On Friday January 6th, “The Official Witch of Salem”, Laurie Cabot, announced on her Facebook page and website that she would be closing the doors on her Salem, MA Witch shop.  Cabot’s store, The Official Witch Shoppe, located on Pickering Wharf in Salem, is the third shop Cabot has had in Salem. The ball started rolling when she opened the first Witch shop in America in 1970 as The Witch Shoppe at Crow Haven Corner.  Crow Haven Corner is still open in Salem today under different ownership. Cabot went on to opening The Cat, The Crow, and The Crown, which closed in the fall of 2010 giving birth to The Official Witch Shoppe.  Now, after 42 years of running a shop in Salem Laurie Cabot will be holding one more book signing on January 28th and then at the end of business on January 31st the doors will close for good.

While this is somewhat of a sad piece of news, it gives way for some other more exciting news.  With the closing of the store Laurie Cabot has announced that she will be turning her attention to her spiritual work by focusing on the Cabot Kent Hermetic Temple in Salem.  The Official With Shoppe will remain as an online store selling all the same products that Cabot has offered in her shop for years.

Personally I think this is a win win.  While I love Laurie’s shop I think more than another shop selling incense, candles, and the usual Witchy gear, Salem needs a serious, active Temple organization that offerings support, teachings, and rituals for the Pagan and Witch community, locally and around the world.  I’m excited to see what this change of focus will bring to Salem.

It’s also important to remember that 42 years of running a shop is a long time with a lot of work. And certainly this isn’t all that Laurie does with her time!  And considering that this year Laurie turns 79 it’s time to really make sure that her knowledge and teachings are solidified and passed on to those that seek them more than anything.  I know that, for me, moving back to the Salem area meant an opportunity to finally take some classes with Laurie and I’m excited that I’ll be getting the chance to take her First Degree class in March and then work through the other degrees from there.

Best of luck to Laurie with the the Temple and the online continuation of her shop.  I know I’ll be keeping an eye on the Temple and what it’s up to with anticipation of events, classes, and the like.  Be sure to take a look at the Temple website and join their Facebook page for more news and ways to get involved.