BY AARDE WRITES for Weekly Volcano | April 2025
Recently, I attended an open mic hosted by Creative Colloquy, where writers always impress me with the bravery of their words—so many different voices, all sharing something familiar, something human. Some people make me laugh, others make me cry (I am a public crier), and every once in a while, someone lingers long after the event.
It was the matter-of-factness of Katie Scott’s words. The sustainable approach of her passion. It spread outwardly, with her gestures and presence—strong, balanced, and deep-running. When I found her on social media, I was excited to learn that she was opening a community space: a place for peace and healing, providing services and products that help one center into their authentic self while becoming more in tune with the universe and their connection to it. I hit the follow button and joined her algorithm to stay in the know. The photos she shared of the space coming together—warm sunlight streaming in and landing on happy plants—felt safe and powerful. I couldn’t wait to bask in her creative energy.
My first visit to Black Bird Apothecary, at 5243 S Tacoma Way, Suite C, was not a disappointment. It was Valentine’s Day. I picked up my sister and headed to meet my best friend and her friend (my new friend) to gather some personal gifts. We were instantly greeted with mellow lighting, soft incense, books, and treasures begging to be held. We giggled and handed things off to each other. I cruised the bookshelf (take a book, leave a book) and noticed how the owner maintained multiple conversations—remembering facts from the lives of her visitors and making helpful correlations to them and the products she supplies.
Katie is a domestic violence survivor who spent decades advocating for survivors’ rights, reliving her own trauma as well as being present while others relived theirs—until that position proved unsustainable for a singular being. She decided to find another way to support her community in a capacity that served both their wellness and her own. She began reading tarot for her friends and family, then online and at markets, until this space fell gracefully into her lap. It was an opportunity she couldn’t deny. Having developed strong relationships with other vendors, she felt a supportive web beneath her and took the leap.
She now offers goods from 23 local vendors—a broad variety of her own favorite items as well as highly requested items from her customers. She curates her inventory by supporting small businesses that mirror her morals and ethics, proud to invest her money in small, BIPOC, queer, and women-owned businesses.
I prod her about her own experience as a woman-owned business in Tacoma, and her response comes quickly and confidently:
“With four kids, juggling my family and my shop has been challenging, but Tacoma goes out of its way to support women.”
I then ask if there is one item in the shop she would want her customers to know about—what would it be? She scoffs at the question, looks around, takes a deep breath, and eventually lands on oils.
“Their versatility is often overlooked. You can find out more about yourself through oils.”
Of course, I purchased three bottles.
The best-selling item? A toss-up between crystals and herbs. She offers custom blends of herbs, and her clientele love to create their own concoctions as they learn about the holistic nature of the ingredients. Crystals, on the other hand, hold a certain wonder—they are discovered, compared, held.
“It brings out the exploratory, kid-like nature in us. It’s really inspiring to watch,” she says.
Customers often come in and ask, What stone should I buy? To which she replies, “Pick up and hold as many as you want, and the one you can’t put down is the one you want.”
Offerings at Black Bird Apothecary
Black Bird Apothecary offers classes, workshops, and trained practitioners who bring another sense to the space:
Every third Friday, 7:30–9 p.m. – Healer Group, for practicing healers. A nonpunitive approach to lineage alignment and awareness of cultural appropriation.
Every second Friday, 7:30–9 p.m. – Channeling & Divination (18+). A session to explore and tap into your personal gifts and calling.
Every Thursday, 2–7 p.m. – Akashic and Human Design Readings with Sophie Perkins (walk-in or book online).
Fridays and Saturdays, 2–7 p.m. – Psychic readings, tarot, medium/channeling, and pet readings with Molly Bender (for both living and deceased pets).
Sundays and Mondays – Private sessions available by appointment.
With a menu like that, I had to ask: How do you respond to people who might suffer from witch panic, sorcery dread, or occultaphobia? Katie’s answer was simple:
“What we offer is synonymous with spirituality. It is all the same use of energy—just under different names. If it is not hurting yourself or others and is intended to gain insight on a higher power or consciousness, there is nothing to be afraid of.”
Goodness begets goodness.
Black Bird Apothecary’s curated space has the energy of a speakeasy—burning palo santo cleansing the air, soft beats drumming in the peripheral. There is no hurry, no rushed feeling to buy and leave. It is a place for people to gather, to rest, to learn, and to love.
Shop from the following local vendors at Black Bird Apothecary:
Ranting Raven, Kiki Crystals, Ciara Channel Co., Sunflower Soul Apothecary, Scott Sculpts (youth vendor), Hidden Destiny Glass (youth/family vendors), Glass by Em, Emily Martin, Patton Glass, Owlchemy Creations (youth vendor), Witchy Centaur Essentials, Alarie Sky Jewelry, Tien Taylor, Coil & Thread, The Holistic Goddesque, The Higher Collective, Get Stitched Handmade, Sketchboard Joy, Pico Rico, Moonlight Bug, Amytiques, Briniville Books, Molly Moon Crafts, HeReadsCards and Death Doula Oracle.
Visit Black Bird Apothecary
5243 S Tacoma Way, Suite C, Tacoma
Instagram: @blackbirdapothecary_
Website: www.blackbirdspiritual.com
