May 12th, 2026:

“Nah shit,” I said. I’d awakened late. Went to bed late as hell too. Great.

I knew I needed to get up, get ready and get dressed. I was meeting Ryan sometime after 1pm and we were both going to hit the train and head to South Street. Finding the shops Harry’s World and Garland of Letters had been a significant find for me. There’s another metaphysical/new age/occult shop about an hour’s walk from me but you have to cross two major highways…or take an Uber and that ride can be pretty expensive.

A train ride is a shorter walk and much less expensive. Though it was a train ride and maybe a 20-minute walk from the train station, there was so much there that I saw in my last trip a week prior that I had to show this stuff to Ryan.

Let me break this down. Don’t let my accent fool you, I’m not from around these parts. In fact, I’ve barely been into Philly but maybe a handful of times. Ryan on the other hand, has lived here his entire life and never knew of these places.

South Street has a bit of a reputation. At one point in time, word was you could walk a few feet and hit a “witchy” shop. Now, there are only two that I’m aware of and I found both.

I’d stormed through my morning routine, talked with a friend about this trip and was excited…but it was after one, I was wrapping up my second cup of tea and wondering if Ryan was running behind. Finally, at about two, I gathered a few things, threw them into the pack and started heading out. Ryan had already texted me as I was walking out the door.

Now, we’re cooking with heat.

We met on the walking path at Cooper River and from there, made our way to the Patco train station where we would await our ride over the river. I was explaining both shops, a goth shop that I’d stumbed upon called Dream Eerie and what it was I was going to do.

“Don’t get overwhelmed,” I told him, “These places are kind of small but they offer so much that you and I may not be used to. Don’t go crazy. Just take your time. See what strikes you. You never know what you’ll find in there.”

“You’re going for books today?” he asked

“Three,” I said to him, explaining each book and what the intent was. There was one book I was going to pick up that I had no intention of ever reading, I was going to write in it and no one would ever see it.

“Why would no one ever see it?” he asked

“Because it’s my physical Grimoire,” I said, “I’m finally keeping one. The thing about Grimoires is that we tend to write rites, ceremonies, spells and stuff like that. I’d never really done that but now, it’s time I did.”

Fact is, I have a grimoire but it’s…federated. It’s in a small cadre of notebooks, journals, anywhere I could write something down. Believe it or not…I even have it on a flash drive which contains my book list, notes and all kinds of other things I’ve needed.

I keep a small notebook called Vitki Operational Notes. I use that for my voidwalks.

I should probably explain this one.

Voidwalking is what most of your pets do. In Frank MacEowyn’s book The Mist-Filled Path, he details how our pets walk with “soft feet and soft eyes.” Thus, they’re able to perceive things you and I can’t.

So when the cat comes into the room, stops, stares at something and follows it around but you can’t see it. That’s what your cat is doing, perceiving, sensing and letting whatever it senses know, “I know you’re there.”

We usually think the cat or dog has become senile but it happens at every age.

The reason: They walk with soft feet and soft eyes.

But what the hell does that shit mean? Believe it or not, when the book does not explain well, a search engine will.

It’s the rolling of the feet. Heel-to-toe, it doesn’t have to be slow but it helps to take it slow. You’re not plopping the next step down as we’re want to do. You’re essentially gliding, attempting to move without making a sound whether footfalls or otherwise and you’re not bouncing as you walk or swaying, it’s a smooth glide foward.

Okay, cool, Raven but what the hell are “soft eyes.” Glad you asked. Rather than walking around with the narrow-eyed analytical stare, you open them a little more. Look at your cat or dog, they have their eyes wide open during that interaction.

Once you have done this correctly, you will walk thin places or, as I like to call it…voidwalking.

What happens once you’ve done all this and practiced it is that you will begin to sense movement in your periphery and you may even be able to receive instruction.

On my first one, I did receive such instruction.

Don’t go into the alleys.

Don’t go into the dark places.

Keep moving.

Keep your eyes moving. Don’t let your gaze linger too long.

Stay in the light.

Okay…that was night time. I’d done this several times on the way home from work only to find that Merchant Street in downtown Audubon. A deserted street where nobody stood but me and all around my field of vision were all manner of things seeming to peek out and move. I followed the instructions whispered to me to the letter.

In my first few walks, I had to perform intense focus until the movements became automatic.

No headphones. No phone. Nothing.

Just the air and the ambiance of the open street that everyone seemed to want to avoid but me.

The last time, I’d finally made it to the next block, walked two more crosswalks and looked back to see a darkness so complete that Merchant Street seemed to disappear into it and be swallowed by it.

“You emerged from that…” I heard. I turned…no one.

I kept walking. I was well aware that I’d been in that darkness. I know I’d walked through it but it wasn’t so intense when I did. Looking back, not even a single street light shone through that darkness. Everything was just swallowed in darkness.

Now, our train was showing up and we took the first car, getting in, sitting down and ready to rock.

“Where are we getting off?” Ryan asked.

“8th & Market,” I said, “The walk ain’t all that rough. It’s pretty much straight lines and a lotta pretty scenery.”

After a few stops, we were ready to cross the river. I nudged him and pointed out my window.

“Take it all in, man,” I said before looking back out the window, only for my smile to fade.

The thing about voidwalking and perception, you perceive a sort of overlay onto the physical buildings and streets that you see. It’s difficult to explain but there’s a periphery “shimmer” and that shimmer was all over every building, even when I was looking directly at them.

That wasn’t usual. I normally don’t see that much…unless the entire city was right smack in the middle of one of the thinnest places I could ever walk.

The only place as thin as this was New Orleans and now, it started to make sense as to why Philadelphia reminded me of New Orleans and South Street’s French Quarter vibe had begun to solidify in my mind.

I needed to be on my A-Game. It wasn’t just me this time, I had Ryan with me and, I know that my assignment was to walk and log thin spots but I had someone with me and I had to ensure he was okay.

There’s no describing the gripping panic in my brain as I realized that, were it just me, I could encounter hostile forces, possibly limp away having had my ass kicked by spectres and call it a day but there was someone else involved and he didn’t need to be contacted by these things, whatever they may be. Not until I’ve had time to show him what to do and tell him the rules of this thing.

When we departed at 8th & Market station, we emerged onto the street above and began the journey.

I didn’t need to do the walk for most of the city.

I could feel it. It permeated the air we both breathed.

Occasionally, I’d roll my feet, soften my gaze and watch the periphery. I could hear shuffling, quick scampers, the sound of something bolting for cover.

I stopped. Just little quick patrols on our route. Nothing intense. Making sure there was nothing in broad daylight that would try something.

So far, so good.

We arrived at Harry’s in no time at all. We arrived before we knew it.

Upon entering, I made a beeline for the bookshelf. I needed two texts in particular; A Practical Guide To Pagan Priesthood by Rev. Lora O’Brien and A Modern Guide To Heathenry by Galina Krasskova. These texts, though I’ve already read Krasskova, would both pair with my Hutton Minister’s Service Manual to create what would be the very service I’m hoping will help others. I saw one more item, a Valknut pendant with the runes around the Valknut itself. Could be useful, I thought, and picked that one up as well.

Let’s side-track for a moment: I need to because it’s important. Voidwalking can be dangerous and you’re going to see exactly how. You need to know that this isn’t something that you should do willy-nilly. This would be wrong and you’ll only inspire rage in the heart of the hostile spirit. Instead, if you must do this practice, do it in daylight and in a familiar area until you know exactly what you’re doing. I am not responsible for your voidwalking going off the rails.

Next was a stop over at Garland of Letters where we looked through books, CDs, stones, candles and I’m answering questions from Ryan about the purpose of certain items procured from a spot such as this. He’d seen orgone pyramids, necklaces, stones, incense, smudge sticks, athames and even the one-eyed cat at Harry’s.

The cat didn’t seem as receptive to me as he was last time but accepted all manner of head and ear skritches. I think he might have been just a little overwhelmed by the amount of people in the store at the time. If you happen to stop in by Harry’s World, remember, he loves head and ear skritches but he is not a fan of base-tail skritches like Louisiana is. Do with that what you will but be forewarned, if he doesn’t like it, he will take a swipe at you. If he likes you though and you treat him well, he’s the most affectionate white cat with one eye I believe I’ve ever met.

I explained to Ryan that Garland of Letters has a primary focus on Eastern Mysticism but they cater to a little bit of everyone while Harry’s remains very evenly pagan in supplies.

I browsed the “journals” and, after careful selection, narrowed my options to two. There was one I nearly picked until I saw another one. I pulled that one from the shelf and showed it to Ryan.

“This thing’s gonna be for ceremonial work and it’s gonna contain rites and spells…this one look good…or the other one?” I asked.

“The other one,” he immediately answered. The one thing I know about my young Aquarian friend is that he’s decisive. I’ve worked with him, I’ve seen it. Decisive and action-oriented. Loves feeling useful. When he answered without even taking a beat to think it over, my immediate thought was that he’s been reading my work.

Then I remembered, I don’t know if I’d even told him about what had happened previously. He was right, I went for…the other one. Those of you who know my work from The Grove of Odin or The Raven’s Nest know that I’d met the personification of death and transition from this life into the next or from one chapter of your life into the next, Thanatos. Since, both of us have worked together in some ways. Though things have moved forward with me, Thanatos is still a trusted ally, even though I’m currently moving from a Tiwaz state (from Tyr, the god who embodies justice, restoration, war and so much more) into a Mannaz or Magnus state (into learning more about ministry so that I can be of service to others) thus, yeah we covered that already.

Seems Thanatos is still writ large across my life, because this was the other one…

First, contrary to popular belief of artists, that is not what he looks like and secondly, on a humorous note, the tag inside read “Man With Crow.”

…

…

…I’m just gonna leave that right there, y’all!

Anyway, I have to side-track again to ask my pagan peeps who’ve been keeping these things for years, what kind of pen do you use for these fuckin’ things?! Hit me in the comments with your favorites and why.

This book will keep all my rites and spells and incantations and …fuck, I’m not doing anything to help my stereotype, am I?

Okay, no more fooling around, we need to get back to this thing.

We finished at Garland of Letters and left. We needed food and we needed it now. I don’t know that either of us had eaten before we left. I know I hadn’t.

I brought the man to Cousin’s for burgers and fries. The place was so good last time that I figured Ryan should try it too. We were in this sub-level restaurant discussing things, including this very spot on the interwebz and what the objective for it was.

I’m here to tell you, pop into Cousin’s. Have one of their burgers. They’ll make a believer out of you.

Ryan and I also visited this place, Dream Eerie and Ryan was digging that spot as much as I do. Both of us were digging The Crow Pillows like they were WWI Trenches. Stop in, you will not regret it, the place is awesome.

I mean…that’s just the outside. You’re greeted by a literal coffin…Next time I’m getting a pic next to it.

…reeeeally not helping my stereotype here.

So, let’s move on, this is getting a little long in the tooth here…shit!

We proceeded up into the streets again, I wanted to take one detour on the way to the train station.

Washington Square.

Listen, people, I’m not just hitting Philly for occult and goth shops, I’m shopping…for resources. I’m always looking for where a convenience store or the bodegas are. I spend a lot of my time on foot mapping everything.

Ryan had asked me how I found places like these.

I’m pretty dangerous with a phone and a train card.

Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you I will take your ass on an adventure. You meet me at the Westmont Patco station, I’ll hand you my second card, we’ll ride that sucker all the way to the end of the line at Lindenwold, hike our asses down to Eagle Plaza, I’ll show you every nook and cranny you missed while driving around, completely blind to a resource you’ve had under your nose the entire time…if only you’d slow…the hell…down.

Life is not lived to be hurtled through at 90 miles per nanosecond, have a little patience, huh? Get your ten thousand steps in, people, it will do you some good.

I should know.

We arrived at Washington Square. Some of you have seen photos of me with a hood and a baseball cap on. I’d pulled the hood off at Cousin’s and when we left, I’d only put the hat back on. The hood was in the bag and I decided, in my infinite wisdom, to voidwalk Washington Square.

Right before venturing in, I took a deep breath and mentally made a note to keep visual contact on Ryan at all times. If I lost him or something happened to him, Steph, his wife, would certainly have me impaled in the front yard of the apartment building as an example of what happens when you ignite her Aries fire in the worst possible way. That still comes secondary to losing Ryan in all of this madness.

Remember what I said about the periphery?

Forget the periphery. This shimmer was dark.

First one of you that comments “Hello Darkness, my old friend” so help me…

This time, I could perceive movement.

Not the people moving around.

Bear with me for a moment.

Imagine the following. Look at a point on the wall and imagine the edges of your vision taking on a sort of shimmer, like auroras on the outer fringes of your field of vision. You’ll have to open your eyes a bit more than usual but from here you can perceive something else. It’s like another reality that exists in tandem with the one in which you’re currently seated while staring at the wall. Stop there. That’s enough. If you’ve got that locked in, you can imagine that but now turn that dial up a little. That shimmer gets dark and now, you’re getting messages and they’re not happy you’re there. These messages come like hostile whispers but, remember what I said about receiving rules? You get that message too but it’s more assertively loud. It’s more than enough to get and keep your attention.

I kept Ryan in visual contact, until he faded from sight.

I felt something, he was still there. He was just in my blind spot as we walked.

Keep Moving!

Stay In The Light!

Keep Your Eyes Moving! Don’t Let Your Gaze Stop! Keep Your Eyes Moving!

The entire world began to sound like it was coming from a tin can, or that I was in the tin can and I was hearing the world around me but, more disturbingly, came the messages as I followed the instructions being urgently sent through.

Why are you here?!

Why won’t you leave us alone?!

I saw the shimmer, it began to encroach on my field of vision.

Stay In The Light!

I moved to see it, sidewalk chalk artwork on concrete. Unmistakeable. Beautiful. I was walking, Ryan was there but his movement was sudden when, beyond the shimmer, I saw him leap like Mario leaping for a coin and the sound effect played in my mind.

You’re Not Welcome Here!

For a moment, as I saw the artwork and Ryan’s sudden leap, I heard a voice say “Oh no, you’re supposed to walk on it!” I was standing on it and moving.

MOVE INTO THE LIGHT!!!

That’s when I thought, as I moved into a patch of full sunlight (y’all know what that does to me), “how playful…”

The man went on to explain that it was drawn on the concrete and the foot prints of people and their bikes and scooters were meant so that everyone could contribute.

I snapped back, the shimmer was gone and the back of my head and neck were suddenly screaming at me.

I didn’t move, I looked up at the guy.

“Like a blending technique?” I asked

“Right!” he said. I stood there, staring at it, relieved. Ryan had jumped over it while I was caught up in the Walk with my instructor screaming at me.

Now, we stared at something so planned that all it needed to truly complete it was the introduction of chaos.

We lingered for a moment. The usual pain of my skin trying to make a tactical advance into the dark wasn’t as bad as it was but for some reason, this time, it felt a bit like a recharge.

I made sure I did the voidwalk back out.

Almost had me…

I’ll remember that.

Upon leaving the square, we resumed our travels back to 8th & Market, hopped off back on this side of the river and stopped into a donut shop for a couple of drinks because, after something like that, holy shit, I do not stress enough the importance of grounding.

I was grounding the minute we got onto the platform, on the train, off at our stop and now, I needed something and my sweet tooth was kicking into overdrive.

By the way, Ryan, I know you said you didn’t worry because you didn’t see me worry…yeah, sorry if this makes things a little grim in retrospect but not to worry, all’s well that ends well and a whole hell of a lot learned from that one.

Thank goodness for that.

Later, at Ryan’s place, we’re telling his wife about the trip and look, despite The Washington Square Incident, the entire trip was a blast. I mean, look…we walked on sidewalks older than most of the shops, just saying, I love that stuff.

Then, we talked. Ryan confirmed picking up that “You’re Not Welcome Here” as he did his Mario Jump past me. I was furiously jotting down notes, making sure I hit every high note to write this sucker up for your enjoyment and, yeah, don’t do the shit I do like that.

In my defense, I did have some training and I had an idea of sorta what to expect. Probably should have figured out a way to prep for the eventuality that it would expand over an entire city like that but, with that much history, okay, shouldn’t be a surprise, fair.

There are plenty of lessons to be learned here. The unfortunate thing is that this lesson was pretty extractive, it had to happen for this to even be written out in the first place.

The most important lesson here: You Are Not Required To Attempt Such A Walk.

This is especially true if you don’t have the means of controlling perception and visualization, in other words, if you’re dealing with mental issues. Consult with your psychiatrist first. It’s important to pursue visualization and practices like the ones I’m talking about here in a healthy way. If you can’t, best not to do it at all.

That one took quite a bit out of me. That’s another lesson, the initiation of a shift in your perception will absolutely eat up resources.

The Allfather tells of a price to be paid for the craft of magick.

Tyr tells us that someone will pay that cost.

I once wondered, why suppress things like this? It’s like telling people that everyone has a superpower and there are keys to unlock them. No one would have excuses anymore, would they?

Because people are …people.

Some will be absolute tyrants. Others will cause disruption simply because it amuses them. Can you imagine someone with clairvoyant abilities…and zero sense of ethics, morals or accountability?

That’s the harshest lesson of all that you can reach out and interact with the Wyrd but, alter anything unethically and the price will inevitably be more than you’d like.

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