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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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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
Student
Points: 262
Golden Snake says:
I think that is going a bit to far, actually buying the stuff. I am a great Harry Potter fan. But I wouldn't use my money on that stuff!
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 1:00 PM EST
Student
Points: 262
Golden Snake says:
That was my sister! I don't think that kind of thing is weird at all. You should se all the funny ornaments I have in my room! Tho none of them are inspirated of Harry Potter.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 1:03 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1688
Dumbledore's_Ghost says:
Yikes! I wish they would be more specific about what Harry Potter people are buying. If it is mostly dragon and pixie statues, okay, but if the little kids are buying wicca stuff, I am sure that those right-wing ultra-conservatives would have a field day. Fantasy is fun, but it is disrespectful for Wiccans to make light of thier religion just as it is disrespectful to make light of more established ones.
Posted Jun 26, 2005 at 1:54 PM EST
Heiress of Gryffindor
Points: 3537
Nienna Narmolanya says:
Hmmmm...
That store sounds really cool I'd probably be too freaked out to go though! Crystal balls and what-not are cool in the Harry Potter books, but in real life, they kinda creep me out. To use the crystal ball, does it work for everybody? Or only those who possess the Sight... who can use their Inner Eye to see the future? Hehe...
Posted Jun 29, 2005 at 6:32 PM EST
Student
Points: 232
ginnygurl says:
Well anything that opens peoples minds to new or different ideas is a good thing. There are more ways to be and more choices for a person spiritually than just mainstream religion. It's kind of funny that Harry Potter has been so confused with Wicca in peoples minds though... they really aren't at all related. To say that Harry Potter books are "Wiccan" because they contain "Witchcraft" is to say that any other book is "Christian" because it *doesn't* contain "Witchcraft". ~laugh~ The main thing is to just be respectful and tolerant of others beleifs... each person is entitled to make those choices for themselves. :-)
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 4:54 PM EST
Student
Points: 218
kara2009 says:
I agree with ginnygirl...i think it would be fun to have a store like that! i no theres not one around ware i live so i wish there was!!
Posted Jul 9, 2005 at 8:31 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1150
*The Boy Who Lived* says:
The Book pulls people all over the world....It's foolish of people who dissapprove of hp to say that it's paganism
Posted Aug 22, 2005 at 5:54 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1348
~*Veela Grl *~ says:
I'm happy that adults love Harry Potter also. J.K. Rowling has done a wonderful thing with these books. While they are not only getting better, she keeps increasing page numbers which encourages children to read more. That is such a good thing now and days since children don't read as much as they should. I love to read the book and have read them more than 2 times, each! Love to all!!!
xoxo*^*Amy*^*
Posted Sep 5, 2005 at 8:28 PM EST
Student
Points: 252
~*bayariagrl*~ says:
I'm not surprised that there are so many adults liking Harry Potter. It's a wonderful series. Even people that I know don't really like school much have read every Harry Potter book. The store sounds interesting. I'm really into Celtic items and legends. I also believe in some elements of fantasy. Well I'm just thankful for the series. It's one of the best series I have read!
~Paige
Posted Sep 6, 2005 at 9:03 PM EST
Squib
Points: 178
ravenclawrox says:
.......AAAAAAAAA potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter potter fan
Posted Sep 30, 2005 at 7:43 PM EST
Student
Points: 205
Mighty Joe says:
For a real look at the New Age movement, read the book "DEATH OF A GURU" by Rabi Maharaj, I recommend it! The author is a Hindu Guru, and he knows what he's talking about. Great book, full of truths. And very exciting! And true - his life story!
Posted Oct 3, 2005 at 5:44 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1483
DragonTattoo says:
I'm glad that Harry Potter is helping small businesses :)
Posted Oct 9, 2005 at 10:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 508
Trianna says:
Hm, that shop is in my home state... ::goes to mapquest it:: I don't think though that this article belongs in the religion section! Maybe the business section?
Posted Oct 11, 2005 at 10:03 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 35
Bartycrouch says:
Adults have "kids" inside them. The difference is adults have mobility and purchasing power to visit stores
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 7:01 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 455
Krztyn says:
Yeah, I can definitely see how the reality of witchcraft and the fanatasy books could be intertwined seamlessly... which is a real shame, because that belittles the Wiccan religion and also leads kids who just wish they had a flying broomstick to believe that things are just like they are in books. Very different things, with very different purposes. But at least the store's makin a profit!
Posted Nov 15, 2005 at 3:50 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1370
hellothere says:
Hey, that's funny.I wonder if people are asking for Harry Potter stuff. Maybe they have some owls...
Posted Nov 30, 2005 at 7:54 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 353
Eleazar Expedicto says:
It is really incredible, they deserve it since there are I throw an incredible work!
Posted Nov 30, 2005 at 8:43 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 666
Saquerus Lezzier says:
Awwww man. I used to live in Laurel, Maryland. That sucks.
Im going back.
Posted Dec 1, 2005 at 8:53 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 666
Saquerus Lezzier says:
Thats not fair!!! I used to live in Maryland and now they made a new store in Maryland about Harry Potter and I left to Perto Rico!!
Posted Dec 3, 2005 at 7:15 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 8
mnky4jesus says:
I am a Christian and I have a pretty strong relationship with God. I read HP and I think of it as a fantasy world. Anything that is done in real life would go against my beliefs. I don't know very much about Wicca, but I know that it does go against my beliefs. I can see how people can connect the book with about anything though. I could easily make connections with the battle between good and evil in HP and the Bible. It's all about how you look at things.
Posted Dec 9, 2005 at 10:42 PM EST
Squib
Points: 111
mysstyff says:
Im not so sure I like Harry being associated with paganism, I'm sure everyone from 1 -100 could find some aspect of it they identify with, but I feel like they are trying to pigeonhole H.P. as being popular with a predominately wiccan/ pagan crowd.
Posted Jan 9, 2006 at 5:58 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 379
Urodela Caudata says:
"More adults than children come in under the Harry Potter influence."
Good for Mr. Gallagher. Maryland some great shops, and I'm glad to see some positive press for a change. (Even if the story is over 2 years old.)
Posted Jan 11, 2006 at 4:08 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 366
bigpun7777 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 Jan 18, 2006 at 5:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 914
hp-luver says:
Oh my gosh! That is definitly cool! Harry Potter is the best thing ever!
Posted Jan 27, 2006 at 2:09 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 498
Hawk Nelson fan says:
That is really nice. I think it would be interesting to visit that place. How muck does it cost
Posted Jan 27, 2006 at 11:42 PM EST
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