nique shop that added to the diversity of a college town like Mt. Pleasant. As a result, Crystal Mountain Lotus Moon was born.
"It was like ... boom! It just evolved. It was really strange and really fast," said Marsden. "I thought with the diversity of a college town, there should be a shop that offers a diversity of thought."
There's a wide variety of tea to sip while you browse the novelties that range from spiritual practices (like divination) to thought beliefs (like Zen) and religion (such as Native American, Buddhist and Wiccan), but Marsden says the most popular are the healing rocks and crystals.
"I was really trying to create a unique place with options which people normally wouldn't have access to. There are a lot of great gift shops downtown, so we have things that you wouldn't find there," said Marsden.
There are also items from around the world, like books and tapestries, but also a local consignment of artwork, bags, and one-of-a-kind jewelry.
"By no means is this a religious store--we provide options for different spiritual pathways," Marsden said. "If someone comes in and doesn't understand what this is about, that's OK. We provide the opportunity for people to explore internally, and I can help them see where they're naturally inclined to go."
Marsden also offers classes like yoga, belly dancing, wire wrapping and meditation, and bodywork like massages and acupuncture detoxification. There are groups for intuitive enhancement, astrological studies and community evolvement, and for kids there is a drumming circle and a creation class. You can also have a planetary attunement session to find out how your life was affected at birth by the alignment of planets and stars.
Marsden's future plans include henna tattooing and a tie-dye and tai-chi class.
"Within two weeks this was inception. Like, whoa...what happened? Two weeks before I had no inclination of opening a store, and then I realized in a physical sense things I wanted to accomplish," said Marsden. "It's been interesting, and without sounding like a loony bird, fun."
Photo: Erica Marsden, by Kristyn Woll
