the powell women

Fredericksburg’s Finest

The Dragon’s Den & Treasures

The Powell Women, (left to right) Marisol, Miranda, Tertia

The Women Who Make Magic Happen Every Day in Historic Fredericksburg

If you are seeking tools to enhance your spiritual growth and development in the coming year, or are curious to learn about sacred self-care, healing, and empowerment rituals that both belong to and transcend various world religions, then I would highly encourage you to check out The Dragon ' s Den & Treasures, located at 1002 Caroline St. in the Fredericksburg historic district. Celebrating its one-year anniversary in February, the Dragon's Den & Treasures offers an assortment of unique goods, spanning from metaphysical tools such as incense, crystals and oracle decks, to colonial knick-knacks and an abundance of mermaid and dragon merchandise. The store is a small family business run by Miranda Powell and her daughters, Tertia and Marisol, women of color with rich Palestinian heritage who delight in curating an intimate, fantastical, and personable environment where learning and exploration are welcome.

When I had the pleasure of sitting down with Miranda, it was wonderful to learn about how her eclectic and multi-faceted heritage and cherished family values have informed her desire to connect, empower, and educate people across all backgrounds on the basis of their common humanity. The daughter of a German mother and a Palestinian father with roots in Ramallah and Jerusalem, Miranda grew up with the encouragement not to shy away from conversing about topics like religion and politics that may be considered divisive. Rather, she learned to actively embrace those conversations as an opportunity to listen deeply to who people are and where they are coming from, with the intent of better understanding why they believe and behave as they do. Miranda was also blessed with a father who guided his family to resist oppressive gender stereotypes: he taught his daughters to hold their heads up high; to carry themselves with integrity; and to always look others straight in the eye so that their souls may see and be seen. Miranda holds these lessons close to heart, and they are vital to understanding her vision and intentions for the Dragon's Den and Treasures.

by Jenna ELIZABETH eDWARDS

"When selecting products to feature in the store," Miranda shared, "we were very intentional in grouping items by their deeper, root-level, spiritual purpose, which unifies them beyond differences that may arise in their ritualistic use by various religions and cultures. How I like to think of it is, God created the rocks and the plants, thereby giving us crystals and sacred herbs, both of which have been used in cleansing rituals from the beginning of time and throughout the world. These tools are compatible with religion, but they do not belong exclusively to any one religion. They are meant to uplift and empower all people in aligning with their divine self, which in turn helps them to recognize others more clearly and connect with them more authentically."

The Dragon's Den & Treasures regularly hosts educational and engaging opportunities aimed at inviting questions and dialogue, sharing knowledge, and addressing common misconceptions around topics such as appropriation, for example. The store offers weekly giveaways and fun, interactive, and insightful classes on topics including sacred cleansing; working with crystals, rocks and gems; and understanding pendulums and their uses. These courses sell out quickly and have featured guided meditations, complimentary goodies, raffle prizes, and accompanying literature and resources for further exploration. The store also maintains an active social media presence via Instagram and FB Live to connect and educate. Miranda consistently publishes informative and engaging videos exploring the history, significance, and uses of various store merchandise.

"Our goal is to celebrate, empower, and unite the local community based on our shared identity, first and foremost, as humans. That's real magic, and we strive to make it happen every day."

Stay tuned for exciting updates about the Dragon's Den & Treasures' upcoming anniversary celebration on February 11th, 2023, featuring engaging activities and collaborations with other small, local businesses.

Jenna Elizabeth is a partner of Edwards Law Firm PLLC and a local realtor. She highlights local business owners and community members to showcase why the Fredericksburg region is an amazing place to live.

The Dragon ’ s Den & Treasures 1002 Caroline St thedragonsdentreasures.com Facebook.com/TheDragonsDenTreasures Instagram.com/dragons_den_treasures