Concerns foreseen for psychic fair at Empire State Plaza Wednesday, October 1, 2008 The Associated Press
ALBANY — A crystal ball might have come in handy for state officials hosting a psychic fair at the Empire State Plaza — maybe they would have seen the criticism coming.
“There is certainly a Satanic element to psychic fairs and to the occult and to new age religion,” said Rev. Jason McGuire, legislative director of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms.
McGuire said the event clashes with the line separating church and state — a boundary evangelical Christians are often accused of crossing when lobbying against abortion, for prayer in public school and other issues.
“Unfortunately the line only seems to run in one direction, and that seems to leave out the Christian church,” he said.
The state Office of General Services, however, said the second annual Psychic Fair and Halloween Festival is just good clean fun. Psychics, astrologers, mediums, people who talk to angels, dream interpreters and tarot card readers will be on hand Oct. 29 at the Empire State Plaza’s concourse, where thousands of state workers pass daily. Psychic fairs operate around the country, including Connecticut, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Kansas. They are usually held on private property.
“These vendors who are coming are strictly entertainment,” said OGS spokesman Brad Maione, noting the fair isn’t a cost to state taxpayers.
OGS officials said the fair was not connected to the occult or religion.
“I understand that for many people this is sort of considered harmless, but it can lead one to becoming involved with Satanic elements,” said Dennis Poust, a spokesman for the Catholic conference. “I’m not saying these psychics are Satanists, though. The Catholic church does warn against divination, which is foretelling the future.”
Thomas Kearns, an Albany-based psychic who says he’s a minister of spiritualism, doesn’t see a problem.
Kearns said he doesn’t consider his work merely entertainment, but many in his line of work, for legal purposes, have an easier time presenting themselves as entertainers.
“It’s not presented as a religion when they’re doing a psychic fair,” Kearns said. “They’re presenting it as a psychic fair. Some of the people who are there may have some spiritual beliefs and some of them won’t.”
OGS officials said the fair was not connected to the occult or religion.
Oh brother...what do they know...they are just state workers. OF COURSE IT IS AN OCCULT!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Psychic fair was different realm State Plaza event hosted fortune-telling, energy readings ... and beyond
By TIM O'BRIEN, Staff writer First published in print: Friday, October 31, 2008
ALBANY — Walking through the Empire State Plaza concourse, past the farmers market stalls where spaghetti sauce and horse radish cheese spread are sold, the aroma of incense is strong. You've entered a whole new realm, where Lorna Reichel waits to read your aura.
"I do full body aural imaging," says Reichel. The owner of Atlantis Health Vibes of Clifton Park pulls out a device that she holds to your throat and announces that it measures 676 megahertz, which means your communications aura is navy blue, marking you as an analytic type.
"The energy field around your body has many layers," Reichel explains. The layer closer to your body shows your physical condition, the outer layers reveal what's going on in your mental and emotional state.
"Everything that has ever happened to you, that information is in your energy field," she says. "An energy that is out of balance in the outer area moves into the inner area, and that's when you get sick. I want to educate people about their energy field."
Reichel was among two dozen vendors on Wednesday at the annual Psychic Fair and Halloween Festival sponsored by the state Office of General Services.
"It's a little entertainment opportunity during the lunch hour," says OGS spokesman Brad Maione. "Obviously this is not for everybody."
Nina Lockwood of Saratoga Springs also is focused on energy. Step up to her, and she'll hold a pendulum while placing her hand near seven core spots on your body.
"We look for where energy is stuck in a person's life," she says. If the pendulum swings clockwise, your energy is openly flowing and you're fine. If it waves back and forth, you could use a little positive thought to make you feel better.
Karl Kolsbun, a psychic from Schenectady, reads fortunes. "A lot of people are interested in relationships, whether it has to do with love relationships or family relationships," he says. "They also have questions about deceased loved ones."
To help them, Kolsbun asks questions and gets the answers from what he describes as "master guides, angels and master teachers." He also is working on a healing device with the assistance of the Arcturians from the planet Arcturus, he says.
Staff writer Tim O'Brien can be reached at 454-5092 or by e-mail at tobrien@timesunion.com.
Okay - does anybody know which nom de plume Mr. Kolsbun uses here? (And before anyone suggests it, I work exclusively with the gang at Upsilon Andromeda b!)
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