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Crystals and mystics and magic, oh my!

Tiffany Walker, owner of Moonlit Mystic, has created an intriguing oasis in downtown Wayne

By Courtney Conover Vanessa [Ronthi] is involved in the
It’s not a store. business with me, and we were
It’s more like a destination, a well- asked to be the market managers—
spring, an experience in energetic and we were referred to by Kim from
healing. Or, as one might say, a literal Helium Studios, whom I’ve always
gem. been inspired by. And through the
Moonlit Mystic, an edgy and eclec- Wayne Makers Market, we were able
tic metaphysical store, is unlike any- to obtain a presence in our commu-
thing that exists here in the City of nity, interact with people, and see
Wayne—and owner Tiffany Walker their excitement about our product
designed it that way. and what we could offer. It was really
“We really want to create a com- an inspiration to take a leap of faith
munity that welcomes all,” says and open a brick and mortar in
Walker, 38. “We want people to come Wayne. I’ve said that if I was going to
to us to be comforted, we want them open a store and take this big, huge
to come to us with their curiosities risk, I wasn’t going to do it anywhere
and questions, I want them to come but in my city. So, an opportunity
to us with their vulnerabilities—and came for a location, and I took a
that’s what they do.” chance on it.
Inside what Walker has character- CC: When did you officially open
ized as a “world of wonder,” patrons Moonlit Mystic?
will find an endless array of items TW: Friday, May 13, 2022…a
that many believe—no, are con- good omen.
vinced—will improve their quality of CC: There are people who haven’t
life. Most notable among these items had any experiences with crystals–
are crystals. and may not even be aware of their
‘Crystals’ describes a group of properties and benefits. Explain why
minerals or fossilized resins that are the practice of collecting crystals–or
believed by many to have beneficial how just simply learning about
health properties. The mere act of them–can be therapeutic and healing.
simply holding them in your hand or TW: So many people believe so
keeping them on your person is many different things, and what I be-
thought to promote spiritual, mental, Tiffany Walker and her cousin Vanessa Ronthi. lieve may be completely different
and physical healing. Additionally, and all these interesting things we and have been raising my children than why somebody else uses crys-
crystals are also thought to interact can’t explain. I love questioning the here, and my family had been a part tals. There is not one right reason
with the body’s energy field, also big questions of the universe. I’ve al- of this community for a long time why someone might use crystals for
known as chakras. ways been drawn to explore all differ- when I came to live with them. So, I healing. A very simple, nonscientific
But that’s not all one will find be- ent theories—and paths. love this community, and this is way of conveying this is that crystals
hind Moonlit Mystic’s doors: Patrons CC: Tell me about your back- where I choose to raise my family. I can be a representation of an inten-
will find jewelry, books, crystal carv- ground. What did you do profession- love it here. tion. And the more focused your in-
ings, and much, much more. ally prior to this? CC: Before we delve into Moonlit tention, the more likely you are to
“We’re the closest metaphysical TW: I’ve done a lot of things in my Mystics, talk about your involvement manifest the life that you want. Crys-
store to Detroit Metro Airport, and life…my first job was a waitress, but in the city’s first ever Makers Market tals are a beautiful gift from this
people have literally gotten off the more recently I was a proud PTO in downtown Wayne [on Michigan earth, and they do carry an energy,
plane, googled crystal shop, and will mom for many years, and I ab- Ave, across from Chase bank]. The and some people use them as a tool
come straight to us,” says Walker. solutely loved working with the kids benefit of this unprecedented ven- to manifest.
“We’ve created a different sort of at- in our community—it gave my life so ture is two-fold: It gives patrons a CC: I have long believed that cer-
mosphere and vibe, a safe space for much meaning, and I was grateful unique shopping experience, while tain forms of healing are indeed inex-
people. We like to have fun and con- for the opportunity to do that. Then, also giving artisans the platform to plicable by modern science. However,
nect with our customers.” I worked for a nonprofit for criminal showcase their creations and con- in the interest of transparent journal-
The Wayne Dispatch caught up justice reform—and still do, actu- nect with future customers. Did that ism, I must acknowledge that not
with Walker to discuss how she ally—and I work to help advance leg- endeavor eventually lead you to everyone agrees: Peter Heaney, a min-
hopes her business will serve others. islation in support of families that where you are today business-wise? eral sciences professor at Pennsylva-
Courtney Conover: Thank you are impacted by incarceration. TW: In November 2021 we got nia State University, told The
for your time today. Have you always CC: And you’re a Wayne resident, the opportunity to join the Makers Washington Post in 2021 that he’s
had a fascination with crystals, mys- too! How long have you lived here Market, which was created by the "not aware of any [National Science
ticism, and the like? What do you and where did you attend school? Wayne Downtown Development Au- Foundation]-supported studies into
think sparked your interest? TW: I moved here as a teenager— thority as a business incubator for the healing powers of crystals." How
Tiffany Walker: I have always when I was 16—and have been here small businesses within our commu-
had an interest in paranormal, tarot, ever since. I went to Wayne Memorial nity to test the market. My cousin See Crystals, page 4
The Wayne Dispatch · October 2022 · 3