A group of local mystics are set to showcase their trades this weekend at a new fair geared towards the intuitive and healing arts.
Alara Serait created Mystic A-Fair to get the word out locally about all of the talent in the area.
“This area is rich in what I call ‘mystics,’” she said. “There are so many healers and intuitive counsellors with various backgrounds right here in the North Okanagan.”
Serait said people are waking up to their more spiritual natures and finding that they need to balance the physical and mental side of life with the spiritual side.
Serait’s own journey into the mystical started at a young age. She grew up in a Christian family, where prayer and the presence of God were a given. But she clearly remembers the day her Grade 7 teacher told the class that astrology was “just for fun and not to be taken seriously.”
“At the time I didn’t question it too much but for some reason the moment did go off like a bell for me,” said Serait, who had always been curious about how other people saw God and was aware there were many religions and viewpoints.
Before she left school, she had sampled some of the different religions with her friends who went to other types of churches. Astrology didn’t cross her mind again though until, at 18 years old, she came across the classic astrology book, Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs.
As she read about the four elements in astrology — air, earth, fire, water — and reflected upon her friends whose birthdates fell into the categories, she had what she calls a lighbulb moment.
“It was like my whole viewpoint changed right then,” said Serait. “What the heck was going on and why had I been told astrology wasn’t real? I decided that I would research this astrology stuff. Certainly there must be a point where it was all just coincidence and ceased to be true.
“What I found instead was actually an intricate and accurate science. Way too precise to be make-believe folklore.”
Serait saw a pattern showing up in nature, and in the people she knew. It made her feel connected to the Divine in a new and tangible way. She felt closer to it, more personally able to grasp it, and knew there were likely many other “mysteries” to discover.
As she explored the mysteries of astrology, Serait naturally began to look for and notice the mystical in everyday life. Later she was led to the study of vibrational medicine, herbal medicine and nutrition, and various intuitive and divination techniques. Serait now has quite a toolbox full of modalities and healing tools from, which she can draw on to help others.
“We often hear that we are spiritual beings having a human experience,” she said. “People certainly seem to be wanting to live from a more balanced and spiritual point of view these days.”
After the birth of her son, Serait knew it was time to start teaching and sharing what she had learned and began creating classes and events, and doing readings and healing work. After settling in the Okanagan 10 years ago, she decided it was time to do the work on a more full-time basis.
“It’s all about timing – the mystic has to spend time going within and in study, understanding and healing themselves. That practice truly never stops.”
Serait noticed there were many like-minded people living in Vernon and realized they needed a platform to present themselves to the community.
“There are a lot of talented healers and psychics here – they all have unique gifts to share. People can come to the Mystic A-Fair to meet local mystics, try a healing session, have a reading or check out the crystals and healing products.”
Mystic A-Fair will holding the fall show on Sunday, a Christmas fair and gift show Nov. 25 and another show Feb. 10 during Vernon Winter Carnival, all at the Schubert Centre.
For now Serait says it’s all about getting the word out and hopefully enticing people to catch a glimpse of the mystical within themselves.
“The mystics at the show are there to help people, inspire them or offer healing. They all have chosen a life of being in service to or helping others.”
Mystic A-Fair Psychic Fair and More runs Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Schubert Centre. Admission is $2. For more information, check out the fair’s Facebook page or email mysticafair@gmail.com