Metaphysics explores a mostly-invisible world. So its teachings are often called
“secret”, “lost” and “magical.” Perhaps that’s why metaphysical teachings haven’t lost their allure over the centuries – and today are more popular than ever. | BY ROZ Brown

During World War II, my Aunt Lorraine grabbed a friend and hitchhiked from Iowa to California, leaving her traditional Lutheran upbringing behind to marry a soldier and settle in his native Seattle. There, away from her more conservative tribe, she was free to pursue her passion for astrology, tarot, past-life regression and anything remotely related to what was then called “the occult.”

On visits to Iowa – back in the 1960s, long before the average mid-Westerner had ever heard of such things – she read our Chinese astrology charts and mesmerized us with stories about the intuitive predictions made by our great-grandmother regarding imminent death in the local community. She studied palmistry and even bought a crystal ball. She was eager to improve her intuitive abilities, and was driven by a yearning to know more about the unseen world. I doubt she ever said, “I’m investigating metaphysics,” but that’s what it was.

“Metaphysics attracts people who have a need to understand,” says Shanti Toll, founder of Colorado’s Celebration Metaphysical Fair. “They are open to exploring the seen and unseen, and leave behind the need for approval. It’s humbling because it puts human experience in a larger context.”

It’s a broad and vague term, but metaphysics is essentially the branch of philosophy that concerns itself with the fundamental nature of being and the world, and it looks beyond the physical and the ordinary for answers and understanding. That may sound harmless now, but just 30 years ago those who studied and practiced metaphysics in the USA were mistrusted and feared. That’s because the founders of the West’s major religions had long ago asked the same questions. They then codified the answers they obtained in scripture. Followers of those religions were often taught to distrust and avoid people or perspectives that disagreed with their own religion’s metaphysical explanation.

“Agents of the devil,” is what Toll and his exhibitors were called in 1978 when picketers showed up at his first metaphysical fair in Colorado Springs. Back then, Toll occupied first place on a list of Satanical organizations. Now, 33 years later – in the age of technology and social media – metaphysics has outgrown its stereotype as the province of hippies, occultists and New Agers. In fact, the pursuit of a beyond-the-consensus-reality understanding has become downright mainstream.

The entertainment world of TV and movies, for example, is crowded with wizards-in-training, vampires, mediums, psychic detectives, spirits of the dead, aliens of all shapes and a vast web of invisible forces messing with all these characters.

But the entertainment world’s psychics and wizards are imaginary (except for a few on reality TV). Metaphysics in the real world takes a more pragmatic form, according to Miwa Linehan of the Boulder Psychic Institute. “Clients come to me to gain insight into their lives that they can actually apply.  For example, an entrepreneur sees me to get clarity around a business decision.  A woman wants to uncover what her cancer is trying to teach her so she can learn from it and truly heal. Parents love learning about their child’s soul essence and spiritual gifts so that they can better provide guidance and support. A new homeowner requests a house clearing to remove any energy left by the previous tenant. And of course, many people want to learn about metaphysics so that they can be empowered to do all of this on their own.”

If you are one of those curious folks, you are alive at the right time! In days of old, metaphysical knowledge was usually kept secret (the meaning of the word “occult” is “secret”). Today all you need is a laptop, maybe a smart phone or iPod, and some mode of transportation besides a horse and carriage.
You could connect with like-minded individuals, join a course of study at a local institute, or explore in the privacy of your own home. You can find many resources among the advertisers in this issue of Nexus. And here are a few more ideas, some involving deep courses of study, some offering just a taste.

Divination.

I Ching, tarot, numerology and astrology can help you ponder the best course of action, while divination tools such as aura readings, feng shui, runes and palmistry might help create a larger context in which to see your life.

• Tarot. Obsessed with tarot? Make new friends by joining the Denver Tarot Geeks (Meetup.com/Denver-Tarot-Geeks).

• Astrology. It’s a language that gives very specific access to our quirks and idiosyncrasies, says local practitioner Debra Silverman (Debrasilvermanastrology.com). An in-depth consultation is best, but for a quick fix, download iScopes app (or check on predictions for pals, with FriendScopes); both at the iTunes app store.

• Magical practices. If magic is your medicine, meet-up with other seekers interested in the Golden Dawn system of theurgy and spiritual development. Coloradogoldendawn.com

• Runes. Become a Rune Master with distant study lessons; visit Runesbyragnar.com to sign up and for more information.

Mysticism, religion and spirituality.
True, there’s no definitive development map for adult spiritual growth – but there are many options to explore divinity and spiritual truths. Some examples:

• Kabbalah. This ancient Jewish practice involves mystical interpretation of the Bible. Movies like The Tree of Life, released in May, can give you an easy-to-understand introduction. Starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, it’s a must-see for spiritual movie lovers.

• Christianity. Still haven’t read the Bible? Sign up for Twitter, and get one tweet per chapter, one day at a time. Twitter.com/biblesummary

• Hinduism. It’s a deep and rich tradition that spawned such popular modern practices as asana yoga, meditation and neo-Tantra. You’ll find hundreds of books and CDs on the topic; or start with Hinduism for Dummies for a broad overview.

• Spirituality. Tune in to radio for your soul at Hay House Radio (Hayhouseradio.com). This free internet radio, founded by You Can Heal Your Life author Louise Hay, features such spiritual heavies as Caroline Myss, Wayne Dyer, Gregg Braden and Marianne Williamson. Like your uplifting messages in still-smaller doses? Sign up at Spiritualtweets.com and have them tweeted to your smart phone.

Other practices.

Akashic records, psychic readings, Reiki healing and UFOs? These are available in modern applications; a few samplings:

• Interested in energy healing? The Denver Reiki Co-op offers monthly events open to the public; visit Meetup.com/denver-reiki for more details.

• Ready to be a psychic? This ancient art enjoys modern instruction and availability; visit Boulder Psychic Horizons (Psychichorizons.com) or the Boulder Psychic Institute (Boulderpsychicinstitute.org) for more details.

• Explore the Akashic Records with the Akashic Records Meditation app, that promises clarity on your life purpose and mission; visit the iTunes store to download.

• Love learning about UFOs, strange occurrences and life-after-death experiences? You’ll find a hefty dose, at the late-night Coast to Coast (Coasttocoastam.com) radio program on hundreds of AM stations across the country. Or to hear one organization’s take on UFO sightings and other strange phenomena attend one of Share International Mountain West’s free presentations in July and August. Share-international.us/mtnw

Expos, lectures and fairs.

Where metaphysical groups, lectures and fairs were once shrouded in secrecy (and limited to a select few initiates), they’re now broadly publicized, and widely available to an enormous audience - no prior experience necessary.

The Holistic Life Choices Fair in Loveland is held September 24 and 25 at the Larimer County Fairgrounds Holisticlifechoices.com

The WholeExpo in Durango is held the weekend after Labor Day, September 10 and 11 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Wholeexpo.com

The Holistic Living Fair in Pueblo is set for November 5 and 6 at Colorado State University’s Occhiato Ballroom. Puebloholisticfair.com

The Celebration Metaphysical Fair (the oldest in the country!) in Denver is held twice a year – March and September 2 to 4 at the Denver Merchandise Mart; in Colorado Springs, the spring fair is held in April and October 7 to 9 at City Auditorium. Celebrationfair.com

Athena Festival in Denver is held annually. November 13 at Ramada Plaza, Northglen. Athenafestival.com

Whether you’re ready to submerge yourself, or just dip a toe in the ocean of metaphysical mysteries, Toll offers some advice: “Explore everything. Reject what doesn’t work. But when you find something that does work, commit to it. Do what you need to do to create balance in your life.”

As my Aunt Lorraine would have said, there’s more to the world than we can see and touch; keep your crystal ball polished.

Freelance writer Roz Brown also contributes the “Holistic Living” feature, and has written special features for Nexus on a varitey of topics.