances that surrounded the holiday and history never resonated with me.

I’ve always been super skeptical about anything supernatural. While learning about your future can be entertaining, I wasn’t sure if I fully believed in it. And I’m still not 100 percent into it, but being surrounded by an environment that embraces this witchcraft culture has made me reconsider. As much as I tried to avoid it, the thought kept nagging me whenever I would go home. Book your reading. Don’t be lazy. It’s literally 10 minutes away. Peer pressure and searching for meaning ultimately finalized my decision to do it. About a week later, I was strolling down Pickering Wharf in search of Enchanted, one of the more authentic spiritual shops in the heart of historic Salem (I honestly picked the place because it was the cheapest one I could find, and they welcomed walk-ins). Walking down an all-too-familiar cobblestone path, the wooden blue sign with the enchanted tree was hard to miss. I was beyond nervous, but the store’s bewitching atmosphere helped me get ready to push my boundaries. The shop was littered with stereotypical spiritual artifacts that actually intrigued me this time around. The walls and tables were decorated with all sorts of witch supplies: candles, golden chalices, colorful crystals, and essential oils. After taking a deep breath and taking in the soothing smell of patchouli, I felt comfortable approaching the clerk. In a way, I was secretly hoping that the gods, angels—and whomever— would interfere with my walk-in. Unfortunately, the lady at the counter told me the session was available right away. While I was excited deep down, I felt funny. Is this going to be weird? Do I have the right energy to go through with this? They took me to the back of the store, leading me through the thick deep purple drapes to meet Lady Mary, a professional priestess in the Salem witch community who specializes in Tarot, Oracle, and Pendulum readings. She was just sitting there, nonchalant, awaiting my presence. Her short blonde hair was a stark contrast to her completely noir attire and the overall dark room. Her table, dressed with a black velvet tablecloth, was adorned with several crystals and a deck of Tarot cards with a clear healing crystal placed on top. A singular candle was the main light between us. Would sitting in this room for 15 minutes really change my life?

Since it was my first time, I didn’t really know what to expect. Mary asked me where I was from, and she chuckled when I said Salem. Even though I did share some more background on myself, it was eerie how accurate she started out. The very first tarot card Mary pulled was the Nine of Swords which shows nine swords seemingly going through the figures’s back. She immediately asked me if I knew about someone who was talking behind my back. It was followed by the Death card. She assured me that it didn’t mean death literally, but more so the death of a friendship. I then instantly connected with the situation, as one of my “friends” who recently betrayed my trust. Mary advised me to cut my losses and recognize how much time and energy I have sacrificed to a way of being that’s not right for me. Later in the draw, Mary pulled the Sun card. She felt that I was going through a lot of change in my life right now, academically, socially, and personally. Change can be scary, but Mary ensured that this would be a powerful rebirth. While I currently feel hurt, it won’t last long. I am nurturing a better version of myself and moving forward authentically and positively. She showed me that I am worthy of this path that I am creating.

To wrap up our session, Mary pulled the Star. Many aspire to land among the stars, yet Mary assured me that I am already there. There are better things that are about to come, and I will be satisfied and successful with whoever enters my life going forward, whether that is a stronger friendship or a loving relationship. Using the pendulum, she confirmed this person would indeed come into my life within the next four to six months. Exploring this new side of my beloved hometown made home even more special. I had walked into that psychic reading thinking it was completely bogus, but I walked out with newfound wisdom and affirming guidance. I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t emotional after this session, just ask my parents (I cried like three more times that afternoon). I might not fully believe the deeper meanings behind psychic readings, but I thought the symbolism was beautiful and inspiring as it was so close it was to my current lifestyle and future aspirations. While I’m still skeptical, Enchanted definitely lifted my spirits. Maybe I do have a witchy nature after all.

Your MagazineApril 30, 2023