The Herald in Washington reports on a Pagan shop that was “suspiciously” burned down two weeks ago (just before Halloween) in downtown Everett. The store “Moonflower Magicks” was the center for the Pagan community in Everett, and the owner suspects foul play.

“When a fire two weeks ago closed the purple gilded New Age shop at the corner of Colby Avenue and California Street, word of the loss shot through the communities that called it home. “It’s pretty much a hub of the neo-pagan community,” said Willow Moon, an Italian witch and Wiccan high priestess from Everett. “It’s been a big loss.” The arched ceiling is charred black. Temperatures up to 900 degrees melted the shop’s light fixtures. Investigators said the cause of the fire has not been determined. Shop owner Jana “Moonflower” Benson, 63, said she suspects arson.”

From the article is sounds like Benson was the victim of arson, she even received a gloating phone-call after the fire.

“Critics occasionally hurled slurs like “devil store” at Benson. The fire claimed a piece of her livelihood, as well as a treasured picture of Jesus bought in a hashish shop in Nepal. She got a call after the fire, and a person said “see what you get hanging a picture of Jesus in your store,” she said.”

But despite this seeming hate-crime, Benson is putting a positive spin on the event. She claims the vast amount of incense burnt in the fire “smudged” (cleansed) the entire town and she is going to be holding a “phoenix” sale to help raise funds. Thanks to insurance, the store will be re-opening, but it seems a chilling reminder that there are some people out there who can’t stand the thought of our existence.

Tags: Paganism