5 Tips for your Visit to Cassadaga
Even though I live in Eugene now, I have to tell you about what happened the first time I visited Cassadaga, FL. I was living in Orlando at the time and I was heading to Daytona when I took a spontaneous early exit into the town of Cassadaga. I had always heard there was a concentration of metaphysical folks out there with cool shops and offerings like tarot or palm reading. Wikipedia claims it is the “psychic capital of the world.”
I had been curious about it forever, but always felt in a rush when I drove past and never made the time to stop. Excuses, right?
Now that I was only in town for a little while, I felt more of a push to see it. I didn’t plan to get a palm reading, but I thought I’d check out what else was there.
When I arrived on the main strip, all the shops were closed, but I could tell it was a cute little town! I remember seeing a big hotel/restaurant, a spiritualist camp, at least three places for palm and tarot readings, and a small park called the Fairy Garden.
I arrived and parked in the public parking lot near the Fairy Garden. I had a brand new crystal in my hand as I got out and strolled through the small exhibits and masterpieces. There were colonies of gnomes, fairies, and woodland critters all around. I became fully absorbed in the experience of walking through the garden and discovering all the little treasures. It was nearly dark when we left to go home.
When I got home that night I realized I had lost my crystal. I just had it at the Fairy Garden, but perhaps I dropped it.
I went back the first thing the following morning. Tom and I searched everywhere. We couldn’t find it and assumed it was taken by gnomes. “An offering to the land,” I thought when I first felt someone’s eyes on me.
I looked up to see an owl staring down intently. It’s dark eyes set deep in its head. It’s little fluffy body looking cute but also intimidating at the same time. I could clearly see his sharp talons grasping the branch of the tree I was standing under.
It felt like a sign. We felt into the moment and quietly said, “hoooot” up at the bird. It turned its head. It paused. It didn’t say anything. From behind us we heard, “hoot hoot.”
There was another one! Two amazing owls. What a moment.
We stood with these owls, hooting back and forth for a few minutes. We got to see them fly when they switched branches. I’ve never interacted with owls like that before. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were domesticated owls that belonged to one of the residents in town, but it felt totally natural and synchronistic. I no longer cared about the missing crystal. I felt like I got the experience I needed at Cassadaga.
Coincidentally, the crystal shop near the Fairy Garden happened to be open by then and I stopped in and bought a lovely luminary seed crystal that I still have to this day. It has been blessed by the gnomes, fairies, and owls of Cassadaga for my safe keeping.
If you are planning to go to Cassadaga, here are five recommendations for your visit.
- Go to a Metaphysical Shop
- The one I visited was called Cassadaga Psychic Shop and it’s website is here. It’s a very classic metaphysical shop with crystals, gems, and tarot cards for sale. They also do readings with their resident healers, mediums, and psychics. Speaking of…
- Get a Palm or Tarot Reading
- You could get it done right there at the Cassadaga Psychic Shop but there are at least four other locations that you could do it. It’s usually an interesting experience to have someone use the lines in your hand to tell your future, help you communicate with your dearly departed, or get answers about something you’ve been struggling with. Remember not to take it too seriously. It’s just for fun!
- Visit the Fairy Garden
- Don’t miss the walk through the Fairy Garden. It’s been a couple of years since I was there, so I hope they’ve kept up with it and it’s still as well put together as it was when I was there. It’s a big highlight of the town and doesn’t take that long to explore. Plus, who knows, may you will see those owls? Here’s the map to get there.
- Join a Special Event or Guided Tour
- I’ve heard there are guided historical tours offered to visitors through the spiritualist camp every Thursday-Saturday at 2pm, but it may be worth checking this site for further details on that. There are also many other events that happen weekly/daily/monthly that sound very interesting.
- Stay at the Cassadaga Hotel
- Ever wanted the opportunity to sleep in a haunted hotel? Well, here’s your chance. The Cassadaga Hotel claims to be haunted by friendly spirits. The whole vibe of the place looks like the 1920s with its wicker furniture and wraparound porch. You can also schedule a reading with a physic or healer while you are there.
There is always something going on in Cassadaga. They are an intentional community that welcomes other spiritualists into their activities too! I can totally see why some people would get creeped out by what is on offer there, but if you keep an open mind, it can be a very cool experience. Check the website for the accurate and up to date information and plan your visit.
Cassadaga is definitely some kind of portal. It’s a place where you can talk to owls and walk among gnomes and fairies. It is a place where you can foresee your future and make sense of your past. You can sleep in a haunted hotel and communicate with spirits. It does have an interesting history.
Look here for more information about the history, how to get there, and other things you can do in Cassadaga, Florida- the witchiest town in the state!
I got a lot more than I expected from my trip to Cassadaga, Florida. It was a very memorable and synchronistic experience! What do you think? Are you going to try and make it out there? Let me know in the comments.
-W
