The Burnished Raven, a Bloomington metaphysical retail shop, will host a Spring Equinox Market from noon to 8 p.m March 9 at the Monroe Convention Center.
The market is intended to support Bloomington’s Pagan and Wiccan communities as well as those who celebrate the Ostara, the Spring Equinox. The spring equinox will occur March 19, when the length of day and night are equal, and the season of spring begins.
According to the BBC, the Pagan faith encompasses a diverse community of beliefs inspired by traditional indigenous religions with a reverence for nature. Wicca is a faith that falls under the Pagan community of beliefs. It refers to the practice of witchcraft in religion, but not all methods of Pagan witchcraft are Wiccan, however. Wicca also worships gods, goddesses and venerates the divine in nature.
The Burnished Raven located in downtown Bloomington sells artisanal Pagan and Wiccan items, ritual items and offers a place of community for local believers.
The event also aims to encourage visitors to try their hand in gardening and to welcome plants into their homes, as to plant seeds of prosperity for the rest of the year.
The Spring Equinox Market is free to the public but will accept donations, half of which will go towards supporting The Burnished Raven’s altar and the other to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. The Burnished Raven’s altar, located in its store, is free for the public to access and use at their wish. According to employees, each quarter The Burnished Raven works with a different community outreach organization in the Bloomington area.
The market will feature local artists and vendors, including Mood Aesthetics, Merlin’s Attic and Silvered Moon Crystals. The Burnished Raven shared in a Facebook post that all vendor spots were filled.
Planted Bloomington will also be at the event from 1-5 p.m. offering plant-based food for purchase served from their food truck.
