About

The Shop

"Tell The Goddess is a queer, disabled woman owned online spiritual shop specializing in mindfully curated items."

Yet that's not all there is to know.

This shop is the personal dream come to life of me, Adrienne, a Southern, queer wise woman of Appalachian folk magic stock. From a very young age I was around all manner of spirituality, magic, and divining. The most near and dear to my heart part of my life was my father and his folk healing (and his "water divinin'" yet that's a separate story). 

He was all about taking care of others despite his poor health and when I had a nasty wart on the side of my leg he sat me down on the family couch and charmed the wart. He pressed his lodge ceremonial knife against the wart and spoke words over it while having me repeat them and maintain eye contact. He finished the ritual charm with a smile and slapped my leg. He passed on to the Otherworld going on near 20 years ago. It's been 26 years since that day and the wart has yet to come back. 

I want this shop to be somewhere that helps people in some way much like him. Maybe someone new to paganism, witchcraft, cunning paths, or just spirituality in general finds this store and finds their first tarot deck or finds something that becomes a part of their first altar or spell. That's why I'm doing this. It just feels right. The timing just feels right to embrace this path and hopefully make a difference to someone.

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The Name

As many have asked, and will continue to ask, the name of this shop is not just a random "haagen dazs" type of name. It has profound meaning to me. 

During the height of The Pandemic, I became obsessed with someone. They didn't know that I existed. I followed them on social media and autistic rumination and hyperfixation just ran my mental health into the ground at an alarming rate. At the same time I was getting back into my path and craft and was pulling cards again. I decided one day to ask a goddess for help. I had never done that. I had never worked with deities before. It was a new experience for me. I wrote a letter to Aphrodite asking for help and guidance. I was so messed up. I was even apologizing to her about random stuff like for "being too up front" and for "being mentally unwell". I was hopeful yet the luck of my life has never been that great to begin with.

The next morning though. THE NEXT MORNING! That person I was obsessed with posted extremely ableist posts on social media. They made fun of autistic people. I was extremely appalled. I am an autistic adult. I was furious and sad and responded to them. They replied to me with, "It's just a post. Lighten up." Needless to say, I blocked them everywhere and reported them everywhere. Then I remembered my letter. I like to think that goddess Aphrodite came through...and came through swiftly! Whenever I see that person's face I think of those posts and how terrible they are. Disgusting!

This shop is named after my asking Aphrodite for help and the very act of communing with deities on one's path. There are so many people that do not realize that you don't have to light a candle or meditate or go into a trance to commune with deities (or ancestors). Write to them. Tell them about what's going on with you. Tell them how you feel. Ask for help if you need it and make no demands. Be yourself. They already know you.

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The Dedication

This shop is dedicated in memory of my father and to the goddess Aphrodite. Two extremely important figures in my life who continue to be on my mind.

Since first communing with the goddess, I have written to other ancestors and other deities and received dreams and (quite obvious) signs of their presence in my life. I dedicate this shop's design, creativity, and my overall courage to not give up on being a business owner to them.