I recently discovered a fascinating and mysterious place close to my neighborhood - a witchy establishment. It is located in a small and inconspicuous building on a quiet street. Curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to explore this intriguing place. As I stepped inside, the air felt charged with energy, and the smell of incense lingered in the atmosphere. The walls were adorned with bookshelves filled to the brim with all sorts of esoteric literature - from spellbooks to astrology guides. It was clear that this establishment catered to those with a fondness for the occult and the metaphysical.
Other rituals were more competitive. At some Halloween parties, the first guest to find a burr on a chestnut-hunt would be the first to marry. At others, the first successful apple-bobber would be the first down the aisle.
Young women tossed apple-peels over their shoulders, hoping that the peels would fall on the floor in the shape of their future husbands initials; tried to learn about their futures by peering at egg yolks floating in a bowl of water and stood in front of mirrors in darkened rooms, holding candles and looking over their shoulders for their husbands faces. By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a secular but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide Halloween parties as the featured entertainment.
It was clear that this establishment catered to those with a fondness for the occult and the metaphysical. A friendly and knowledgeable witch greeted me and guided me through the various sections of the store. There was an impressive collection of crystals and gemstones, each believed to possess unique properties and energies.
It's a pink Halloween. Here are some of the most popular costumes of 2023
A cosplayer dressed as a boxed Barbie doll attends the MCM Comic Con at ExCeL exhibition centre in London on May 26, 2023.
Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images
Consumers are dropping more money than ever on Halloween, with this year's total Halloween spending expected to reach a record $12.2 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. That figure is almost $2 billion more than the $10.6 billion people spent on the holiday in 2022.
People are dishing out a record amount of money on costumes, too. The NRF says spending on adult, child and pet costumes will reach $4.1 billion. That's nearly a billion dollars more than pre-pandemic spending.
There are costumes that remain popular every year for adults — like witches and vampires. This year, NRF says 5.8 million people are planning to dress as a witch and 2.4 million plan to dress like a vampire.
Spirit Halloween, the largest Halloween chain in the U.S., says what's hot in pop culture determines the most popular costumes every year. So a new girl in town became the third most popular pick.
"When the parties start happening, we're gonna see a lot of Barbie," Marisa Uzzolino, manager of PR for Spirit Halloween, told NPR's Morning Edition. "Western Barbie, Skating Barbie, Skating Ken."
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The Barbie movie is the highest-grossing movie of the year and made over a billion dollars in the box office. About 1.8 million people are planning to dress up as Barbie this year.
For the other most popular costumes of the year, Uzzolino says Spirit Halloween is "looking at Wednesday and the Addams Family and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." Both had new TV shows and movies released over the past year.
When it comes to costumes inspired by iconic eras, last year, 1980s costumes were among the most popular. But this year, it's all about the tie dye, bell bottoms, and fringed dresses from the 1970s.
"We did see a new wave of the hippie styles and hippie stuff coming back," Uzzolino says — adding that Spirit Halloween expanded that section in stores this year.
The most popular costume this year for children is Spiderman, with 2.6 million planning to dress as the superhero. But Uzzolino says that along with Spiderman, there's another character who is extremely popular with children this Halloween.
"We see a huge rise in Bluey. It's a very popular show, and it's also geared towards parents too. So we have it for the kids and we have it for the parents," she says, referring to the main character from the hit children's show Bluey.
Speaking of dogs, the past few years have seen a boost in popularity for pet costumes.
"This is something that we've expanded on since last year. Next year we're going to continue to grow it because it's something that people ask for every year." Uzzolino says.
NRF says the top three costumes for pets are pumpkins, hot dogs and bats. Pet costume spending has gone up by $200 million during the pandemic.
Whether you're going to be Barbie, Wednesday or Spiderman, it's still recommended to get your Halloween costumes now. Spirit Halloween says the last two weeks before Halloween are their most busy, and that the majority of customers are last-minute shoppers.
"The month goes fast. So I think the earlier, the better. Get your costumes now," Uzzolino says.
Patricia Nixon, wife of then-Vice President Richard Nixon, with her daughters 8-year-old Patricia and 6-year-old Julia on Halloween, 1954. Mrs. Nixon made the costumes herself.
The witch explained how certain crystals could be used for healing, protection, or even enhancing psychic abilities. In another corner, there were rows of colorful candles, each with its own symbolic meaning and purpose. From love spells to prosperity rituals, these candles were meticulously crafted for aspiring witches and practitioners of magic. The walls were also adorned with an array of beautifully illustrated tarot decks, offering a glimpse into the future and providing guidance in times of uncertainty. One of the most intriguing aspects of the witchy establishment was the presence of various herbs and potions. Jars filled with dried herbs and plants lined the shelves, with labels indicating their properties and usage in spells and rituals. There were also handmade potions and herbal infusions, each concocted with specific intentions and magical purposes. The witchy establishment also offered classes and workshops on a range of occult subjects. From tarot reading to spellcasting, these educational sessions aimed to empower individuals with knowledge and skills to tap into their inner magic. The witchy community that gathered here was welcoming and keen to share their experiences and wisdom with anyone interested in exploring the mystical realm. Visiting this witchy establishment was a captivating experience that opened my eyes to the world of witchcraft and the occult. It was a reminder that there are hidden treasures and ancient practices thriving in unexpected places. Whether one is a true believer or merely curious, this witchy establishment offers a fascinating glimpse into the realm of magic and mysticism..
Reviews for "Embracing the Wonders of Witchcraft: A Journey Through Your Local Witchy Establishments"
- John Smith - 1 star - I was really disappointed with the Witchy establishment nearby. The staff was rude and unhelpful, and they had a very limited selection of products. I was hoping to find unique and authentic witchcraft items, but all they had were cheap trinkets and basic altar supplies. The atmosphere was also lacking, as it felt more like a cluttered and disorganized store rather than a mystical and magical space. Overall, I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a quality witchy experience.
- Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - I had high expectations for the Witchy establishment nearby, but unfortunately, it fell short. The prices were incredibly high for what they were offering, and the quality of the products was subpar. I found much better options online for a fraction of the price. The customer service was also lacking, with the staff seeming disinterested and unengaged. I wanted to explore and learn more about witchcraft, but there was no opportunity for educational resources or workshops. Overall, I was disappointed with my experience and do not plan on returning.
- Emily Lewis - 2 stars - I was excited to visit the Witchy establishment nearby, but it failed to meet my expectations. The store was small and cramped, making it difficult to navigate, especially when there were other customers browsing. The staff seemed overwhelmed and were not able to provide much assistance. In addition, the selection of products was limited and lacking in variety. The prices were also quite high compared to other witchcraft stores I have been to. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this establishment and would not recommend it to others.