Embracing Orange: Whispers from a New Orleans Magic Shop

New Orleans, Louisiana

Warning: This post is warmer and fuzzier than my usual dreary fare. Proceed with caution.

On this day one year ago, I stood staring at a wall of Voodoo dolls, seriously contemplating buying one. Maybe this was the solution to all my problems.

New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum

I wander into a tiny shop, searching for a pendulum. I’m not sure why I chose this particular shop - it’s not my typical jam. Bright, warm, and inviting. Unlike the gothic dungeons I had frequented so far, adorned with black wallpaper and paintings of Hekate.

Moseying from glass case to antique shelves, I try to avoid the shopkeeper’s friendly gaze. I don’t plan to stay very long. She looks resigned, like she knows there’s a reason the store is empty meanwhile thousands are flocking to town for the Sugar Bowl. Tourists are jam packed into bars and Voodoo shops, that cafe with the three hour wait for beignets..

I’m not drawn to any of the merchandise. The crystals are generic. The art is pastels and flowers and overly reminiscent of your grandmother’s doilies and cross stitch patterns. The stickers were 5 for $1, which was appropriate. The overall vibe was cutesy. I was kind of an asshole. I didn’t have appreciation yet for the effort that went into these lovingly made trinkets. I hadn’t created anything from scratch in longer than I could remember.

I’m turning to leave after only a few minutes of shuffling around, mostly out of pity for the shopkeeper. I notice a large black and white photo in the back corner of the shop. An old, broken down stairway creeping up the side of an ancient crumbling house. Vines and dirt have taken over with a vengeance. The tiling is faded and cracking and covered with debris. An old piano decays in the corner. It’s giving dilapidated and haunted.

“Let’s go ghost hunting.”

A tiny voice whispers, followed by the smell of citrus. I see the color orange in my head. It’s not my favorite. Dark colors are more my style. I’m not sure what’s happening right now.

I’d been wanting to go ghost hunting and in fact, had recently purchased some used equipment online. But there was the small matter of not knowing anyone else who wanted to go ghost hunting. I’d been waiting around, reliant on others to be both available and, even more unlikely, interested..

But what of it? Looking at this photo, I felt an urge to grab my Spirit Box and head down into a spooky basement somewhere. I started forming a list of questions in my head and another list of potential locations. Just like that. There was no stopping me now. No more waiting around for other people. I could do it by myself. No more holding back. I’m going ghost hunting!

Back staircase leading up to the Séance Lounge at Muriel’s Jackson Square in New Orleans

To memorialize this moment, I pick up the picture to take it home before noticing the price tag. It’s way too much. I start flipping through smaller prints and can’t find any. I see a lot of cool photos of black and white cabins in the woods, rusty old barns, more creaking houses. I’m feeling more and more inspired. I don’t want to take these pictures home. I want to be part of the picture. I want to be the one taking the picture.

I’m looking at the backs of the photos. They aren’t in any cities I know. They aren’t even in this country. I have no emotional connection to these places. I have no knowledge of them, or plans to go there. They’re just good photos.

I’m still seeing the color orange. It’s bright and sparkling. I hold onto it, going deeper. What does it all mean? I receive an answer, clear as day:

“You don’t have to buy these photos. You can take your own photos.”

I’m sensing a theme here. Go investigate the paranormal. There’s nothing holding you back. You don’t have to stare longingly at other people’s photos, of places that don’t mean anything to you yet. Go to cool places and take your own photos. Hell, you can make your own prints and even hang them on your wall if you like them enough. Stop waiting around.

Go create your life!

I feel a burst of energy. It feels like fire. Passion. If this were a tarot reading, I’d be holding the ace of wands. I’m not buying anything, but I’ve just received a whole gift wrapped box full of new dreams. New energy. I’m ready to mold them into reality.

I glide down the carpeted ramp towards the exit, the bounce in my step fueled with renewed purpose. Wave to the shop owner and reach for the door. As I’m gripping the handle, an orange sparkle catches my eye. A tray of glowing trinkets. Orange. With hints of citrus and glitter.

An array of altar pieces, twinkling up at me, shiny talismans built to boost creativity. I hold one up. A subtly flaming rose filled with orange peels and herbs and shiny glittering filaments that catch the light. I did not know orange was the color of creativity. It seems like a sign. I read the description:

“Our Lady of Invention

Inspired by playful imaginations, inventions, and juicy ideas, these Marian charms and statues were made to bring the feeling of creativity and ingenuity to your home or altar. Each is a little different and handmade by Cydney at Rose de Rua with intuitive magical inclusions like orange peels, rosemary, klip dagga, light bulbs, silk roses, and fabric marigolds.”

I’m not one to buy useless baubles to leave around my room, forgotten, collecting dust. At least crystals supposedly have healing properties. I smile and leave before I can change my mind. Then twenty minutes later, I come sprinting back, arriving just before close. (This is how I end up making most of my purchasing decisions - it’s a weakness.)

But I don’t forget about my new creativity talisman. I treasure it. All year, including in this moment, I set it next to my laptop when I’m creating something new, and I charge it under the full moon when it’s not in use. Not long after I got home from New Orleans, a dear friend gifted me a Carnelian stone. Also orange. Also a beacon of energy, passion, and creativity. I’m sensing another theme this year.

Marian charm and Carnelian stone. Pottery is from one of the brilliant craftspeople at Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA

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My intentions for 2024 came to me mostly in a tiny magic shop in New Orleans. A shop where I wasn’t looking for messages, and in fact, I was looking to leave. Which lends them that much more credence.

1. Enjoy what I have. (Specifically, read more books than I buy.)

2. Talk to more spirits.

3. Create things.

How did I do?

#1 - I failed miserably. At least in terms of reading books. I bought so many more books than I read. But they were all used and cheap. If I couldn’t find them used, I ordered them through local bookstores. And many of them were related to my Substack or in honor of creating things. Many of them were written by many of you!

I’ve had a lot of job insecurity this year, which led me to save money like a fiend and put more thought into what I really need and what I can do without. I’m incredibly fortunate and grateful for the lessons I’ve learned this year about delayed gratification, saving up, buying used, cherishing what I already have.

#2 - I talked to so many spirits this year. Some of them even talked back! I visited countless haunted locations and cemeteries. I went on haunted hikes. I did my first ghost hunt, and then I went on several more. Some were with others, but many were solo. I even started writing about these paranormal pursuits right here, on Substack.

The Séance Room at Muriel’s Jackson Square, New Orleans

#3 - I created many things this year. A blog, a website, channeled writing, and countless photographs, some of which are now hanging on my walls. I visited haunted locations and wrote stories about them. I dabbled in poetry. I began the first baby steps of launching a small business. I submitted articles to publishers and starting working on my own book. And a podcast. I know I’m shamelessly bragging, but it’s only because I’m more surprised than anyone. Many of my dreams are half-baked and half-implemented. But I’m doing the thing. I can’t do everything at once. Although it’s been a blast trying.

By far, the highlight of my year was discovering Substack. You all are pure gold with a mountain of cherries on top. You give me a place to play and create. I will be smiling every time I think back on this year, because I made so many good friends here, and we all support each other. It’s a magical space. Thank you for letting me experiment. Thank you letting me create things.

Congo Square, New Orleans

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I’m not setting any new intentions for 2025. I kind of like the old ones. If some divine message hits me on the head in the mac and cheese aisle or at the hardware store, I’ll definitely let you know.

In the meantime, as

SuddenlyJamie

would say, let’s just keep doing the damn thing.

It's time to do your thing. Now. I mean it.

Happy New Year and hauntingly yours,

dreary dendrophile

Or donate to my haunted dream house

Threshold to The Conjuring House, Burrillville, RI