With its herbs, potions and magic spells, Panpipes piques the curiosity of
many Hollywood Boulevard shoppers.
(Connie Duong)

Nestled among bars and restaurants along the streets of Hollywood Boulevard sits a lonely occult store.

Inside the tiny store, the shelves are filled with every imaginable potion and herb that you can think of for any spell you want to cast. Hanging over the counter next to the potions is a jar that reads "Ashes of Problem Customers."

Panpipes is the oldest occult store in the country.  The present incarnation of the store resides over what used to be old Hollywood City Hall.  The store open originally opened in 1961 as the infamous Weird Museum on Hollywood, selling a few candles and herbs in the corner.  Eventually the Weird Museum closed, and all of its belongings were put into storage. 

However, the store still continues to thrive today under its new name, Panpipes Magickal Marketplace.

Actress Fairuza Balk, best known for her role in the 90s cult classic film "The Craft," bought the store in 1995.  She later sold the store in 2001 to the current owners Vicky Adams and Jymie Darling.

"Everyone in this store has an interesting story, including the cat," said one of the current owners, Jymie Darling. The cat was found 12 years ago on Christmas Day, badly mutilated and left for dead.  "The veterinarian said he had a day to left to live, and that was 12 years ago."

Darling's interest in the occult began when a teacher told the entire class that there are few differences between Grimm's Fairy Tales and the Bible.  "That teacher didn't last very long," said Darling. In Catholic school, Darling translated ancient texts into Latin for the nuns, most of which was about paganism.

After high school, Darling attended Cambridge University and received her doctoral degree in Anthropology of Ancient Religions. "They told me that my degree would be useless and I could never do anything with it."   However, her studies in ancient religions have served well with running an occult store, and she has spoken at UCLA about ancient religions. 

Darling, with her partner Adams, teaches classes in voodoo, Santeria, Wicca, Norse, Celtic, Egyptian, Qabala, Tarot, Shells, and alchemy.  "We gave the Italian soccer team something when they were here for the World Cup, and they won that game.  The referee missed a bunch of fouls.  The French team hated us."  But Darling won't say what she gave the Italian team.

Darling and her partner promote religious tolerance. The philosophies of all religions, whether it is pagan, Christian, or otherwise, overlap and influence each other throughout history, she said. 

"They are all trying to get to the same place.  The only difference is how you get there," said Darling.

Running an occult store inevitably invites controversy.  "We were the first store to sell voodoo, and we were almost blackballed."

The pair has also been terrorized and verbally attacked by neighbors. A few years ago Darling and Adams founded Pagan Days Festivals, which nearly turned into a riot one year in West Hollywood when some residents came to protest it.  However, Darling convinced the protesters to join and even enjoy the event by offering to help them - overturning tables and partaking in the riot herself.

In addition to their store, Darling and Adams have consulted on TV shows and movies as occult experts and helped design sets.  Their credits include: North Mission Road, A&E Cold Case Files, JAG, Pirates of the Caribbean 2, Charmed, CSI Las Vegas, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and many more.

Panpipes Magickal Marketplace

1641 N. Cahuenga Blvd.

Hollywood CA 90028

323-462-7078