The Amulet of Ravenkind is a powerful artifact in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. It is a highly sought-after item due to its ability to control and ward off creatures of darkness, specifically vampires and other undead. The amulet is said to have been created by the ancient order of the Silver Dragon to combat the ever-growing threat of vampirism. The amulet is shaped like a raven's head with highly detailed etchings and a single red gemstone for an eye. It is made from a material known as obsidian, which is said to have strong magical properties. The wearer of the amulet gains various abilities and bonuses that aid them in their fight against the undead.

How Salem really became ‘Witch City’

The wearer of the amulet gains various abilities and bonuses that aid them in their fight against the undead. One of the primary powers of the amulet is its ability to detect the presence of vampires. When within 60 feet of a vampire, the amulet glows with a faint red light, warning the wearer of their presence.

Visit the the witch shop that launched the city’s reputation as a safe haven for spellcasters.

Once named The Witch Shoppe, Crow Haven Corner is Salem’s oldest store of its kind.

As you stroll through Salem toting a sack of crystals and a grimoire tucked under your arm, you have one woman to thank for the bewitching experience the city is known for today: Laurie Cabot.

Dubbed “ the official witch of Salem ,” many local experts trace the city’s bubbling cauldron of Pagan and Wiccan cultures — not to mention a booming tourist industry that drew one million visitors in 2022 — back to Cabot.

Long before covens of visitors flocked to Salem every fall, Cabot was the first witch to stake her claim in Salem, opening one of the first — if not the first — witch shops in America at 100 Derby St. in the early 1970s. At The Witch Shoppe, she peddled items like bagged herbs. At the same time, national interest in witchcraft swelled, thanks to the TV series “Bewitched” filming in town.

The TV show and Cabot’s shop provided the perfect formula for sparking some Salem magic. After centuries of shying away from the tragic events constituting the local witch trials, the city leaned into its darker history to capitalize on the public’s newfound fascination with witchcraft.

Laurie Cabot in Salem in the 1970s.

Cabot eventually moved The Witch Shoppe to 125 Essex St., renaming it Crow Haven Corner . While Cabot no longer owns the shop — it now belongs to another prominent local witch named Lorelei — the unmistakable black and purple store still stands, stocking spell kits, books, tarot cards, and other enchanting essentials.

Here’s how you can interact with the oldest witch shop in Salem:

• Stop by any day from 11 a.m to 8 p.m. to browse the witchy wares
• Guests can book tarot + psychic readings in advance online or on-site
• Adventurous visitors can rent an on-theme AirBnB located above the shop

Bonus: Book a Salem Witch Walk tour, which takes you through the shop’s yard to participate in a traditional circle dance.

A peek inside the home of a Salem witch

Salem’s oldest witch shop, Crow Haven Corner, is a neatly kept black gambrel on Essex Street with flower boxes and a cheerful purple door. Laurie Cabot, declared Salem’s official witch by former governor Michael Dukakis, once ran the shop, but now Lorelei Stathopoulos, known as Salem’s “Famous Love Clairvoyant,” owns the business and lives on the upper two floors. She creates love potions, conducts readings for loyal followers and intrigued visitors, and serves as a “magical life coach.”

Flocks of tourists gather in front of Crow Haven for photos; the bottom floor is filled with shoppers browsing herbs, jewels, and candles with the help of Stathopoulos’s team of witches. An enchantingly sweet scent (lavender?) wafts through the air.

“The more you give love and light, the more you receive at the end of the night,” Stathopoulos says with a wink, heading upstairs. She’s a charismatic dynamo in heels and black-and-orange striped tights with a model’s figure, thanks to a vegan diet (for spiritual reasons) and an avid routine of sea-salt swimming. Her blonde hair has glints of purple and blue. Her mother was a witch and astrologer, she says, and she’s read tarot cards since age 10.

Her two Chihuahuas, Chico and Dolly, trail her up the narrow staircase and down a hallway lined with bright pink walls and flickering candles. Stathopoulos is also known throughout town as the founder of Salem Saves Animals, a nonprofit that raises awareness about abuse, and the dogs never leave her side. (She also three cats; two of them are black, of course.)

Her bedroom, a candlelit sanctuary with black-and-gold wallpaper and golden tasseled curtains, is the heart of her home. A mirror hangs in the doorway to deflect negative energy back into the universe. To the left is an altar flanked by two protective golden leopards.

The room glimmers. Homemade spell candles, a Crow Haven specialty, glow atop the altar. Each is magically charged with an intention like protection or love, she says. Here, they illuminate framed photographs of Stathopoulos’s family and reflect against another gold-rimmed mirror. The centerpiece is a shimmering blue urn that honors her late husband. A tall Lady Justice statue, scales in hand, anchors another corner for more protection. Amethysts, a gemstone believed to promote tranquillity, and smoky quartz, said to remove negative energy, line the floor.

Chico leaps onto the bed and settles atop a gold, pink, and black flower-patterned bedspread. (Unlike many of the beautiful objects here, this isn’t a Crow Haven original: “I got it from Neiman Marcus,” Stathopoulos says with a sassy laugh. She has a sense of humor.) Several multicolored glass witch balls, intended to ward off incorrect energy, dangle from the ceiling to encircle the bed. Stathopoulos sometimes offers phone readings from this regal perch.

Chihuahuas clipping her side, it’s back down the staircase to her busy shop — with a quick peek at the gold-ceilinged kitchen, where cauldrons simmer on the stove.

“Much love and light!” she calls as a customer heads back into the Essex Street bustle.

It’s nearly Halloween, but it feels like Valentine’s Day, too.

Iconic Witch Shop To Close In Salem, Mass.

Laurie Cabot opened the town's first Witch shop in 1970 and helped to make Salem a tourist destination. A few years later she was named the "Official Witch of Salem" by then Governor Michael Dukakis. While her brick-and-mortar store is closing, her online store will still offer broomsticks, cauldrons and more.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And today's last word in business is: The spell is broken.

The town of Salem, Massachusetts, is known for its violent history of the Salem witch trials of the 17th century. But more than 40 years ago, an advocate and teacher of witchcraft helped to make it a tourist destination.

Laurie Cabot opened the town's first witch shop in 1970. A few years later, she was named the official witch of Salem by then Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. Cabot's store was reborn under several names and locations over the years, but she has announced on her website that today will be the last day of business for the final incarnation of her brick-and-mortar witch store. Her online store will still be around, offering broomsticks, cauldrons, chalices and more.

And that's the business news on MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne.

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This allows the wielder to be cautious and prepared for any potential danger. The amulet also grants the wielder the ability to turn into a raven once per day. This transformation allows the wearer to fly and gain a bird's-eye view of their surroundings. This ability can be extremely useful for scouting, avoiding danger, or reaching otherwise inaccessible locations. Additionally, the amulet is capable of repelling and weakening vampires. When used in combat against a vampire, the wearer gains bonuses to their attack rolls and damage. Furthermore, the creature's abilities and powers are temporarily reduced, making it easier for the wielder to defeat them. However, the Amulet of Ravenkind is not without its limitations. It can only affect creatures of darkness and vampires specifically, making it less useful against other types of undead or non-undead enemies. Moreover, its powers are limited to a certain extent, and it requires recharging through exposure to moonlight. In conclusion, the Amulet of Ravenkind is a highly coveted magical item in Dungeons and Dragons due to its ability to control and ward off creatures of darkness. Its distinctive appearance and powerful abilities make it a valuable asset in the ongoing battle against the undead..

Reviews for "Birds of a Feather: The Connection Between Ravens and the Amulet of Ravenkind"

1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Amulet of Ravenkind". The story just felt so predictable and cliché. Everything from the characters to the plot felt like something I had seen a hundred times before in other fantasy novels. Additionally, I found the writing style to be very generic and lacking any real depth or emotion. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique and engaging fantasy read.

2. Tom - 1 star - "Amulet of Ravenkind" was such a slog to get through. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the author seemed more interested in describing every little detail in the world than actually advancing the plot. I also found the characters to be one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it difficult for me to connect with or care about their journey. The lack of originality in the storyline and the flat writing style made this book an absolute bore for me.

3. Emily - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "Amulet of Ravenkind" at all. The world-building was confusing and inconsistent, and I often found myself scratching my head trying to understand the magic system and the rules of the world. The dialogue between the characters felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to become immersed in the story. The lack of character development also made it hard for me to care about what happened to them. Overall, this book was a disappointment and not something I would recommend to others.

The Amulet of Ravenkind: A Symbol of Shadows and Spirits