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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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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
Muggle
Points: 26
januarygirl says:
this is pretty annoying. As a wiccan, (yes, before harry potter..) I think it's just silly. Harry Potter is nothing like Wicca.
Wicca is a RELIGION. like christianity, judaism, etc. We can't do things like fly or change our eye colour (nothing the The Craft)
Please do not get into Wicca for these reasons. you'll be dissapointed after awhile. Don't be a fluff bunny. If you're curious, at least get the RIGHT information. So many websites are very misleading.
A really great website is: http://wicca.timerift.net/
please, please read up. *sigh* I sound crazy..haha. But this just bothers me.
Posted Sep 22, 2004 at 8:35 PM EST
Student
Points: 237
Ange says:
Well I guess that makes sense. Just don't get me started on people believing Harry Potter is evil and witchcraft and everything!
Posted Nov 2, 2004 at 2:48 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 27
alanrickmaniac says:
I'm Celtic and follow that tradition and you know, I'm so glad that people are gaining a broader mind with religion thanks to Harry Potter. It's great to finally see some open people who are willing to accept others and their beliefs.
Posted Nov 4, 2004 at 9:36 PM EST
The Charmer
Points: 4130
Amarantine says:
Cool. Though it's a shame that something like Harry Potter (though it does rule!) has to come along to bring new age and Pagan etc ideas to light - people should be made aware!
~*Aquilus*~
Posted Nov 23, 2004 at 6:18 AM EST
Witch
Points: 885
Prof. Weasle says:
cool - I used to live right by a bookstore like that, but after I had to move to the small hick-ville I now reside in, alas, no such stores exist... but I think it is good that fantasy books like HP and LOTR are getting people to open their minds about these things and see that pagans aren't "evil" or "satanic"! (being as I am pagan myself!)
Posted Nov 29, 2004 at 12:22 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 23
Umbridgitis says:
I think that the business is very thankful for Harry Potter because of the interest in magic it arouses but...
Harry Potter books do not seem to promote magic as a religious aspect. Like Choralee said, the characters do celebrate Christmas and Easter which are Christian holidays.
Good points everyone.
Posted Dec 11, 2004 at 8:02 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 411
iamfelix says:
Christmas and Easter coincide with pagan holidays as well. I believe king james madeit to be so.
Posted Dec 15, 2004 at 1:17 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 11
Erin_Sunde says:
In response to Quidditchcaptain :
I have never read a more ignorant post in my life.
In an age of information, I find it hard to believe you would ask questions so easily answered with a quick trip to google, especially after saying you find something uninteresting.
And as a pagan--I can say I became a pagan out of love of the Goddess, and an interest in Ancient Mystery Religions & History. No, it doesnt have *much* to do with Harry Potter, but, as the books have increased interest in alternate religions, it does have *something* to do with the series of books.
(and, not that your intersted, but if you feel like educating yourself further on the topic, head over to www.witchvox.com and do some reading.)
Posted Dec 19, 2004 at 11:00 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 69
Wulfric Kettlestump says:
Dangerous.
Just dangerous. Anytime you try to make fantasy into reality, you are opening doors that could let in things that you do not expect or want. Dabbling in the occult is very dangerous. It invites evil into your life. I love Harry, and look forward to all books and movies. I also look forward to letting my son read the books and see the movies. These are wonderful fantasies, and well-woven stories that can delight the mind.
They are, however, fantasies. I think J.K. would agree with this, and agree with the dangers of trying to make fantasy into reality. Role-playing is one thing, but when you cross over to delving into the "reality" of witchcraft, you invite evil into your life.
Wulfric
Posted Dec 20, 2004 at 12:23 PM EST
Squib
Points: 131
Esme Fanchone says:
Oh Dear. I always think it is such a shame and just advertises peoples ignorance when they immediately start denouncing all witchcraft as evil.Magic or witchcraft of itself is not evil, it is what the person chooses to do with it.
Just as in the book the sorting hat tells Harry he could go either way..Slytherin or Gryffindor, so can witchcraft. In fact so can any religion! How do you explain the burning times? Was it a good and christian thing to torture rape and burn the female healers of the village in the name of Christianity?( I was born and raised Roman Catholic for your information)
I'd say it was pretty evil myself, as I would denounce all violence.
But that is my Choice and I think that one of the messages Jo is giving in her books is to show that we all have a choice, and we all have a dark side, including Harry. The sorting hat tells him that the reason he was put in Gryffindor was because he asked it to. He could just as easily have chose Slytherin and done very well there too.
I dont think Jo is promoting any religion in her books, and feel it is sad when people start looking for evidence of religious connotations in what is in the end an excellent series of Fantasy writing. I believe she has done her homework in checking up on mythology and yes some witchy practices, but not in any way to promote any religion.
However when something is so successful it is naturally going to have a knock on effect for people who are in the business of selling 'magic' of any kind. After all I dont hear anyone objecting to Alivan's being the sponsor of this site, when they make their living from selling 'magickal'supplies.
I personally feel that the most important message she is getting across is to say that we all have light and dark in each of us and it is up to us which path we choose.
Why cant people just accept the books in the spirit they were written, and before they start attacking other's
religious beliefs, at least take the time and trouble to read up a little first so thay can at least put forward a decent debate.
Oh and by the way, good luck to the new age shop, I love them myself, always find them to be beautiful places. Nowt wrong with a bit of promotion, just ask Alivan's (by the way have ordered a wand myself for my daughter, so am not having a go a Alivan's either, just making a point.)
Blessings
Esme
Posted Dec 29, 2004 at 6:51 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2465
undisputed760 says:
I dont think it should matter what religion you are, its not like this is a satanic books, its just fantasy and should be read lightly to entertain your mind.
Posted Jan 7, 2005 at 11:01 AM EST
Squib
Points: 131
Esme Fanchone says:
My point exactly, undisputed760...it is a fantasy story, which also gets some points across about morality in a very subtle and entertaining way. and I quote from my post above
[b]
I dont think Jo is promoting any religion in her books, and feel it is sad when people start looking for evidence of religious connotations in what is in the end an excellent series of Fantasy writing. I believe she has done her homework in checking up on mythology and yes some witchy practices, but not in any way to promote any religion.[b]
Esme
Posted Jan 7, 2005 at 12:25 PM EST
Squib
Points: 131
Esme Fanchone says:
Oh dear,that last bit should have been in bold, just to highlight it you know, sorry,
Esme
Posted Jan 7, 2005 at 12:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 911
Rasial says:
I am a huge fan of HP and it has made me more interested in mythology and folk traditions such as stories about magical creatures but that doesn't mean I believe in magic.
Perhaps these people are simply looking for HP merchandise for a more mature market than in generally catered. They don't actually believe in magic but who wouldn't want to own a wand or broomstick even if ultimately it was just a pretty stick of wood?
Posted Jan 8, 2005 at 9:13 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1018
ravenclaw chick says:
It makes me really mad when people just automatically down Wicca, Paganism, Neo-Paganism and the like; especially when they know nothing about it. But ANYWAYS. I don't think Harry Potter is actually connected to ANY religion, it just teaches MORALS.
I completely agree with what Esme Fanchone said. So I won't be redundant. Very well said, Esme.
Posted Jan 13, 2005 at 6:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 809
~Hermione <3's Ron~ says:
I think it is very interesting that adults like Harry Potter as much as children like it. I am a teenager, so i can understand how adults and children would like it. I wish the books could be a little more adult, but oh well. Its great that there is a book out there that both adults and children can read. Its also cool that it can help businesses. I LOVE HARRY POTTER!
mwa!
Posted Feb 10, 2005 at 8:17 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 580
Azael says:
I think that Harry Potter is selling by itself and the ones that seem with the benefict seem to be the books sellers, new era´s things sellers, and of course magic stuff stores but they should thenk hp because hp is such a good way to make bussines.
Posted Feb 14, 2005 at 9:27 PM EST
Slytherin's G Unit
Points: 6727
Billie Loves Adie says:
No surprise! I love Hp. He rules. Hey they sell Egyptian Goddess's? I'm one! Gotta hide!(I am not a statue!)
Posted Mar 18, 2005 at 3:52 PM EST
The Gryffindor Guy
Points: 2727
z Jamie Potter z 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 Mar 19, 2005 at 8:26 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 19
samssassy says:
I can definatelly see why people are so attracted to the trends that wicca suggests, although unfortunatelly it doesn't really associate with HP! Where in any of the books does it suggest that all the pupils teachers and everyone else in the wizzading world are anything even slightly 'ew agey'. It's clear that the people who do are living in a dream world and need to get back to reality.
Posted Apr 12, 2005 at 11:40 AM EST
Witch
Points: 778
stillDUMBLEDORESgirl says:
I actually think that this series was for young adults to adults. But in the beginning it didn't seem like that, I actaully think JKR meant for this series to be for young adults to adults because it gets scary at times
Posted May 29, 2005 at 12:09 AM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
Duh?Duh? Duh? DUH???!! HP is the best thing that happened to me! And I know everyone here agrees! HP rocks and rules the world!
~MP~
Posted Jun 12, 2005 at 3:29 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1970
Jekca says:
Fascinating, just fascinating. I just hadn't even considered the New Age angle on Harry Potter. (There are several angles religious wise I could borrow to look at HP). I'd have to talk to my friends that are into New Age and all. But I would agree that it seems that many are looking into things, like dragons and other cultures (mythology and all) whom might not have been before Harry Potter.
Go Jo!
Posted Jun 17, 2005 at 2:35 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1970
Jekca says:
Fascinating, just fascinating. I just hadn't even considered the New Age angle on Harry Potter. (There are several angles religious wise I could borrow to look at HP). I'd have to talk to my friends that are into New Age and all. But I would agree that it seems that many are looking into things, like dragons and other cultures (mythology and all) whom might not have been before Harry Potter.
Go Jo!
Posted Jun 17, 2005 at 2:40 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1688
Dumbledore's_Ghost says:
That sounds really cool. I wish there were stores like that where I live. I sent the article to my friend, because she wants to be Wiccan when she's older. She's not a Harry Potter fan though, she hates reading. She likes the movies though. I can't believe she won't read the books! Who can resist them? Anyway, that was a really cool article.
Posted Jun 18, 2005 at 9:45 AM EST
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