jutting promontory
Witches, or Warlocks, are at work in Astoria.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
For several years, your humble narrator has been documenting an odd usage of St. Michael’s Cemetery here in Astoria. An adherent to a presumptively afro-cuban syncretic faith has been performing rituals in Section 10 since at least 2010. The phenomena is discussed at great length in the November 2010 post “pale garden.”
By 2012, things had quieted down a bit here. Perhaps the postings alerted the cemetery management to the situation or the magick worker him or herself might have come across them and realized someone was watching.
The other day, one had an afternoon to fill, and scuttled over to St. Michael’s to see if any new developments might be observed.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Unfortunately, upon arriving at the graveyard, one observed a crew of groundkeepers hard at work. This meant that any evidence I might find would be disturbed by the actions of lawn mowers and weed whackers, but I headed over to section 10 anyway. That’s where the main “altar’ is.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
On the ground, as expected, there was naught but grass clippings and the odd piece of wind blown litter. On the ‘altar” there was a small metallic chalice.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It seemed to be made of fairly common materials, possibly a cheap alloy given the cosmetic qualities of brass.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Inside was ash. A particulate and grainy sort of ash.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
By the way, there’s two cool Working Harbor Committee events going on this weekend you might want to attend.
Saturday, the 30th is a Port Newark excursion onboard the Circle Line with Captain John Doswell, Ed Kelly of the Maritime Association of Port of NY/NJ and Maggie Flanagan – Marine Educator South Street Seaport Museum. The boat boards at 10:30, sails at 11, and returns at 1:30. Click here for more info and tix.
Sunday, the 31st is the annual Great North River Tugboat Race and Competition. 10:00 AM – Parade of tugs from Pier 84 to the start line. 10:30 AM – Race starts – From South of 79th Street Boat Basin (near Pier I) to Pier 84. 11 AM – Nose to nose pushing contests and line toss competition. Noon – Tugs tie up to Pier 84 for lunch and awards ceremony. Exhibits, amateur line toss, spinach eating contest 1 PM – Awards ceremony. Tugs depart at about 2 PM.
For tix on the spectator boat, click here.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
The Newtown Pentacle 
Reblogged this on hocuspocus13 and commented:
jinxx xoxo
hocuspocus13
August 29, 2014 at 4:13 pm
[…] I’ve been documenting ritual activity that centers in on this monument at Newtown Pentacle. Click here for a post that contains links to posts as old as five years detailing what I’ve found […]
Exploring St. Michael's Cemetery, Astoria | Brownstoner Queens
March 16, 2015 at 10:30 am