Widely celebrated for its abundance of food carts and microbreweries, Portland, OR is home to a collection of the most eclectic experiences. In the spirit of the fall, we will explore Portland's more "magical" side as we delve into the "Mystic District." You may be asking yourself what exactly a mystic district is and what it is comprised of. In Northeast Portland, the Mystic District is a single block that is home to a trio of shops full of magical supplies. Whether you have any interest in crystals, dreaming of a new divination deck, or are in search of a sweet-smelling bar of soap, these three shops will meet your needs and spark your imagination, and more mystic side.
Continue to read to find out all you can know about Portland's Mystic District and the three shops that make up this block.
Seagrape Soap
A Georgian immigrant, Vashakidze, began making bath and body products to raise money for school. At Seagrape Soap, find rosemary shampoo bars, bay rum aftershave, and aromatherapeutic soaps in scents like lavender orange and mint green tea. Portland is home to professional soap-makers, Vashakidze is set apart from the rest for one reason: she is a witch. The soap-making studio and retail shop are where all the spell-making happens at Seagrape. There is an expansive house line of soaps, perfumes, bath scrubs, and massage oils that this store carries. The witchy products? Queer artists across the country make products that are carried in Seagrape, such as smudge sticks, divination decks, ritual candles, and sprays with names such as "Boundaries in a Bottle," and "Mercury Clarity Spray."
Brown Bear Herbs
Located just two doors down from Seagrape, storeowner Arati Ursus carefully prepares herbal cigarettes for the many online customers who flock to the page of Brown Bear Herbs. This shop offers a broad selection of feminist zines and tinctures alongside an array of organic herbal cigarettes. These cigarettes are special in a way because they are completely devoid of tobacco, nicotine, and marijuana, meant to aid smokers in curbing their addictions. Each herbal blend is formulated to be used for many different scenarios, from socializing, sex, and sleeping. Ursus identifies as a witch, working on how we can utilize the real physical tools of Mother Earth to heal ourselves.
Fly Awake Teahouse
This secret spot in North Portland offers a lovely flight of tea with a very responsive and informative host. Fly Awake Teahouse brings forth all the witchy ambiance with a welcoming environment and a cozy seating area. Find high-quality Chinese teas and traditional Indian chai, along with other fun teas with various names such as "Wizard's Eyebrow," and "Remote Mountain, Old Tree." At Fly Awake Teahouse, find teas sourced directly from sacred spaces and mythological places. Powerful wizards charge your waters with high vibrations and hold space for you, and the tea wisdom is legendary.
Interested in the allure of the witchy shops that grace a block in Portland, OR? From soaps, smudges, and massage oils to herbal remedies in the form of healthy cigarettes, to mystical teas, the Mystical District awaits your exploration today.