Midnight Sun — Attraction in Jacksonville

I've always respected this shop, it's location in Riverside and the fact it's survived the ongoing gentrification of the area this far. I was in yesterday after running a bunch of errands around town and was extremely dehydrated and didn't have anything to drink (ironically it was storming outside). I asked a girl behind the jewelry counter if there was a water fountain nearby because I felt really dehydrated and she said no, I asked if there was a public restroom, no. I asked if there was any water I could buy, she said no but told me I could go over to grass roots and get a drink (it began storming after I entered the store). I understand/no problem but not even 3 minutes later she walks past me to the back room and reemerges with a glass of water and starts drinking it behind the counter. I get it, in our day and age humanity is not a requirement of being human anymore nor is it part of your job. However, as a "metaphysical supply store" and a place that caters to occult belief systems (even though they try to walk a tight rope between Buddhism vs paganism) there is a philosophy that should be shared between the business, staff and consumers that is lacking. I mean water is a building block of life, probably the cheapest thing in the store and you sell books about the collective unconscious, cosmic interconnectivity the 5 fundimental elements (one of those being water) and unwilling to help a dehydrated patron while later sipping water in their face.

I've always felt these stores should stay plentiful but the truth is that the need will always be there and there are simply better options in town like E.G. I've enjoyed the shop for a while but if you're serious about shopping for spiritual purposes, check out some of the other...

Apothecary, Bulk Herbs, rare herbs, healing herbs, witches herbs, medicine and sacraments- get your Alchemy on in the herb section of Midnight Sun. They have Triphala powder in stock for anyone suffering from illness, Google search "Triphala pubmed", studies are showing that it can even be a powerful anticancer medicine. They have Wormwood, Mugwort and sometimes even Dream Herb. Spirulina and Chlorella for those who need to detox or use their food as medicine or for energy. Mushroom powders and blends up to a 14 mushroom mix of the most healing and beneficial mushrooms known, mushrooms like Lion's Mane to help build the brain and immune system. Midnight Sun is a treasure chest of Functional Medicine just waiting for you to discover it and the power of becoming your own herbalist and empowering yourself by using the abundance Mother Earth has given us.

Midnight Sun has books on herbs too... and many other healing and empowering things within their beautiful store. Edgar Cayce once said that sound was going to be the medicine of the future, and I can attest that Signing Bowls are amazing for "Sound Bathing", and Midnight Sun has a good selection of them. And crystals of course, crystal jewelry, Tarot cards, divination cards, unique clothing, decorations, cleaner burning non-petroleum candles and natural incense and smudge sticks.

It's a wonderful store, very friendly employees who are always close by when needed and are super helpful finding the right herb, stone/crystal or whatever you need that they may carry. Plan on spending time there when you go, there's a lot to see...

Well, it's a New Age store, catering to white folks who want to dabble in Hinduism & Buddhism. It is NOT a Pagan store, despite selling some Pagan jewelry and and some minor supplies, any more than it is a "true" Buddhist/Hindu shop. With that caveat... Their selection of jewelry is impressive and quite nicely priced. They have a good selection of stones/crystals, incense, candles, clothing. They sell tarot cards, eastern (but never Western) statuary, calendars and cards, and an extremely small (ie: 1 shelf-worth) of books. (Look for plenty on "New Age" topics, but don't look for even a basic Pagan text.)

They technically have a loose-herbs section, but it is EXTREMELY lean, and they make it extremely difficult to purchase them (you must wait for help, and that may take 15 minutes). I have a 4-ingredient cough-remedy I've made for years with commonly available herbs... and I can't get all of them here. Likewise, you can't get dragon's blood (a common incense-ingredient resin) and they look at you like you've grown a third head if you ask for it.

It's frustrating, in that it feels like they're deliberately trying to deny the fact that a large chunk of their clientele is Pagan. However, if you accept the (rather sharp) limits of the store, it is great.... within it's rather specific and oddly-shaped niche. I just wish their niche weren't shaped in such a way as to exclude such a big chunk of their customer base. Doing so takes them from being an incredibly great shop to one that is.... OK, if...