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    One Hour Road Trip: The Magickal World of Mount Vernon

    There are very few things I enjoy more than getting suggestions for places to visit. Sure, I have a long list of things I want to see, do and experience in this lifetime. But when someone suggests to me that I check out something I’ve never heard of before, I tend to jump up and pay attention.

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    I received a suggestion from an astute reader to check out Old Mr. Bailiwick’s in Mount Vernon. Mentioning this in passing to my yoga group, I was asked if I had picked up a “magic map.” After much jesting, I discovered this is a very real, tangible object.

    Did you know that there is a Magickal Map of Ohio? (Yes, with a k.) According to the document itself, this map is “Your key to magick, wellness & whimsy in Middle-Ohio.” There are stops across the state, including Marysville, Marion, Mansfield and Mount Vernon, to pinpoint the four corners of the map.

    Can you find the Magickal Map? Photo by Mer Farrar

    With a solid suggestion and a Magickal Map to aid me, I drove to Mount Vernon to check out Old Mr. Bailiwick’s and The Moonlit Soul. Carling Glen Natural Treasures & Gifts is also located in Mount Vernon, but closes for the winter season. Some of their wares can be found at Old Mr. Bailiwick’s for the time being.

    Down the stairs, through the door, and onward the journey! Photo by Mer Farrar
    Down the stairs, through the door, and onward the journey! Photo by Mer Farrar

    Since Old Mr. Bailiwick’s was the first stop suggested, I arrived there first. The shop is very well marked from the street, which is helpful since the shop itself is underground. Despite the cave-like entrance, the descent down a timeless staircase leads to a shop that is warm and glowing with coziness.

    The warm sights and aromas beckon at Old Mr. Bailiwick's. Photo by Mer Farrar
    The warm sights and aromas beckon at Old Mr. Bailiwick’s. Photo by Mer Farrar
    Photo by Mer Farrar
    Photo by Mer Farrar

    Herbs, tinctures, teas and remedies line most of the walls, interrupted only by an impressive glass laboratory set up and a habitat that housed an enthusiastically dancing turtle. Jazzy music played softly from a portable record player in the corner of the room. Old Mr. Bailiwick’s is an herbal wellness shop, after all, selling home-crafted formulas intended to provide relief for a variety of health concerns, make your home smell good, and improve the flavor of your food.  

    That is to say, you don’t have to be a student of the metaphysical, pataphysical or spiritual to appreciate the items for sale here. Owner, proprietor, and apothecary Josh Kuhn helpfully provides insight and recommendations as you browse. I took his sound advice on incense burning methodology, and I’m glad I did.

    One can’t have too many enchanted helpers during a quest, so on the way out, the kindly herbalist helped put me on the right path to the next stop on my Magickal journey– The Moonlit Soul.  

    Follow the magickal snowman to The Moonlit Soul. Photo by Mer Farrar
    Follow the magickal snowman to The Moonlit Soul. Photo by Mer Farrar

    The Moonlit Soul trades mostly in minerals, with a sea of crystals, stones, and the like awaiting intrepid visitors. When I was a wee child, my grandmother and I spent hours playing with rocks and crystals, so my jaw dropped at this beautiful sight. Co-owners Michele and Teresa have curated a full garden of mineral wares designed to inspire, soothe, awaken and interest anyone who has ever said, “Ooh, hey– that’s a cool rock!”

    Michele encouraged me to pick out a few favorites, noting that the process of connecting with minerals for healing or meditative purposes isn’t about what’s jotted down on a notecard, but how the crystal feels in your hand. As a kind bonus, she cleansed my purchases in a sound bowl before setting us off together to start our new journey.

    Those who are interested in topics like tarot, divination, spirituality or spiritualism can find helpful resources and tools at The Moonlit Soul, again, with enchanted helpers at the ready. After affirming that we had already met Kuhn at Old Mr. Bailiwick’s, we continued our journey to an unlikely source of magic: Fat Dog Records.

    While Fat Dog Records currently has no exterior sign, the plethora of guitars and tunes let you know you're at the right place. Photo by Mer Farrar
    While Fat Dog Records currently has no exterior sign, the plethora of guitars and tunes let you know you’re at the right place. Photo by Mer Farrar

    Owner Phil Hicks was busy re-arranging the floor for open mic night, but took the time to lovingly discuss music with weary travelers who arrived with arms full of herbs and crystals. Though the shop is small, the collection is carefully curated to have a little of something for everyone, from W.C. Fields recordings to an original press of Alice in Chains’ “Jar of Flies.”  

    I couldn’t decide which was my favorite feature of Fat Dog– was it the fact that everything was displayed so that my middle-aged body didn’t have to stoop, bend and contort to shop, or the part where Hicks and his team are so incredibly knowledgable, friendly and non-judgmental that I ended up almost tearfully talking about the impact music has had on my life? To bring the quest full circle, Hicks mentioned that he had supplied Kuhn with some records recently, and asked what was playing while we were in there, and whether the turtle had been dancing to it.

    I headed to Mount Vernon to check out a lead from a reader, but I ended up following the Magickal Map to a complete adventure. I returned home with herbs, crystals, music and the knowledge that Mount Vernon is no longer to be known as just another town in Ohio… it’s an adventure of its own kind.

    Where can you find a copy of The Magickal Map?

    The map was apparently created by one of the shop owners featured on the map, for distribution among the businesses featured there. Both Mr. Bailiwick’s and The Moonlit Soul had copies available when I visited. It’s just a fun thing, and not a serious tour or association or sponsored in any way. Altogether, there are 10 businesses represented. Looking at the copyright details, it appears it originated at Mind, Body, & Spirit

    For more information, visit oldmrbailiwicks.com, themoonlitsoulmetshop.com and fatdogvinyl.com.

    Mount Vernon city founders might disagree… Photo by Mer Farrar
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    Mer Farrar
    Mer Farrarhttps://www.columbusunderground.com/
    Mer Farrar is a freelance writer who reports on the world as she explores it. A graduate of Denison University's Creative Writing program, she enjoys finding exciting things to do in Ohio and beyond. When at home, Mer can be found with her menagerie of rescued horses and cats.
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