{image1}As popular, modern films like "What the bleep do we know?!" introduce the concept of science intersecting spirit, more people are open to possibilities and explanations other than those learned in text books and traditional places of worship.
Hence, House of Magick, a metaphysical and occult shop at 1210 E. Oklahoma Ave., is experiencing an influx of new clients who are accepting ideas that in the past may have seemed too kooky, abstract or "New Agey."
"I was raised Catholic, but recently, I wanted something that was a little more about me and my life," says Cathy Janes, who was shopping at House of Magick on a recent Saturday.
"It (magic, witchcraft) has gotten a bad rap based on movies and writings that tend to glorify the power aspect or use energies for negative purposes," says Mary Walterman, store manager, psychic, tarot card reader and practicing Eclectic Witch for more than 30 years.
"Magic or witchcraft isn't about just going around and casting spells on people. It's about taking the energies that are available and putting them to work to improve a situation."
House of Magick has everything one needs to harness energy and send it on its merry way. Tarot cards are one of the staple items, and they have scads of decks including classics like the Aquarian set to more obscure packs like one based on "Alice in Wonderland" and "The Lord of the Rings."
{image2}House of Magick also hawks talismanic stones, candles, crystals, incense, oils, books, art, jewelry, wands, pendulums and a stellar selection of herbs, ranging from sage and lavendar to valerian root and cats' claws. (Eye of newt and toe of frog not available.)
Walterman says she is happy to help clients pick out the necessary items to conduct rituals or spells -- as long as their intention is positive.
"I usually suggest they read a book first. You need to get educated before you start messing with the cosmos," she says. "Once you set your thing in motion, it's out there. You can't call it back."
The shop also offers tarot, psychic and palm readings by appointment and classes on Wicca, tarot, astrology, runes and numerology. All of the classes teach that once a person taps into their magical power, it is to be used to promote good.
"If you cast a bad spell it comes back to you threefold (three times)," she says.
Walterman says pagans and witches are often unfairly lumped into the same category as Satanists, when in fact they are the opposite. The pagan/witch symbol is called a pentacle, an upright five-pointed star, whereas the Satantic symbol is a five-pointed star, but it points downward. Most people see it as the same thing, much like the swastika which when the lines are bent clockwise suggests death and hate but counter-clockwise means life and good luck.
"Traditionally, people have been afraid of it (magick, Wicca, etc.) It's been a fear thing based on ignorance, when really, it's a positive thing that involves being in control of the forces around you," she says.
Before finding its permanent home in Bay View, House of Magick opened in 1999 at 615 N. Milwaukee St., in a space that served as an occult shop called Sanctum Regnum from the '60s to the mid-'80s. It was also The Hand of Glory, another occult shop, for a few years in the '90s.
"By our presence in the retail community, we want to project a positive image of alternative belief system," reads the House of Magick Web site (www.houseofmagick.com).
So mote it be.
House of Magick is open Tuesday-Friday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
