By Nicole June
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A former soldier and Clarksville businessman has opened a retail store that caters to the pagan and spiritual community.
“We’ve had a very warm reception,” McLane said. “There is no other store like this in Clarksville.”
McLane ventured into business after he was honorably discharged from the army. He served two duty tours in Iraq with the 526 Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
Valhalla’s Gate offers a variety of products including books, herbs, stones, statues, incense, and more. These items are specifically designed to meet the needs of local pagans.
The store also hosts meetings on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. to bring like-minded people together for discussions and fellowship.
Tarot card readings can be set up by appointment as well.
McLane, who has been a practicing pagan since the age of 13, wants to unite the spiritual community and cast aside misconceptions about his faith.
“I would like to say welcome to everybody, not just to the pagan community, but to Christians and people of other faiths as well. The purpose of our classes is to introduce people to new ideas that maybe have been more taboo and out of people’s reach,” he said.
He described paganism as an umbrella term for different polytheistic belief systems.
“In a more general sense, pagans believe in more than one god and they worship nature. It’s a very earthbound religion,” he said.
Valhalla’s Gate has moved to 279 Dover Rd. For more information, contact them at 931-919-2846 or visit them on Facebook.
