Entry No. 181 — the Denver file — filed under: apothecary
Herbs & Arts
A metaphysical healing sanctuary on Colfax since 1993, known for in-house ritual oils, incenses, and bath salts blended in ceremony and charged to moon phases and astrological timing.
The story
Herbs & Arts has anchored East Colfax Avenue since 1993, long predating the modern wave of boutique metaphysical storefronts. Originally birthed into life by a practitioner named Morning Glory, the shop has operated for over three decades as a working sanctuary and practitioner hub while the neighborhood shifted around it.
Rather than acting as a mere retail front for mass-produced goods, the sanctuary focuses on its proprietary botanicals. Every custom oil, incense, and bath salt blend crafted in-house is timed strictly to astrological alignments and moon phases, then consecrated and charged directly on the store's central altar before reaching the floor.
What it's like
Stepping off noisy Colfax puts you immediately inside a dense, aromatic room packed with botanicals, hand-blended ritual oils, and altar supplies. Main-floor navigation is straightforward and wheelchair accessible, but if you are attending a class, divination share, or chant circle, expect to climb roughly fifteen steps to the small upstairs room. Street parking on East Colfax is a notorious fight, though you can bypass it by using the small lot hidden behind the building. When you finish, cross the street to Pete's Kitchen, the Greek-American diner that has held down the corner since 1963.
The move: Pick out moon-phase-timed ritual oils and a custom bath-salt blend together, then take a candlelit ritual bath as a couple at home.
📍 Before you go Street parking on this stretch of Colfax is a fight, but a small lot hides behind the building. The main shop floor is wheelchair accessible; the chant circles, divination shares, and classes happen in a small upstairs room up about fifteen steps — recurring circles often take walk-ins, while the multi-week courses need advance sign-up through the website or in store. You are in City Park West on one of East Colfax's livelier blocks, and Pete's Kitchen, the Greek-American diner that has anchored the corner across the street since 1963, is the natural stop afterward.
- 📍 East Colfax, Denver
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2015 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Hours: Added 2026-06-09 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Learned Lemur — Pair your moon-phase ritual oils with Victorian taxidermy and ethically sourced skulls just a tenth of a mile down Colfax.
- Bar Max — Follow up an afternoon of custom bath-salt blending with off-menu, flavor-wheel cocktails two blocks down the avenue.
- Ubisububi Room (at the Thin Man Tavern) — Unwind after an upstairs chant circle in a 35-seat subterranean cave lined with tapestries tucked beneath the Thin Man.
Good to know
Where do I park when visiting Herbs & Arts?
While street parking along East Colfax Avenue is difficult to find, a small parking lot is hidden directly behind the store building.
Are classes and community events accessible for all visitors?
The main shop floor is wheelchair accessible, but community events, chant circles, and workshops take place upstairs in a small space reached via approximately fifteen steps.
Do I need to sign up in advance for events?
Recurring community circles often take walk-ins, whereas multi-week courses require advance registration online or at the counter.
What makes their in-house ritual oils and bath salts unique?
All in-house oils, incenses, and bath salt blends are crafted according to moon phases and astrological timing, then blessed and charged on the shop altar.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp
last checked: 2026-06-09