New Phase for Ancient Moon on West Pearl

Sherrilyn Alden has a knack for discerning the pull of the universe. She can help you navigate a path through your turmoil by charting the stars under which you were born. But she never imagined the little curiosity shop on West Pearl Street known as The Ancient Moon would still be such a force in her life more than 20 years after she launched it.  

Especially after selling the business in July of 2012 with every intention of walking away.

"It was just one of those things, starting with the day Tricia took over, I stayed on for three weeks to help cover for some of the employees, who all had sudden personal problems. From there, I ended up going on contract with Ancient Moon, as a reader. A year later, Tricia took me out for lunch one day and asked when were we going to make it legal and go into partnership," said Alden.

She thought she was ready to step away from the retail side of things, but instead has developed a side business, Dare to Imagine LLC, which Alden describes as higher level pagan products which can be used for meditation and readings. The business tagline is "Purveyors of Possibility." 

"We sell a lot of intention and enchantment candles, I designed all of those, and we do events – we have a lot going on between now and October 31, including the annual Witch's Ball and many educational workshops," Alden said.

"Our premise is for Dare to Imagine to make magick mainstream by taking some of the mystery out of some of the stuff people associate wit New Age and witchcraft. It's all about personal empowerment. Personal meditation is the same as the power of prayer. Through Dare to Imagine, we'll be teaching the science of the Craft versus the religion of the Craft," Alden said.

Alden continues to read for upwards of 100 clients in the Nashua area. She estimates maybe 10 percent of those she reads for are practicing Wiccans. 

"The rest are all mainstream," Alden said. 

Over the years Alden calculates she's educated around 1,000 or more individuals through readings and instruction in aspects of witchcraft. With Dare to Imagine, instead of one-on-one instruction, the hope is to offer seminars where people can come together. 

As a sort of pilot program, she's filled a calendar full of local events leading up to the Winter Solstice on Oct. 31, known to Wiccans as Samhain (pronounced sow-wen), including the annual Witch's Ball on Oct. 19. 

In the long term, Alden and Lynn hope  to build on this model and run longer seminars and retreats.

"We're hoping to do something people can attend in a spa-like atmosphere. We want people to feel empowered by that kind of event. We've all been to seminars that are like, 'Eh, that wasn't so great.' But every now and then you attend something that  changes your life. That's what we're going for," Alden said.

Alden, a longtime Nashua resident and former president of Great American Downtown, now resides in Florida for much of the year. But she still travels to Nashua regularly, to do readings and check in on the bricks-and-mortar aspect of the West Pearl Street shop. 

You might say that Dare to Imagine is the next phase for the old Ancient Moon business – Alden and Lynn hope to expand their wholesale and retail product sales online, and expect that this October Event series will not just resonate, but grow year over year.

"I had every intention of selling the business and walking away. I guess the universe had other plans for me," Alden said. 

"It's just funny because I say to my clients all the time that when you stop swimming upstream, and stop trying to hang on to everything from the past, life falls into place. Instead of walking away, I sell my business to this really great woman who pulls me back in," Alden said. "Tricia completely renovated the store. She brought it into 21st century and expanded it, and it's wonderful. The changes have allowed me to explore the more creative side of things, which is what I wanted to do anyway, and it's working."

The Ancient Moon and Dare to Imagine are located at 95-99 West Pearl Street. Phone: 603-718-1162

Upcoming Events

Thursday, October 3: Crystal Readings with Ancient Moon Reader, Lynne. 10 minutes $15.00

Friday, October 4: Local Author, Ashlyn Chase will be previewing her new book ‘How to Date a Dragon’ from her ‘flirting with fangs,' series. Ashlyn is the author of many ‘light paranormal romances’ and has been a long friend of the Ancient Moon. Meet her from 4-7p.

Saturday, October 5: Meet author, Roxie Zwicker. Roxie has penned 7 books on ‘haunted New England.’ She is also the popular hostess of ‘New England Curiosities Tours.’ She leads interested seekers on many ghostly tours around Portsmouth’s haunted waterfront and burial grounds. She will be available from 11-2.

Sunday, October 6: ‘Mommie & Me’ Build your own Fairy House. Artist and Ancient Moon staff member will assist participants in creating their own Fairy House. Class fee is $30.00, and includes all materials. Class will be held from 1p to 3p. Space is limited, so reserve early.

Thursday, October 10: Mini Reiki Sessions from 3 to 5p, $15.00.

Friday, October 11: Mini Pumpkin Painting with Art teacher, Miss Lynne. $3.00 Fee includes materials. Children are welcome between the hours of 2 and 5p.

Weekend Psychic Fair, Oct. 12 & 13: Saturday 11-5 & Sunday 12-4. Readings are offered in either 15 minute or half hour sessions. Some readings that will be available include: Tarot, Palmistry, Numerology, Scrying, Tea Leaves, Mediumship, Crystals, and Goddess. Merchandise is available for purchase as well. Join Tricia, Sherrilyn, Lynne, Michelle, Kristen, Katie, and Roxie for a great weekend of spiritual fun!!

Thursday, October 17: Have a pressing question?? Mini readings available today, $10.00

Friday, October 18: Face Painting, 12-5 complimentary.

Saturday, October 19: Annual Witches Costume Ball. Join us at the Bounty Lounge at the Holiday Inn for an evening of festive fun!! DJ, Cash Bar, Readings, Raffles, Prizes for Best Costume and professional photography! Please visit our web site or on line store for ticket information and availability. Ancientmoonsite.com

Thursday, October 24: Mini Reiki Sessions 3-5p/$15.00

Friday, October 25: A different ‘Girls Night Out’. Create your own Witches Cord. Select from ‘love’, ‘money’, ‘luck’, ‘healing’, or ‘protection.’ Lynne will be on hand for direction and insight. Space is limited, so reserve today-$35.00-Class begins promptly at 6p. (2 hours)

Saturday, October 26: Class: Lunar Magic. This class explores specific work and results that can be explored during specific moons. Historic ritual and traditions will be discussed and students will learn how to include them into their magical practices. Class is designed for intermediate level students. Class will be held from 12-3 and tuition is $105. Space is limited so reserve early.

Events requiring a fee can be reserved in person at Ancient Moon, or through our on line store. Visit the store via our website at ancientmoonsite.com, then go to Dare to Imagine store.