Entry No. 8 — the Pittsburgh file — filed under: witchy
Hocus Pocus
Operating since 1998, Hocus Pocus is Pittsburgh's oldest occult shop, offering a tiny, dimly lit, and deeply welcoming space that feels like stepping between worlds. The shop specializes in the 'Arts Magickal,' stocking bulk herbs, conjure oils, ritual candles, and a massive selection of tarot decks.
The story
Tucked onto Meyran Avenue in Oakland, Hocus Pocus has been quietly anchoring Pittsburgh’s esoteric underground since 1998. As the city’s oldest operating occult shop, it serves as a long-running sanctuary for practitioners of the 'Arts Magickal' tucked right in the middle of college-town pizza joints and apartment blocks. Step off the pavement and you enter a tiny, dimly lit, intensely fragrant room that feels detached from the city static outside.
If you need High John Root spray or specific stone-infused spell pillars, you didn't hear it from us, but this is where local pagans and spellworkers have sourced their working tools for decades. The tight footprint is packed with intention: shelves of bulk apothecary herbs, mini-chime candles, seven-day glass ritual jars, custom conjure oils, and a massive array of tarot and oracle decks. Nothing here is stocked for cheap novelty; it operates as a functional, working apothecary for those who know their resins from their roots.
What it's like
Expect a small, dimly lit shop heavily scented with burning resins and botanical blends. Because space is tight, browsing the tarot selection means sharing close quarters with fellow visitors, but the atmosphere remains peaceful, soft-spoken, and remarkably welcoming. The staff act more like knowledgeable stewards than retail clerks, so don't hesitate to ask about specific herbal uses or deck artwork. Be sure to double-check their current operating hours before heading over, as schedules can vary.
The move: Step inside this cozy, fragrant space to pick out a new tarot deck together, then head to a nearby Oakland coffee shop to do your first mutual reading.
- 📍 Oakland
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 113 Meyran Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Saint Anthony's Chapel — Swap Oakland's oldest occult apothecary for Troy Hill's chapel housing thousands of Catholic relics for a full tour of Pittsburgh's sacred material traditions.
- Center for PostNatural History — Trade Meyran Avenue's traditional spellcraft and bulk herbs for Garfield's storefront museum dedicated to human-engineered biology and genetic modification.
- Row House Cinema — Follow up an afternoon of browsing tarot decks and ritual candles with late-night cult cinema or B-movie horror down in Lawrenceville.
Good to know
Where is Hocus Pocus located?
The shop is located at 113 Meyran Ave. in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, near the university campuses.
What kind of items does Hocus Pocus sell?
They specialize in bulk herbs, conjure oils like High John Root spray, ritual candles (including mini-chime, 7-day, and stone-and-herb pillar candles), and an extensive collection of tarot decks.
How long has the shop been open?
Hocus Pocus has been operating continuously since 1998, making it Pittsburgh's oldest occult shop.
Is Hocus Pocus beginner-friendly?
Yes. Despite catering to serious practitioners of ritual work, the shop maintains a peaceful, deeply welcoming environment for curious visitors and tarot beginners alike.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · religyinz.pitt.edu
last checked: 2026-07-21