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OCTOBER 2, 2003 at 10:52 PM
Posted by GRAE
Source: Laurel Leader via Wizard News
Sterling Gallagher owns the Crystal Fox
, a thriving New Age store located in Laurel, Maryland, where an estimated 1,000 Wiccans live. But it's not only "pagans," whom Gallagher defines as people who worship multiple gods, who have contributed to his store's success:
"More than half of our customers are non-pagan," Gallagher said.
Gallagher acknowledges a connection between popular culture and paganism. His store, a cornucopia of all things New Age, would fit seamlessly into the wizard world of a Harry Potter book. Oils, herbs and incense; crystals and tarot cards; brightly painted dragon statues; Celtic and Egyptian goddesses; crystal balls and sphinxes; books on witchcraft, New Age and magic; pastel-painted angels and pixies; witches' datebooks and calendars - the store is a candybox overflowing with consumer goodies.
The Harry Potter phenomenon has brought customers to his store, he noted. "More adults than children come in under the Harry Potter influence," he said.
"Dragons are also popular," he said. "It's the whole fantasy aspect. ... Once you enter into fantasy you have a much broader market."
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Prefect
Points: 328
whynotcuse says:
i am glas that Harry Potter is bringing people business. that seems like a very cool store though! i want to go there even though i am not of that relgion!
AWESOME!
~Allie~
Posted Dec 6, 2006 at 7:46 PM EST
Harry's Lost Brother
Points: 10058
American Harry Potter says:
Awesome awesome. I never saw this news story until now. ha ha. I'm a little late.
Posted Dec 15, 2006 at 12:32 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1206
*Jinxed* says:
It's great to see Harry Potter's branching out and helping other business owners (other than anything Harry Potter related, that is). I'm not pagan, and I'd love to visit, just for the coolest factor!
Posted Jan 11, 2007 at 2:24 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 364
penguin animagus says:
Interesting...so maybe there is some justification for the pope's claims that Harry Potter promotes witchcraft. Hmmm. Mr Ollivander?
Posted Feb 2, 2007 at 4:59 AM EST
Student
Points: 242
Max the alpaca says:
I believe it is wrong to link HP with anything Wiccan ) Spells witches and wizards in real life is a completely different story!
Posted Apr 15, 2007 at 3:27 PM EST
Azkaban's Most Wanted
(Moderator)
Points: 13500
Lord Zimkel says:
Wowsers! Old article! I'm not sure if this would hold true, to-day, but it's no surprise to me that Harry Potter would have had that sort of effect on people. Unfortunately it lead some religious groups to attack the Harry Potter series. I think what they failed to realise is a great deal of people that were drawn to such stuff weren't in any way interested in paganism, and even if they were, who cares.
Posted Apr 9, 2009 at 8:59 PM EST
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