By Michael McCarty
The original sign (photo by Michael McCarty)
The new sign has both Obsidian & Sage and Centered Sole Reflexology
Obsidian & Sage Metaphysical Boutique
4513 Avenue of the Cities
Moline, IL 61265
Phone: (309) 230-8612
Facebook: Facebook.com/obsidianandsage
Website: https://www.obsidianandsage.com
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday Wednesday & Friday
11 am – 6 pm
Saturday
10 am – 5 pm
Closed
Thursday & Sunday
(The Phases of the Moon wooden clock)
This is Part Two. Part One ran in May. Here is the link:
Michael McCarty: What does Obsidian & Sage mean?
Cheri K. Day: Obsidian is a crystal and a healing stone for grounding and protection. Sage is for protection and cleansing. The hardest part was trying to come up with a name. One of my best friend’s sisters actually came up with the name. She how about ‘obsidian and sage, grounding and protection and cleansing.’ It was perfect. I didn’t even have to come up with the name myself.
Mike: How did you get into crystals?
Cheri: I got into crystals because of RA (read Part One, to learn more about RA). I do not pretend to know everything about crystals. I keep my crystal book on the counter. A lot of people will come in and say, ‘I need a crystal for this, I need a crystal for that.’
Together we’ll look into the book. First to see what they need and second to see if I have it available. There is a lot of information with crystals. I can’t remember what every stone does. And some of the crystals there is a lot of crossover.
My husband will always go, ‘Cheri, do you have healing crystals?’ First of all, what are we healing? Second of all, they’re all healing crystals. They have physical, mental, spiritual benefits. It all depends in what you need.
Mike: Let’s talk about the Labradorite Tower crystal.
(The Labradorite Tower Crystal)
Cheri: Actually my favorite stone. Good for helping with intuition also called the philosopher stone – helps examine the recesses of your mind. Supportive through the cycle of getting to know hidden aspects of yourself.
Mike: Do you want to hear why I became enchanted with crystals?
Cheri: Sure.
Mike: Stevie Nicks.
Cheri: Stevie Nicks?
Mike: Technically Fleetwood Mac. But the song “Dreams” has the beautiful lines:
“Now here I go again, I see the crystal vision
I keep my visions to myself.”
I love Stevie Nicks. I have most of her solo and Fleetwood Mac CDs. I saw Stevie in concert 5 times as a solo artist. And once with Fleetwood Mac.
I even have a short story called “Rhiannon.”
(The late, great Jasper. Photo by Michael McCarty)
Mike: What would you say to someone who was afraid to come into your store?
Cheri: I’d want to know why they would be afraid to come in. What are they afraid of? We have crystals, sage, window decorations and herbs.
We want everybody to be comfortable here.
Regardless of your faith or belief. We have a lit bit of something for everyone. Everything here comes from nature.
We have no labels. We have no judgment. We have no drama. If they need a tissue because they having a bad day. Or if they need to vent, they are more than welcome to do that. It is kinda like Vegas. If you tell me something, it stays here. It doesn’t go out those doors. We try to make everyone feel like the good family. The kind of family you can lean on if you need support.
Mike: Let’s talk about the other services at the store.
Cheri: Every Friday, we have our resident medium, Ryan Sumpter. We have a reading room available. He also does Tarot and hand readings.
And of course, we have Elena Ayers with Centered Solo Reflexology (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082487868809)
Mike: Obsidian & Sage has really supported a lot of different people in the Quad Cities.
Cheri: Yes. We have a local lady who is a herbalist. All the artwork is local. Of course, we have plenty of Michael McCarty books on the shelves. But also other local authors as well. A couple different local jewelry makers, an astrologist and Reiki practioner.
It is always a big deal for me and my husband that we support our local artists. We are sharing their talents with the Quad Cities.
Mike: Last words?
Cheri: We’re Obsidian and Sage and we’ve been a local metaphysical store here in Moline, Illinois since 2019. We believe in excellent service, offering books, crystals, gems, and educational classes. We started this business with a lifelong dream of opening a place filled with positive energy with the ability to help people. We’re looking forward to growing our business to continue to serve Moline and the surrounding areas. We’d like to personally invite you to stop in today for tarot readings, reflexology, and more!”
Mike’s note about the photo below:
The story behind this picture. I already had Cheri pose with photos of my other two books, GHOSTS OF THE QUAD CITIES wasn’t published yet (not until August 2023).
I grabbed a copy of my out of print book, LAUGHING IN THE DARK. The book has been out of production for some time now. Interesting enough, I have a story in the book called “Rhiannon,” it is my only fictional ghost story.
Now a publisher is talking about re-publishing LAUGHING IN THE DARK in 2024. I only kept a couple of the original stories, most of the other twenty stories weren’t in the first edition.
(Cheri and Jasper and LAUGHING IN THE DARK. Photo by Michael McCarty)
GHOSTS OF THE QUAD CITIES
Co-Written by Michael McCarty
Divided by state lines and the Mississippi River, the Quad Cities share a common haunted heritage. If anything, the seam that runs through the region is especially rife with spirits, from the Black Angel of Moline’s Riverside Cemetery to the spectral Confederate POWs of Arsenal Island. Of course, the city centers have their own illustrious supernatural residents – the Hanging Ghost occupies Davenport’s City Hall, while the Phantom Washwoman wanders Bettendorf’s Central Avenue. At Igor’s Bistro in Rock Island, every day is Halloween. Michael McCarty hunts down the haunted lore of this vibrant Midwestern community.
Available in Kindle, trade paperback and hardcover. Kindle & Trade Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W99R753
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1540240525
Please also check out:
EERIE QUAD CITIES by Michael McCarty & John Brassard Jr. Introduction by The Amazing Kreskin Afterword by Rick Lopez of Igor’s Bistro Like the mighty Mississippi River that cleaves the Quad Cities, the region’s history can trap the unwary in some unexpected eddies. Peer through the fog of the past to catch a glimpse of the Tinsmith Ghost of Rock Island or the river serpent with a price on its head. Get the back story on the Banshee of Brady Street, read the 1869 report on a Bigfoot sighting near East Davenport and run the numbers on local UFO activity. From phantom footsteps in the Renwick Mansion to a mausoleum heist in Chippiannock Cemetery, Michael McCarty and John Brassard Jr. trace a path through the shadowy heritage of the Quad Cities.
Available in Kindle, trade paperback and hardcover.
Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eerie-quad-cities-michael-mccarty/1139398369?ean=9781467147477
Amazon:
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