Uncategorized – Hierophany & Hedge

April 7 2025

Happy Birthday Coil

On the Art of Seeing

Legendary fantasy artist Scott Murphy kindly agreed to help us celebrate Coil’s birthday with this incredible painting.

Visual artists see the world differently from the rest of us. That can be both blessing and curse, as they sometimes spy things better left disguised.

In this particular instance, for example, Mr. Murphy saw all too clearly how Coil is able to make such quick work of the shop restocking.

If you’d like to offer your birthday wishes in person, we will be open this Thursday (4/10) from 12-2PM, Saturday (4/12) from 2-6PM, and Sunday (4/13) from 12-4PM.

April 1 2025

As many of you already know, the fine Canadian chandlers of the Folklore Candle Company have set their last wick and poured their last pot of wax.

Their candles have been with us since we opened to the public, and the shop won’t feel quite the same without those wooden lids and haunting aromas.

We knew this was coming, so stocked up heavily, but some scents are already nearing extinction. If there is one that you particularly love (for us it’s Storyteller and Longest Day), don’t wait.

Despite inflation and tariffs, they are still the same price as the day we opened.

March 27 2025

Science and Magic

Augur Uncategorized

On Allegories

Many of the artifacts that visitors see piled high upon our bookcases were perilously purloined from the collections of infamous necromancers, or bargained from fell powers at dreadful cost.

There is a clock that only tolls its bells once a year, whether having been wound or not. There is a theodolite used long ago without success (so far as we know) to triangulate the position of Shangri-La. There is a silver cherub under glass which balances two vials, one supposedly containing black sand collected from the river Styx, and the other housing the single tear of an angel.

Some, however, are just old things that we thought were lovely and purchased in the conventional fashion.

This bronze was cast in the late 19th century by the French sculptor, Henri Levasseur. It is an allegorical sculpture depicting the personification of Science.

The book of theory and practice, and the mathematical notes draped across a globe make perfect sense. The armored chest piece that looks more appropriate to the battlefield than the laboratory is a bit more puzzling. Still, bare feet notwithstanding, we understand her decision to be a bit more modest than your typical allegory.

March 18 2025

Dungeon Crawlers of Hierophany House

Augur Uncategorized

Here. We. Go.

You need to read “Dungeon Crawler Carl.”

On the surface, it is “Hunger Games” meets “Hitchhiker’s Guide” (and they both play “World of Warcraft.”) After conquering Earth via bureaucratic loophole, aliens force the few surviving humans to navigate a lethal dungeon while the galaxy watches, bets, and laughs.

But these books (there are currently seven) aren’t really about gory monster battles and gruesomely hilarious traps.

They’re about regular people confronting a world built to crush their spirits and to make them turn on one another.

They’re about how a down-on-his-luck former Coast Guard named Carl and his talking Persian cat, Princess Donut, refuse to give up on each other, and refuse to tolerate a world where the strong prey upon the weak.

They are goofy and ridiculous, occasionally filthy, and they will absolutely double you over with laughter and then break you with an ugly-crying jag. As often as not, though, the tears aren’t from sadness, but from the sheer unexpected impact of hope.

They were just what we needed in 2025, and it is possible we’ve already started reading them again.

It’s also possible that we asked the original cover artist, Luciano Fleitas, to envision the four of us as Dungeon Crawlers. We couldn’t be more delighted with the result.

Matt Dinniman, if you see this, thank you.

March 13 2025

New Painting of Hierophany & Hedge

Augur Uncategorized

“Purveyors of Fine Eldritch Goods & Services”

We are delighted to reveal this painting of Hierophany & Hedge by The Creeping Moon.

Megan’s incredible tarot and oracle decks have graced our shelves since we opened, and we were honored that she agreed to help us celebrate our upcoming shop anniversary.

Her uncanny style makes us feel as if we’ve wandered into a dream, one at once both inviting and unsettling.

We can’t imagine a more perfect rendition of our liminal space.

It’s back from the framer and now hangs in the shop near the calligraphy desk.

March 10 2025

Baroness Likes Her Crowds

Augur Uncategorized

The Magic of Social Media

“That’s a pretty nice rock you’ve got there, be a real shame if anything happened to it.” – Baroness Belladonna Nightshade, shortly before doing a mischief.

We want to welcome the thousands of new faces who have joined us virtually over the last few weeks, to the hundreds who have visited the shop in person, and to the millions (gulp) who have watched and shared media of the shop.

When we designed the space, and decided to open our home to strangers, we never imagined anywhere near this level of enthusiasm. We are deeply grateful to you all for your support, and profoundly honored to have positively touched so many lives.

We would say that it is a dream come true, but we had never dreamed something like this was possible. Thank you. Thank you.

The downside, unfortunately, is that the shop wasn’t built to accommodate anywhere near the level of enthusiasm that viral social media can generate.

We are doing our best, and appreciate everyone’s patience.

We imagine that this wave will pass, and in a few weeks there won’t be people spilling out onto the street.

We appreciate your understanding, and look forward to meeting you all soon.

Happy Birthday Coil

On the Art of Seeing

Folklore Candles

Our Last Folklore Candles Have Been Delivered

Science and Magic

On Allegories

Dungeon Crawlers of Hierophany House

Here. We. Go.

New Painting of Hierophany & Hedge

“Purveyors of Fine Eldritch Goods & Services”

Baroness Likes Her Crowds

The Magic of Social Media