Weekend of The Witch Retreat

Salem, MA, USA

NA
NOW Age Travel
  • Email address verified
5 reviews
Sep 20 - 23, 2019
Group size: 6 - 12
Weekend of The Witch Retreat
Salem, MA, USA

NOW Age Travel
  • Email address verified
5 reviews

Sep 20 - 23, 2019
Group size: 6 - 12

About this trip

Join us in the heart of "Witch City" over the Fall Equinox for a 3-day transformational weekend exploring the history and magic of The Witch through a feminist lens. We've rented a beautiful centrally-located 1900s historic home for everyone to stay in within walking distance to all of Salem's best shopping, restaurants, and attractions.  As part of an intimate group, you'll enjoy a thoughtfully-curated selection of private walking tours, metaphysical workshops, and discussions guided by clairvoyant and NowAge Travel owner, Melissa Nierman, along with other passionate feminist witches of the local HausWitch store. The Witch has long been a symbol of our collective shadow and a tool used by the patriarchy against countless innocent people - mostly womxn.  Rather than ignoring the tragic history of The Witch, we'll embrace it and all that it has to teach us about our world and ourselves.  By doing so, we'll start to break the unconscious patterns of history and reclaim the power that has been lost - including access to our own magic. 

Salem, Massachusetts

Today, Salem is known both for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and as a  hotbed for the growing feminist witch movement. Thousands of people every year travel from around the world to learn about The Trials, shop the wide variety of witch stores (including the first one in America), partake in metaphysical readings and séances, and, since the 1980s, celebrate Halloween.  There's plenty for those who enjoy "spooky" - from haunted houses to a monster museum - but there's also a thriving population of present-day practicing witches and healers. The downtown is totally walkable - and for those who love history and the arts -  filled with historic homes, cemeteries, a beautiful wharf along the ocean, and one of the longest running museums in the country. 

Highlights

Connect with other curious magical folks from around the country
Be guided by passionate local metaphysical teachers, healers, and historians
Live like a local right in the heart of Salem's most beautiful and walkable districts
Visit all of the most famous Salem Witch Trials related sites around downtown

Dive into your own personal relationship with magic and the term "witch"
Explore Salem's beautiful historic gardens with a local folk herbalist

Tap into your intuition through a hands-on Tarot workshop
Take a tour through Salem's Spiritualist movement and its connection to The Witch

Learn about traditional witchcraft from a local shamanic witch

Celebrate the Fall Equinox with a catered feast and ritual

Gather for an intention setting moon circle
Practice psychic tools for protection, energy clearing, and transformation
Question the ways in which The Witch archetype has been used by people in power

The House

Live out your quaint New England fantasies in a beautifully-restored 1900 home in the coveted McIntire Historic District.  Only blocks away from historic gardens, museums, restaurants, and shopping, you'll be able to walk everywhere - although you may not want to leave!  Each room has a character all its own with bold wallpaper, thoughtful furnishings, and plenty of nooks and crannies to relax in. Chill out on the big comfy couches. Read a book in one of the rocking chairs or chillax on the front porch. Take a bath in one of the large clawfoot tubs.  Watch a movie on the big screened smart TV (The Craft anyone?).  Listen to music on one of the working vinyl record player and/or nerd out with some board games. For those who like to cook, there's a huge fully-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, coffeemaker, and blender - also,  a dining room that seats 12! Off-street tandem parking available for 2 large or 3 small cars.

General Flow

Friday 20th

Check-In to House - 4-6pm 

Dinner on Own 

Cosmic Mocktails Meet & Greet  - 7-8pm

Opening Moon Circle & Discussion - What is a Witch? 8-9pm

10pm-12am - Hang-Out 

12am on - House Quite Time 


Saturday 21st

DIY Breakfast @ House

Psychic Meditation - Energy Clearing - 9-10am 

Witches: 1692-Today Walking Tour - 11am-1pm 

3hr Free Time - Lunch, Shopping, Attractions

Intro to Witchcraft & Shadow Work Class - 4-6pm 

Dinner on Own

Transformation through Tarot Workshop - 8-10pm 

10pm-12am - Hang-Out 

12am on - House Quite Time 


Sunday 22nd

DIY Breakfast @ House

Psychic Meditation - Energetic Boundaries - 9-10am 

Talking to Spirits Walking Tour - 11am-1pm

3hr Free time - Lunch, Shopping, Attractions

Herb Witch Walking Tour - 4-6pm 

Fall Equinox Celebration Feast + Closing Circle - 7-10pm 

10pm-12am - Hang-Out 

12am on - House Quite Time 


Monday 23rd

DIY Breakfast @ House

Goodbyes! 

Pack Up + Check out - 10am

Policies

This retreat is open to all female, queer, trans, non-binary and two spirit identified people and is meant to be a safe space for those who attend. 


You're welcome to put down a non-refundable deposit to hold your space. Full payment must be received by September 1st 2019. 


Please note that there will be no refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays or illness. If you cancel your participation in a retreat for any reason, the cancellation policy described here will apply, with no exceptions.  If unforeseen circumstances occur (ex. injury, illness, work issues, family emergency etc.), you're welcome to find someone else to take your spot. If we have people on the Waitlist, we'll do our best to replace you, but cannot promise this. 


If for some unexpected reason, NowAge Travel cancels the retreat, we'll refund you in full for all payment including deposits, but cannot compensate you for airfare or travel costs incurred. We do recommend purchasing Travel Insurance, if that's a worry. 


Attendees are responsible for leaving the house as they found it it. Any damage or fees incurred due to the state of the house upon departure will be the responsibility of the attendees. 


By putting down payment, you agree to abide by all of the above policies. 

Facilitators

Melissa Nierman is the owner of NowAge Travel and the main facilitator and tour guide for the retreat. She's a trained clairvoyant, tarot teacher, feminist history nerd, and a forever 80s stand-up comic in a past life.  With a Bachelors in Sociology and a Masters in Education, she's passionate about reclaiming our "occult" histories from the clutches of patriarchy and picnics.


Kate Laurel is a folk herbalist, Reiki healer, tarot reader, and owner of Laurel Tree Healing Arts. She's passionate about sharing her knowledge of herbal medicine with the community, decolonizing witchcraft, and honoring the knowledge of all the displaced indigenous peoples.  


Zhana Levitsky is a shamanic witch & healer, and owner of Yes! Wolf Spirit.  She's a professional tarot reader and educator, Usui Reiki Master/Teacher, Reiki Shamanism Master, teacher of various magic modalities and medicine mama. Born in Lithuania, she holds an ALM in Literature from Harvard University

What’s included

  • 3 Night's Accommodations
  • 3 Guided Tours
  • 2 Metaphysical Workshops
  • 2 Meditations
  • All Workshop Supplies
  • 2 Museum Admissions
  • 1 Moon Circle
  • 1 Fall Equinox Dinner
  • DIY Breakfast Supplies
  • House Snacks

What’s not included

  • Transportation
  • Travel Insurance
  • Additional Activites
  • Other Meals + Drinks
  • Gratuities

Available Packages

Shared Queen (Sleeps 2)

Perfect for two friends traveling together

$777
Deposit: $222
Double Twin (Sleeps 2)

Perfect for solo travelers who are up for having a roommate 

$777
Deposit: $222
Single Full Room (Sleeps 1)

Perfect for solo travelers looking for their own space

$888
Deposit: $222


Your Organizer


NA
NOW Age Travel
5 reviews
Where the inner world meets the outer one. Based in Witch City, Massachusetts, we offer conscious small group travel experiences around the world that explore physical reality through a metaphysical lens.

Reviews

I loved the Great Awakenings Radical Road Trip. The leaders, Melissa and Maria, were so knowledgeable and had clearly put a lot of thought into the plan. We stayed in historic buildings and had a wonderful mix of activities--lots of learning and fun. I left feeling inspired and excited for the next adventure.
By Laura C for Great Awakenings! Radical Road Trip 2023 on Aug 03, 2023
I knew I signed up for a history-loving super niche roadtrip, and I knew it would be interesting (it was!), but this was SUCH a phenomenal experience it defies description. Yes, I learned a lot about Shakers, but also about early feminism, abolition, and the intersections with spiritualism that don't make it into history. We hiked in forests, swam in lakes, and stayed at cool, quirky places that were very aligned with the theme of the trip, and I was able to stay comfortably gluten-free (phew!). But my favorite part was getting to know my traveling companions, because people who are interested in these subjects are INTERESTING themselves -- so cool to hang with such smart, well-read, artistic, and downright magical folks.
By Lauren V for Great Awakenings! Radical Road Trip 2023 on Aug 01, 2023
JC
I loved this retreat. It was an incredible experience and I learned so much. Melissa is a very thoughtful host and a knowledgeable tour guide. I would recommend NowAge and hope to go to another retreat or experience.
By Jane C for Weekend of the Witch: Full Moon on Nov 20, 2019
This was the extra most bestest version of a retreat. Melissa is amazing and so hospitable and every step of the trip was so well thought out. You will not regret it and I look forward to taking more trips in the future through NOW age travel!
By Mikako J for Weekend of The Witch Retreat on Sep 27, 2019
This was a life-changing trip for me and unlike any other trip I've had in the past. And all of that is because of Melissa's calming spirit, her willingness to make us feel comfortable and safe, and her thorough knowledge of historical sites around the city. She brought us together to learn more about Salem, each other, and ourselves, and she also gave us all the space we needed to chill and decompress. And as an introvert, I appreciated that so much. THANK YOU, MELISSA, AND THE MAGNIFICENT HAUS WITCH TEAM FOR EVERYTHING!!
By Chrissa H for Weekend of The Witch Retreat on Sep 25, 2019