Psychic fundraiser supports pagan festival

Dozens gathered for a night of fun, fortune telling and friendship at the Whoville Bar and Grill in Bethpage on Thursday for the Psychic Night fundraiser.

Psychic Night took place to benefit the 19th annual Long Island Beltaine Festival, a pagan celebration of spring, rebirth and fertility. It is a family-friendly event in which the pagan community gathers to share spirituality, rituals and the dancing of the maypole.

“We choose a May king and queen for the maypole,” said 33-year-old Amityville resident Melissa Hardwick, the festival’s coordinator and the one who put together Psychic Night. “It is a symbol of fertility and virility, which are important for spring, the season where everything blooms and is born.”

Jackie Reynolds, 35, of Valley Stream, looks forward to the organization's gatherings, which often take place at Whoville.

“This is a space to share positive thoughts, and peace and happiness,” she said. “You enter with perfect love and perfect truth. Everyone is a friend, and everyone is welcome.”

Psychics lined the left side of the room, each with a different speciality. For $20, you could have your fortune told by palm reading, tarot cards, runes, crystals, flowers or tea.

Louis Freire, who has been a practicing psychic consultant for the past 30 years, finds his work very rewarding.

“I give people the direction they need,” Freire said. “Sometimes they have it in their heads and hearts, and my reading will give them the push to do those things.”

Not everyone at the fundraiser was a practicing pagan. There were more than a few curious Christians roaming the room.

L.K. Dunkley, 32, of Glen Cove, was interested because she has a natural love for learning, especially about different people and their experiences.

“I wanted to learn more about my Celtic heritage, and its origins," Dunkley said. “I came with a friend to see what it was about, and I really love the spirit of inclusiveness.”

The Long Island Beltaine Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at the Universal Unitarian Church of Huntington, 109 Browns Rd. The event is open to all who are interested, with guest speakers, live performances, chants and workshops.

“I bring my kids, and it’s really a great event,” Reynolds said. “It’s just a celebration where we share life and community; everyone is happy and carefree.”

Picture: Louis Freire, practicing psychic consultant