By Karen Parr-Moody

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Tarot card reading, crystal healing, energy work, astrology, acupuncture and more – such practices will be made manifest during the Metaphysical Fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 15.

Open to the general public, this event takes place at the William O. Beach Civic Center, Veteran’s Plaza 350 Pageant Lane. There is a $5 entry fee.

Patsy Dollar is the spirit behind this mélange of alternative spirituality and healing. She organizes this and the Energy and Light Workers of Clarksville group (through www.MeetUp.com) to give interested individuals a social network. The group recently met at a local restaurant to chat about their interests.

Long an artist, Dollar said that in recent years she has taken up the practice of Reiki, a Japanese technique of laying hands on a person to promote that individual’s stress reduction, relaxation and healing.

“But it was in the closet, because this is the Bible Belt,” Dollar said, noting that her mother asked if she was “working with Satan” when she undertook this path. “To talk about that to anybody is hard.”

But the last two to three years, Seay-Dollar decided it was time to “step it up” and organize various locals who also had experience in Reiki, healing touch and other energy modalities.

During the Metaphysical Fair, around 20 different practitioners in these areas will host booths. Of those presenting, Christina Burawa will give mini Jin Shin Jyutsu treatments (through gentle touch, such treatments aim to harmonize the body, mind and spirit). Sally Reid will give psychic readings. Matthew King, of Appalachian Cultural Revival, will sell his “energetic jewelry” that incorporates resonant frequencies and sacred geometry.

And what’s a fair without food? Susie and Son, a mother-son duo, will serve up gluten-free products.

For more information on the fair, go to www.iienergyworksmetaphysical.com. Dollar is also opening iiEnergy Works Metaphysical, a store and treatment facility, at 1191E Ft. Campbell Boulevard on March 29.

Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.