A Journey to Cassadaga

A little over an hour outside of St. Augustine, FL is a quiet one street town called Cassadaga. It's the kind of place you pass by on your way to bigger cities, but if you are a fan of the spooky side, the name should be familiar. Cassadaga is known as a town full of psychics.

The Spiritualist Roots of Cassadaga

Founded by New Yorker George Colby, the community is said to be a prophecy come true. In the mid 19th century, a movement known as Spiritualism was taking the country by storm. Seances were a popular means to communicate with the dead and discover secrets of the afterlife. During one of these sessions, Colby said a Native American named Seneca spoke to him. Seneca told George he was meant to go South and with Seneca’s guidance he would form a haven for mediums, psychics and spiritualists. 

This came to pass when George Colby came to Central Florida and Seneca led him to what is now the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp. Only fifty-seven acres and 55 homes make up this area. Tourists flock for readings, the fairy garden and a stay in their haunted hotel. 

Marker commemorating founder, George P. Colby in Cassadega, FL.

My First Visit: A Day of Friendship and Fortune Telling

Me at Cassadega, FL for the first time.

I have had the pleasure of visiting Cassadaga twice. The first time was on a girls’ trip with my closest friends—a day with a strict “no guys allowed” policy. Two of my friends, a couple in a loving lesbian relationship, were joined by meand my other friend who just needed a break from the usual dating drama. We planned an empowering day dedicated to spiritual growth, capped off with an evening visit to the favorite dive of infamous serial killer Eileen Wournos.

I can still remember the advice of Joey at The Purple Rose Trading Company. She told me I was a leader. That my love of ghost stories would bring me to joy and I would eventually be in charge. At the time, I was considering leaving St. Augustine for a job in Kentucky. This was the advice I needed to stay put. The relief I felt when I heard that kept me going. At the end of the reading, I asked if I would find love. She told me to stop going on dating apps and I would find a weirdo in a bar who was my soulmate.

I agonized over this reading. A bar? Oh no he’s gonna be a drunk! My friends and I discussed our readings, wandering around the beautiful fairy garden (I felt bad that I didn’t know to leave a gift) . We had a drink at the piano bar in the Cassadega Hotel before ending the first leg of our day by hanging out by the lake in the park. It was a wonderful January afternoon with the sun shining brightly. The couple had just officially began dating but had known each other long before they formed their relationship. It was heartwarming to watch them hold hands by the water. They sat together on a bench overlooking the expansive lake while my friend and I relaxed under a nearby gazebo. I snapped a candid photo of them, capturing an intimate moment that I dream of one day printing as a wedding gift (I know you two will probably read this—no pressure!).

My darling friends enjoying a moment of peace.

As we drove to our next stop, which is a whole other story for another day, I found myself reflecting on a perfect day. I cherished the deep friendships forged during our adventure and reveled in the gentle embrace of nature. Despite it being January, the world outside felt timeless: the greenery, the balance of warmth and coolness, and the overall ambiance of Cassadaga suggested a place that existed beyond the normal confines of time and space. I felt closer than ever to my friends, our bond unmistakably strengthened through our shared psychic journey.

On the drive home, my thoughts turned inward as I ruminated on my tarot reading. Who was the love I was destined to meet? Was my passion for haunted history truly meant to transform into a fulfilling purpose in St. Augustine? Could I really become a leader? I could never have anticipated that my next adventure to this singular destination would seal a new connection, or how skeptically uncertain I felt about the unfolding of the tarot’s promise.

A Reading Come True

Three months later, as life continued its steady march, I recounted my extraordinary experience with Cassadaga’s tarot reader to anyone who would listen. Then, when a sudden exodus among the guides created an unexpected opportunity, the friends who had joined me on that unforgettable girl's trip urged me to take charge. I took the opportunity to learn the Haunted Pub Crawl in hopes I could perhaps someday manage the guides or at the very least, train.

The manager at the time, Rose, had just hired someone to be a guide. It was the first and only hire she made. The new guide was supposed to train with me and a more experienced guide. While the trainer and I waited for him, he called to say he was hit by a car and would not make it that night. I remember thinking, "What a weirdo!” I finished my training that night without meeting him. We had said hello in passing once, I saw his wrist brace and realized he wasn’t kidding about the car. He was a nice guy, had an adorable daughter who wore a Demon Slayer shirt. I remember thinkin, “Wow cool kid.” before they walked out of the store. In late March, I had family in town. I traded my pub crawl shift to this weirdo only to find out my family wanted to go on a pub crawl. I got tickets to my own tour with this new weird guide that I met at a bar. James. 

As we got closer, I discovered how spiritual he was, so I invited him to Cassadaga with me. I had decided it was time to go back and get a new reading. We made a plan. I was very nervous because I was going to meet his kids for more than a moment. I liked the guy, so it was a big deal. 

Once we all were in the car, we got along like we had always been together. No awkwardness with his 11 year old daughter and 4 year old son. We got readings at the same place I had been before. I came back to Joey with two kids and a cute guy in tow. She gave me more advice about what lies ahead. One thing I will share was she said this man would lead me to my true path. And here it is. Kindred Spirits Tours!

The Enchanted Fairy Garden and Labyrinth

Before our readings, we wandered around the fairy garden. The garden is covered in gifts for the fae. Beaded necklaces, painted rocks, and various baubles dot the tiny fairy towns that are set in every area of the tree lined trail. This time I brought gifts. His daughter and I split off while he took his son to the bathroom. As we walked along the trail, she dropped some beads on the ground in the center of a circle of mini houses. A line of pinwheels began to spin. Each one spinning as her footsteps crossed them. The wind was calm as the pinwheels turned so hard that you could hear the buzz of the blades. I like to think the fae were saying thank you. It was and incredibly magical moment with what I would discover over time was an incredibly magical girl. James came back with his son, an energetic child who could not sit still for a million dollars. We walked along the path, always a few steps away from his son who wanted to take it all in while buzzing with excitement. As he jumped in place and stared at the stickers and stones left behind, we tried to identify all the different gifts left behind. A small mailbox was placed near a statue with the sign, “Letters to God”. There were memorial bricks laid down next to a light pole plastered with a Trixie Mattel sticker. The remnants of visitors past told their own story and as the kids laid their beads on the path, we became part of the story as well. Towards the left of the garden was a clearing. Hoping the open space would give our 4 year old space to let the energy out, we ambled towards it to find a labyrinthian stone circle. The instructions said to follow the path as it said, thinking on life and meditating. However you walked to the center was how you were supposed to leave. We all started it. His son flew off path immediately to run in circles in the large park. With one eye on him, the three of us continued. His daughter finished first. She had taken a short path, careful and direct. She took it seriously but also figured out the fastest way. 

Fairy Garden, Cassadega, FL

I was the opposite. Like his son, I love chaos. I lost the way immediately, choosing to skip over rocks, turn back and switch directions. By the time I made it to the middle, I had no clue how I got there but I was very happy I did. I made my way back and sat next to his daughter on a bench. We watched her brother run and giggle on the outskirts of the circle as her dad carefully plotted a route. One step at a time, seriously considering every stone. Around and around for a long time. At one point I yelled “What are you doing? Hurry up!” He paused and said he’s following directions. Keep going until he knows it's time to stop. As he noted each step, he’d pause and think. A stark contrast to the child running and laughing just a foot away. His daughter and I shared a look at this goofy guy and his ways. 

When he finally finished, I looked down at his arm and noticed something. James has a scar on his arm from his time in the service. It was usually pink, but in this space, it was almost black. I go up to him and try to rub the dirt off. That’s when we realized it wasn’t dirt. It was his scar turning a deep purple hue. The wind that had picked up in the open field shifted quickly. His daughter swears she saw a dark figure the size of a garden gnome pass by. That was all we needed to get the heck out of the fairy garden.

James in the Labyrinth.

Haunted History Museum and Final Reflections

After the readings, we wrapped up our day by visiting the Haunted History Museum. It's a typical roadside attraction full of silly things like old movie monster figures and dolls. The first room is the history of Cassadaga. When we stepped in I remembered a very important detail that I had forgotten to mention. The name of the New York spirit that founded the town — Seneca. James himself is from upstate New York and his mother is a part of the Seneca tribe. He had been raised in their traditions by his grandmother and even speaks the language. It was definitely a weird moment. 

His son ran ahead of us in every room, ready to be brave as animatronics lit up to scare you at every turn. We learned some history and enjoyed the atmosphere. The room with dolls was something to behold. Although I had seen it before, The babydolls lining a viney indoor lattice was something chilling, whether you were prepared for it or not. The final room holds an alien wax figure, splayed on a lounge chair, mouth gaped with empty, glassy bug’s eyes staring toward the ceiling. This is when our brave protector decided he was done. James’ son turned tail and said, “I wanna go” It had been quite a stimulating experience for all of us, so we readily agreed. 

As we walked back to the car, the lazy cats that seemed to outnumber the residence were out, saying goodbye with flicks of their tails. 

Cassadaga’s spiritualist roots and supernatural connections may be real, they may be real only in the minds of its residence. In my eyes there’s something electric in that town. Something that calls people together and grounds you to the past. Nature is singing to you in those fifty-seven acres. And it’s a place that makes you pause to hear it.