Barney Fife? Now that’s funny. Leesburg is no Mayberry and the snobs are the one’s who preach “Relativism” and paint Christians as intolerant. There are no versions of Truth, there is only one.

Math is very intolerant as well 2+2 = 4 and that’s all it will ever equal. How intolerant!

@ Right Flight:
“Thank God those wack-jobs moved out of old town. Countryside can have them”

I hated coming to that one horse town where Barney Fife still rules and most think everyone and everything is too good for their little “Leesburg” People are snobs and seems to take out the growth of the county on everyone but themselves.  Soooooooooo glad they moved to Countryside!  Closer and a bigger store!  I wish them the best!

Amen.

(is that an IRONIC answer on my part?  God knows.  tee hee!)

Barb - Wicca symbols at Arlington Cemetery is fine with me. Although on a religious level, I’m not fine with it, but from a political level, religious freedom cuts both ways. So if Christians can have crosses on their headstones, Wiccans can have Wicca symbols on theirs.

As a Christian, I find the comments of most of the christians in these comments deplorable.  for a religion that teaches tolerance and love I am embarassed by the vitriol spewed by “right flight” “joanne” and their ilk.  Personally I will pray for each and every one of them, that they get hit by a truck.

to Stretch, lily, Joanne, and the others   Well done.  I will be telling my daughter about the store .. I am sure she will come visit at some point if she hasn’t already

Alby, did you know Wicca symbols are accepted at Arlington Cemetary now?

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/funeral_information/authorized_emblems.html

It is one of many available to those of a variety of beliefs who have given their lives for our common country, who died for their belief in it.

I will give thanks for them all on Veteran’s Day, as well as for those living veterans who work at Esoterica.

There are at least a couple I know of!

@Kristin Edwards — As a Christian, I more than welcome you to come to my church. You will be greeted with open arms and not a single negative word will be spoken about you and your beliefs. Because as Jesus said, “let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.

What is the message that Pagans preach? Who are the people that Pagans help? Where are the pagans who would die for their beliefs because they hold them true?

It is not for me to judge Pagans and call them evil, because I am not the Lord of the Universe, the God Almighty. All can do is offer you a true understanding of Christianity, not the 30-second summary you get from society.

A favorite quote of mine from one of our Founding Fathers.
“But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”—Thomas Jefferson, 1782

I will pray for all peoples of intolerance. My Lord and Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit teach “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself”.  I have been taught this since childhood, “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself”  Period.  There are no qualifiers or quantifiers.  They do not teach Love thy neighbor IF_____________.  I will pray that those who find it hard to love their neighbors will learn to find love for themselves…  Blessings to All in HIS Love.

Geez. I’d rather be a “wack”-job than a crotchety jerk!

I have only been a part of the store for a short time, but I’ve already met (and work with!) some incredible people. I am truly blessed to be a part of this community. I hope we stay here forever!

I am a Pagan as well, I believe all people of all races, cultures, and religions have a right to believe in their own. I do not force my beliefs upon anyone. I find it rude of the people who have posted on this page who claim to be “Christian” yet are acting with such hate and disregard. I don’t think that is what God or Jesus are emphasizing you to do in your daily life. By belittling other people because their belief is different from yours is sickening. You are the type of people who make others who are not christian see you in a bad light. You are Hypocritical, selfish and small minded. I do not need you to pray for me when I walk into Esoterica for I am a being with my own spiritual beliefs. I am connected with my deities and that is all I need. I think you should open your mind and crawl out of your fake little black and white world and grow up. If you don’t like the culture of America then you can leave! Go to some island where you can be a judgmental jerk by yourself.
You cannot accuse a belief system of not believing in your own, since Christians believe that their religion is the one and only true religion.
How dare you judge us and tell us that we don’t accept other religions when your own truly doesn’t. We are taught to learn and respect other religions, can you say the same for your own.
Anyone to think wrong of others who associate themselves with Esoterica should be ashamed. I am only 20 yet I see more than you(those who have belittled Esoterica & associates) I apparently am more mature than you as well. At 20 I know the difference between good and evil, and i know that the only evil surrounding esoterica are those sending hateful thoughts.

@JoAnn:  This weekend I attended the Christian Ordination of a dear friend of mine.  His ordination was well attended folks of several different faiths, including Buddhists, Jews, Pagans & NeoPagans, Witches, and a couple of Trekkies.  I absolutely assure you that every person in attendance believed in what he was doing in observance of his own spiritual walk - and the Bishop who presided over his ceremony absolutely delighted in the multi-faith congregation.

As a lifelong Christian who believes in the teachings of Christ and practices what many would consider the “old ways” of “wise women” - I assure you that every faith has the narrow minded.  Fortunately they are more the exception than the rule, despite what a very vocal minority would have you believe.

Of course, most of us also know to ask permission before praying for a person - after all we actually understand “free-will” and recognize that we might not actually KNOW what is best for another person.  That knowledge resides with our holy creator alone.

A faith identical among all humans is like an entire country of Cowboys fans. Some people think it’s a good idea.  The rest of us know better.

@JoAnne, I am a pagan who believes that Moslems, Christians and Jews have as much right to believe in a deity as I do. I think you will actually find ALL pagans believe that deity goes by many names, and if they choose Allah of Christ or whatever, that’s fine by us! Polytheistic religions tend to be much more accepting of other spiritual beliefs in general.

I visit the store every time I come to visit VA from Scotland! It is officially my favourite supply store in the whole world! the staff are fantastic, the products great and the atmosphere wonderful….and Stretch is not only one hell of a salesman, I consider him a darned good friend too!

Blessed Be
x

What a wonderful day when Esoterica reopened! I’ve missed the long talks with Stretch and being stalked by Thor.

I am a Christian who has with a clear conscience, patronized the original store since it opened, and I have never seen anything going on or being sold that is evil or endangers my beliefs.

I have always been made to feel welcome by all the staff and I think this store is marvellous whatever the location. I don’t need to be prayed for over this. God and I are good; my faith is not so weak that seeing a tarot book is going to screw with it, and nobody else matters. I don’t need your approval. Simply don’t go there. Welcome to America, people. They have every right to do as they do without bullying or harassment with snotty comments from insecure people.

And I am sure the owners of the store are smart enough to know how to spell “wHack-job”; though if anyone’s a whack job it is the ugly rude detractors who commented here, who have to see ugliness in places that don’t completely agree with them. The staff here has behaved in a far more Christian manner than some of they very nasty minded people whining on here and trying to snark about them. Hard to take seriously the opinion of someone who can’t spell a simple 5 letter 4th grade word.

This store is amazing, loved it in Leesburg and now am so glad they are open again!!! Great open folks who “cater” to all beliefs…and yes I’m a Christian and go there..the energy is amazing and sweet..nice to be open and learn about all faiths, beliefs and not judge others on theirs..

Thank God those wack-jobs moved out of old town. Countryside can have them.

Everyone believes in their own religion (or no religion) as is their right.

When I want to look at rock specimens or silver jewelry, I am not going to pass or choose based on what religion the proprietors practice, if any.

What little I’ve read in the past tells me the ladies who own this store aren’t funnelling funds to terrorists, and I’ve always been treated with courtesy in the past here.

Their selection of natural stone jewelry and rock specimens is unsurpassed IMO, particularly at the reasonable prices they offer.

I have some relatives who only patronize Christian businesses if possible, know some folks who only buy “green” (our state religion, IMO), and have read of one Supervisor’s wife who was going to seek a lumberyard that only donated to Democrats (as the one she was now boycotting already did—hmmmmm) after the Republican contract announcement at the small business in Sterling.  As is ALL of their right to do so, for whatever reason seems important to them.

Chacun a son gout—this has always been a great store for rockhounds, and I’m glad they are still able to operate their business.

Do pray for everyone, including me please.  I can always use a boost, as I suspect most of us can in that department.

You can’t say you cater to a base of interfaith people as those that profess to be pagans or wiccans do not believe in either Christianity, Judaism, or Islam.
Every time I enter any one the surrounding stores in that shopping center I will definetely be saying a prayer for all who frequent the shopping center as a whole as well as for the owners of this shop.

Great to see you reopen.  You have the best selection of oils, herbs and candles in the area.  The staff is always friendly and willing to help out anytime I have a question.  Good luck in the new location.

So happy to see such a great small business continue in spite of all the economic chaos!  These folks are the best!

Well Hallelujah!

I’ve been waiting to see where Miss Lily, Mr. Stretch, Miss Irene, the kitties and everyone else would land, and I’m glad they’re up and running again.

Christmas is coming—can’t wait to come browse the beautiful stone jewelry and unique art pieces!

Congrats on finding a new home, and I hope it is a “forever” one.