The Salem Occult Fair is an annual event held in the city of Salem, Massachusetts. Salem, known for its infamous witch trials in the late 17th century, has long been associated with the occult and witchcraft. The fair aims to celebrate this history and provide a space for people interested in the occult to gather and explore various aspects of the magical world. The fair showcases a wide range of vendors offering a diverse array of occult-related products such as crystals, tarot cards, spell kits, herbs, and other mystical items. Visitors have the opportunity to explore numerous booths and shop for unique and fascinating objects related to magic and spirituality. In addition to the vendor stalls, the Salem Occult Fair also features various workshops and lectures on subjects like tarot reading, divination, potions, and much more.
In addition to the vendor stalls, the Salem Occult Fair also features various workshops and lectures on subjects like tarot reading, divination, potions, and much more. These interactive sessions allow attendees to learn and engage with different aspects of the occult, gaining insights from knowledgeable practitioners and experts in the field. Furthermore, the fair often hosts live demonstrations or performances, including rituals or ceremonies performed by local covens or practitioners.
Why paganism and witchcraft are making a comeback
On a recent trip to Salem, Massachusetts, I overheard the same question: Is magic really real? For me, the answer is yes.
Witches take part in the Witches' Magic Circle in Salem, Mass., on Oct. 31, 2018. Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images file
Oct. 30, 2022, 11:00 AM UTC By Antonio PagliaruloTwo weeks ago in the run-up to Halloween, I visited Salem, Massachusetts, for the first time since the pandemic began. In renewing my annual Halloween pilgrimage, I was bowled over by what I found in the Witch City: bigger crowds, longer lines and a wider and welcome array of merchandise geared toward many different religious traditions and ethnic identities.
Amid the curious crowds in black capes and conical hats, bags overflowing with DIY spell kits and candles to enhance prosperity, I overheard the same question: Is magic really real?
Witchcraft, which includes Wicca, paganism, folk magic and other New Age traditions, is one of the fastest-growing spiritual paths in America.
For me, the answer is yes.
I am one of a million-plus Americans who — whether proudly, secretly or dabbling through the power of consumerism — practice some form of witchcraft. Witchcraft, which includes Wicca, paganism, folk magic and other New Age traditions, is one of the fastest-growing spiritual paths in America.
In 1990, Trinity College in Connecticut estimated there were 8,000 adherents of Wicca. In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau figure was 342,000. A 2014 Pew Research Center study increased that projection several times over in assessing that 0.4% of Americans identified as pagan, Wiccan or New Age. (Most modern pagan worship, of which Wicca is one type, draws on pre-Christian traditions in revering nature.) By 2050, it said, the number of Americans practicing “other religions” — faiths outside Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism — would triple “due largely to switching into other religions (such as Wicca and pagan religions).”
The precise number of witches in America is difficult to determine because many practitioners are solitary and, either by choice or circumstance, do not openly identify as such. But the growth is evident, especially to those who’ve made it their life’s work to study the community.
“It’s clearly increasing,” said Helen A. Berger, who spoke to me on the phone last week. Berger is one of the foremost academic experts on contemporary witchcraft and paganism in America and draws knowledge about its appeal from surveys she’s co-conducted on the pagan community.
Wicca began to be practiced in America in the 1960s by feminists, environmentalists and those seeking a nonstructured spirituality, according to Berger. It was a largely underground movement, but commercial books about witchcraft published in the 1980s and 1990s productions like “Charmed” and “The Craft” created a surge of interest in youth. With the ability to find communities online and the decline in affiliation with traditional religions, witchcraft began its entry into the mainstream.
“The religion is individualistic in many ways,” Berger told me. “You can do your own thing. It’s not signing on to an institutional religion. It’s not signing on to a set of actions or beliefs that you must adhere to.”
I myself grew up with Italian folk magic passed down from generations of practitioners who melded pagan customs with Roman Catholicism. This kind of syncretism is not uncommon in witchcraft today.
In petitioning the archangel Michael for protection, for example, I will recite a prayer but also make offerings of wine, bay leaves and cloves. In addition to venerating Catholic saints, I light candles to the goddess Diana at every full moon and place small bundles of rosmarino, or rosemary, on my altar to honor the dead. This blending of faiths has been a seamless process for me and other folk magic practitioners despite what traditional religious authorities might say.
Sometimes my magic is as simple as reciting an old Neapolitan incantation over a glass of wine to strengthen the love between two people. Sometimes it requires more serious action, like piercing a clove of garlic with a sewing needle and spitting three times to break a spate of bad luck brought on by malocchio — the “evil eye.” Whether learned from a local healer or my grandmother as she blessed me by shoving salt in my pockets on my way out the door, I carry forward these old world rituals.
At the heart of these practices is the fact that witchcraft enables me to see the world through a more balanced lens. I’ve felt the reassuring presence of the otherworldly in the midst of difficult circumstances, and I know that magic happens when I summon the strength to draw boundaries or stir away the guilt that bubbles up if I choose self-care over self-sacrifice.
I am not alone in this experience. Online platforms like TikTok and Instagram offer tutorials on every aspect of magical practice. The witchcraft hashtag has over 7 million posts on Instagram and more than 11 billion views on TikTok or, as it’s known in the community, WitchTok. Podcasts about witchcraft enchant the airwaves. Along with crosses and Stars of David, major retailers like Walmart and Amazon sell the witchcraft symbol of the pentacle, pendulum divining tools and dried herbs for spells and rituals. The use of Tarot cards proliferates in lux magazines.
It’s understandable that some adherents have criticized the commercialization, arguing that Halloween witch costumes perpetuate negative stereotypes and the selling of DIY spell kits trivialize sacred practices.
But this trend has created space for recognition and representation. The proliferation of witchcraft reflects two timeless and universal urges: the need to draw meaning from chaos, and the desire to control the circumstances around us. With the dire catastrophes brought on by climate change, wars and the loss of rights, it’s not surprising that witchcraft appeals to those seeking to mend what’s broken in ourselves and the wider world.
Blending of faiths has been a seamless process for me and other folk magic practitioners despite what traditional religious authorities might say.
There are also critics outside the community — those who look down on witchcraft in any form. A former colleague often broadcast her contempt for my “mumbo jumbo.” But after several weeks of terrible luck, she came to my office one day, quietly shut the door and asked for my help. Did I know any spells, any solutions that would upend the curse she believed she was suffering from?
Witches have long extolled the connection between energy and objects and people, so I understood her fear and desire to set things right. I’m not sure she’d ever admit it, but the help I gave her and the theory behind it has echoes in scientific and health practices today.
Look at quantum entanglement, at the heart of this year’s Nobel Prize for physics, which says that objects can influence each other in unseen ways even at great distances. Or consider the very popular mindfulness movement. Deep breathing exercises, positive affirmations and guided meditations to reduce stress and the effects of trauma — like spells — use the mind-body connection to foster self-care and improve circumstances.
Monday, as millions of people celebrate Halloween (known to witches as Samhain, the pagan festival honoring the dead), countless jack-o'-lanterns will decorate doorsteps throughout America. I will take particular comfort in knowing that these glowing pumpkins, a lasting pagan custom, are embraced by so many of us. It’s a reminder that magic can be both a beacon in the night and a source for hope and healing when we need it most.
Gianmichael Salvato (Philadelphia, PA) is a gender non-conforming author (pronouns: they/them/their), naturopath, anthropologist, alchemist, intersectional feminist, genderqueer activist, herbalist, contemplative mystic and magical practitioner. They’re also the founder of the Inner Alchemy Mystery School, and the Servant-Leader/Pastor-in-Residence of the Contemplative Order of Compassion.
These demonstrations provide a glimpse into the practice of modern witchcraft and allow attendees to observe or even participate in ritualistic activities. The Salem Occult Fair is not only a unique shopping experience but also a community-oriented event that fosters a sense of unity among occult enthusiasts. It allows like-minded individuals to come together, connect, and share their passion for the magical arts. Attendees have the opportunity to meet others who share similar interests, exchange ideas, and form new friendships. Overall, the Salem Occult Fair offers a fascinating and engaging experience for those interested in the occult and spiritual practices. Whether one is a seasoned practitioner or just curious about the subject, the fair provides a welcoming and inclusive environment to explore the mystical world of witchcraft and magic..
Reviews for "The Salem Occult Fair: A Gathering of the Most Talented Psychic Readers"
1. Jane - 1 star
I was really excited to attend the "Salem occult fair" as I have always been interested in the occult. However, I was extremely disappointed by the event. The fair lacked variety and depth in terms of the vendors and workshops offered. The majority of the stalls were selling generic crystals and tarot cards, which I could easily find at any other metaphysical store. Furthermore, the workshops were poorly organized with no clear structure or knowledgeable speakers. Overall, it was a waste of my time and money. I would not recommend the "Salem occult fair" to anyone genuinely interested in expanding their knowledge on the occult.
2. John - 2 stars
I attended the "Salem occult fair" with high expectations, but unfortunately, it fell short. The fair was overcrowded, making it difficult to properly browse through the stalls and interact with the vendors. Moreover, the whole event felt over-commercialized, with vendors solely focused on making quick sales rather than sharing genuine knowledge and experiences. The workshops were also disappointing, lacking in depth and expertise. I left the fair feeling unsatisfied and uninspired. If you're looking for a truly immersive and educational experience related to the occult, I suggest looking elsewhere.
3. Sarah - 3 stars
While the "Salem occult fair" had its moments, overall, I was not impressed. The fair had a good selection of vendors with various occult-related products, but the prices were inflated, and the quality of the merchandise was questionable. The workshops, although mediocre, did provide some basic information for beginners. However, I was expecting more advanced discussions and interactive activities. If you're a novice looking for an introduction to the occult, you may find some value in attending, but for anyone with a deeper understanding or seeking more profound experiences, this fair won't satisfy your expectations.