One of the best things about New Orleans is the amount of shops: witch shops, antiques, vintage clothing, food, costumes, lamps, keys, corseteries… anything you can possibly imagine.
I was alone for a bit and decided to peek into an antique shop “Collectible Antiques” that had caught my eye the day before. I was drawn to the Byzantine art, the “patents” and the vintage masks, the chandeliers, but, as I always do, I wandered over to the jewelry. I’d been here the day before but nothing in particular had said: “Buy me!” (Or, ok, everything had and I couldn’t really choose, if I’m being honest!) However… the lovely jewelry really beckoned to me, and I ended up with two pieces I just couldn’t leave the store without.
My favorite podcast host, Corinne from “Two Girls One Ghost” always says that if she’s antiquing, she makes absolutely sure that she NEEDS the antique before leaving with it – because ghosts, hello? Energy attachments, etc. And as someone who has lived in many haunted houses and who purchased a haunted (possibly cursed?) locket as a child, I think it’s a good rule. As a witch, I know all about cleansing and attachments, and I welcome involvement with the spirits… but I’ve also lived with poltergeists and had to do cleansing rituals a few times a week in order to have any measure of peace. I think caution is always a good thing. Caution, and a deep respect. These pieces felt enchanted, also made for me. My friend said that the ring almost seemed to symbolize good luck and abundance, a radiant four leaf clover. And the necklace was for clarity and vision. It felt right. I also got a beautiful image of The New Orleans Opera House which seems to be copyrighted so, unfortunately, I can’t post it here. But I have a thing for old photographs and art. Anyway, if you want a lovely piece of art or jewelry, a fantastic candlestick, or any other number of treasures, I suggest stepping into this lovely old -world-store.
You absolutely cannot go to New Orleans without getting a tarot reading: it almost seems sacrilegious, right? That was our thought at least, when we headed over to Hex to get our readings done.
When I walked in to the small reading area, I was greeted by Mary, an older woman with white and grey hair and clear blue eyes that hinted at a clarity that I myself wanted. Her face seemed to emanate peace. I was quite taken with her black-kimono-like robe, with a riot of rose blossoms spread over it, and her matching red necklace. She showed off her chunky pentagram ring (made by her son-in-law, she told me) and the matching necklace. I didn’t even ask for a question before she cut the tarot and asked me to pick a pile, as if she already knew what I needed to know. I ran my hand over the piles and picked the one that seemed to hum with the most energy. The first card she pulled was… the fucking Devil. Of-fucking-course. If she was worried, she didn’t show it. Some of them made me nervous: quite a few swords cards, including the three of swords. But also positive cards, like “the king of cups.” She told me, in short, that I was in a very sticky situation and I was going to find my way out of it. Honestly, it was going to be painful, but I was stepping into my power even as we spoke.
She gave me the choice of two Oracle decks and I chose “The New Orleans Oracle.” It seemed to pulse with power and color. I loved it. The first card she pulled was power and she tapped it happily: “See? Your power. You’re getting there.” She told me that I needed to “let loose” and remember to enjoy life once in a while, to be silly and free. And that I desperately needed more music in my life, because music was central to my healing. It deeply resonated with me. She also pulled “Lagniappe: given as a bonus or extra gift.”
Mary paused to tell me the story about a group of Tibetan monks that, once a year, for a week, take time off to spend time with their families and enjoy some respite. She said that the rest was important, even for them. Digging into a bit more I found that there are certain monasteries, like the Kopan Monastery, who have a five day holiday after the six-weeks rains retreat called Yarne and Gaya. And as I am not a Tibetan monk or versed in those practices, I won’t speak more on it! I noted it here because she did, and I found it interesting – not because I think I need rest the same way they do! However, I believe rest is important for all of us, and it was a good reminder.
She also recommended a completely different oracle deck for me called “The Talisman Oracle.” And I gasped because I’d been looking at that very deck, in a different shop. Mary noted that this deck liked to be used alone, not in conjunction with other decks. (Did I immediately find it and order it online? Yep. What else are you supposed to do when a psychic and the universe give you a subtle nudge?)
Matt and I left, both very pleased with our readings. And ready for an adventure on The Steam Boat Natchez.
The Steamboat Natchez really began back in 1925 when a Steamer named Clairton roamed the Mississippi. It was purchased by The New Orleans Steamboat Company in 1974 and her engines were used to build The Steamboat Natchez. Bill Dow and Wilbur Dow were the ones with a dream to bring a Steamboat to New Orleans and make the riverfront in NOLA a desirable place to be. They wanted to bring the river back to life, with steamboat dreams and nostalgia! The Mayor of Natchez, Louisiana’s daughter, 12 at the time, smashed a bottle of champagne against the hull of the Steamboat Natchez. And thus, it was christened!
The boat that Matt and I boarded was the 9th Natchez; it was utterly charming and gorgeous. We watched happily as a woman on board played a “steam calliope” – essentially a 32-note steam pipe organ. It was loud, but fantastic!
We nabbed a seat on the top deck, where the jazz musicians, “The Dukes of Dixieland” were playing. They had us snapping to the beat and swaying in our seats.
The ride was smooth as we rode the river. When it was time to eat, we were seated in a beautiful dining room and given salads and water by our server for the evening. Then, we were pointed to the buffet of pure, sweet, southern cuisine. They had creamy spinach, crawfish gumbo, rice, corn maque choux, and fried chicken thighs. Everything was delightful, and delicious. And the view? You couldn’t beat it. When they brought out the bread pudding we practically scraped the bowl clean.
We walked home, tired and clutching our aching bellies (although that didn’t stop us from getting salted caramel fudge from Kilwin’s).
All in all, another wonderful day and night of New Orleans adventure. And I know that New Orleans has more secrets and even more to offer.
The honeymoon adventures will continue. Follow for more!
Elisabeth Writing 