So, here’s the scoop. If you’ve ever been deep into Southwest Virginia, you might’ve heard of a town called Richlands. On the surface, this is a friendly town with kind people and neighbors. Just when you think this little town is as charming as Mayberry, you catch a glimpse at the deeplyly seated hatred and bigotry that happens just beneath the surface. The overwhelming Christian presence in this town did not stop Mark Mullins and Jerome VanDyke from opening their occult shop in downtown Richlands, despite the vehement opposition they faced. They opened their shop in July of 2017, despite town council pushback. Just when they thought they were in the clear, police came to harass the store owners about their usage of tarot cards and how it was illegal in their zoning district to have fortune telling.
Mountain Magic has faced far more pushback since then and despite the opposition, there is overwhelming support from pagans of Southwest Virginia and believe it or not, some of the Christian community. People are rallying behind the occult shop for many reasons, including but not limited to: the first amendment, opposition to tyranny, and a beacon of hope for the non-Christian community.
At the town council meetings held on the subject of fortune telling in their district, many of the Christian community (namely Pentecostal community), those of the pagan community were called many names and many feared for their safety as they were leaving from the event. Pagans were labeled “child molesters”, “devil worshippers”, “a hazard to the community”, “drug addicts”, and “whore mongerers”. What a lovely group of people, don’t you think? Definitely servants of Christ, embodied by the way they treat others who present anything different than what they approve of. Unfortunately. the town council of Richlands will only see reason in their opinions, before they would a legitimate business issue.
To combat the seeming tyranny, Mark Mullins continues to read tarot cards, but in front of his store, on the sidewalk. This service is free to people who are in passing or just stop by to have their fortunes told. They have also began a missive to help feed the hungry in the area, starting a “no questions asked” food pantry, in which anyone can come and get food to combat hunger. It’s more than what the opposition is doing to help the community, to say the least, with their bigoted views and pointed sermons when anyone different enters their chapel.
As a personal friend to Mark and Jerome and a member of our pagan community in SWVA, I would like to add that these men are some of my very favorite people. They are kind, loving individuals who only wish to help others and the overwhelming shit they are receiving in response is pitifully ignorant. The ACLU have been working with the shop owners to come to a solution.
If you wish to support their cause, please visit this website: https://www.generosity.com/faith-religion-fundraising/mountain-magic-battle-4-freedom-of-religion-expen