11 minute read
by Crysta Coburn
Exploring the “ Diagon Alley ™ ”
of Ypsilanti
By Crysta Coburn • Photos by Susan Ayer Did you know that downtown Ypsilanti is turning into a vibrant hub of the metaphysical community? It’s true!
Within just a few short blocks, you will find candles and herbs for magical use, crystals and other stones, incense, tarot and oracle cards, deity statues, and so much more. Allow me to take you on a brief tour. World of Rocks
The aptly named World of Rocks, located on North Huron Street, has been the go-to place for stones, crystals, fossils, and more for over 20 years. You are likely to find beautiful stones that you did not even know existed on the plentiful shelves and tables. There is always something new to discover on a trip to World of Rocks, such as the innocuous-looking coprolite, also known as the fossilized feces from creatures that lived millions of years ago, or a shiny rainbow lattice sunstone, a distinctive and rare type of orthoclase feldspar that is unique to one small, specific area in northern Australia.
The walls and tables are filled with all different kinds of captivating rocks and fossils, both polished and raw. In the back of the store is a microscope that you can use to check out the stones up close and personal. Children’s faces light up when they receive a free stone on every visit. Who would have thought a store about rocks would be so educational and entertaining? World of Rocks is the perfect stop for people who love stones and crystals as well as those who create their own jewelry using stones, such as in wire wrapping. If jewelry is your thing, but you do not make it yourself, you can’t miss the pieces made by local artists. You can even have a custom item made using your own stones or something you have purchased in the store. It is a beautiful way to wear your favorite crystal.
If you have a rough stone you would like to have polished, World of Rocks can help you with that, too. And if you have your own rock that you need identified or would like appraised, bring that in as well.
Large crystals and geodes make excellent conversation pieces when decorating one’s home or office, and World of Rocks has just such treasures in spades. Or, in a metaphysical sense, if you are looking for just the right gem, such as amethyst or other quartz, to balance out or promote a specific energy in your personal space, find the perfect stone for you at World of Rocks. Large crystals and geodes make excellent conversation pieces when decorating one’s home or office, and World of Rocks has just such treasures in spades.
In July of 2017, Evenstar’s Chalice, a spiritual and metaphysical retail shop with “meaning and purpose,” conveniently moved in right next door to World of Rocks. Owner Mara Evenstar explained, “The mission of Evenstar’s Chalice is to enhance the experience of Growth, Beauty, and the Sacred. We envision at Evenstar’s Chalice a space that is aesthetically beautiful, seductive, sensory rich, and deeply honoring of the feminine principle. It is a space that is transformative, in and of itself. It is a deep breath…. It is an invitation to explore, learn, truly connect with others and to nourish your Soul.”
When you walk through the front door of this spellbinding shop, you are immediately enveloped by a sweet, rich aroma. A clerk behind the front counter greets you with a warm and friendly smile. And what treasures will you find within? “We carry books, divination tools, jewelry, spiritual art, candles, incense, and ceremonial and altar tools. We also offer consultation services with healers and wiseones, and through Evenstar Institute we offer courses and workshops for personal, spiritual, and relational development,” said Evenstar, who enjoys providing a special space for such a diverse community, both spiritually and culturally, as Ypsilanti. “We see a beautiful tapestry of religious and spiritual paths, of mystical and magical practices, now more textured with a desire to reconnect to traditions while honoring our interconnectedness and our social needs for equity and inclusion.” And being an independent business offers freedom with “a lot more risk, but also much more potential for joy and fulfillment.”
Paintings by a local artist dot the walls, adding to the unique atmosphere. Each of the divination and oracle decks for sale has a sample deck that you may try out to see if that particular deck is for you, or if you just want to peruse through the beautiful, magical artwork that appears on the cards. There are also crystal singing bowls
Co-owners Mara Evenstar and Russell Jones
of different tones and sizes. If you are in need of a little luck, you can drop a coin or two at the altar to the Indian Lord of Obstacles, elephant-headed Ganesha, in hopes that he removes the obstacles in your life.
If you come in for one of the many spiritual or card readings, there is a room in the back of the store for added privacy. The vintage-inspired hair salon Be Hair Now is also located within Evensar’s Chalice. So, in one stop, you can get your spirit, as well as your body, nurtured with a fresh new style by Jeanne Adwani.
Evenstar’s Chalice hopes to continue to expand and grow by offering “a fuller range of metaphysical supplies and resources” in the future.
Said Evenstar, “We would like Evenstar Institute to expand in our ability to offer more spaces, experiences, and opportunities to learn, connect, and evolve—on an individual and collective basis. We hope to continue to deepen our connections within our community and enjoy and thrive in our lives!”
Evenstar’s Chalice is located at 36 North Huron Street in Ypsilanti. For more information, head to EvenstarsChalice.com or email info@EvenstarsChalice.com.
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Twisted Things Organic Apothecary & Curious Goods
Twisted Things is decidedly not your average artisan-made crafts store. If you are a fan of the strange and unusual, and you prefer to support local artists and businesses, Twisted Things is an absolute must-stop. A doorway in the back of the store leads you to the especially strange and magical items. It is there you find the magical herbs, candles, wands, and squid tentacles in jars, among other fun things.
If you yourself are an artist of unusual works, then Twisted Things might be the perfect venue for you to peddle your wares.
Twisted Things Organic Apothecary & Curious Goods is located at 40 North Huron Street in Ypsilanti. For more information, head to twistedthingsypsi.com or send a text to (734) 961-7881.
With the addition of pagan-owned, and volunteer-operated, Twisted Things Organic Apothecary & Curious Goods on the other side of Evenstar’s Chalice from World of Rocks, also in 2017, the “Diagon Alley™ of Ypsilanti” (as some patrons have dubbed it) was complete. Per their Facebook page, “Twisted Things was created by artists, for artists. We offer local artists the opportunity to exhibit, sell, and learn how to grow their own business and connect with their community.” You will find locallymade bath and body products, magical herbs, jewelry, art, skulls, taxidermy, wall art, prints, clothes, bags, and a lot more. Because the goods for sale are created by hand by independent artists, Twisted Things stock is always changing, and many items are completely unique rather than mass produced. Buy a treat for yourself or find the perfect gift for a friend or loved one.
Karlta Zarley, RN, CHTP
Certified Healing Touch Practitioner
* Healing Touch Energy Work * Multidimensional, Intuitive and Transformational Healing * Spiritual Direction * Neuro-Sensitives and those on the Autistic Spectrum * Essential Oils Consults * Flower Essence Master Formulas * Workshop & Retreat Facilitator
Around the corner from Ypsilanti’s Diagon Alley and down only a couple of blocks, located right on Michigan Avenue, is the newly opened Conjure Goddess Botanica and Metaphysical Shop. The Conjure Goddess has an emphasis on “Conjure, Hoodoo, Voodoo, African Traditional Religions (ATRs), Santeria, Wicca, and Witchcraft” traditions. ATRs and African-based traditions are often underserved in the dominantly white neo-pagan community, making the Conjure Goddess a beautiful addition to Ypsilanti, a city where more than a third of residents are not white. Though, of course, all are welcome.
When you open the door, the warm aromas embrace you and invite you inside. There is an uncountable mixture of herbs, spices, oils, teas, and candles to tantalize the nose. And you are guaranteed a warm greeting, too. Everyone on staff is friendly and happy to see you as well as answer any questions you might have.
While headquartered in Ypsilanti, the Conjure Goddess “also cater[s] to all of Washtenaw County and any and all neighboring cities and states.” If you cannot make it to the brick and mortar store, there is also an extensive online shop that also includes handy instructions on using candles for magic and conjure oil. intentional soaps, tarot and oracle decks, books, tumbled stones, raw crystals, and crystal points. There are also statues, teas, journals, feathered pens, parchment paper, and other miscellaneous items.”
The Conjure Goddess answers a plethora of magical needs from components to books to magical items and even whole rituals. If you are looking for a reading, the Conjure Goddess offers them in half hour and one hour increments. (These are bookable online at the website.) In the near future, they also hope to “host classes, workshops, and our annual retreats.”
Jordan-Casey has “been practicing for over 20 years.” She said, “I’ve known for a very long time (and more so since 2015) that I wanted to have my own metaphysical shop. I have had an online presence since 2017, but between doing that and working, the online thing felt more like a hobby than a business. In 2018, I had finally gotten the chance to pursue my business venture full-time.” In the beginning, her husband worked full time while she grew the online business. But success after success brought him into the business too, and the brick and mortar store had its soft opening on October 20th, 2021.
The Conjure Goddess Botanica and Metaphysical Shop is located at 226 West Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti. For more information, head to theconjuregoddess.net or email theconjuregoddess@gmail.com.
If you begin your journey at Huron Street and make your way down to and then along Michigan Avenue, perusing all of the shops in between, whether metaphysical or otherwise, could easily fill an afternoon—or longer. (Don’t worry. There are plenty of places to grab a snack along the way if you begin to feel peckish.) The majority of the establishments in downtown Ypsilanti are locally owned and operated, making them unique and guaranteeing you a singular, not to mention magical, experience.
