Prince George residents looking for a little guidance gravitated downtown this weekend to find out what the universe had in store for them.
PJ Rock and Gems held their first Psychic Fair at their Brunswick Street location, with the three-day event offering $1 sessions with nine readers specializing in a variety of disciplines ranging from psychometry, tarot card reading, angel therapy, palm reading and handwriting analysis.
A similar event had been held previous years at another
business, which has since closed its doors.
"A lot of people are just curious," said store owner Paulette Ryder of the event's patrons. That curiosity stems from looking to see if one's own intuition about their path in life is validated, Ryder explained. The fair also served as an opportunity for those who are interested to meet and form relationships with a reader, aside from the store's in-house psychic, Sarah.
For many, the idea of psychics is under a shadow of skepticism, cast by TV infomercial fraudsters and ingrained cynicism.
And while those who still needed to be convinced of the authenticity of the practice were in attendance, there were also those who had their minds made up to enjoy the experience.
"I think it's a really good idea," said Alicia Kirkham. "I'm open to it and want to experience it. It's great to have it here and accessible."
Kirkham is no stranger to having an open mind as a member of a local group of women who meet every Friday night to promote self-empowerment and study the Toltec teachings.
The ancient Mexican teachings focus on four principles, Kirkham explained: don't make assumptions, always do your best, speak with integrity and don't take things personally.
"It makes things work and flow," Kirkham said of the Toltec philosophy. "When you think positively, you attract positivity."
Applying that perspective to the weekend's event meant Kirkham, and her friends who joined her at the store was intrigued to have her very first reading.
Being open to the messages coming from outside the traditional media.
The realization that one has to remain open to receive the messages coming in from outside the traditional media was a turning point for Stella Mayhew.
Mayhew, who specializes in angel therapy and mediumship, began delving into the craft in earnest three years ago after the passing of her daughter in 2008.
"I saw an angel and it was pretty profound," she said.
The practice of mediumship and angel therapy - a non-denominational spiritual healing method developed by Doreen Virtue - has become a great comfort to Mayhew and the people she does readings for, because everybody has lost someone in their lives.
"It's wonderful to connect with somebody and it just lightens them up and brings joy," she said of the ability to pass on messages, the most popular of which are "lighten up" and "I'm okay."
"We all come into this life having a purpose, and that's what I feel is mine," said Mayhew.
Ryder said the store may hold the event once per season.
