About this trip
Join us in the heart of "Witch City" over the Fall Equinox for a 3-day transformational weekend exploring the history and magic of The Witch through a feminist lens. We've rented a beautiful centrally-located 1900s historic home for everyone to stay in within walking distance to all of Salem's best shopping, restaurants, and attractions. As part of an intimate group, you'll enjoy a thoughtfully-curated selection of private walking tours, metaphysical workshops, and discussions guided by clairvoyant and NowAge Travel owner, Melissa Nierman, along with other passionate feminist witches of the local HausWitch store. The Witch has long been a symbol of our collective shadow and a tool used by the patriarchy against countless innocent people - mostly womxn. Rather than ignoring the tragic history of The Witch, we'll embrace it and all that it has to teach us about our world and ourselves. By doing so, we'll start to break the unconscious patterns of history and reclaim the power that has been lost - including access to our own magic.
Sold out! Waitlist Only
Highlights
Connect with other curious magical folks from around the country
Be guided by passionate local metaphysical teachers, healers, and historians
Live like a local right in the heart of Salem's most beautiful and walkable districts
Visit all of the most famous Salem Witch Trials related sites around downtown
Dive into your own personal relationship with magic and the term "witch"
Explore Salem's beautiful historic gardens with a local folk herbalist
Tap into your intuition through a hands-on Tarot workshop
Take a tour through Salem's Spiritualist movement and its connection to The Witch
Learn about traditional witchcraft from a local shamanic witch
Celebrate the Fall Equinox with a catered feast and ritual
Gather for an intention setting moon circle
Practice psychic tools for protection, energy clearing, and transformation
Question the ways in which The Witch archetype has been used by people in power
Salem, Massachusetts
Today, Salem is known both for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and as a hotbed for the growing feminist witch movement. Thousands of people every year travel from around the world to learn about The Trials, shop the wide variety of witch stores (including the first one in America), partake in metaphysical readings and séances, and, since the 1980s, celebrate Halloween. There's plenty for those who enjoy "spooky" - from haunted houses to a monster museum - but there's also a thriving population of present-day practicing witches and healers. The downtown is totally walkable - and for those who love history and the arts - filled with historic homes, cemeteries, a beautiful wharf along the ocean, and one of the longest running museums in the country. You’ll get lots of recommendations for walkable attractions to explore in your free time, including:
The House
Live out your quaint New England fantasies in a beautifully-restored 1900 home in the coveted McIntire Historic District. Only blocks away from historic gardens, museums, restaurants, and shopping, you'll be able to walk everywhere - although you may not want to leave! Each room has a character all its own with bold wallpaper, thoughtful furnishings, and plenty of nooks and crannies to relax in. Chill out on the big comfy couches. Read a book in one of the rocking chairs or chillax on the front porch. Take a bath in one of the large clawfoot tubs. Watch a movie on the big screened smart TV (The Craft anyone?). Listen to music on one of the working vinyl record player and/or nerd out with some board games. For those who like to cook, there's a huge fully-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, coffeemaker, and blender - also, a dining room that seats 12! Off-street tandem parking available for 2 large or 3 small cars.
General Flow
Friday 20th
Check-In to House - 4-6pm
Dinner on Own
Cosmic Mocktails Meet & Greet - 7-8pm
Opening Moon Circle & Discussion - What is a Witch? 8-9pm
10pm-12am - Hang-Out
12am on - House Quite Time
Saturday 21st
DIY Breakfast @ House
Psychic Meditation - Energy Clearing - 9-10am
Witches: 1692-Today Walking Tour - 11am-1pm
3hr Free Time - Lunch, Shopping, Attractions
Intro to Witchcraft & Shadow Work Class - 4-6pm
Dinner on Own
Transformation through Tarot Workshop - 8-10pm
10pm-12am - Hang-Out
12am on - House Quite Time
Sunday 22nd
DIY Breakfast @ House
Psychic Meditation - Energetic Boundaries - 9-10am
Talking to Spirits Walking Tour - 11am-1pm
3hr Free time - Lunch, Shopping, Attractions
Herb Witch Walking Tour - 4-6pm
Fall Equinox Celebration Feast + Closing Circle - 7-10pm
10pm-12am - Hang-Out
12am on - House Quite Time
Monday 23rd
DIY Breakfast @ House
Goodbyes!
Pack Up + Check out - 10am
What’s included
3 Night's Accommodations
3 Guided Tours
2 Metaphysical Workshops
2 Meditations
All Workshop Supplies
2 Museum Admissions
1 Moon Circle
1 Fall Equinox Dinner
DIY Breakfast Supplies
House Snacks
Does not include
Transportation
Travel Insurance
Additional Activities
Outside Meals + Drinks
Gratuties
Facilitators
Melissa Nierman is the owner of NowAge Travel and the main facilitator and tour guide for the retreat. She's a trained clairvoyant, tarot teacher, feminist history nerd, and a forever 80s stand-up comic in a past life. With a Bachelors in Sociology and a Masters in Education, she's passionate about reclaiming our "occult" histories from the clutches of patriarchy and picnics.
Kate Laurel is a folk herbalist, Reiki healer, tarot reader, and owner of Laurel Tree Healing Arts. She's passionate about sharing her knowledge of herbal medicine with the community, decolonizing witchcraft, and honoring the knowledge of all the displaced indigenous peoples.
Zhana Levitsky is a shamanic witch & healer, and owner of Yes! Wolf Spirit. She's a professional tarot reader and educator, Usui Reiki Master/Teacher, Reiki Shamanism Master, teacher of various magic modalities and medicine mama. Born in Lithuania, she holds an ALM in Literature from Harvard University
Policies
This retreat is open to all female, queer, trans, non-binary and two spirit identified people and is meant to be a safe space for those who attend.
You're welcome to put down a non-refundable deposit to hold your space.
Please note that there will be no refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays or illness. If you cancel your participation in the retreat for any reason, you're welcome to find someone else to take your spot and we'll do our best to help replace you, but cannot promise this.
If for any reason NowAge Travel cancels the retreat, we'll refund you in full for all payment including deposits, but cannot compensate you for airfare or travel costs incurred. We do recommend purchasing Travel Insurance, if that's a worry.
Attendees are responsible for leaving the house as they found it it. Any damage or fees incurred due to the state of the house upon departure will be the responsibility of the attendees.
By putting down payment, you agree to abide by all of the above policies.