As an ex-neopagan who now works in a Catholic bookstore, I have an interesting perspective on things. Yesterday, a woman called the store because she wanted to order some of the monastery-blended incense we sell. As we spoke, she made this comment: “I’m so glad to have found you. So much of the incense that you see for sale these days comes from Pagans and Wiccans.” She emphasized her contempt when she said “Pagans” and “Wiccans,” almost as if she were speaking of something unutterably evil. I made no direct response to her, but tried to steer the conversation back to her order, but she apparently needed to confide in me. “So I really appreciate you guys. I’m so terrified of bringing something with the wrong energy into my home.”
Terrified — that was her exact word. This time, I was so nonplussed that I couldn’t have made any kind of helpful response to her even if I had wanted to.
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