Been to Salem?

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   kittythedreamerposted 12 years ago

   Has anyone who is a witch been to Salem? Did you find that it's as special as they like to have everyone think it is...meaning, did you find it had meaning to you as a witch or was it pretty much an old town with a history that modern-day pagans like to fluff up? Love to hear your opinions!

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      Ravineyesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Kittythedreamer,
      Yes, I am a Witch and have been to Salem. I will start with aside from the hype of it being "Salem", it is a beautiful place to visit alone. Now, the fun part is that it is so welcoming as a Witch to walk into a town that surrounds you with like minded people, and actually cherishes, encourages, and supports our way of life. Much of it is for the tourists, but as we blend in well, it is easy to feel the kinship with those that are making a living from who they are.
      I loved the history of the town, seeing the building and houses was very cool. The energy in the air is different than anywhere else in the world and I felt very comfortable. There is a lot to do there, and all of it is supportive of who we are. As much as it is hyped up even more around Halloween, for obvious reasons, year round you can find rituals being help, churches to hold honoring in and tons of things to do. If you go, stop by the Hex shop and light a candle on the altar for a loved one.
      I found meaning to it on a personal level as I walked through town trying to understand its past, it was pretty intense and meant the world to me. The next chance I get, I am going to return and try stay longer.
      Oh and the road signs are priceless!
      Ravineyes

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      Seafarer Mamaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hello Kittythedreamer,
      
        My husband and I were married at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. That was because we love to visit the place of its history. In the fall, my Moon Circle pagan group will go together. We look forward to returning to one of our favorite old haunts. :0)  Haven't been there since before my daughter could walk.
      
      There's lots to see there. I am looking forward to seeing the Our Lord and Lady of the Trinicarian Church and Coven. :0)  Love the book stores, The Fool's Mansion clothes shop, The Broom Closet, and  Angelica of the Angels. :0)  Just conducted an internet search for shops and found that they are playing "The Raven," a movie based on the E.A. Poe poem, at the movie theatre. Can't wait to return, really, especially during the autumn foliage months.

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         kittythedreamerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I'm jealous! You should write a hub on it once you return...with pictures.

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   Reality Bytesposted 12 years ago

   It is a city filled with history.  Is it any different from other New England cities and towns, no, except for the tourist shops.  Is the atmosphere warm and the establishments fun, yes.  Summertime in New England is the best, on my way there in a few weeks. 

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   Greekgeekposted 12 years ago

   Ravineyes sums it up pretty well. It's a bit like going to Ptown if you're a lesbian -- you can just enjoy it for the little bookshops and New England charm, but there's friendly signs here and there if you're paying attention, and more pagan shops (or at least more visible ones) than usual. it's very much an "out of the closet" community, except in this case, it's the broom closet.
   
   One New England landmark far less well-known but also of pagan significance is Mystery Hill, a stone henge in southern New Hampshire. Native Americans did occasionally build henge-like structures, but the dating and some details about this one suggest that the Vikings weren't the only Europeans to make it across the Arlantic before Columbus: it looks like some Celts may have come over as well. It's a beautiful site, although unlike henges in Britain, it's gotten reclaimed by a forest. If you can get up there, it might be worth a ramble.

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      Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      There is also the mystery behind Dighton Rock:
      
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dighton_Rock

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   FISposted 12 years ago

   I'm not a witch but a ceremonial magician.. which I suppose would have meant the same thing to the Puritans in Salem at the time of the witch trials. I have been to Salem and, while I enjoyed myself while I was there, I did find there to be sort of an aura of gloom or guilt around the place. Not enough to make it a bad place to go... but... I could feel it. As I did the tourist thing I enjoyed seeing how many witches I could spot also doing the tourist thing. I stumbled across a great bookstore where I spent way too much money on books that were too heavy to easily carry around for the rest of the day. I really liked The House of Seven Gables which had a cheery aura to it... perhaps because it was a stop on the underground railroad.
   
   Coincidentally, the following day, I was in Boston following a trail that leads past/through historic sites. My wife and I were exploring an old graveyard and I wanted a cigarette. My wife being a non smoker I moved away from her to prevent her from having to deal with my fumes. Halfway though the smoke I looked down and discovered that I was standing on the grave of Cotton Mather.

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      kittythedreamerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow! Cotton Mather...now that's interesting how you stepped right on his grave!

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   Reality Bytesposted 12 years ago

   Another attraction in Salem is the Our Lord And Lady Of The Trinacrian Rose Church & Coven.  A must visit for Pagans visiting Salem.
   
   
   
   http://trinacrianrose.weebly.com/

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