Season of the Witch: Exploring the magic of Western Pa.'s metaphysical shops
The word “witch” may conjure images of green skin, pointy hats, hook noses and levitating broomstick rides silhouetted against the full moon. But for real-life practitioners of the mystical and magical arts, there are many more candles, crystals and herbs involved.
While the number of Americans who identify with paganism is hard to pin down, thanks to stigma and the solitary nature of most practitioners, data suggests their numbers have grown since 1990. A wide range of belief systems falls under that umbrella, from Wicca to folk traditions to other New Age practices.
Fortunately for local metaphysical enthusiasts, Southwestern Pennsylvania has a great selection of shops stocked with supplies and run by knowledgeable, friendly owners.
Despite its growing popularity, paganism still finds plenty of opposition in our culture. While shop owners mostly spoke about being embraced by their communities, there are still lots of concerns and misunderstandings about what these shops sell and do.
“We just try to show that we’re not that scary,” said Jessica Kaderka, co-owner of The Menagerie in Bellevue. “We really just try to be more open and accepting than they are.”
Whether you’ve been maintaining an altar for decades or have just started exploring your path, an enchanting visit to these five stores awaits.
The Menagerie in Bellevue
Jessica and Patrick Kaderka have been practicing on their own pagan paths for some time, and the store at 494 Lincoln Ave. is an opportunity to do something they love while serving the community.
“Going this direction, as far as business owners go, made complete sense. We’re here to make some cash and put food on the table and raise our kids, but we live like this 24/7,” Jessica Kaderka said.
You can get a wide array of items and supplies at The Menagerie. Much like many of the region’s shops, they do their best to hand-make and home-grow as much as they can.
“It’s better to know where your magic tools are coming from,” said Patrick Kaderka.
You can find the store stocked with crystals, herbs for ritual use or for teas, smudge bundles (bundles of herbs whose smoke is used for cleansing spaces or people) and homemade candles and incenses infused with ingredients and intentions for different occasions.
“Jess and I have both always taken a very Appalachian folk magic path,” Patrick Kaderka said.
They have some specific items for those traditions. In addition, there are tarot card readings and other services. Patrick is a practitioner of Reiki and offers his services, and the store will bring in mediums and past life readers as well. The Menagerie also offers classes, and the Kaderkas do blessings and other ritual services on the side.
Sparkledragon’s Magical Emporium in Beechview
While many pagans practice in a solitary fashion, it’s always heartening to find a sense of community. That was Joyce Crock’s inspiration for opening Sparkledragon’s Magical Emporium 11 years ago.
“I kept dreaming about opening it up where it is,” Crock said. “So basically it was intuition.”
The store at 2120 Broadway Ave. is a great space to browse for magical tools, including spell candles, jewelry, ritual clothing and essential oil blends.
“I make oils for different issues, I can make someone their own personal oil,” Crock said.
The store also offers classes as well as crafting nights where everyone can get together and do a little artistic magic.
“I welcome everyone,” Crock said. “It does not matter to me whether you are pagan or you are not. I’ve had Christian people come in and talk to me, and I think I ease their mind a little bit about things.”
“We’re not evil. We’re not out to hurt anybody. And we’re not out here throwing around curses because you have no idea about the repercussions of curses,” she added. “It’s karma, or whatever you want to call it.”
Crock also does Tuesday and Thursday appointments for readings each week.
Metaphysicated in Greensburg
Whether you’re practicing crystal magic or just love geology, Metaphysicated is a one-stop shop for all of your rock needs.
Derek Ciarkowski started out his rockin’ business online about three years ago and opened up his storefront at 1525 Broadway Ave. two and a half years ago.
“I took a liking to rocks a couple of years ago, and it just spiraled out of control,” he said. “It’s a field that’s never-ending. There’s always something new to learn.”
His store offers a wide variety of stones, from pillars to palm stones to jewelry, including bracelets. While he specializes in rough stones, he does offer polished and tumbled specimens as well.
“I have some pieces that I polished myself here,” he said. Much of the jewelry is also handmade.
“We have people that come in for witchy stuff, like grids and things like that,” Ciarkowski said. He also sees lots of crafters pass through looking for the perfect stone for their next project. Naturally, plenty of rockhounds and collectors come around, too.
While he loves all of the pieces in his store, Ciarkowski does have some favorites.
“Opals and meteorites,” he said as he placed hunks of opal into their cases.
Hocus Pocus in Oakland
One of the area’s oldest and most prominent occult shops, Hocus Pocus was practically willed into existence by co-owner Kali Vee. Now the shop at 113 Meyran Ave. in Oakland has been open for more than two decades, with Vee and her co-owner Paul Hughes selling everything you’ll need for magickal workings.
“We have so much in that space, we’ve done so many rituals,” Vee said. “People walk in and they’re like, ‘It feels wonderful in here.’ ”
A visit to Hocus Pocus will bring you into a small space packed with artifacts and very positive energy. They sell medicinal herbs and many more ingredients for spells. They’ll also custom-make oil blends, carved candles and other personalized items. Then there are gemstones, tarot decks, jewelry and much more. They make as many of their products as possible in-house.
“We make all of it and we get really good feedback from it; it works really well,” Vee said.
Vee has Romani heritage and grew up hearing about mysticism. Now, she’s especially adept and passionate about helping others with healing spells.
“There have been so many people who were so afraid of our store,” Vee said. “And then one day they’ll come in and they’ll be like, ‘I’ve been walking past here for 10 years on my way to work and I’ve wanted to come in but I’ve been too scared. And now I’m in here and it feels so good in here and you guys are so cool.’ ”
Another Realm Crystals & More in Butler
In Butler, you can find more mystical crystals at Another Realm. Owner Crissy Reesman spent two decades wanting to open the shop before finally taking the plunge in 2021.
“I really wanted to open a positive, peaceful shop that people could come into and just feel good,” she said.
While stones are their focus, they also sell metaphysical items, including jewelry, decor, books, herbs, oils and other items that are both useful and attractive. They even have a black-light room in the store full of glow-in-the-dark items.
Reesman said the Halloween season is a busy time of year for the shop at 208 N. Main St., with interest in the metaphysical peaking around October.
In addition to the storefront’s hours, Reesman also does live shows on Facebook every Friday to display and sell her products. She hand-picks every stone in her inventory. “I don’t buy in bulk. I buy piece by piece.”
“The shop is non-denominational,” she said. “We’re really welcoming to people of all beliefs. We cater to everyone.”
Alexis Papalia is a TribLive staff writer. She can be reached at apapalia@triblive.com.
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