Cathy Braveheart has become accustomed to people misunderstanding many things about her shop in downtown Grayson.
"A lot of what I do is education," she said, sitting in a small break room in the back of Two Wolves Metaphysical Store at 112 West Main Street.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
What, is exactly is a metaphysical store? It is undoubtedly best to stop by and talk to the shopkeeper herself.
With a chuckle, she later adds she is well aware her shop has "been called a witch store."
"When we opened here, they labeled me as crazy, Indian, witch."
"We're here to help. We're not here to get rich off of anybody. We sell herbs and natural products that I have personal experience with. I spend more time counseling people that are seeking alternative solutions for spirituality," Braveheart said. "This is a judgement free zone. I am unconcerned about anyone's beliefs."
A Business Born Of Blindness
"So, the store started with three Totes full of jewelry. Most of it Native American based," Braveheart concludes after explaining how she came to live and work in Carter County.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, she moved here during the early 1990s.
"My previous husband was from here and he wanted to come home when his health got really bad," she said, explaining he dealt with, and later died as a result of, issues related to his military service in Vietnam.
"I liked it here and I stayed."
Braveheart owns Two Wolves Metaphysical Store along with her husband, whose own wife passed within 12 hours of Braveheart's husband. He was the one who suggested she open a shop to sell her one-of-kind jewelry as she initially dealt with a devastating diagnosis.
"You may not be able to tell, but I'm legally blind. I have North Carolina (Macular) Dystrophy," she said explaining the genetic disease has hit "all the women on my mom's side of the family had it, going back how many generations? Nobody knows."
"Driving became an issue. I went home and lost my composure when I told my husband I couldn't drive," she said, explaining they had already begun making "one of a kind - literally masterpieces" of jewelry together.
"He said, 'I know the solution. We're going to open a store with your creations.'"
The shop moved to Grayson's Main Street after nearly a decade at Bald Eagle Flea Market, near the city's I-64 access and exit ramps.
Lots To Look At and Think About
Stocked with an eclectic array of items ranging from crystals and medicinal herbs to Tarot cards, jewelry and divination supplies, Two Wolves Metaphysical Store provides a combination of goods for physical, mental and spiritual purposes.
"All of the above," Braveheart said when asked what the majority of her customers are seeking. "Including a lot of grief counseling."
Two Wolves
Story and Photos by TIM PRESTON
Carter County Post