THE UNKNOWN RULES AT 'X' SYMPOSIUM

St. Catharines Standard - Saturday, May 15, 1999

by Don Fraser

Erich Von Daniken won't be the only specialist probing the mysteries of inner and outer space today and tomorrow. At the 'X' Symposium, an eclectic mix of presenters will be delving into the unknown.

Organizer Rob McConnell said the paranormal exhibition has grown in scope over the last four years, with public awareness "certainly a major factor in the ability to bring in these calibre of speakers." Last year about 300 attended.

There are several local representatives at this weekend's symposium.

Lady Ashley is a "white witch" and a solitary practitioner of the ancient pagan religion Wicca. The Niagara on the Lake resident said she's have "stuff for everyday regular spells," and would be providing some tarot, I Ching and numerology demonstrations. The "practical witch" emphasized that she only does good works, and never once rode a broom.

Michael Stellitano - the only psychic healer in Nevada with a business license - said with his video, Your Healing Hands, he could teach anyone to do what he does.

He claimed by tapping into the "electricity from God" he could perform the practice live and possibly even treat health conditions. "I'm going to demonstrate this energy, shoot it through the audience and show people what it feels like."

"When you clean the client's aura," Stellitano explained, "wonderful things can happen."

On the comparatively more conservative end of the scale, Kyle Upton, organizer of Ghost Tours of Niagara, said he would likely share some of the spooky experiences he and others have run into while touring Fort George by candle light. Some have been visited by the ghost of little Sarah Ann and Upton himself has encountered the terrifying silhouette of a man on a window.

"On about 60 percent of the tours we've led, we've had somebody come to us with some experience that we could believe," he said.

McConnell said the diverse topics are a reflection of his own talk show called The 'X' Zone, which is broadcast from the studios of CKTB, Friday through Sunday.

He defended the symposium's broad scope -the mysteries of the world aren't confined to UFOs and ghosts. "Its' our way of looking back and revisiting some of the big questions we still haven't answered," said McConnell.

"These are things religion and science have so far been unable to answer responsibly."

Aliens of all varieties, shadow readings and paranormal investigations are other phenomena to be explored at the Parkway Ramada Inn and Convention Centre this weekend.