Crystal shop owner accused of ‘spreading evil’ by vicar

A vicar has sparked a row in a town after accusing the owner of a new crystal shop of ‘spreading evil’ and saying her beliefs were ‘rubbish’.

Chloe Cavanagh, 30, opened Spirit Rocks in Prudhoe, Northumberland, a few months ago, offering crystals and tarot readings to curious customers.

But the mum’s dream of opening her own shop took a surreal turn after an encounter with Reverend Daniel Freyhan of nearby St Mary Magdalene Church.

She claimed she was left blindsided after claiming the local vicar accused her of ‘spreading evil’ by displaying items such as Halloween

‘I was opening the shop on Tuesday and he was waiting outside. I hadn’t even turned the lights on, but he followed me in and told me he had concerns about the crystal shop,’ she said.

‘I asked what he meant, and he said he was aware of my religious views and wanted to know how they would affect the shop.’

Chloe describes herself as a spiritualist and believes that it is possible to communicate with the dead using mediums, which she said can bring ‘comfort’ to grieving people.

She continued: ‘The vicar told me that my beliefs were a load of ‘rubbish’ and ‘nonsense’. It just blew my mind. I think he thought he could intimidate me, but I won’t accept being bullied.’

Chloe claimed that the vicar also made specific attacks on her products, branding her Halloween decorations and skull-shaped crystals as evidence of her ‘spreading evil’.

She said, ‘Since then, I’ve had the designer of my window display come back and add skulls and coffins.

‘If anything, he’s just lit more of a fire under my bum. If he wanted me to quieten down, he’s got me to do the exact opposite.’

Chloe started the shop, which was named after her beloved childhood horse, following three years of trading in markets.

Since the alleged encounter, the Diocese of Newcastle confirmed it has been in touch with both Chloe and the vicar.

In just a few weeks of being open, Chloe has already been nominated for a prize at the UK Small Business Awards – and said that the outpouring of love in response to the alleged encounter has been ‘humbling’.

‘Everyone has been massively supportive. It feels amazing. People have been travelling ridiculous distances to come and support us. It’s just been so lovely,’ she added.

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