Articles — 2018

Hard to believe it’s that time of year again…but here I am (Michelle the shop fairy) with our semi-annual update on what’s new at the Grove. Tucson! The freshest and most exciting news on my mind is our Tucson gemstone haul! We got back from the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show about three weeks ago. Last year was my first time making the trip to buy gems in person, and it was a bit overwhelming. This time I was more on my game and arrived with a plan…and a rental car, thank Goddess. But still, I’m a long way from...

Just about every Witch loves to poke around in old cemeteries and graveyards. And yet, actually doing magick in graveyards is a guarded subject, even among people who practice their craft without shame. Is it discomfort with death? Fear of not being taken seriously? The overwhelming influence of the white-light crowd? Who knows. Graveyards are often associated with curses and hexes, with secrecy, with people who take angsty selfies and write vampire poems—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s a handy Witch’s guide to finding, exploring and working within graveyards—no black nail polish required. Why Graveyards? Graveyards are...

Looking for stones for your magickal toolkit? Here’s a crash course in 40 of the most commonly available crystals and gemstones. Working with crystals can improve your personal energy, amp up your spellwork, and help you create the life you desire. This handy guide will help choose the right crystals for you, whatever your goals might be. After you’ve read these crystal meanings, I encourage you to spend some time gazing at and handling your crystals. Crystals are a hands-on, eyes-on, heart-on hobby. One of the best ways to study them is to visit with them. It sounds kooky, I...

Ever wanted to learn more about fairies? Here are some tidbits of fairy knowledge from Michelle, Grove and Grotto's own shop fairy. 1. Fairy wings aren't just for flying. One of the questions I get when children see my wings is, “Can you fly?” The answer is yes, if the wind is right. But flying is not the only thing wings are good for. Fairies use their wings to wave “hello” to each other, to “taste” the air, to express their moods, to look beautiful, and to show how important they are in fairy society. Wings also make a comfortable...

There’s not many places you can go to shop for a love spell these days. Or a haunted doll. Or a candle that will make your neighbors move out. Purveyors of magickal services have been driven into the back alleys of the internet, never to be seen again on reputable shopping sites. eBay has banned listings for spells and psychic readings since 2012. Etsy did a major purge of witches-for-hire in 2015. Increasingly, payment processors such as Stripe are dealing out warnings and account shutdowns for merchants whose businesses are tainted with a whiff of the metaphysical. The distrust of...