Meet Tommie Starchild | Owner of Moonshine Magic

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tommie Starchild and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tommie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had worked for 12 years as a spiritual counselor, and had my own shop “My Authentic Self.” In 2019 I saw an opportunity, a need for a metaphysical shop in East County San Diego. I worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) creating an extensive business plan. Then covid hit, and things looked uncertain. I wasn’t sure I could count on the in-person services, as covid changed everything. An opportunity presented itself, here in Julian CA, with a small space available. When I saw the empty space, I “saw” it full of crystals, rocks, and minerals. These were featured in my business plan, but not as the central retail focus. Julian, being an historic mining town, didn’t have a crystal shop at that time, and I felt it fit right in with the mining history. I sat with Spirit, and meditated on the change in direction, as well as, worked with my advisor at SBDC, and added a clause in my business plan to accommodate a “stepping stone” to the larger idea. Before I changed direction I also wanted to sit with Spirit, and my self, to find the place to being ok if this was to be the “forever” shop, and not the “for now.” In September of 2020 I opened Moonshine Magic, here in Julian, a mystical boutique, featuring crystals, rocks, and minerals, as well as two featured artist who’s produced I wanted to showcase – Coventry Creations Candles, and Rosarium Blends essential oils and incense. In 2022, a dream spot right in the heart of downtown Julian came avaliable, and I relocated to its current location (B St. & 3rd). This has been the best decision, opening Moonshine Magic, and having a tight focus on what I offer. A go-to location in Julian, if looking for a souvenir, a mineral collector, or into the mystical aspects of crystals, we receive a wide variety of customers. All the stones I carry are hand curated by me, and are ethically sourced, and fair trade. Moonshine Magic offers a little touch of magic, here in the mountains of San Diego county.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My formal education is from Springfield College, where I got a BS in Human Services, and worked in non-profits for many years. My spiritual interests have been a life long journey, studying and practicing witchcraft for 34 years. I also studied under a teacher, and became initiated in the Anderson Feri Tradition, and even became a certified Reiki Master. My formal education gave me structure to build upon, allowing me to pull together all my interests into a more focused direction of service to the community. In today’s climate being “other” may be seen as a stumbling block, but I have leaned into my alternative spiritually, as well as, being a queer person. I have gained perspectives that are outside the “norm.” I try to meet everyone where they are at. As a spiritual counselor, I served a wide variety of clientele, and drew upon my “outside of the box” experience to help illuminate for folks, perspective they may not have noticed, to find paths forward for personal growth. As the owner and operator of Moonshine Magic, I get to offer lovely items to folks who stop in, and at times, have engaging conversations. I love to share what I know with those who ask, with the hope that they can take away a little something that may assist in their journey through life. Kindness is key. I have learned that being authentically myself, has presented opportunity for other to be themselves. Being present, with openness, and kindness, has allowed me to experience and be present for folks from all varieties of life. If nothing else, I want folks to come into my shop and feel comfortable, feeling good “vibes” and take away having had a joyfully experience. Retail is what draws folks in, and I hope to have created safe space for folks to open up to the child-like wonderment. Crystals seem to be a good medium to bring out the “aw” of that child-like wonderment. I learned a long time ago that I am my “brand” and it is what I bring to what I do, that makes it unique. Integrity and authenticity are important to me, and it maintains a consistency in my “brand.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living and working in Julian, I tend to spend a lot of my time here. And for a small town, we have a lot to offer, from the beautiful lake Cuyamaca, to a lovely hike up Vulcan Mt. In town, there are the wonderful places to eat, such as, Quecho for amazing carnitas, and Julian Beer Co. for pizza and craft beer. Julian Hard Cider is my favorite cider and wonderful place to bring friend, at the Julian Station. The Julian Station offers hard cider tastings, Julian Wine & Chocolate tastings, and The Cooler craft beer tastings, with food and shops to explore. A walk through the town of Julian is nice, taking in its historic charm, with many shops, and a sit down for the best sangria at Blue Door Winery. Then there is the mining tour at the Eagle Mine, that shares the rich history of the gold mining in Julian, and a journey into the mine to see how it was done. But a day of touristing couldn’t start with out a coffee from the Purple Owl, which is also a wonderful place for lunch.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I could not be doing what I am doing without the love and support from my two partners Virgil Boen and David Shorey. They both have encouraged me every step of the way. They have been foundational support and have been my strength when I’ve been fearful of the uncertainties of a retail business. I’d also like to give recognition to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for their training, assistance, and support. And there are the spirits, deities, and ancestors I work with who’ve offered up their spiritual support and grounding to help me manifest my vision.

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Image Credits
Photos credited to Tommie StarChild, and Moonshine Magic