Entry No. 1 — the New Orleans file — filed under: witchy
Island of Salvation Botanica
Run since 1995 by Sallie Ann Glassman, one of the few formally initiated Vodou priestesses in the U.S., this working botanica sits inside the New Orleans Healing Center off the tourist track. Shelves hold hand-blended oils, gris-gris, herbs, ritual candles, and Haitian art, while Glassman's own visionary paintings line the walls. The shop hosts actual ceremonies and offers private tarot and spiritual readings, so it functions as a real practice space rather than a souvenir stop.
The story
If you want plastic skull trinkets or novelty hex bags, stay in the French Quarter. Island of Salvation Botanica has operated along St. Claude Avenue since 1995, anchored inside the New Orleans Healing Center. It was founded by Sallie Ann Glassman, one of the few American women formally initiated in Haiti as a manbo asogwe—a high priestess in Haitian Vodou. Rather than catering to tourists looking for cheap thrills, the shop functions as an active temple space and working supply depot for local practitioners.
Step past the threshold and you are met with the dense smell of copal, camphor, and essential oils. The walls showcase Glassman’s own visionary paintings—she co-created the iconic New Orleans Voodoo Tarot deck—alongside hand-sequined Haitian spirit flags (drapo Vodou) and wood carvings. Shelves hold rows of glass jars filled with raw herbs, hand-blended oils, ritual candles, and custom-stuffed gris-gris bags. Every item here serves a specific ritual purpose, and the back room hosts actual ceremonies and spiritual consultations rather than polished photo ops.
What it's like
Expect a calm, purposeful environment rather than a theatrical tourist shop. You'll likely hear low-toned conversations at the counter as locals assemble supplies for specific spiritual work. The staff treats the space as a working sanctuary, so keep your voice down and hold off on taking photos. Browsing the herbs, candles, and Haitian art is open to drop-ins, but don't count on walking in off the street for a reading—tarot and spiritual consultations need to be scheduled online beforehand.
The move: Book back-to-back tarot readings, then browse the herb wall together and pick out a custom-blended oil for each other.
📍 Before you go Readings and ceremonies are best arranged ahead via the shop's scheduling page.
- 📍 St. Roch / St. Claude
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2372 St. Claude Ave, Ste 100, New Orleans, LA 70117
Hours: Added 2026-06-22 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- The Bywater Museum of Unnatural History — Walk a block away to balance your spiritual shopping with a compact cabinet of curiosities full of obscure taxidermy and peculiar relics.
- Voodoo Spiritual Temple — Head down toward Tremé to visit Priestess Miriam's long-running temple for another perspective on authentic, practitioner-led New Orleans Vodou.
- Emporium Arcade Bar — Shift gears down St. Claude Avenue after your reading with pinball, skeeball, and a cold beer inside a converted industrial garage.
Good to know
Do I need an appointment just to browse the shop?
No, you can drop in during regular hours to buy herbs, candles, oils, and art. Appointments are only required if you want a private tarot or spiritual reading.
What makes this different from souvenir shops in the French Quarter?
It is an authentic botanica and practice space run by an initiated Vodou priestess, stocking hand-blended oils, raw herbs, and genuine Haitian artwork for actual spiritual practice.
Where inside the New Orleans Healing Center is it located?
You'll find it on the ground floor at Suite 100, just inside the main entrance at 2372 St. Claude Avenue.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Wikipedia · explorelouisiana.com · neworleans.com · nolachic.blog
last checked: 2026-06-22