Richmond is known for its bright art, music, and even food scenes, but one area that doesn’t get the public attention it deserves is its range of witchcraft and spiritual practices. This article is owed to none other than the folks who reached out to RVA Magazine over email in April seeking a coven in Richmond. The author of this email (posted on RVA Magazine’s Instagram page) described how they and a friend both practiced witchcraft and had for some time, and that they felt a pull to join a Coven. The email ended with the author asking to speak with RVA Mag about their community, an issue that RVA Mag’s Instagram caption addressed, “…we do not have a coven or deal in witchcraft.”
As someone who does deal in witchcraft (though in a research sense), I wanted to lend my two cents and reach out to practicing witches (and those who identify with witches) in Richmond, also known affectionately to some as Witchmond, to learn about their experiences with the community here. I spoke to five practitioners with backgrounds in a wide array of traditions and attended one of Richmond’s popular Witch Markets for a better grasp on the city’s spiritual landscape.
Richmond’s Metaphysical Roots
I began my research by speaking with longtime Richmonder and the owner of Aquarian Bookshop, John, a psychic, and his friend Lainie, a practicing witch, to understand more about some of the history of spiritual communities in Richmond. Aquarian, a mainstay for spiritual eclectics has been around since 1983, and John has steered the ship since 2004. In the 1970s and 80s, the Richmond Metropolitan Astrological Society (MARS) was a hub for the metaphysically inclined.
Due to lack of leadership, unfortunately, MARS disbanded in the early 1990s. The shops of today are looking to take up the mantle, and John and Lainie discussed Aquarian’s reincarnation of MARS: the Aquarian House of Astrology. The Aquarian House of Astrology offers classes and lectures to those interested in astrology and astrological magic.
Meet the Practitioners
Besides working with Aquarian and a crystal shop in Charlottesville, Lainie works with a Wiccan religious studies group at a women’s correctional facility in Goochland. She described how the facility’s religious studies programming on Wicca tended to be underserved, but after the COVID-19 outbreak the Wiccan group exploded. Lainie shared that although getting approval for materials to bring to her religious studies group can be slow and bureaucratic, it is incredibly rewarding and she is now able to bring in tarot decks.
When asked about why Richmond is a welcoming place for witches or those interested in alternative practices, the pair agreed that the city’s vibrant art and music scenes beckon creatives forth. Lainie also pointed to the rebellious nature of the younger generation, and their willingness to accept more of the unknown as a reason. John pointed to unique local events like the Krampus Walk and the Psychic Festival as further evidence of Richmond’s eclecticness.
In addition to John and Lainie’s insight, I spoke with Extasis, the owner of Magdalena’s Botanica. The shop’s inventory comes from Extasis and her wife’s own cultures and traditions, grounded in hoodoo, root work, Indigenous practices, and even Baptist beliefs. Extasis described the practices of her and her wife as before they even had a name, they were practiced in secrecy by elders and family members. Prior to opening her botanica, for the past 15 years Extasis frequented Divine Magic & Novelties, Mi Botica Latina, and Botánica El Poder De La Mente, and still does out of respect for how they helped her grow more into her own practice.
“I feel like Richmond has a lot of magic waiting to be created.” Extasis said as part of her response as to why Richmond is an exceptionally welcoming place. African Traditional Religions (ATRs), like many other spiritual practices, are finding a growing audience in Richmond, where diverse cultural traditions are embraced and Extasis is excited. Extasis ended by proclaiming overall love for Richmond, as well as immense gratitude for the support she and her wife receive from the community.
I extended my conversations to another new Botanica owner, Angie of Seven Sorrows Botanica who recently moved to Richmond from California. Seven Sorrows currently operates online, and offers handmade fixed candles and incense, house cleansings, and divination work to name only some of their selection. Raised in an interfaith Christian-Muslim household, at the age of 17 Angie dove into Wicca to understand a different side of God. Eventually, under the guidance of a mentor, Angie connected with Espiritismo, a Latin Cuban tradition with many connections to Catholicism. Angie’s work is now primarily with Latin folk magic and ATRs.
As a newly relocated Richmonder, Angie described building community in the city, and listed businesses such as the Aquarian and A Ginger Soul based in Moseley as opportune places to find support. Angie characterized Richmond as a pleasant place to learn since there is such a diverse array of traditions practiced here. Angie sometimes labels herself a witch, but mostly she identifies with being a healer, diviner, and medium, who assists in healing the hearts of people going through difficult times in their lives. Angie worked in a death industry as a hospice nurse, which inspired her to take on work of normalizing death as a part of all of our lives. As someone attuned to spirits, Angie described Richmond’s history as “thick,” and that the spirits here are incredibly palpable. Angie’s found Richmond a happy home, and looks forward to continuing to meet other practitioners and grow her business.
The last practitioner I spoke to was Kathryn, who identifies as a mystic healer. Kathryn is a Reiki Master (Reiki is a Japanese healing practice) and she engages in candle magic and makes her own Reiki candles. You can book a session with her HERE. She works to help others through energy healing and occasionally tarot. Kathryn is grateful for spaces like Aquarian and the River City Witches group for helping her connect with the witchy community. Also echoing Angie’s sentiments, she said Richmond is great for new witches as it is very welcoming and home to a great diversity of spiritual practices. Kathryn also named seasonal witch markets as wonderful events where you always find unique items, further contributing to the magical community of Richmond.
Samhain Festival
To top off my research and taking up Kathryn’s suggestion, I attended the River City Witches Samhain Market hosted at Diversity Thrift (Samhain is the Neopagan festival honoring the dead and signifying the end of summer and the harvest season). The market housed vendors selling crystals, herbs, jewelry, handcrafted incense, witch wreaths with bells and ribbons attached to them to ward off evil, and some bewitching tie dye, amongst many other things.
Additionally, tarot readers provided guidance to those asking about their future careers and relationships. Whether a visitor to the Samhain market identified as a witch, was interested in learning more about witchcraft, or was simply a Halloween enthusiast, there was something there for everyone.
Once hidden knowledge is now displayed for all with any interest in alternative religious or spiritual paths. This phenomenon demonstrates cultural shifts in the acceptance of witchcraft in people’s personal lives, and on screen and in the media, and Richmond has always been prepared.
As Lainie put it, “It could be your neighbor, it could be your teacher, it could be your partner, your lawyer. You know, everybody seems to be practicing, in some form or another, but they might not be calling themselves a witch.”
For the witch-curious enticed to learn more, I hope this article helps show that Richmond is a primed and ready location to begin your spiritual journey. The shops, events, and people are waiting for you to join. So come on down, Richmond is ready with a vibrant community of practitioners, and who knows, you just might find a coven of your own.
