Jeni Archer, former owner of Gaia’s Blessing, is “thrilled” to have opened her new business, Hearth Magick, in a 2,600 square-foot space on Grove Street previously occupied by Monadnock Oil and Vinegar.
A sign on the door says “The Witch is In.”
“I consider myself a spiritual connector. I connect people with other people, and I connect people with themselves,” Archer said. “This is about helping people learn to listen to their inner voice. People know what they need to heal.”
Hearth Magick offers stones, herbs, metaphysical supplies, oils, CBD, candles, standard and “Goddess-sized clothing,” books, a large selection of tarot decks, and more.
According to Archer, everything in the extensive space, which is part retail shop, part community gathering space, and part clinical space, is geared toward positivity, healing, awareness, and reflection.
The shop contains a large selection of tarot cards, from a children’s version and the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith deck to all types of alternatives, as well as oracle cards.
“Tarot is very popular right now because of social media; it’s popular with young people. It gives people a tool they can use to help themselves,” Archer says.
At the “Potion Station,” customers can create custom blends of essential oils with properties they would like to bring into their lives.
“I had one customer come in who asked for a calming blend, because she’s a teacher, so I helped her create something for that,” Archer said.
Archer said she has never seen another “Potion Station” anywhere else.
“It just made sense to me,” she said. “People know what they need. I love helping people help themselves; I love helping them get in touch with what they need to heal.”
Archer also created an Herb Hutch, where customers can read about the properties of different herbs and medicinal plants and create their own blend. The rock and stone station operates on the same principle: according to Archer, every stone and rock, like every living thing, carries vibrations, or specific properties. Customers can choose stones, and then research their properties in a massive reference tome that would not look out of place in “Harry Potter.”
“It happens all the time that people are drawn to a stone, and they pick up it and go read about it, and then they say, ‘Wow, that makes sense,'” Archer said. “People can use stones as an external reminder of their own power–they have the power to calm themselves; they have the power to heal. It’s something you can just have with you, like if you are going into a meeting and need confidence or strength, you can bring that stone which might have that property, and just have it in your pocket to give you that confidence.”
Archer, who moved here from Texas seven years ago with her family, says she loves talking to people who may have misconceptions about the spiritual healing arts or have different belief systems.
“I grew up Evangelical; I understand when people have questions. I’ve had really wonderful conversations with people who are curious, and it is wonderful to learn from one another. I love it when people with questions walk in my door,” Archer said. “Those are the best conversations.”
Hearth Magick is completely family-friendly, with activities and stations geared toward children, including a rock garden where children can select and paint rocks, and a “Spelling Station” where little ones can create a positive “spell” for themselves.
“There are three choices in the Spelling Station: ‘I Can Do It’, ‘I’m Awesome,’ and ‘I Feel Safer,'” said Archer, who has young children of her own. “It’s showing children their own abilities, and showing them how they can regulate themselves from the very beginning, that they have that power. If we give them that tool, we raise better kids.”
Children are also welcome to select a rock to paint in the Rock Garden.
“They can either take their rock home or exchange it in the Rock Garden for one left by someone else,” Archer said.
Hearth Magick also offers “Aura Photography,” in which customers sit in a darkened booth and are photographed by a camera that, according to believers, captures the electromagnetic energy of the human aura and creates a color photograph. Aura Photography is offered during all business hours.
Archer says the Aura Camera can capture progress in people’s healing and show changes in their mindset and energy.
“Most of what I do is intangible, but this is something people can actually see. People can see in the photos the shifts in the energy, and we can talk about it how to work on whatever they need to work on. Sometimes it’s just validation—they can see that has happened, they can see the progress they have made in their healing,” Archer said.
Hearth Magick also offers an adult craft space. “The options will change every other month, offered for a flat fee. To begin with, this will be a Stone Toolbox, where they are given the box, instructions, all supplies, 10 stones, and are allowed to choose six additional stones of their preference to curate a collection to help them with whatever their needs may be,” Archer said.
Archer plans for Magick Hearth to develop into a community gathering space with seating, free hot tea, books and games available for use in the space. She said a community puzzle table will be available, where visitors can place a few pieces into a puzzle.
“Participants can write down their social media info and be tagged in a photo of the finalized puzzle once it’s completely put together,” Archer said.
Archer offers two book clubs, one at the shop and one online. She teaches tarot classes, provides tarot card readings, and performs clinical hypnosis for past life regression as well as energy work and spiritual development. Additional classes, workshops and services are offered by other artists and practitioners.
Hearth Magick is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, visit hearthmagickshohep.com.
