Vitamin Sea and Sunshine!

It has been raining and chilly most of the past week. The sun finally made a guest appearance today and our temp hit around 60 degrees. Woohoo it's a heat wave here in Salem MA!

To celebrate we went to our favorite beach, Waikiki Beach on Winter Island in Salem MA. 

The seagulls on Winter Island have a sense of humor and are very brave. 

While we were sitting on the rocks soaking up sunshine, two ducks waddled up to us, checked us out and decided it was safe for them to sit beside us for a bit. Very sweet. They eventually left when a woman roaming the beach walked to close while picking up seashells. 

And a white egret flew over by the rocks, stayed a bit then flew off. Magical!

Visit our online shoppe to see our new line of sea inspired jewelry: https://whispersoftheofae.com/aphrodites-grotto

Winter Island on the last day of winter!

So good to see the sun again after a week of brutal cold weather and wild winds. The snow has melted and tomorrow is the official first day of spring. 

We took our dog over to Winter Island, Waikiki Beach for some much needed Vitamin Sea and D. Gorgeous day - a tad cold but you can tell that spring is on its way.

Tidepools - lots of snails and seaweed. There were so many slipper seashells on the beach today. A few European Oyster shells, clams and rocks. No Moon Snail shells. Maybe the weather will allow us to go to Sandy Point Beach in Ipswich this weekend - that is where the good moon shells are!

Say it with me in a Boston accent... Laaaabstah trap!

Wishing all a very happy last day of Winter from Winter Island, Salem MA!

Visit our online shoppe for magical jewelry and art inspired by the sea and nature of Salem MA. https://whispersoftheofae.com

The Christmas Oyster....

Caution. Truth is stranger than fiction!

So the other day when i was gathering seashells on Waikiki Beach i found this gorgeous pink, purple and teal European Oyster Shell along with 3 bags filled with many more. (I am going to need a 12 step program soon for my seashell addiction.)

I have been taking them home and washing them so they don't stink up the studio or any art they are morphing into. When i picked up this shell i realized that it was still alive. OH NO! I do not want the wrath of the sea fae! So i put it in a glass bowl with some of the sea water that i have from this beach that is used in the Practical Magic Salem Sea Spell kits. 

And a few hours later the shell opened with the oyster inside. He's alive! (Or is it a she?) It was placed in my studio near the window so it could enjoy the full moon and maybe get some good vibes until i was able to bring it back to the beach. So for about 2 days we have had a pet oyster. We talked to it. Sang to it and apologized for the mishap.

And today, Christmas Eve we drove him/her back to Waikiki Beach and released it at high tide, wishing it well and thanking it - as well as apologizing! Who knows maybe this will turn into a children's book.

Rumor has it there will be snow tonight. Woohoo! A white Christmas in Salem is all i wanted this year. 

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and Blessed Yule from the Witch City.

 from all of us at Practical Magic Salem.

Our 15% OFF SALE continues through Boxing Day, 12/26/18. 

Still time to treat yourself to that magical jewelry, DIY art doll kits, Salem Spell Kits & more. No magic code needed at checkout.

https://whispersoftheofae.com

Icy Tidepools

Love these icy tide pools at Collins Cove Beach in Salem MA!

https://whispersoftheofae.com

Laughing Seagulls of Winter Island

Celebrating 3 months of moving back to the 
Witch City! Everyday i wake up and thank the Universe that we are here. I missed walking to Winter Island to collect sea shells and watch the sea gulls.

Magic is in the air!

https://whispersoftheofae.com/salem-sea-magick-spell-bag

Winter Island Magic!

Yesterday i celebrated my birthday by visiting my favorite Salem spot - Winter Island. It was cold and windy but so peaceful. Lots of sea shells, especially scallops found on Waikiki Beach. 

So nice to inhale sea air and clear my head. It has been a very strange year - for all of us on the planet. Hoping to start this new one in a new light - with hope, more love, compassion and of course magic! I am grateful to be back home.

Love the Christmas wreath on the lighthouse. How did they do that? 

Waikiki Beach

One of my favorite places to walk to during spring & summer when we lived here before. Sitting on the rocks when the tide is out, watching the gulls laugh and listening to the sound of the waves lapping. It was too cold to walk today!

Love the little tide pools with sea creatures in the rocks.

Scallop shells found on the beach thanks to the Sea Faeries. Not sure what i will do with them. Maybe put them in a jar... or make a few Sea Witch Spirit Dolls? My inner child had so much fun walking on the beach looking for treasures.

https://whispersoftheofae.com/practical-magic-salem

Inhale the sea air.....

Collins Cove Salem MA

Ahhhh..... sea air aromatherapy. So grateful to be back in Salem MA. 

http://www.practicalmagicsalem.com

Who wants to go to the beach?

Another gorgeous fall day in November on Collins Cove, Salem MA. Have i mentioned lately how GRATEFUL i am that we moved back to the Witch City!!

http://www.practicalmagicsalem.com

Moment of Zen

 

Collins Cove, Salem MA before the rain hit on Tuesday 10/22/18.

I get my best ideas and daily moment of zen whenever i walk over to Collins Cove. So grateful to be back in the Witch City! Still hard to believe that we are really here again. 

http://www.practicalmagicsalem.com

Visit our online shop Whispers of the O'Fae for magical gifts handcrafted in Salem MA:

https://whispersoftheofae.com

https://www.facebook.com/PracticalMagicSalem/

Things to Do in Salem MA

For all those who are visiting Salem MA, i thought i would put together some links to help plan your trip.

If you are planning to visit during Halloween in the Witch City please do expect to pay for parking. 

A word of advice - Do not park on streets where the orange Resident Only signs are up. You will get ticketed and maybe towed. The residents of Salem are very protective of their parking spaces. (Much like George Costanza of Seinfeld!) Parking is precious here. There is just not enough. If you really want to experience the insanity of the parking be here during a snow storm when the city declares a Blue Light Parking Ban Emergency.

If you are visiting for one day during October, take the train into Salem instead of driving. It will save money, time and your sanity. 

Expect to walk a lot! Once you park that car you will not be able to move it until you leave. Wear comfy shoes and warm clothing under your costumes. 

Hotels fill up way before October. The prices soar as well. Best to stay in a neighboring city like Beverly or Danvers and take the train in or plan your trip a year in advance.

Enjoy your stay!

Here are a few sites that may help:

Destination Salem  www.salem.org

The Salem Witch Museum https://salemwitchmuseum.com/

Peabody Essex Museum https://www.pem.org/

Salem Maritime National History https://www.nps.gov/sama/index.htm

Salem Witch Trials Memorial http://www.salemweb.com/memorial/memorial.php

Ahhhhh

Nothing like the sound of lapping waves to calm the soul. Loving being so close to Collins Cove to get my zen moments in. 

Not many tourists hang out here so it is even peaceful during the Halloween madness of Salem MA. Countdown...

Scenes from Derby Wharf Salem MA

  

Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts 

Taken after the MDA Witch City Motorcycle Ride on Sunday. The weather was gorgeous. 

Love walking down to the wharf to hunt for sea glass and watch the waves. The walk out to the lighthouse is a must. Be warned that it can be windy out there, so dress comfortably and wear a scarf. 

More about Derby Wharf and much better photos at: https://www.nps.gov/sama/learn/historyculture/lighthouse.htm

Please follow our Facebook Page for more photos, stories and magic from the Witch City!
https://www.facebook.com/PracticalMagicSalem/

Good Morning from the Witch City!

Nothing like a morning jaunt to Collins Cove for a whiff of the sea to wake me up. Love the sound of the laughing sea gulls and the lapping water. Such good therapy for the body, mind and soul. I am so grateful to be back in the Witch City!

I get some of my best inspiration for the jewelry and art i create from these walks. Maybe the sea faeries are helping me! Wouldn't it be great to have a mermaid costume and sit on the beach and wave to tourists? 

Little Mermaid Necklace Freshwater Pearl

"Who says that my dreams, have to stay, just my dreams?"~ Ariel, The Little Mermaid

https://whispersoftheofae.com/little-mermaid-necklace-freshwater-pearl

Spiritually pearls soothes the body, mind and soul while healing negativity. They are a symbol of rebirth, birth, new beginnings. The Chinese believe pearls aid in fertility as the help balance the body’s natural rhythms and hormone levels with lunar cycles. They are considered yin and a sign of the Moon.

Bikes with brooms...

You know you are in Salem MA when the rental bikes have cauldrons and brooms attached! Did you bring your broomstick?

This photo was taken while i was strolling down the Essex Street Mall yesterday. So elated to be back in the Witch City! 

Please visit our website www.PracticalMagicSalem.com  and our online shop https://whispersoftheofae.com 

And do stop over to our Facebook page to say hi https://www.facebook.com/PracticalMagicSalem/

Collins Cove Adventure

Quan Yin braves getting her toes wet!Then finally sits in the water. It was a gorgeous day today - a tad warm for fall. We are so happy to be able to walk to Collins Cove every day and get our beach fix.

Ha! Ha! Ha! Guess who is going to smell like a big stinky fish bomb in bed tonight! Salem really needs a do-it-yourself-dog-wash. Meanwhile i need to buy a hose.