The Pagan Student Association hosted several psychics in the Student Union Saturday for the first-ever Psychic Fair, which offered students a chance to see into the future while giving the Pagan SA a chance to establish themselves as a legitimate club.
Pagan SA members said the event was aimed at dispelling myths about Pagan practices, as well as giving students a chance to partake in various types of psychic and traditional readings.
"We're trying to get ourselves out there," said Pagan SA Vice President Agnes Nogal, a junior biology major. "We're not little pagans who are running around and going to curse you."
"We're not going to sacrifice virgins or eat children," she added.
The Psychic Fair garnered a small but interested group of students in the Student Union.
"I think people are so interested in it because life is so unpredictable and you really don't know what's going to happen," said Elizabeth Henry, a freshman industrial engineering major.
Elizabeth Hicks, a sophomore psychology major, received a psychic Runes reading, which she said was eerily accurate. Runes readings involve interpretation of characters from the Druid language.
"It was actually really on. It was kind of scary," Hicks said. "Actually, it was the most insightful advice I've had on the situation yet."
Hicks bought a set of homemade Runes from the Pagan SA, but said she does not know how to read them - not that she was disappointed in the purchase.
"They're cute," she said.
Cheryl Dorrenbacher, a vendor who gave astrology, numerology, I Ching and Runes readings explained the meaning behind the mystical practices.
"These are all very useful tools for guidance in your entire life," Dorrenbacher said.
"For confusion, they can clarify the issue for you very well," she said. "It's mostly for spiritual guidance."
Local merchants were invited to sell their wares at the Psychic Fair. Sandy Leboeuf, who works at the Curious Goods store in Buffalo, sold decks of Tarot cards, incense and books about Paganism at the fair, and said some Pagan practices could help people see into the future.
"Most people want to know about marriage and where their life is going, just to tell the future, to see future events coming about," Leboeuf said.
Despite endorsements by vendors like Leboeuf, some of the students who received fortunes on Saturday were skeptical of the psychics' abilities.
"The Tarot cards and the Runes seemed to confirm each other, but were a bit general," said Luke Drelick, a senior computer science major who had several readings done.
"I asked a lot about business and career, and they just basically told me that I'm destined to do very well as long as I just stay on the path and that sort of stuff," said Drelick.
Pagan and traditional Indian Henna patterns were offered to patrons at the Psychic Fair, courtesy of Pagan SA member Teresa Steenburgh, a sophomore English and philosophy double major.
Steenburgh said the club serves as an educational organization as well as a meeting place for Pagans.
"We sit and basically inform people about what Paganism is about, and also it's just a friendly community for those who are Pagan," said Steenburgh.
The Pagan SA claims a membership of 15 and a mailing list of 40. According to Pagan SA President Christie Syphrit, a sophomore computer science major and member of the Shamanism sect of Paganism, the club is in the process of seeking permanent club status as a special interest, service and hobby club.
"The Pagan SA basically started about six months ago, during fall semester," said Syphrit. "We're still a temporary club, but we have hopes of becoming a permanent SA club."
Alison Merner, a freshman biochemistry and anthropology major and vice president-elect of Pagan SA, said the fair was intended to make the club better known to the public.
"We're trying to increase awareness of the club, and earning a little money never hurts," she said.
According to Pagan SA Secretary Matthew L. Schwartz, a freshman studio art major, the event raised money through vender's fees, selling of merchandise and charging for various types of readings.
"This fair is going to help us. It's a way to get our club out there and to do some fundraising," Schwartz said.
Schwartz, who belongs to the Wiccan sect of Paganism, said he was able to provide insight into a range of events in the past, present and future with his readings of Runes.
"I've had questions anywhere from love and romance to 'Hey, am I going to pass that quiz tomorrow?'" he said.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
