{ Valentine Gift Guide For Black Hearts }

Valentine's Day is upon us, and for some of you, this fact may fill your black heart with dread. Admittedly, it's a schmaltzy holiday, replete with unwanted Teddy bears trapped in heart-shaped balloons, subpar chocolate offerings and heart-themed jewelry (as ubiquitous as it is repellent, shudder). If you have ever been on the receiving end of these crummy, landfill-destined gifts, it's possible you may loathe Valentine's Day just by that association.

I am here to offer several alternatives for those of you who like good presents and who want better things for your loved ones, to make Valentine's Day (or Friendentine's Day) great again (but for real, think Halloween For Lovers)!  

:: Framed Insects And Butterflies :: Each beautiful piece at Oracle is preserved and framed by the artists in the shop, making every single specimen a unique and special work. I am especially enamored of the dried flora pieces created by Alessandra Dzuba and Ash Miyagawa, they are romantic and timeless and would surely win the heart of the natural science lover that you know!

:: Jawbone Talismans :: Our jawbone talismans are intuitively created in shop and are imbued with blessings to bring protection and abundance to the recipient. Each piece is constructed with loving intention and care, and no one talisman is alike - perfect for the Brujas and Brujos in your life.

:: Witch Club ::  -  Witch Club is a monthly subscription box and makes an excellent gift for someone who is looking to amplify their spiritual practice! Available for purchase in monthly, three month and six month installments - each month our Witch Club members receive crystals, incense and resins, dried herbs and flowers, and a special, hand selected monthly bundle to incorporate into your ritual or meditation practice. Items are chosen with the lunar cycle in mind but can be used however you see fit! This is a wonderful gift that keeps giving into extra innings because Love should be celebrated all year round!

*We also carry specially crafted Witch Bundles which are available in shop and online, a wonderful gift on it's own!

 

++ It is our pleasure to recommend items from these other makers and sellers whom we love ++

:: Chocolate ::  Fatally Yours Vegan Treats - Holy smokes y'all - when you have a black heart but a sweet tooth this gourmet chocolate box is everything!

:: Divination ::  Vessel Oracle Deck - I am a huge fan of Mary Elizabeth Evan's Spirit Speak deck and I absolutely love her charming illustrations for this oracle deck. Mary Evans puts so much care into her work and her divination tools have wonderful energy - I want one (subtle hint *cough* gimme)!  - She Wolfe Tarot - This Tarot deck by Devany Amber Wolfe is beautifully rendered with photographs and digital collage - this potent, sexy deck makes an incredible gift for a witch you are into!

:: Jewelry ::  - Mercury Hour - Scarlett C. Dancer's work is so awesome, I would be hard pressed to choose just one piece, but her Love Ballad series is spot on for V Day. - Arcana Obscura -Kate Hockstein creates the most wonderful, occult-themed jewelry - each piece is a unique work of art, perfect for those who like to keep it dark, I love it all!  - Omnia Oddities Studio - Artists Keri Newton and Nate Allen have created this incredible jewelry studio and there is no shortage of excellent adornment here - seriously, have a look and try not to buy everything for yourself!

:: Perfume ::  - For Strange Women Perfume - Jill McKeever is botanical perfume genius, her scents are evocative of magical woods, fairy tale forests and the kind of memories you create by firelight. It can be difficult to buy scents for other people, so I highly recommend giving the gift of the Lunar Amulet series, in which the lucky recipient receives a new perfume every 29 days for 12 months to celebrate the new moon! 

:: Incense and Candles ::  - Ritualcravt - Literally every single thing in this shop is imbued with magic (made by witches for witches, y'all!) and you will find many beautiful offerings for your loved ones. Of particular interest for the upcoming holiday, is this sweet little Love Spell Kit - it has everything you need to bring love to you! That said, if you have gone through a breakup or just aren't feeling this particular holiday you will also find excellent potions for self-care and to mend a broken heart. Ritualcravt blends their incense, teas and dressed devotional candles in shop, by hand - and every single one of them is gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

{ Closet Goth }

I've identified as a closeted goth for many years now. Which is to say, I don't outwardly present as goth, but I like the stuff affiliated with goth culture (Coil, eyeliner, horror movies, black, ennui...you get it). To describe my closet, I'd have to paraphrase Sarah Vowell (who was quoting Johnny Cash), 'It's dark in there.' (Also, lacy). My style is a marriage of Jodorowsky's El Topo mixed with straight-up Grandpa - more of a 'Desert Goth', if you will. 

Anyways, I love witchy, dark things and - since you are here - you might also. Instagram has been a real treasure trove for discovering makers and sellers that I wouldn't otherwise have access to. Here is a list of some of the excellent finds that I've been eyeballing lately!

 

* Divina Tarot Deck - I already own Mary Elizabeth Evans' fantastic, illustrated Spirit Speak Tarot deck - it's the deck I've used most for clients and is a personal favorite, so clear and direct and it comes from a place of positivity and self love. I love it to pieces. So then I discovered that she created this OTHER illustrated deck and you guys... YOU GUYS. I want it. It looks so good y'all. I have so many tarot decks already and I'm learning this really old, complicated one and I really don't need another tarot deck...and yet....sigh. Please, one of y'all please get it and then come over and let me play with it? (Follow Mary Evans on Instagram, here. )

* Sisters of the Black Moon - This bombass shop looks amazing y'all. You could give me literally anything they sell in this joint and my little black heart would weep from happiness. It's beautifully curated and they carry one of my favorite lines. Worth checking out if you don't already stalk them online, *I mean follow them. (Pssst! Follow SOTBM Here!)

* Omnia Oddities - Another thing I love that I don't need more of is jewelry, but that doesn't stop me from deeply coveting the exquisite pieces at Omnia Oddities. All of the pieces created by Omnia Oddities are so darkly unique and lovely, the rings in particular trigger my 'grabby hands' response. If only I were born with more fingers.... 

You can follow Omnia Oddities here, you won't be sorry!

 

The Woman In Black, from El Topo, being awesome and looking dope. Siggggggghhhhhhhhhhh