The
Witch Shoppe of
The Witch Shoppe of Staten Island
By The Wiccan / Pagan Times
January 25, 2010
TWPT: What was it that first attracted you to Witchcraft as something more than just the stereotypical images that we are bombarded with from television, Hollywood and the news media?
ME: I have always been drawn to Witchcraft and the paranormal since I was a little child. It wasn't until a family vacation to Boston when we drove to Salem, and stopped into Laurie Cabot's shoppe Crow Haven Corner. It was the first Witch Shoppe in America, and it was really an experience. I had heard about Laurie, and read her books but it wasn't until the initial meeting with her that I knew that this was the path that I was chosen to take. I never took the word witch for granted. I never associated being a witch with the green faced, ugly old hag that is displayed on Halloween decorations, candy and costumes. The word witch comes out of the Celtic Tribes, and it basically means "Wise Person", "Seeker of Knowledge". The idea of witches being portrayed as people who make pacts with the devil in blood, or do harmful magic, or eat children is nothing more than ignorance. Hopefully.
TWPT: When did you know that this would be the path that you could call your own?
ME: After my initial meeting with Laurie Cabot, "The Official Witch of Salem", I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life. It wasn't until almost ten years later when the timing was right, and everything was in place that I opened my shoppe. Alot of people ask me, if your magick works why did it take you so long to open your own shoppe? If you think about it, who would come to a 19 year old for advice on their love life, or anything in general. I needed to get wet behind my ears with life experiences, and learn the knowledge that I have learned to be in the right capacity to serve the community. I don't like when you go into someone's shoppe, or go to an "expert" about magick, and they read out of a book. Anyone can open a book and find the information that they are looking for - but without having the right training, understanding and respect for Magick, its nonsense. I am proud to say that this summer will mark my fifth year anniversary being open, and its really a remarkable accomplishment!
TWPT: Were there any books that you found to be very helpful in seeking out the true nature of Witchcraft as you began to build your own spiritual foundation in Witchcraft?
ME: Power of the witch by Laurie Cabot, Raymond Buckland and of course Scott Cunningham.
TWPT: Tell me about your decision to seek out training in the Cabot tradition
and why was it that you chose that particular tradition to call your own?
ME: After going to Salem numerous times I was growing closer and closer to what I wanted. When I first decided to be trained in the Cabot Tradition of Witchcraft I wanted to teach Witchcraft as an ancient art, science and religion that had documented resources and references that dated back hundreds of years. It is more than a belief system, it is a culture within itself. My teacher Laurie taught her students to be sovereign - which means to do things with ethics, and know the causes and effects of our actions. Believing that "I will be a better person", "I will not do harmful things" puts the entire concept of Magick into perspective. I am proud to be part of this tradition, and proud to be able to call myself a Cabot. There are many other traditions out there, and I want readers to research and find the one that they feel most comfortable with, or most attracted to. I personally think of the Cabot Tradition as the most prestigious of the traditions. Its almost like the Harvard University of the traditions.
TWPT: For those readers out there who are weighing the benefits of some sort of formal training in the path they have chosen what are the advantages to the seeker in receiving formal training in their particular tradition?
ME: Formal training to me is that you learn the correct way to practice magick.. although there are some teachers especially on Staten Island that claim to be "Witches" but never took a formal class of there own and now charging over $550 a class!!!! How ridiculous.
TWPT: Would you be where you are along your path if you had not decided to study with a teacher but had gone it alone and taught yourself?
ME: I would be EXACTLY where I am today because I took the time to study and learn witchcraft whether I was studying with or without Laurie Cabot
TWPT: When did you start entertaining the idea to open The Practical Magick Shoppe on Staten Island?
ME: I always had a vision of running my own Witch Shoppe, but I first got the idea of opening my shoppe Practical Magick back in 2004. It was frustrating seeing the kinds of stores that were supposedly serving the needs of the Witch, Wiccan and Pagan community on Staten Island. Many stores were selling products that weren't filling the need of the community, and more importantly they were selling wrongful information. Having the knowledge that I have acquired over the course of my lifetime I knew the do's and don'ts of Witchcraft - and the few stores that we had on Staten Island weren't giving proper information to those looking for it.
TWPT: Did you feel like you could meet the needs of the practitioners on Staten Island that were not currently being met by any other local shops in the area?
ME: I am told this on a daily basis! At least 3-4 times a week someone walks into my shoppe saying that I have everything that they are looking for. Or sometimes I have things that they never knew existed - or that they can do on their own. More than the products that I sell, or the services that I provide - I think that my clients are coming to me because of my vast knowledge of the Craft that I have learned, and my personality. I was born to be a teacher of the magickal arts. Witchcraft stores shouldn't be operated like a chain of supermarkets. Each should be unique and dedicated to the services of the community, and I feel that the needs weren't being met but any of the other stores. Even in my readings and psychic consultations, many of my clients say that other stores or readers that they go to treat the readings as some sort of parlor trick - not putting any emotion or effort into the reading and basically reading it at face value. I am humbly proud to say that I am the only accredited Witch running a shoppe on Staten Island and I think that is another factor that makes the customers feel more connected with me.
TWPT: What was your initial conception of what the shop would be, what it would carry in terms of supplies and what it would provide to the Wiccan/Pagan community in terms of services?
ME: The vision that I had in my mind is exactly how the store looks today.
I wanted to carry products that everyone could use and everyone could learn
about, whether being someone coming in from off the street looking to do a
love spell, or a long time practitioner looking for ritual tools. I wanted
my store to have everything for everyone. What makes me most excited is when
I put my personal touch on the products that I sell such as spell kits, carved
candles, or ritually charged candles (for love, money and overall happiness).
TWPT: How has the non magickal community that surrounds you in Staten Island taken to having your shop as a neighbor?
ME: Has it all been amicable or have there been tensions? Honestly I have had no problems in the community because I show people the real side of witchcraft. I educate the community about what a real witch is all about. Plus I'm an everyday person, and people see that side of me.
TWPT: Do you see yourself as an ambassador for Witchcraft to that non magickal community and if so how is it that you reach out to them and show them that the stereotypes that they have been fed most of their lives are not true?
ME: I reach out by doing local events, charities , local television shows and publications
TWPT: Has The Practical Magick Shoppe become a meeting place for those who are on a variety of nontraditional spiritual paths? Sort of like neutral ground where ideas can be shared? Is this something you encourage?
ME: I encourage everyone to be themselves and to be eclectic... No one has to change their religious views to empower themselves with witchcraft.
TWPT: How did your Toys for Tots campaign this past December work out? Does this help dispel certain images about what Witches are and aren't?
ME: The Toys for Tots campaign started in early November, right after Samhain actually. After seeing how the community turned out for the Samhain Ritual that I performed on Staten Island I felt that it was time for us, as witches, to give back to the community. I have donated to Toys for Tots on a smaller scale over the years but never through my own store. I would buy some toys and drop them off at other stores that were taking part, and I thought - why not just have a collection from my own clients, in my own store? It went over very well with my clients - they were very eager to take part, and overall we collected over 100 toys. When the guys came to pick up the collection box they even commented that they never thought that a boutique shoppe like mine would collect that many toys. I was shocked myself actually. It didn't seem like that many toys until we actually counted each and every one of them. I think it shows the community that yes we are witches, but no we are not harmful. I'm sure that even in 2010 there are still some people out there that think of us as evil-doers, but we didn't do it for the recognition - we did it for the cause. I think it was the first of many charitable events that we are going to be taking part in, and we're excited to be able to give back in any way that we can.
TWPT: Does The Practical Magick Shoppe take on special significance during Samhain and how is it that you use that time period to help the community around you understand what you are all about?
ME: Yes we do public rituals at Snug Harbor to heal and teach Staten Island, New York and the world about true magick.
TWPT: Have you always offered classes in Witchcraft as part of the mission of your store or is this a new development?
ME: I have offered classes in Witchcraft over the years, and it's always an adventure when they start. I just started a Witchcraft 1 class this January and I have quite a number of students. I'm always eager to teach to those who are interested in learning. I teach the class as a certified course. I don't force the students to convert to Witchcraft, nor do I require them to be initiated into my coven. They do not have to give up their current religious beliefs or structures. I always say the different religions out there are like many keys that open the same door. If they choose to be initiated and become witches, then I will offer initiation for them, but it is totally up to them. I do have more students this year than in any other year, and I think that it has allot to do with what is going on in the world today. Instead of sitting in multi-million dollar cathedrals or temples they can have the intimate connection with the God and Goddess in their own homes. Witchcraft always finds people - people don't usually find witchcraft unless they are drawn to it. Upon completion of the first level, there will be a level 2 class, and then I will begin Witchcraft 1 with an entirely new group of students. The new dates will be updated on my website as soon as I figure out when its going to be taking place. [http://www.practicalmagickshoppe.net ]. I think this is a great venue for people who are interested in learning. This is the only class being offered in the area that is being taught by a certified witch.
TWPT: What is it that you are trying to accomplish with these classes and what is it that you are going to be teaching?
ME: I'm trying to open people's minds to another way of life.. to empower there minds, bodies and souls to educate the masses that magick is very real and is a very important aspect of everyone's lives.
TWPT: Do you ever see a time when Witchcraft will be free of the stereotypes that society has placed on it or will there always be a struggle to make sure that our image is a correct one?
ME: Yes through education we will make a difference.. the more someone knows about something the less they need to fear.
TWPT: Tell me about the magickal community of Staten Island and is it indicative of how the magickal community around the country is faring these days?
ME: Like anything there are two parts of the community.. the doers and the sayer ... I'm a doer... Some people manipulate the religion to make a buck .. that is harmful magick
TWPT: Are there any final thoughts you would like to share with the readers of TWPT about The Practical Magick Shoppe or your philosophy of Witchcraft as we close this interview?
ME: I would like to tell everyone how grateful and happy I am to be an openly practicing witch in the Staten Island community. We can never forget the people who came before us because if it wasn't for them we would not be able to practice openly and use the term witch in the correct definition of the word... Never forget our ancestor! Blessed be.
TWPT: Thanks Mark for taking the time to talk with me about your great sounding shop on Staten Island. I'm sure that the next time Boudica and I are through the area we are going to pop in and say hello. Boudica hails from Brooklyn so that is very likely to happen. We wish you much success with the community there.
AWE's guide to New Year's Eve and New Year's
Day
By Staten Island Advance Entertainment Desk
By Jodi Lee Reifer
December 24, 2009, 8:30AM
GET A CLUE ABOUT YOUR FUTURE — Get a psychic reading on Staten Island at the only Witch Shoppe on Staten Island - , Practical Magick (The Witch Shoppe of Staten Island) at 1457 Castleton Ave., Port Richmond (347-242-6947, practicalmagickshoppe.net).
TOYS FOR TOTS
By CAROL ANN BENANTI
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
December 15, 2009, 10:00AM
Mark Eadicicco, High Priest and owner of Practical Magick, dubbed The Witch Shoppe of Staten Island," asks that locals bring new, unwrapped toys for a needy child to be donated to Toys For Tots.
Though the drive is nearly over toys may be donated. The store is located at 1457 Castleton Ave., Port Richmond. Call 347-242-6947.
Personal Note: The Shoppe has collected over 100 toys that were distributed
by Toys For Tots for needy children. Thanks to everyone who took part!
'New Years Around the World'
series examines Wicca in time for Halloween
By Jodi Lee Reifer
October 23, 2009
But the season takes on a more spiritual tone in at least
one spot this year.
The Council on the Arts and Humanities for
The event is part of COAHSI Folk Life’s series,
"New Years Around the World."
"It’s just a chance to reflect on what’s passed
and what’s to come," says the program’s officiator Mark Eadicicco of Westerleigh, who
describes himself as a Wiccan witch. Wicca is an
earth-honoring, polytheistic religion. It is a mixture of reconstructed ancient
Pagan beliefs and modern magic practices.
The free program begins at 7 p.m. in front of the Veterans
Memorial Hall on the grounds of
Eadicicco, proprietor of Practical
Magick, a New Age shop in Port Richmond, will present
a 30-minute introduction to Samhain, the history of Wiccan witchcraft, and the story of his immersion in
"the old ways."
An authentic Samhain ritual
follows. The practice asks members of Eadicicco’s
coven — people who have studied under him — to make a circle. Each
person will call out the name of loved ones who have died and with whom they
would like to communicate.
The public will be able to participate from an outer circle.
No doubt, witches don’t only think of the past on Samhain. They project their hopes for the future by
dressing in ways consistent with their goals for the new year.
On Halloween, witches might wear suits with money flowing from their pockets if
they want prosperity. Or they might dress as a butterflies
if they were seeking beauty and transformation.
"If you’re really comfortable with yourself, you
wear your traditional black robe to let the community know there are witches on
He estimates there are about 250 Wiccan
witches in the borough based on the people who visit his shop and take classes
there. They include lawyers, nurses and other professionals, he says.
"Within the branches of Wicca and witchcraft
there’s so many misconceptions," says Eadicicco.
We don’t believe in the devil. There’s no evil gods or goddesses.
We don’t ride brooms. And we’re not green."
COAHSI included Samhain in its
"New Years" series because part of the folklore program’s goal
is to look at overlooked traditions, says Christopher Mulé,
COAHSI folklorist.
"Beyond that, we would like to help people understand
that traditional expressive culture carries with it a complex system of
meaning, discipline, knowledge and a deep sense of heritage," says Mulé. "To be certain, traditional culture,
particularly the Samhain and Mark Eadicicco’s
reading of it, is much more than entertainment."
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After Four Successful Years - You Can
Still Feel The Magick!
Printed August 8, 2009
By: ANTHONY GATSBY
Business Reporter
Even after four years of business, you can still feel the magick in the air at Practical Magick, a new age “Witch Shop” in Port Richmond. Celebrating his fourth anniversary in business, owner Mark Eadicicco, 34 of Westerleigh, couldn’t be more pleased!
“When I opened shop four years ago so many things were different - the economy, the world even myself – everything has changed over the last four years and I am so grateful that my shop has been able to be as successful as it has.” Eadicicco says with a smile on his face. And he should be smiling! In these times of hard economic downturns, instead of hiring life coaches or personal trainers many people are seeking the wisdom and rituals of past cultures to help themselves with everything from love to money, and they are finding the right knowledge and tools at Eadicicco’s shop.
The store celebrates four years in business on Wednesday August 5th - but there was a celebration in the store on Saturday August 1st, where clients - new and old came to share their best memories and send their best wishes to the store’s continued success. Patti Ann Prestia, an Islander from Bulls Head has been coming to Practical Magick since the beginning. “Mark is a truly talented, genuine person who isn’t out to tell you what you want to hear.” Prestia states, “I first started coming to Mark with advice on my career, and then love and years later I’m still coming back for more”. With a clientele that varies as much as the products in the store it’s easy to see the connection that they find with Mark. And it’s a connection that Mark takes very personal. “All of the spells and services that I provide have to be of the purest intentions. I can not take part in a spell to end relationships or to harm anyone – its not good karma”.
But its not just the customers from four years ago that are singing praises
- Rosanne Cimato, a Great Kills native who started
coming to the shop earlier this year, gives her opinion of the store as
“the best witchcraft store on Staten Island”. She continues to add
it is the closest representation of a “Salem Witch Store” outside
of
When asked about any additions to the store after four years in business, Mark is eager to get his workshops started again – to be able to teach those who are interested about Witchcraft as a religion and as a science. “It is very important to me, as a witch, to share the knowledge which has been taught for generations – in an underground fashion to anyone who has a desire to learn about it”, says Eadicicco. The new schedule of workshops and classes will be posted on his official website shortly. Eadicicco, who was trained by Laurie Cabot – the “Official Witch of Salem”, credits Laurie and his mother for how successful the shop has been run. Eadicicco jokes “The unofficial mantra of the store is ‘What would Laurie Cabot do?’”
Practical Magick is located at 1457 Castleton Aveue – Port Richmond, and is open Tuesday – Friday (12pm – 6pm), and Saturdays (12 – 6). Eadicicco is available for psychic readings by appointment. For more information contact the store directly at 347-242-6947 or check out their website at www.practicalmagickshopp.net
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Celebrating 4 Years of Practical Magick!
(Mentioned in the "Biz Buzz"
Section of the
Printed: Thursday, July 16,, 2009
By BARTON HOROWITZ
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
The Practical Magick witchcraft shop will mark its
fourth anniversary next month. The store, located at
Barton Horowitz is the Advance senior business writer/columnist. He may be reached by e-mail at horowitz@siadvance.com.
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Wellness Fair
(Mentioned in the "Inside Out"
Section of the
Printed: Friday, April 24, 2009
By CAROL ANN BENANTI
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
Staten
Eadicicco, who has been a practicing witch and psychic for more than two decades, says his life has always been filled with magical wonder and psychic energies. He has just launched the official Web site of his store, www.practicalmagickshoppe.net.
"It is always amazing when a group of people with the same interest of
helping the community pull their collective energies together to benefit the
community," Eadicicco says. "Showing
The fair, which is the first of its kind on the local level, is being staged to enlighten and inform the community, while the healing artists exhibit what they can offer. The fair is scheduled from noon until 4 p.m.
For additional information, kindly contact the organizer, CarolMarie Fiorito, at 347-400-5040 or carolmariefiorito@yahoo.com.
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Looking for an economic upturn? Try a
spell at
by Barton Horowitz /
Thursday March 05, 2009, 10:02 AM
Businessman and "white witch" Mark Eadicicco said the types of spells being requested at his Port Richmond witchcraft shop, Practical Magick, increasingly involve subjects of finance.
"For about three years, the majority of the people were coming in for (issues of) love and to enhance their love life. But since September or October of Ã08, more people are coming in for financial and career enhancement," said the 34-year-old follower of Wicca, which was recognized in 1985 as a religion by the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Practitioners of the religion (Wiccans) perform spells which, in essence, are "prayers, projections of what we would like to bring into our lives," Eadicicco said. Witches believe that anything you do to another person, good or bad, will come back to you in triplicate.
Eadicicco said he envisioned owning his own shop
while fashioning a spell in 1995. A decade later, he opened Practical Magick at
Skeptics, he said, "have to honestly believe that my methods will work." For those who do believe, no convincing is necessary, he added.
And it's becoming increasingly easy to find people who believe.
"Spirituality has been growing and growing," Eadicicco said. ". . . The 'k' in 'Magick' means that you practice Wicca, as opposed to performing magic tricks, like pulling a rabbit out of a hat."
Practical Magick does not sell or teach magic tricks in the show-business sense, but does provide a wide range of Wicca-related items, such as oils, incense and candles, gift items, and workshops in Wicca, psychic development and tarot-card reading.
The witchcraft shop may be reached at 347-242-6947.
Barton Horowitz is the Advance senior business writer/columnist. He may be reached by e-mail at horowitz@siadvance.com.
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Shop specializes in the season of the witch
by Tevah Platt /
Thursday October 23, 2008, 11:33 AM
They're known as Wiccans, and they practice a neopagan, nature-based religion. For them, Halloween marks the end of the year. It's their highest Sabbath, and an occasion for honoring ancestors and focusing on aspirations.
Native Staten IslanderMark Eadicicco
of Westerleigh is a "white witch," a third
degree high priest and the owner of Practical Magick,
a
This week, Eadicicco is preparing for Samhain (pronounced SOW-en), the pre-Christian, end-of-harvest Celtic holiday that influenced some of the mainstream customs of Halloween. Samhain celebrations begin at sundown on Oct. 31.
"We do not believe in the devil, and we do not ride brooms," said Eadicicco. "We do cast spells, but only for good. We believe that whatever we do comes back to us three-fold . . . Our essential (tenet) is 'do what you want, but harm none."
Jack o' lanterns, the tradition of wearing costumes and trick-or-treating may all trace their roots to the pagan celebration. For Wiccans, pumpkins ward off evil spirits and skulls symbolize knowledge, Eadicicco said.
Eadicicco says local Wiccans will celebrate the day by wearing costumes that symbolize participants' hopes for the new year. A person seeking courage or wealth, for example, might dress up as a bear, or a banker. It is best to avoid gruesome costumes and slasher movies, says Eadicicco, because "that's what you'll attract into your life."
With about nine members of his coven, Eadicicco will observe a feast, create altars honoring deceased loved ones, and "cast a circle" that honors pagan gods and goddesses and calls on ancestors for guardianship. The "veil between the worlds" is thinnest on Halloween night, the white witch said.
"We create a sacred space by using a wand, cleansing with frankincense and myrrh," said Eadicicco. "Everyone focuses on things that are positive."
Eadicicco, 33, completed his spiritual training
under a priestess who practices in
In 2005, Eadicicco opened his
His patrons aren't necessarily Wiccan, but most say they believe his spells and readings will work, said Eadicicco. He's noticed customers have increasingly been seeking financial rather than romantic intervention.
Any Staten Islander, witch or not, can celebrate Samhain, says Eadicicco. Those interested in observing its traditions "should focus on anything that they want to bring into their lives, as long as it's positive," said the priest. "After sundown, it's a time to bring in what you want for the new year, and to honor your ancestors, because they're very important."
Practical Magick is located at
Tevah Platt covers the North and East shores for the Advance. She may be reached at platt@siadvance.com.
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Real witches don't ride brooms
Shop owner works to dispel some of the myths
surrounding the nature-based religion of Wicca
Friday, October 26, 2007
By LESLIE PALMA-SIMONCEK
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
His clients at the store decorated to look like a Victorian cottage are lawyers, nurses and other professionals -- many of whom keep quiet about their witchcraft because it is ofen misconstrued as devil worship. "We don't have a Satan or any kind of evil deity in our structure," said the Westerleigh resident. "We have a god and a goddess. We do not practice animal sacrifice. We're not Gothic. We're not green and we don't ride on broomsticks. We're not just people on the off-beat side."
According to the 2001 American Religious Identity survey, 134,000 people
identified themselves as Wiccan, up from just 8,000
in 1990. From a legal standpoint, Wicca was first recognized as a legitimate
religion in an 1985 U.S. Court of Appeals decision.
Last year, the family of a Nevada National Guardsman killed in
"That was a great stride for witches," said Eadicicco,
adding he's fortunate that he's never had to hide his craft. "I live my
life as a witch every day." With the help and encouragement of his mother,
Eadicicco -- who studied Wicca with Lori Cabot, a
famous witch in
The store sells ritual items and figurines with a mystical bent, but also offers classes in witchcraft and clients can have their star charts done and learn about spells. Eadicicco said he only casts positive spells and never involves people who don't give their consent. Spells for healing "are a big thing in Wicca," he said. "But you can only do a healing on someone if they give you permission."
Witches believe in a three-fold principle: Anything you do to someone, benevolent or otherwise, will come back to you in triplicate.
Halloween is a big night for witches. They call in Samhain and it represents the one night of the year when the spirit world and the mundane world are one. Witches enjoy dressing up on Samhain, often choosing a costume that represents "what you want to be for the new year."
So you probably won't find a witch dressed up as a ghoul. And if you spot a witch with a broom, you'll know he or she is planning to cast a magic circle, rather than preparing for flight.
Practical Magick is at
Leslie Palma-Simoncek is the style editor for the Advance. She may be reached at palma@siadvance.com.
(347) 242-6947
