Meet Salvatore N Santoro of The Crooked Path

Today we’d like to introduce you to Salvatore N Santoro.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Salvatore N. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The Crooked Path was founded by myself and my partner /Wife, Popi. I have over 35 yrs in the Occult and Witchcraft community in so. Ca. I got involved in Occultism in New England, where I was raised. In 1985 I moved to Los Angeles and decided to take my studies to the next level by seeking out various pagan groups as well as Wicca and Ceremonial Orders. Back then there was no internet, so it was a bit harder.

I found various metaphysical shops Betwixt-n-between OC and LA and started taking intro classes in witchcraft as a religion, ie Wicca. 7 weeks turned into 366 days and I was corded in a tradition known as Gardnerian. From there, I found another shop, called Eye of The Cat in LB, (this was about 1991) and joined up with their group which was called the DCW. I learned a lot from them, and this bridged me into Ceremonial Magick.

In 1993 I found my way into a Magickal Order called, The Golden Dawn. This was a very important part of who I was to become, Magickally and Philosophically. I grew with this Order for only 2 yrs. but it would have a profound effect on my life. In 1996 I would come to work at one of the Most famous Occult Formularies in the Country. This place was called Panpipes, (formerly known as the Ram Center) in the center of Hollywood Ca.

The most important Mentor of my life, George Hiram Derby ran the shop at that time.

During this period, the shop was getting a lot of media attention, because George, was also mentoring a then budding young actress named Fairuza Balk, she was the lead in the new film coming out called The Craft. Because of this, there was a lot of hype @ the Shop. George was also the tech Occult advisor on the set of the movie. During this time, at Panpipes, it was George, myself and The assistant Manager and Resident Ceremonial Magick Instructor Greg Bismarck.

So much came out of this time in my life, I knew from a Magickal perspective, this was where I needed to be. 21 years later- I met the Woman I would share my life with, she is very stunning, and Intelligent. She asked me about opening up a Retail Business if I had the chance, what would it be? Well, one thing led to the next, and now we are the Owners of the Amazing Occult Apothecary, The Crooked Path!

The shop is made up of my vision, and my wife’s Business savvy. It is an amalgamation/Omage of the shops of my past.. I named the shop ‘The Crooked Path Occult Apothecary’ for the following reasons, First The Crooked Path is the harder one walked, as opposed to ‘the straight and narrow” because when the Path is a harder one, you get more out of it. Occult, this word was chosen because it has such negative connotations, and I wanted to teach people to research things instead of having a blanket opinion on a word. Knowledge is Power, and Occult means “Hidden Knowledge’’.

Apothecary is the Greek word for warehouse, the two words completely sum it all up, A Warehouse of Hidden Knowledge’’! When someone enters for the first time, they are treated like a friend, there are no wrong answers here, no question unanswered. When you enter, it quickly becomes your home, your safe space, you are not pushed into purchasing items, you can grab a water from the fridge and pull up a chair, relax and read, or ask questions. No personal philosophy is refuted, or put down, everyone Path is their own, it just turns out that they have been led here…

The Crooked Path offers many services, Tarot Readings, custom candle work, cleansings, we have various teachers and classes 4 times a week. On the second and fourth Sunday’s of the month we have an event called Sit A Spell, it’s an event that is open for all to attend, there is no door Fee. The event was created to give the community a place to meet and discuss any topics concerning metaphysics, Occultism, Witchcraft, and alt /new age philosophies, the only rule is, no philosophy is judged, and all are respectful to one another.

The Crooked Path in the Future?
We see the shop and the community grew rapidly, in the 11 months we’ve been open, we have grown in leaps and bounds. So much so that in the near future we will be moving the shop to a much bigger location. Burbank is our home, it is here we will stay, the local community has been very welcoming to us, there has been nothing negative at all. We are part of the neighborhood and are very proud of that fact.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
As I stated earlier in the interview, we specialize in all aspects of the Occult and witchcraft. We are most known for our openness, and willingness to listen. This shop is unlike ANY other.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a square peg forced into a circle. My influences in life were the likes of David Bowie and Prince. I was always questioning authority. And fighting for individuality, especially of mind body and spirit.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1403 West Magnolia Blvd Burbank Ca 91506
• Website: Www.thecrookedpath.biz
• Phone: 8187365919
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Thecrookedpath_la
• Facebook: @thecrookedpath

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.