Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shannon Tipton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shannon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
Before opening my metaphysical shop, I owned and operated a counseling practice, working closely with individuals facing mental health challenges and substance use disorders. Over time, I found myself grappling with the complexities of human behavior and began to question whether I was still making a meaningful impact in the lives of those I served.
Energy work and metaphysical practices had long been a part of my personal journey. Even in my clinical work, I often incorporated elements such as guided meditation and occasionally recommended the use of crystals to clients open to holistic approaches. Eventually, I made the decision to close my counseling office and fully transition into the metaphysical field by opening a shop dedicated to these practices.
For me, this shift felt natural and aligned with my calling. However, operating in a small Southern town, often shaped by more traditional and conservative beliefs, meant that my work was sometimes misunderstood or misrepresented. Services like Reiki, guided meditation, ionic foot detox, tarot readings, and natal chart consultations were unfamiliar to many and, in some cases, viewed with suspicion.
Nonetheless, I chose to take the risk and offer something outside the conventional path. Creating a space for healing, spiritual exploration, and alternative wellness has been both a courageous endeavor and a deeply rewarding one.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My journey has taken many unexpected turns, each one guiding me toward where I am today. Throughout my adult life, I have devoted my career to the Helping Professions, first as a Social Worker. I then transitioned to Drug and Alcohol Control Officer serving the National Guard, and later as a Private Practice Counselor supporting individuals through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. At the heart of each role was a deep commitment to healing, guidance, and compassionate support.
Alongside my professional path, energy work and metaphysical practices have long been a personal passion. After stepping away from organized religion in my late twenties, I felt called to explore spiritual tools that had once been discouraged. I began working more deeply with crystals, meditation, and tarot, practices that had always quietly resonated with me. As I immersed myself in this work, I experienced a profound sense of fulfillment and spiritual awakening.
My creative side found expression through crystal wire-wrapping, allowing me to craft personalized pieces of energetic jewelry for others based on their individual needs. This blending of intuitive insight and artistic design became a meaningful extension of my metaphysical practice.
In my mid-thirties, a health crisis prompted me to explore Reiki, ultimately leading to my certification as a Reiki Master. It’s important to note that I have never viewed Reiki as a replacement for conventional medicine. Rather, I chose to integrate it alongside medical care, creating a holistic approach to healing that honored both energetic and physical well-being. While I now follow a completely homeopathic path in my personal health journey, I continue to respect and acknowledge the importance of medical expertise.
Today, my work weaves together years of professional experience in healing with a lifelong dedication to metaphysical practices. It is a journey of balance, one that honors both science and spirit, structure and intuition.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
After being open for just one year, my shop was featured by the local tourism board in promotion of an upcoming event. While this support was intended to spotlight small businesses, it unexpectedly triggered backlash from conservative city officials and certain members of the religious community. What followed felt like a modern-day witch hunt. I was summoned to a special meeting with tourism officials to defend both myself and my shop.
In the weeks that followed, I received death threats, was forced out of a local retail space, and faced individuals entering my shop solely to tell me I wasn’t welcome in town, that I should close my doors and leave. I was publicly labeled a “Devil Worshipping Witch” and later became known as “The Witch of Winchester.” Many of those spreading falsehoods and hostility were people who had known me and my family for years, some since my childhood. Despite my deep roots in this town, I was being cast out by some very loud voices from my own community.
The situation quickly escalated into a national news story and spread widely across social media. I had always lived a quiet life, offering kindness to those who entered my shop. Suddenly, I was portrayed as a threat, as something sinister. It was deeply painful and disheartening. My spirit was shaken.
Yet, in the midst of the storm, I found strength. Customers, longtime locals, and even strangers from across the country reached out with messages of encouragement, compassion, and solidarity. Their support became my anchor.
Despite continued resistance from some members of the community, I moved my shop to a larger location and pressed forward. I learned valuable lessons: that even negative publicity can open doors, that courage can rise from adversity, and that no one’s judgment has the power to define who I am, unless I allow it.
Every morning, I still open my shop with a heart full of gratitude. I continue to extend love and kindness, even to those who continue to speak against me. Because at the core of it all, I believe in the power of compassion, resilience, and standing in your truth, unapologetically.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The controversy began following the promotion of an event I had scheduled at my shop. What was meant to be a simple community gathering quickly escalated, drawing unexpected media coverage, social media attention, and interview requests, none of which I had anticipated or sought.
I vividly remember an evening conversation with my daughter, who was recently engaged and now married. She shared that her fiancé’s parents, whom I had not yet met, were already familiar with me due to the news coverage. My heart sank. I found myself apologizing to her, deeply concerned about the unintended impact my business was having on her personal life.
It was difficult to comprehend how selling crystals, stones, sage, and offering Reiki and holistic services could be perceived as anything harmful or controversial. Yet, an innocent promotion had somehow sparked widespread backlash.
My private life was thrust into the public eye, and my business became a target. I was forced to pivot quickly, seeking legal counsel, not because of any of my wrongdoing, but to defend both myself and my shop. It became imperative to ensure the safety of my customers and myself in the midst of the hostility.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecrystalcoven.com
- Instagram: @crystalcoven40391
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalcoven40391
- Other: TikTok – @thecrystalcoven
