On Sunday, August 16, 2026, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my very best friends hailing from South Central, California (west side is the best side – her words, not mine lol), Miss Myah Moves! 

We met when she was living in New York City full time a decade ago, and she still visits from time to time. This time around, she was visiting the East Coast because she was graduating from her DJ certification school! Check out her website to get a taste of her DJ sound. 

During our meet-up, we celebrated 10 years of friendship, so we made it NYC AF! We went to Gray’s Papaya, which is a spot that has been featured in a few movies such as Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Fools Rush In (1997); You’ve Got Mail (1998); Down to Earth (2001); Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008); and The Back-Up Plan (2010). It was also featured on Sex and the City (2002) in Season 5, Episode 5 (“Plus One Is the Loneliest Number”). 

We also went to a crystal shop. At one point, she and I had an entire crystal collection, but we’re now damn near starting from scratch. We had icies from the coco, mango, and cherry man, and we ended the day with loaded nachos, brussels sprouts, chorizo, and jerk mango wings at a local bar in Harlem.

The icing on the cake, however, is when we finally went to a place I’ve been wanting to go to since around the time Myah and I met: Enchantments, New York City’s oldest witchcraft store, located on 165 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009. I just recently learned this is a new location.

I learned about Enchantments a decade ago when I was collecting books at the beginning of my spiritual journey. Mya Spalter,  a woman who used to work there, wrote “Enchantments: A Modern Guide to Self-Possession” about her experience working there before she left to focus on her book. “Enchantments” is a good overview of basic occult and spirituality practices in general, so I still reference it to this day. 

I am sharing my experience at Enchantments because I thought it would be helpful for people who are new to spirituality and a gentle reminder for those who aren’t so new.

They did not tell me what to say, nor did they pay me to write this review. So, let’s get into it:

When we first got to Enchantments, people were standing outside waiting to enter. We struck up a conversation with a young woman, who was there for the first time too; I’ll give her the pseudonym Sarah. A guy came out who I later found out was security, told us the store was closing for lunch, so we had to come back in 30 minutes. 

When I tell you they close for lunch, they shut the whole cookie operation down – lights off, doors locked, all of it. I posted the store hours, including when they take lunch, in case you decide to take a trip and want to plan accordingly.

Thankfully, he gave us suggestions to do in the meantime. There are a lot of bars around the area as well as a nice park. Since Myah and I ate lunch at Grays Papaya, we decided to go to the park, indulge in icys, talk, and chill, despite the drizzly weather. 

When we went back to Enchantments, we saw Sarah again and picked up where we left off. We spoke about our zodiac signs, including our big three, and why we were there. Apparently, she saw Enchantments on the hit TV show, Girls. Not too long into our conversation, the shop lights turned back on, and the same guy came back to unlock the door and let everyone inside. 

When you first walk in, there is a section of books, tarot cards, and talismans. Unfortunately, they do not have crystals but there is a crystal shop a few blocks away that has a variety of crystals. I was so in awe that I had to take pictures. 

Please note: They typically do not allow anyone to take photos, so please do not go in and snap pictures without their consent. I asked to take photos, let them know I was a blogger with a small following l, and they were gracious enough to allowed me to do so. However, there were certain parameters I had to adhere to in the process. So, please ask permission if you decide to take photos and respect it if they tell you no. 

The magick really happens towards the back of the store, where you can see their candles, the herbs, and the beautiful people who customize candles and answer the patrons’ questions. Their names are Riley, Carmen, and Harley. 

It’s a very cozy place, so in the words of Carmen, we had to do the Enchantments dance to get around (moving from one area to another so people can pass, view reading material, and hold items). It’s a really cool “dance” because it encourages people to talk to others and makes a potentially overwhelming experience very lighthearted.

When we approached Riley, Carmen, and Harley, they were answering questions of patrons who entered the shop ahead of us and making carvings on candles.

People were there for various reasons: 

Some people came because they were seeking new employment opportunities.

A couple of people had so many unfortunate events happen to them that they felt somebody had hexed them and wanted help. 

Other people came in for favor at their jobs.

Some people came in groups, or in pairs, or solo. I came in because I needed some herbs, and the apothecary near me did not have them. 

Myah and I stayed for a bit. We both had some questions of our own, plus I enjoyed my conversation with Sarah. When we were ready to check out, the gentleman at the cash register rang a tiny bell, wished us well, and thanked us for our purchases. 

After talking to Sarah and overhearing the conversations Riley, Carmen, and Harley were having with other patrons, some common themes stood out to me. 

Here are my Top 6 Tips for Shopping at Metaphysical Stores

Ask questions

The spiritual consultants are there to help you. If you are genuinely trying to find a solution to a problem you’re experiencing, you are not bothering them or inconveniencing them by asking questions to better your situation.

Carmen, Riley, and Harley were very kind and generous with their knowledge. I even saw them take people to the side for further consultations about what they’re going through and solutions they recommend.

So please, ask your questions and please, don’t apologize for asking questions.

Pay (and tip if you can)

The price is the price, so please don’t try to haggle. The prices seemed very reasonable to me, plus they walk you through what to do so you are fully equipped to use what you purchased when you get home. Money is energy, so make sure you tip your witch as well. With all the information they give you, along with their amazing customer service, a little tip goes a long way. 

Know Why You’re There 

It’s better to know why you decided to go to Enchantments (or any metaphysical store) so they can give you the best recommendations possible for your situation. I’m sure if you didn’t know what you were there for, they would still try to help you. However, there are so many people coming in and out of the shop that knowing why you’re there provides ease and flow with serving customers and tailoring recommendations to their specific needs. 

Listen to their Recommendations

Whether you’re new to spirituality, have taken a break from your own practice, or have been practicing for years,  listen to what workers like Riley, Carmen, and Harley have to say. 

I had a question about how to use a specific herb, and Harley shared what she does in her own practice. When I asked about a book that ended up not having, Riley handed me substitutes pretty quickly. I’ve even overheard Carmen say to a patron that she enjoys helping people, so she encouraged people to come back to share their progress after following their recommendations and using the items they purchased. 

While this is their livelihood, it is also most likely their deeper calling, so trust that they will guide you in the direction that’ll be best for you and your situation.

Trust your intuition

Yes, they are there to make recommendations, but it’s best to tune into what feels true to you and decide based on that. 

For example, Sarah was interested in doing a bath but wanted to know if the sea salt baths they recommended were better than using herbs. I put it back on her and asked what she thought would be best for her.  She said the sea salt bath felt more doable because she would have to boil the herbs, while the sea salts are easier to just put in a bath. I replied, “Ok, so then the salts are better for you, especially if it brings you ease”. 

Sarah shared with me that this was her first time exploring outside of an Abrahamic religion. So in my opinion, easy entry is important to actually doing the work necessary to get a desired outcome, especially since she’s doing the work herself rather than paying someone else to do it.

However, when I overheard Carmen, Riley, and Harley talk about sea salt baths to other people, one opted for herbs and the other person opted for a candle kit for something completely different and more elaborate. It’s really about what speaks to you. 

Do the work

If you decide to go into enchantments or any other metaphysical store and make a purchase, please do the work. 

Carmen said multiple times that a candle is just a candle until you tell it what to do. I believe that’s not just with candles, but that’s with any magickal tool. So, set your intentions, do the work, and see what happens.

Spirituality, witchcraft, and the occult are journeys – you just have to be bold enough to forge your own path. 

Going to Enchantments was a great experience. It was a pleasure seeing the shop in person and talking with the amazing people who currently work there.

Even though I have a bit of a trek from where I’m located, I plan to go again before the year is over. 

Have you ever been to a metaphysical store? If so, what was your experience? If not, would you go? Let me know in the comments.