Psychic phenomena enthusiasts gather at Meeker Mansion’s Psychic Fair debut

Susan Schell of The Herald

The Meeker Mansion provided the perfect setting last Saturday for its first-ever Psychic Fair. The old Victorian home with its history, staircases, corridors and many rooms created an ideal atmosphere for the 12 psychics who gathered to offer their insights to the open-minded and curious.

Psychics, tarot card readers, a specialist in paranormal activities and a mineral vendor had tables set up in almost every room in the house. Brenda Runkle was seated with her harp in the upstairs hallway.

The mansion’s director, Dan Stats, conceptualized the event.

Linda Belles, a psychic consultant, said she got a welcoming feeling from the former lady of the house. She said Ezra Meeker’s wife had had her own personal spiritualist.

“She loves her home and she loves us being here,” Belles said. “What a treasure this house is. They’re doing such a good job with the restoration. The community is so lucky to have this historic home. It’s quite a gift to the people.”

Psychic reader Diane Adams had her table set up in the Meeker library.

“Ever since I was a girl I knew I was born with this gift,” she said. “ I had visions and some were not so good. My mother had it a little bit, but my grandmother really had it. I had my grandma till I was about 10 or 11. She knew all the right things to say and do. My family was very supportive of my gift and took me to all the proper places in different areas.

“When you’re little sometimes it can be frightful,” Adams continued. “Negative things come and they want to stick. You have to decide what you will and will not accept. Some people take their gift to the wrong places. The dark side is the easiest and fastest way and they kept me away from that part. Everything I do with this I do for good.”

Adams feels that people today are more receptive to psychic phenomena than in years past.

“People are much more open to it now,” she said. “People want to know what they’re doing in life.”

Belles agreed.

“People are searching,” she said.

“We are inundated by the media. We’re bludgeoned by it every single day and we need to put things into perspective. You need to find your place, whether or not you consciously seek it. You need to reach beyond your personal self to a spiritual place. It helps you connect with the world and feel more accepting. It opens gateways to the soul and helps people in their connection with God.”

Belles is also a clinical hypnotherapist who works with modality groups at Sisters of the Air Magical Gifts in Edgewood. During the hypnotherapy, Belles asks people questions about themselves, which they answer inwardly to themselves.

“Finding out about yourself is always fun,” she said. “You don’t see yourself the same afterward. You may find out things about a past life that affects things in this life, like why you don’t like broccoli, why you don’t like certain kinds of people, or why you have an affinity for a certain country and feel like you have to go there.”

Belles has worked with people who have wandered down the wrong paths. In that case, she tries to steer them back in the proper direction.

“I don’t give them permission to continue on that path,” she said. “But I can applaud their soul for trying to take on that aspect of their being. I can help someone by showing them that this isn’t the way to be. I think all people are intrinsically good. Re-connecting them with their good side helps them with that and helps them on their path.”

Elissa Moore from Black Market Minerals had her wares displayed in the dining room. Moore said psychics use stones for healing, meditation and general well being. Quartz crystal, the star ingredient for the crystal ball, is a best seller.

Stats said the event overall was “extremely successful.”

“Around 170 people showed up,” he said. “Mostly women. Since it was the first time around, I was a little worried. But I guess there are enough people in the community interested in this. Everybody seemed to have a good time. We had a séance afterward, with at least 15 people at the table. I’ll definitely do it again, maybe in the spring.”