Open Grove Society hosts Psychic Fair as part of Witch Week

Amid tables of crystals, beaded bracelets and books on every thing from omens to Wicca, members of Open Grove Society gave tarot readings and other forms of divination to introduce locals to a more spiritual world.

The religious diversity RSO hosted the Psychic Fair event as part of their second annual Witch Week festivities – an effort to spread awareness and clear up misconceptions about modern-day witches. A portion of the proceeds from the event were donated to a local women's aid shelter.

“We’re just trying to raise awareness of different parts of society that people normally don’t get to see on a regular basis," said Livonia freshman Alayna Zeydel, a member of OGS. "With this event, we were also trying to give opportunities to local vendors as well, to showcase their work."

Vendors participate in the psychic fair to not only show their work, but to educate students on their practices.

“I’ve been coming to the events put on by this society for about a dozen years now," said Holly Stafford, a vendor at the event. "And it’s even more important to me now, because I have a daughter who is a student here at the university.”

Stafford owns the shop Mother Moon in Saugatuck, and specializes in selling jewelry, herbs, stones, healing remedies, information books and more, much of which was showcased at her booth on Friday.

“I’ve always been interested in spirituality, and I began studying shamanism around the end of high school," she said. "I find that if I open myself up to spirituality, I know things intuitively, and if I don’t question or second guess myself, I am always right, and that’s what is referred to as clairsentience.”

Stafford is mainly an astrologer, and prepares custom astrological charts and personalized horoscope interpretations in her own words. She said that most of her skills had been self-taught, but she has also had many friends who introduced her to other techniques and taught her how to better herself.

“I think that we are all born with psychic skills that, by and large, we are taught to ignore for the first several years of our lives," she said. "And I think we can spend a lot of time reclaiming our gifts and such."

Indiana sophomore and Public Relations officer for the OGS Mariah Higgins said the group is available to discuss beliefs in an open, nonjudgemental way.

“We are a place for questions, we’re very accepting and open," Higgins said. "We just ask that you don’t judge us or try to change our beliefs, and we would never with you, either"