By: Amber Meyer, Talon Staff
Even before Halloween, there’s a chance you could run into a witch. Within the seemingly mundane streets of Tallahassee exists a community of people who practice witchcraft.
Sabrina is a student at Tallahassee Community College who labels herself a witch. Her name has been changed in the story because she wanted to keep her identity hidden. She was introduced to witchcraft after discovering a book of voodoo six years ago. Slowly, she developed her own preferred ways of practicing witchcraft.
“I used to practice Wicca, which is kind of like a modernized pagan practice,” Sabrina said. “Eventually, I realized that the religious aspect of it just wasn’t for me.”
Sabrina is very interested in the culture and origin of witchcraft, and studies the ways magic has been applied throughout history. She finds security in crafting charms and amulets, which she can use for protection, luck, to ward off evil spirits and to acquire wealth. She even carries around a fortune charm in her purse.
“The ingredients that go into the charms have to all represent what the charm will be for,” said Sabrina. “In a fortune charm, I would incorporate in objects that are representative of money and good luck.”
In witchcraft, everything’s meant to be purposeful. There must be intention behind everything you do, whether that is making charms, making potions or cursing someone or something.
Sabrina gets most of her ingredients from a locally owned store.
Athena’s Garden, a store located in the Railroad Square Art Park, provides herbs, crystals, candles and books for their occult customers. They pride themselves in being a spiritual supermarket; a place “where the magic happens”.
Athena’s Garden also regularly hosts events where visitors can get tarot card readings, learn about herbs and magic and socialize with others in the community.
Sabrina enjoys practicing witchcraft because it is a way for her to artistically and spiritually express herself, and she would like to share her beliefs with others.
“As you become more comfortable with your practice, you don’t have to follow the ‘rules’,” She said. “It would be really cool to spread the way that I practice witchcraft to other witches.”
