Wizards, psychics and palm readers of Douglas County 'here to make a difference'
ROSEBURG, Ore. - The idea of wizards and psychics is something often portrayed in American culture, with books, movies and TV shows. A bit of that culture isn't far away. In Douglas County psychics, wizards, reiki, palm readers - whatever tag you give them - are all considered metaphysical practitioners.
"Basically, as a metaphysical practitioner, dealing with some of the spooky things that are in our world, I'm just trying to help in a way that I've found I'm uniquely suited to do so," said Andrew Pitts, a wizard and palm reader.
Throughout history, there have been stigmas relating to metaphysics.
"I was always different. I was the one that was down the street and everyone said, 'She's a little strange. She says things and they happen,'" said Wolfdreamer, a psychic, clairvoyant and astrologer.
The images are all too familiar - witches burned at stakes, paintings of eccentric or angry women casting spells. Many people believe witches make everything up.
"In a reading with anybody I always tell them, don't tell me anything, don't tell me anything, because if I'm really what I proclaim to be, then I should be able to tell you things before you telling me your whole darn story before you sit down," Wolfdreamer said.
Those like Wolfdreamer have thrived in their professions as psychics and clairvoyants around the world.
"A lot of my business has come from word of mouth and, you know, you're not going to refer somebody if you're not happy with what you received from them," Wolfdreamer said.
Her client spread reaches across the globe, but Wolfdreamer lives in Douglas County. That's where you'll find one of the few Meta shops in southern Oregon. Despite changes over the years, Mystic Earth has been in downtown Roseburg for 15 years.
"People can come for their mind, body and spirit," said Michelle Van Cromphaut, owner of Mystic Earth.
Herbs, incense, oils and stones are among some of the many things for sale at Mystic Earth.
"Many things people come in and talk to me about, ask questions about, 'I'm tired of being on my pills. I want to do something different, something holistic for my body.' So I take them to the herbs, to the teas. I've made many different types of teas. They're more tonics then anything," Van Cromphautsaid.
If someone comes in describing ghost activity, Van Cromphautsays she knows just who they can talk to.
"I send them to Andrew and Andrew kind of takes over from there," she said.
Andrew Pitts works for KPIC in Roseburg. By day he directs news and produces TV segments for Douglas County. In his hours outside of work at the station he is an ordained wizard with the Universal Life Church Monastery.
"Most of the time it's just really routine. You go in, say your prayers, run sage around and it just makes the house feel lighter. Most people have walked into a place and it feels heavy or it feels dark," Pitts said. "Most of it is not like the exorcist. I have had a lady who came to me and wasn't able to walk and after the exorcism, removal of spiritual entity, six months later she came back to me and was able to walk. To me that is the most profound illustration and it is an extreme rarity."
Many people see metaphysical practitioners as fakes and there are some con artist out there hoping to make money.
"There are charlatans out there that really profess to be and they're not and it's really disturbing for those of us who really try to walk the talk and be coming from that place where you're trying to do the best you can," Wolfdreamer said.
So how does someone know if the metaphysical practitioner is a phony or not?
"I like to use psychic fairs as a screening method. The Enlightened Living Fair has a screening process and you have to have recommendations. You can't just come off the street and say you're a psychic," Pitts said.
Pitts said he did an exorcism at the Enlightened Living Fair about four years ago and the man's daughter told him he was a lifesaver.
"That was the best feeling I had ever gotten doing anything and I've been in the military, I've worked in TV, I've worked in hospitals. I've done a lot of things that people would say was lifesaving, but that time it meant something to me," he said.
Pitts knows not everyone is going to believe in the trade.
"All I can say is if this isn't your thing, then don't worry about it. Focus on your own stuff; focus on your own world. We're going to go over here and do our thing and if you don't want our services, then don't contact us. It's really as simple as that," he said.
"But I know that I'm here to make a difference because I hear it from clients all the time, 'I'm so glad you told me this,' or, 'I'm so glad you told me that, you helped me or you told me this a year ago and it all happened,'" Wolfdreamer said.