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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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Professor
Points: 1092
quidditch_queen says:
The store...sounds interesting. Actually, i think it's really cool. About the religion thing i'm with pastor and tokixjam. Is so sad when people say or think (whatever) that HP is evil just because he is a "wizard"...come one!
Posted Oct 5, 2003 at 4:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 833
hplover731 says:
I love HP and all but I don't believe in real life witches and such. I just think that it's fantasy. I'm not trying to offend anyone, but I think that is one of the reasons that somepeople think that HP is so bad is because people really do go out there and try to do magic. Thats just what I think...but I still love HP!
Posted Oct 5, 2003 at 10:08 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 603
Padfoot7 says:
Gee.... that's disturbing.
Posted Oct 12, 2003 at 10:14 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1153
tokixjam says:
What's so disturbing about a store that sells all that magical stuff?
It would be fun to have those things...but I would never take it seriously and try to use it, expecting it to work.
Posted Oct 12, 2003 at 11:46 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2034
Professor Snape says:
Don't know much about Wiccans or whatever, but the store sounds like it's pretty sweet. Might be worth to check it out one day.
Posted Nov 12, 2003 at 9:24 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1155
AFawkes05 says:
I think people are threatened because they know that the Wickin religon has more interesting (things not everyone has heard a billion times) stories. The truthis they do.
Posted Nov 15, 2003 at 12:20 AM EST
Points: 927
ChelCho says:
I don't agree with the practice of wicca or anything related, but some of the stuff in the store might be interesting, such as the crystals. I would use that kind of thing for decoration, and not for any particular spell or whatever.
Posted Jan 7, 2004 at 4:19 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 321
Isis says:
oh well what do you expect. The guy probably saw it as a buisness oppurtunity if i was in his line of work i'd take advantage of the opprtunity taht HP as presented. At the end of the day the guy probably has family to feed. I just take the books as they come. but it would be fun to have a go at a wand and see the various ways i can annoy Potter.;)
Posted Jan 16, 2004 at 7:26 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1155
MissMaryPotter says:
This is the exact reason my "religious" sister and I argue about religion and metaphisics in Harry Potter. There is NO real wicca in potter....sorry feeling winey
**Making random comments for points... no need for replies.
Posted Jan 22, 2004 at 1:35 AM EST
Student
Points: 231
Libby Potter says:
Harry Potter can be sold anywhere as far as I have one of the first 1,000,000,000 copies in English please! I don't mind New Age stores I love incense that smells like flowers or cinnamon rolls, come to think of it I AM craving a cinnamon roll. Too bad there are none around here.
I don't see where the evil comments are coming from?
Can't we all just eat cinnamon rolls and coffee? That will make us ALL happy! Well, me especially...
Posted Feb 6, 2004 at 11:35 AM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
I think this is a great thing, it brings business to people because of Harry Potter. I think that is hilarious, and I want a harry potter store!
Posted Feb 20, 2004 at 7:40 PM EST
Unspeakable
Points: 3920
stocco says:
**Making random comments for points... no need for replies.
Haha, MissMaryPotter summed up all my recent postings. Haha.
I don't believe in Wicca, but that doesn't mean that I go bashing it. I'm not religious at all, even though I claim Roman Catholic as my religion. I don't go to church and I have no intention of going.
I only read Harry Potter for two main reasons. 1) JKR is a great author and HP is an amazing read. 2) I feel like I can escape the real world when I read HP. I feel like I'm at Hogwarts with the trio, and I love that.
Posted Mar 16, 2004 at 10:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1269
Leira the Hobbit says:
Well, it's interesting, but you could go to any health-food store or organic grocery store and find essential herbs, crystals and other things that you can find in the HP books and any other fantasy genre media.
Posted Apr 19, 2004 at 3:19 PM EST
The Charmer
Points: 4144
Amarantine says:
It's great that New Age businesses are supported by HP readers, as a keen Pagan myself I am really pleased to hear that!!!
Posted Apr 22, 2004 at 1:32 PM EST
Slytherin Sugar Daddy
(Moderator)
Points: 5054
Andy Lestrange says:
AWWW man that store sounds awesome, too bad that there are none near where I live. :(
Posted May 31, 2004 at 12:39 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 11
Erin_Sunde says:
wow...I had no idea cryfox had been in the papers recently. To anyone who does not live in maryland, and can't get to laurel there is a website--www.witchvox.com, which, if you put your location in, will bring up shops. I've noticed most states have a pagan community with stores, and most places are friendly-even if your not a pagan. As for the Crystal Fox, I'm glad to see them in the news. Sterling is an amazing man, and I'm happy he's getting some press.
Posted Jun 3, 2004 at 12:29 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1160
Lucius Malfoy says:
Erin_Sunde, YES! Witchvox, one of my favourite sites to refer others to.
<--is a pagan in real life.
There are more differences than similarities between Potterism and Wicca.
Oh, and to Choralee's post on the first page: Easter and Christmas are pagan holidays which have been "christianised". Truth is, no one knows exactly when Christ was born, biblical scholars have placed his birth somewhere in July or August.
Easter is named for the goddess of rebirth, Ostara, her totem animal is the rabbit. ;-) Ancient Egyptians 2000 years before the birth of Christ were colouring eggs for the spring festivals.
If you would like some supporting material, I can list websites and books on the subject.
Posted Jun 3, 2004 at 12:40 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 11
Erin_Sunde says:
<--is a real-life pagan too. and, ditto on the huzaah for witchvox.
I can't help but be slightly amused, sometimes, with the mix ups in folk lore. If only people would read a little, you know? look at the history a little closer, dig a little deeper, this world would be a lot different. No one idea can be linked to any one culture--everything is shared, which is the beauty of humanity, of this planet. it's a shared history we have, all of us. be it irish, christian, wiccan, what have you. Somewhere farther back then we can remember, these things originated.
Posted Jun 3, 2004 at 12:49 AM EST
Witch
Points: 696
quidditch_seeker says:
The things that people relate harry potter to are kind of bizarre.
"There's something moving out there."
Posted Jun 13, 2004 at 12:46 AM EST
Student
Points: 282
Clever Miss Granger says:
I dont really have anything to say but Im trying to get my number of posts up. Harry Potter Rules. Peace out
Posted Jul 3, 2004 at 10:03 PM EST
Student
Points: 246
Pandora82000 says:
Very Cool, and I'm glad to see that pagan's are getting some positive recognition. I'm Catholic but my best friendis a pagan who got me started into the who tarot and meditation aspects and it gives me a great respect for the beilefs.
Posted Jul 8, 2004 at 1:02 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 81
LilyPotter76 says:
I'd have to say I too disagree with the books being linked with the Wiccan religion only for the simple reason that it confuses people and makes them think this is what the book is about. As far as assuming the world of HP as being Christian simply because they 'celebrate' Christmas and Easter is a little silly. I think both holidays have become so commercialized that they are a part of your life whether you are a Christian or not.
On the plus side if it brings awareness to people and helps them understand a little more about other religions maybe it can help everyone be more compassionate and less judgemental!?!
Posted Jul 8, 2004 at 8:29 PM EST
Magical Music Professor
Points: 4839
MagicalMusicDreamer says:
JK Rowling has created her own universe. Some of it goes with traditional mythology, but much is her own imagination.
People should have an open mind and not be controlled by Voldemort or anything else.
Use your feelings and a pure heart as a guide.
Posted Jul 9, 2004 at 10:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 849
*SkyHighandFallen says:
Being a "new ager" myself, I'm really really glad the Harry Potter series came out. People might actually walk into a new age shop and be like "oh look, a wand, I'll buy one to be like harry Potter" and then discover that magick really does exist instead of saying "oh, a wand, well thats crap."
Thanks Jo!
Posted Jul 16, 2004 at 2:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 617
S.Black13 says:
Definitly some crazy stuff there, but that's where I'll stop. Thats good that he got more business. I find it pretty humerous myself.
Posted Jul 25, 2004 at 4:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 562
nearly-headless-spring says:
well, I can see why adults love HP. I'm 20, and while I may still be young, I love reading HP books because it makes me feel like a little kid again. What's not to love about that?
On another note, I resent the linkage from Harry Potter to any kind of Religion, I think the whole thing is silly. I'm a Catholic who attends weekly mass for crying out loud, and I'm the biggest Harry potter freak that I know!! I don't believe that "witchcraft" or "magic" is evil; I believe that it can be, but they are not inherently evil on their own. And as for Wiccans, or any other practice, I say to each their own. I personally believe in One God and am a true Catholic, but I do not presume to judge or speak ill of what others choose to believe. I don't think Harry Potter has anything to do with the Wiccans, but if somebody wants to see the connection, alrighty then. Fine by me.
Posted Sep 1, 2004 at 5:41 PM EST
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