Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Otherworldly Presentations a Big Draw
Thursday, October 28, 2010
By Janice Crompton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
For generations, European immigrants have preserved the traditions of their homeland such as cooking, music -- and spiritualism, some involving the work of psychics and mediums.
But these psychics aren't the ones found hunched over a crystal ball in a carnival tent.
"I'm not going to be telling you this, and this is going to happen, or that your Aunt Kim says hello," said Rebecca Bloom, manager of Psychic Salon, held Wednesday evenings at the Gypsy Cafe on the South Side.
Comparable to a dinner theater, the Psychic Salon allows diners and bar patrons to interact with guest speakers, which include spiritualists, psychics and astrologers. The program begins at 7:30 p.m., and the cover charge is $5.
The cafe also sponsors private Tarot card readings from 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays and 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays at a charge of $15 for 15 minutes or $25 for a half-hour reading. The Tarot card readings have been held for six years and continue to be popular, especially with large groups, Ms. Bloom said.
"It's mainly groups of women who have readings and make an evening of it," she said.
Although the events are generally considered lighthearted fun, Ms. Bloom said exploration of the paranormal and spiritualism is also serious business.
"A lot of people are developing spirituality and searching for the spiritual reason behind physical events," she said. "I think people enjoy the mystery of it."
Also popular in the South Hills are the psychic development workshops and readings offered at the Bethel Park Public Library by Deborah Pakler.
"They have a huge turnout when I do my talks," said Dr. Pakler of Swissvale, who is a medium and ordained minister.
"We put out 70 chairs, and they were all full," library director Christine McIntosh said about Dr. Pakler's first program in October 2009.
Seminars about financial planning, history and similar topics generally draw eight to 10 people.
"People kept asking us, 'Bring the psychic back, bring the psychic back,' " Ms. McIntosh said.
Dr. Pakler returned in the spring for another program and again last month for a series of psychic development workshops and private readings.
She helps clients tune in to their natural gifts, she said.
"Intuition is the basis of all of this," she said. "It's something we can develop and use in everyday life."
As the public shows more interest in the paranormal, through public library programs for example, the veil between the worlds seems increasingly to erode.
"It really isn't the unknown," Dr. Pakler said. "It's a natural part of who we are. But our culture has stamped that out over the years. It's like a missing part of ourselves that we cut off."
For details: www.gypsycafe.net; www.bethelparklibrary.org; www.debbiepakler.com.
Janice Crompton: jcrompton@post-gazette.com; 724-223-0156.
First published on October 28, 2010 at 12:00 am
Deborah L. Pakler, PhD
Certified Medium~Ordained Minister
Psychotherapist
Teacher~Workshop Presenter~Speaker
