Entry No. 6 — the Los Angeles file — filed under: witchy
Botanica Ochun
A working neighborhood botanica named for the Yoruba/Santeria orisha of love and rivers. Alongside candles, oils and saint figures, the practitioners here perform shell and card readings and conduct spiritual cleanings for the person, the home, work and business. It is a genuine practicing space rather than a curated gift shop, drawing on Afro-Caribbean Santeria and espiritismo traditions.
The story
Drive down Beverly Boulevard past the polished storefronts near Larchmont and you’ll find Botanica Ochun sitting unpretentiously near Normandie Avenue. Named for Ochún—the Yoruba and Santería orisha of fresh waters, love, and fertility—this is not an Instagrammed boutique selling aesthetic crystal kits. It is a working neighborhood botanica rooted deeply in Afro-Caribbean Santería and espiritismo traditions.
Run by Selma Ochun, a respected madrina and espiritista, the storefront serves as both a devotional supply post and a practical consulting space. Shelves are stacked tight with glass votive candles, ritual oils, floor washes, and statues of Catholic saints standing alongside orisha representations. Beyond retail, the work here is functional: practitioners conduct traditional cowrie-shell (diloggún) and card readings, as well as targeted spiritual cleansings (limpias) for individuals, homes, or local businesses looking to unblock heavy energy.
What it's like
Stepping through the door feels like entering a neighborhood consultation room rather than a tourist shop. The air carries the scent of herbal oils and incense, and the layout is dense and working-class. If you're coming for a cowrie-shell reading or guidance on which candle or oil blend to take home, come with a clear intent and respect for the tradition. It's smart to call ahead ((213) 480-7580) to confirm someone is available for a formal sit-down consultation.
The move: Get a cowrie-shell reading together, then ask which candle and oil to take home to keep the energy going.
- 📍 Hancock Park / Larchmont
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 4130 W Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Blipsy Bar — Head half a mile east down Beverly to Western Avenue to reset over retro 1980s arcade games and a dive bar beer.
- La Descarga — Continue the Afro-Caribbean thread a mile north at this hidden Havana-themed speakeasy entered through a secret armoire.
- Pan's Apothika (formerly Panpipes Magickal Marketplace) — Travel a mile north to contrast Santería traditions with Western occult practice at one of LA's oldest magickal storefronts.
Good to know
Is Botanica Ochun a gift shop or a religious space?
It is a genuine practicing neighborhood botanica serving the local Afro-Caribbean and Santería community, not a trendy gift store.
What specific spiritual services are performed here?
Practitioners offer cowrie-shell (diloggún) readings, card pulls, and spiritual cleansings (limpias) for people, homes, and businesses.
Who operates the botanica?
The shop is run by Selma Ochun, a practicing espiritista and Santería madrina.
Do I need an appointment for a reading?
You can drop in to purchase supplies during business hours, but calling ahead at (213) 480-7580 is recommended if you are seeking a detailed shell or card reading.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Yelp · koreatownlosangeles.com · gift-shops.cmac.ws · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-23