Get to know us
Why we do it
At its core, Worts & Wards is truly about building community. For us, one of the most exciting aspects of launching this business was the opportunity to uplift and empower so many different people at every level of engagement with our shop—from our customers to our vendors, into the neighborhood stretching beyond our storefront.
We love taking care of our people, and we take great pride in prioritizing partnerships with local and regional craftsfolk from traditionally underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and women creators. There is so much wisdom in intentionally creating a community with people who don’t look like you! It’s vital that we carve out spaces where we can engage with and listen to each other, and learn from people with perspectives that differ from our own.
And that’s exactly what we want Worts & Wards to be. It’s not just a place to shop or grab supplies. We want to learn and grow with you. Not sure why it matters that all of our White Sage smoke bundles come from an Indigenous woman-owned farm? Ask us! (Or start your own research, if you prefer. Here’s a great, straightforward resource to help get you started.)
We also believe that taking care of our planet is an essential part of holistic wellness. We make every effort to source our products locally, but hold the highest standards for ethical sourcing, sustainable harvesting, small supply chains, and minimal-waste packaging. Be sure to ask about our Sustainability Savings program for bulk herb purchases!
Who we are
Worts & Wards is headed by long-time besties Jerika & Cara. Each brings her own skills and unique creative flair which, together, alchemize perfectly to create the balanced approach to holistic health and spiritual wellness that defines our brand.
Jerika
Jerika is an eclectic hearth and hedge witch who has been building her personal practice for nearly twenty years. She has come to see and trust that the energetic signatures of herbs, crystals, the natural elements, and their wielder’s intention can combine to create powerful alchemy that directly affects our physical, energetic, and spiritual realities. To the business, she brings her ample knowledge of the metaphysical uses and energetic properties of herbs and crystals, and lends a spiritual edge to the possible applications of products found across our shop.
Cara
Cara is the Scully to Jerika’s Moulder, and keeps the team grounded in curiosity with a healthy dose of skepticism. She believes more in practical applications over spiritual ones, but fully recognizes the transformative power of a holistic approach to healing and wellness.
Though Jerika has lovingly dubbed her a natural kitchen witch, Cara is less inclined to labels—but she loves crafting goods with immense care, exploring uncharted territories, embracing new ideas, and weaving connections with others who share a similar zest for the extraordinary so often found in the natural world.
Our approaches may sometimes (or often) differ, but that is one of our many strengths. In our own ways, we have learned to marvel at the power the natural world has: to help us heal, support our growth, and teach us infinite lessons about community, reciprocation, and thriving in an abundant Universe.