Entry No. 9 — the Austin file — filed under: witchy
The Serpent Tattoo and Occult Shop
Half tattoo studio, half occult shop — owner Nixie has read tarot since age 13, practices Haitian Vodou after training under a priestess she found through the book Mama Lola, and calls tattooing itself 'a talismanic magical act.'
The story
Look for the green door on Chicon Street. Behind it sit Rachel Kolar and Nixie Vly, two veterans of Austin's legendary True Blue Tattoo who decided standard shop walls couldn't hold everything they were doing. Nixie started reading tarot at age 13 and eventually tracked down a Haitian Vodou priestess after picking up Karen McCarthy Brown's book Mama Lola. When she puts ink to skin here, she treats the needlework as a talismanic ritual rather than routine flash.
The setup splits the room straight down the line of practical utility. Up front, you'll find an esoteric storefront stocked with herbs, custom ritual oils, books, and altar tools. Pass into the back room and the vibe shifts toward quiet focus, where Nixie runs paired tarot consultations, spiritual cleansings, and dedicated tattoo sessions aimed at treating the body as an intentional canvas.
What it's like
You step off Chicon Street into a retail front stocked with ritual apothecary bottles, incense, and curated tarot decks. The back half is reserved for private readings and tattoo appointments, meaning walk-in traffic stays near the counter while consultations happen undisturbed. Book readings or custom ink online in advance, and double-check their current door hours before making the trek down to East Austin.
The move: Get paired tarot readings or a spiritual cleansing with Nixie in the back, then shop the herbs, oils, and altar tools up front — or go all-in and leave with matching talismanic tattoos.
- 📍 East Austin (Chicon St)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 301 Chicon St Ste A-2, Austin, TX 78702
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- City Alchemist — Head six blocks north to compare notes at another practitioner-run shop specializing in curanderismo, brujería, and Palo Mayombe.
- La Botanica Green & White — Walk over to East 7th to see traditional neighborhood botanica roots dating back to the 1930s alongside East Austin's newer ritual spaces.
- The Antique Mule — Continue south toward East Cesar Chavez to trade ritual herbs for taxidermy, santos, and vintage oddities.
Good to know
What spiritual services can I book here?
Nixie offers tarot readings, spiritual cleansings, and talismanic tattoo sessions in the private back room.
Who owns and operates the shop?
The shop was co-founded by Rachel Kolar and Nixie Vly, both former tattooers from Austin's True Blue Tattoo.
Do I need an appointment to drop in?
You can browse the front occult shop during open business hours, but tarot readings, cleansings, and custom tattoo work require advance booking.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · austinchronicle.com · voyageaustin.com
last checked: 2026-07-20