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Samhain at Gypsy Heaven in
New Hope, PA
Sign in window of Gypsy Heaven
in New Hope, PA
Samhain is a busy time of the year
for Witch stores like Gypsy Heaven and we thought it would be
interesting if for this special issue of the Wiccan/Pagan Times we
talked to the owner of one of the stores that I have had the pleasure
of shopping at in the past and find out what its like to be out in
front of the public at this time of the year. I spoke with
Broceliande' (aka Tammie Jesberger) about Gypsy Heaven, its history
and Samhain in general.
Starting at the beginning is the
most likely place so I asked about how Gypsy Heaven came into being.
Broceliande' told me that, "Gypsy Heaven was established
in 1989 and our first store was located in Levittown, PA.
I was partners with my brother Joseph and together we
started this business because we could not find supplies
anywhere else. In 1992 Gypsy Heaven was evicted from the
Levitown, PA location because it was a Witch shop at which
point the press found out about this and it went National.
Because of that incident, we ended up opening a store in New
Hope, PA and I met my High Priestess. New Hope is a very
spiritual place and we didn't have any more problems. I
started working with my High Priestess in a group and
continued my work on a solitary basis as well. I have
aquired 3 degrees of initiation and the store has continued to
be very successful in catering to the Pagan/Wiccan community.
My brother decided to continue his work with hypnosis and
psychic readings on a solo basis while I continued operation of Gypsy
Heaven also offering readings and classes on Wicca."
For many Samhain is a time to
celebrate the new year that has come upon us and for others it is a
time of remembrance for those who have passed before us into the
Summerland. Broceliande' told me about Samhain and what it means to
her, "Samhain was always an important holiday for me and for
years I used to hold an Annual Witches Ball in New Hope so that
the public could share in the magic and celebration of this
season. Two years ago that all changed for me when my
mother passed away suddenly two weeks before Samhain.
When she passed, I was holding a ball that year and it was
very difficult for me because Samhain is a time to honor your loved
ones that have crossed over. Samhain has become a very
emotional time of the year for me and privately I celebrate
this holiday in my home where my personal temple room is located."
Another aspect of the holiday is
the annual onslaught of articles in the newspapers and in online
e-zines covering Samhain in factual and some not so factual ways.
Samhain or Halloween lends itself to the sensationalism that has been
created about it by the media and each year reporters and writers
wish to stir the pot a little to see if they can find something that
fits their image of what the season is all about. That rarely happens
when they talk to those who have been on this path for awhile but
usually there is someone out there who will give them what they want
if they look long enough. Gypsy Heaven, being out in the open and
easy to find, draws its share of local media looking for their annual
fix of Halloween news.
"Yes, the media has a
tendency to always look into Wicca around the Samhain
season. I think that's because there is always that one
reporter looking for the stories that are not talked about,
besides the fact that it is different from the usual
articles. Halloween always sparks interest amongst the
media because of the witches flying on brooms and other
misconceptions. That always gives me an opportunity to get
to the public with the truth about Wicca. I enjoy
that aspect of it. Most reporters are looking for a good
story and the truth about Wicca always seems to be the right
thing for a good story. The reason they are suprised by that fact is
that most of the time they have learned something new about
Wicca and Samhain."
New Hope being a heavily travelled
tourist area brings in other seekers besides just the media,
"Well, New Hope is a tourist area so of course we get alot of
people who are just curious and looking for something weird or
scarry. Samhain is my busiest month of the year and thank
Goddess we get mostly Wiccan/Pagan customers that are looking
for supplies for their rituals. Samhain is also a time
when customers come into the store looking for classes and
are interested in really leaning what Wicca is all about.
I would say that the majority of people coming in during Samhain
are true seekers looking for a new direction in a spiritual sense."
Brocelinde' continued about the
volume of customers during this time of the year, "The flood of
people is really not a problem for me. I am use to
handling that over the years of having my business. I
really do not need to judge who is real and who is looking for a
thrill. I usually can tell by the questions they ask and
by their attitude. Those who are real ususally end up
taking the classes which to me is the first step of dedicating
themselves to learning."
"Samhain is a good time to
educate the public about Wicca. I think because as I would
say, it is the Witchy Season. People tend to be more
open minded around Samhain because of Halloween and I get the
opportunity to tell them the true story of Samhain and how
Halloween really came to be. I would like the curiosity seekers to
walk away with a positive impression of Wicca. In most cases
they do and they also learn something new which usually makes them happy."
As is the case in many places
across the U.S. communities are not always friendly towards those
that they perceive as different or who are viewed as a threat to
their way of life. As Brocelinde' relates New Hope is not one of
those places, "New Hope is very hospitable and I think
that's because it is a spiritual place. New Hope is a
historic place and being situated along the river gives it plenty of
positive energy. I have been happy there over the years and
would not consider another location."
Samhain is a time of parties,
celebrations and remembrances which makes it a perfect time to host
open public celebrations of the season so that those who normally
practice the Craft as a solitary will be able to gather with those
who have similar beliefs and celebrate as a community. "I hosted
a Samhain celebration for 6 years. I did this to give everyone
an opportunity to join in ritual and celebration. It allows others to
participate that have no where else to go. It also benefits
those in attendance by giving them the experience and knowlege of
ritual performed in a group setting. I am a teacher and I work
for the Goddess, that is my job and she has rewarded me well. Also,
it has allowed me to raise money for those less fortunate."
Even though these rituals are
public and open Brocelinde' has never had any trouble from the locals
or the attendees when it came to performing the rituals and having
their celebrations. The core group that performs these public rituals
is Brocelinde' who acts as the High Priestess and her coven members
who she has trained fill in the other roles required for carrying out
the group Samhain ritual.
"Most of the people who come
to the Samhain celebrations are my customers and those who are
sincere. I always get a few curiosity seekers, but never had
anything negative as far as a response from them. They almost
always enjoy themselves. The pagan community has increased by over
100 percent since I opened my store in 1989. More people are
becoming aware of Wicca and are interested in exploring with their
own spirituality."
So the next time you are in New
Hope, PA be sure to stop by Gypsy Heaven and say hi to those fellow
travellers along this road. No matter the differences in the
particulars of our path we are all headed in the same direction so
why not share the journey with friends, loved ones and ancenstors.
"The thought I would like
everyone to bear in mind about Samhain is that it is a very special
time of year when you should remember your ancestors and the love you
shared with them. They may be gone, but they shall always remain."
With that comment from Brocelinde'
I will close this article and wish everyone a Happy Samhain. As the
veil becomes thin again listen for the voices of those who have gone
before and take comfort that all is well with them. |
