Have you ever been to a Psychic Fair? I still remember (fondly) not that many years ago (6 or 7?) when a girlfriend invited me to go to our local Psychic Fair because she had some questions and wanted to get a Tarot Reading. As a curious person, I eagerly accepted, especially considering that I thought of this friend as fairly straight-laced.

I'd never been to a Psychic Fair before and had no idea what to expect or how to prepare. The best suggestion: release expectations and go in with a curious mind. Many Psychic Fairs are being rebranded as Spirituality Expos or Mind~Body~Spirit Expos because there's a full range of offerings. Curiosity is welcome. As we all know, judgment is not helpful.

There are a full range of psychics, from intuitives and pet psychics to famous mediums — which, don't get me going, because going to such an event opens your eyes to whole other worlds! Famous is relative to having an audience. I had no idea who these people were but quickly learned and started to understand the context. I decided not to latch onto the "outsider" definition of my self and simply opened to learning and observing and taking in all the buzz. I've also never been to a Comicon. This probably feels similar, but with fewer costumes.

Beyond psychics, there's a whole realm of offerings to explore. There are massages and other physical approaches to tapping in to spirituality. There are all types of readers to learn about your self or explore questions. This can include oracle card readings, palm readings, angel readings, akashic record readings, rune readings, aura photography readings, destiny card readings, Tarot readings and probably many more options. In general, readers use a tool (such as cards) to receive messages from Spirit. Interpreting this tool to answer questions often helps reduce the possibility of human interjection of opinions and judgments. But each reader has their own unique gifts and approach.

You do not need to know what all of these readings are. Many readers will explain them, but consider saving yourself the information overload unless that's really your jam. Breathe in, release the need to know, and live in the mystery of it all. If you're inclined towards a reading, consider your intention (see tips below). This will help you ask more focused questions when choosing a reader. Instead of "How do your readings work?" or something equally broad that can kick off a looong ramble, ask about your intention. If your intention is to "Have more confidence," you could ask how a reading might present information to you along those lines. Some readings are about the past, the present or the future. Even choosing a broad area of inquiry will help narrow the field of options.

Psychic Fairs often include shopping areas as well. You can find unusual crystals, tea blends, water bottles and other products that incorporate a spiritual or healing component, jewelry, candles, music, spiritual tools, books, journals, and an array of bath and body products with a meta-physical (as in: something for more than your physical being) component.

After attending my first Psychic Fair, a few tips came to mind:

-Eat well. It's no joke that there's a lot of energy buzzing around. If you're a newbie to this experience, eating hearty protein is the easiest way to ground yourself. By your next Psychic Fair you may be toting black tourmaline and using spiritual protection tools, but let's start with the basics.

-Consume minimal caffeine. Similar to the tip above, avoid taking in too much or any caffeine. At least till you know how your body and mind will take in all this energy. There are people, crystals, announcements, music, workshops… so much stimulus. In this particular situation, caffeine scatters my focus and makes me feel ungrounded. A small coffee got heightened to feeling like a quad shot of espresso.

-Set a budget. Whatever mindset you are in while walking in to a Psychic Fair, expect it to shift. Help yourself out by setting a budget ahead of time. Build in room for spontaneity, like adding a bit extra for trying something new or being playful. Even if you think you don't need anything or don't want a reading or won't buy anything, have a "just in case" temptation number in mind. I find it makes me more open to exploration and allows room for magick. The first time I went, I budgeted a strict $40 and was sad to not get an aura photo. I had no idea I would want an aura photo! I'm glad I stuck to my budget but wished I'd built in a bit of wiggle room in my planning. You may just stumble across a sassy raccoon puppet giving Tarot readings and simply not be able to resist (true story — this is my friend Derek James Smith. This happened a few years later at the Nevada City Psychic Fair and hasn't been repeated since he moved back to New York).

-Arrive early & get the lay of the land. Before a show gets too crowded, walk through it and see what jumps out to you. With this approach, do a quick walk through once and then go back and walk through more slowly. The advantage to this approach is that you get to see all the readers, for example. Once you've taken a quick pass, is there any booth or person that you feel drawn to? Trust that. Then go back to those specific places, explore the details like prices and make an appointment if you're ready to commit. Many readers get booked quickly and early. This also works for all the other booths. It takes some discipline to do the quick overview walk, but for me it quiets down the doubt monster or the something-better-is-around-the-corner which keeps me skimming the surface and not diving in to anything. My approach varies now that I've been to many Psychic Fairs, but I found this useful for my first one. I also didn't know that readers could get booked up. I figured people walked by and impulsively sat down wherever there was an empty spot. That can work as well, but this overview approach allows you to bring some intention.

-Trust your gut. If you're drawn to a reader or a crystal, go with that if it's in your budget. Try not to do any mental spinning. There's a fine line between being impulsive and compulsive and being guided, especially when this whole realm is new. You may keep wanting to know "But, why???..." Try practicing releasing into trust and living in the mystery.

-Anticipate your body's needs. Take breaks as needed, preferably before they're needed. Consider them a mini recharge. Do periodic physical body scans and tend to basic physical needs such as drinking water, going to the bathroom and eating before the need becomes urgent.

-If you're thinking of getting a reading, take a moment to tune in to your life. This is a broad one and optional. One approach to readings is to let the reader or the cards/tool reveal what the reading is about. Some readers are incredibly adept at this. At my first Psychic Fair, I got two different styles of card readings. I hadn't put any thought into what I wanted to know, so a lot of confirmation came out in the cards. I enjoyed the readings, but didn't get any big takeaways. Writing that makes me realize that I wanted to feel motivated in some way. I wanted insight and possibility more than confirmation. If you are able to tune in, consider tapping below the broad categories of relationship, money and career and see if there's a more specific aspect such as: How can I open to receiving the [love, money, promotion] I dream of? It's helpful to make it about you and you alone, because, regardless what you think, that's what you have control over.

-Remember you have free will. You are the dreamer of your dream. As with any gathering, there's going to be a mixture of light and shadow energies — in others and in ourselves. Yes, it's true. Sometimes we want a reading for validation or confirmation and will twist any messages to fit what we want to hear. Other times we yearn for a psychic to simply tell us exactly what will happen. All information that comes is totally possible in that moment, if you stay exactly as you are. That's not possible, though. Every person and every moment is evolving. You are evolving. Connections and energies, thoughts and inspirations, opportunities and possibilities continually arise. Whatever messages arise, they are not law. In my opinion, the best readings awaken your own inner knowing. They offer an outside perspective, overview and possible outcome or way forward. But at any point you can choose differently, make a radical shift and open up all new pathways. This goes for "positive" readings as well as "challenging" readings. Work with them as a tool for information, and continue to check in with yourself about your motivations for getting readings. Curiosity, perspective, exploring possibilities, getting out of your own head, and a new way of connecting with yourself are all great intentions.

-Know that you are not broken. Depending on where you're at, a Psychic Fair can present lots of options for fixing what's broken. Suddenly every crystal description sounds like something you need. Take a deep breath. Yes, there are lots of tools and options for supporting weaknesses. Practice mindfulness and remind yourself of your strengths. Build those up. If you feel out of touch with them, hmmmm... that could be a potential question to explore in a reading. What are my strengths? How can I recognize them more?

Psychic Fairs are so much fun. Do you agree? Have you been to one (or more)? I'd love to know any first timer questions or suggestions you have or wished you had before attending one. Share your insights in the comments below!In a few short years I've gone from Psychic Fair newbie to offering Tarot Readings at them. My favorite one is our local one, the first one I attended, the Nevada City Psychic Fair. 2019 marks my third year reading at this event. The fair takes place April 13 + 14, 2019 at the Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street in Nevada City, California. You can find my table at the Cult of Gemini booth. All are welcome. You can get a quickie 1-card reading for $5 or dive into more in-depth readings to explore aspects of your self and your journey.

Want a memorable experience? Get a reading from not one but two Gemini readheads. Ginger, the owner of Cult of Gemini and my bestie, and I offer rapid-fire, tag-team throwdown-style Tarot readings and Bone Throwing divination as the flow of patrons allows.Hope to see you there!