HOULTON, Maine — Tapping into the roots of ancient wisdom and mythological tales about the spiritual energies of the sun and moon, Houlton will offer visitors a tent filled with astrologers, psychics and tarot card readers during the town’s eclipse festival weekend next month.
“In our three years of exploring eclipse activities in other towns, one town said you really have to have a spiritual tent,” Jane Torres, executive director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, said. “Because those people that like to practice alternative things like crystals, horoscopes and tarot, like to have their own place.”
The town will set up a parking lot-sized heated tent. Inside, there will be spiritual healing and energy work demonstrations, speakers, vendors and opportunities for short private readings during the astrological event. The total eclipse happens on Monday, April 8.
Eclipses have long been associated with the spiritual and superstition. Ancient astrologers believed they were karmic events that balanced the injustices in the world. Romanian myth told of the werewolf eating the sun. In Tahiti, legend has it that along with the eclipse came new opportunities that would change one’s life.
Torres said she held out for the tent even when others on the committee were not certain about offering it.
The Houlton area tends to lean conservative, but there has been a small sub-culture of people interested in and practicing spiritual healing and energy arts, said Linda Rowe of Monticello, who teaches yoga and ayurvedic healing, considered one of the oldest healing practices originating in India more than 5,000 years ago.
“Several of us feel it’s time to step out and say here we are,” she said. “And what a better time to do it than during the eclipse. Bring that other component to this astrological spiritual event. It is rooted in the wise guiding their community with myth and story to address these powerful energies and I think that we’re just trying to do it in the County way. ”
Last year, when a Houlton resident wanted to build a large outdoor walking labyrinth for healing and meditation in the town’s Riverside park, town councilor Eileen McLaughlin was opposed, citing evil and satanic connections to these ancient walking paths. But for those involved with organizing the metaphysical tent, the reaction from the community has been positive.
One of the four co-sponsors, Erica Ziegman, owner of Erathan Emptor, a crystal and gem business, said that she has been trying to spread the word.
“I hope that Houlton receives it well,” she said. “The people I have talked to in the community are looking forward to it.”
The four co-sponsors of the 100-foot-by-40-foot metaphysical tent that will be located behind the chamber of commerce and the Summit Academy include the Houlton Eclipse Committee, the Houlton Unitarian Universalist Church, Rowe, owner of Linda Auyerva and Erathan Emptor owner Ziegman.
The metaphysical tent will be available to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 6-7 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 8.
There is no admission, but donations on behalf of the Unitarian church will be accepted, Rowe said.
Currently, the vendors and practitioners include astrologers, psychics, reiki masters, hypnotists, masseurs, oracle readers, a local author of a book on mindful breathing for children, Thai Yoga body workers, Tarot readers, akashic records readers, and static embodiment practitioners, There will also be hand crafted products, crystals, rocks and minerals.
Some of the practitioners may charge for short readings or healing sessions in their own space, Rowe said.
Because such spiritual community offerings have been relatively hidden, it has been hard for some practitioners to connect to the general public and many people who might use these services are also tightlipped about what they are doing, Rowe said.
“If someone is going to a reiki practitioner or going to get their cards read, they may not share that over dinner,” she said.
Planners are hoping to educate the community about the world of healing medicine and energy work and this is an opportunity to do this in a collaborative visible way.
It’s not about changing people’s minds but about opening people’s minds and maybe there will be some degree of acceptance, according to planners.
“Who knows how many locals will participate in it,” Rowe said. “We are there for spreading joy and sharing what we know and being able to showcase The County and say we are doing this up here. It is very hard to be one of these practitioners offering something that is different and unique and not as well known.”
For three days Rowe will do a recitation of the Gayatri Chant, twice in the morning and in the evening Saturday, Sunday and Monday before the eclipse in the parlor of the Unitarian church.
“It is said that doing any spiritual practice during an eclipse yields a thousand times the benefits,” Rowe said.
