Psychic fair this weekend at Andromeda’s Alley in Mansfield
By Donna Whitehead
Wicked Local Mansfield
Posted Oct 22, 2010 @ 06:35 AM
Mansfield — Those seeking a glimpse in to the future, an introduction to the Wiccan religion, or unique jewelry including crystals, gemstones and rune symbols can find all this and more at Andromeda’s Alley on North Main Street in Mansfield. Karen Jette Benson of Walpole describes her shop as an eclectic, New Age, metaphysical shop. Whether you want supplies for Wicca rituals or simply what a new age art work or statuary you can find something intriguing here.
Opening Andromeda’s Alley fulfills a longtime dream for Benson, a Mansfield High graduate, as well as brings her back to her hometown.
“I’m a witch,” said Benson with a smile.
Raised a Christian, Benson said she began exploring her Native American roots as a teenager and also began exploring the Wiccan religion eventually becoming a Wiccan priestess as well as an interfaith minister.
Benson describes the Wiccan religion as respect for nature in all her cycles and respect for the earth and all its creatures.
“It teaches us to revere nature and all the forces of the universe,” she said. “We have a great belief for deity but to us it is both mother and father.
“When I was a child I never felt right in Christianity,” she said. “I’m part native American, when I started looking into my native American side, it spoke to my soul.
“I’ve been practicing the craft of Wicca for 30 years,” she said. “I want to educate people about Wicca. Witchcraft is not what 95 percent of people think. To be a witch is to see the divine in anything.”
Like other religions, there are various branches with Wicca and a specific path to follow, Benson said.
For Benson opening on Andromeda’s Alley also achieves her goal of being self-employed.
“I always wanted to open a retail shop” she said. “I always wanted to be a small business owner.”
Last January, Benson decided it was time to follow her dream even though her husband, a truck driver, was out of work at the time. So she left her job as a paralegal in Boston and started searching for a site with her family’s full support.
“It was a leap of faith,” she said.
She was searching for possible sites with her son-in law when they came down North Main Street in Mansfield and spotted a “For Rent” sign.
“I hadn’t been back to Mansfield in 30 years,” she said.
Benson also believes in giving back to the community keeping a bin for the food pantry as well as donating proceeds to the Central Asia Institute’s Pennies for Peace project.
At Andromeda’s Alley, Benson also offers classes in subjects such as Witchcraft 101, runes, herbal health, Reiki, group meditation and shamanism.
There are also several mediums offering psychic, angel and Tarot card readings.
The mediums will be on hand this weekend when Andromeda’s Alley offers a psychic fair and open house Sunday, Oct. 24, from 1-5 p.m. Also appearing will be “Creating the Law of Attraction” author Ed Langan and Mary Fontes, author and owner of Spiritual Garden Design.
Andromeda’s Alley at 110 North Main St. is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 pm., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday by appointment. For information call 508-339-7770 or go to www.andromedasalley.com.
Copyright 2010 Mansfield News. Some rights reserved
Mansfield — Those seeking a glimpse in to the future, an introduction to the Wiccan religion, or unique jewelry including crystals, gemstones and rune symbols can find all this and more at Andromeda’s Alley on North Main Street in Mansfield. Karen Jette Benson of Walpole describes her shop as an eclectic, New Age, metaphysical shop. Whether you want supplies for Wicca rituals or simply what a new age art work or statuary you can find something intriguing here.
Opening Andromeda’s Alley fulfills a longtime dream for Benson, a Mansfield High graduate, as well as brings her back to her hometown.
“I’m a witch,” said Benson with a smile.
Raised a Christian, Benson said she began exploring her Native American roots as a teenager and also began exploring the Wiccan religion eventually becoming a Wiccan priestess as well as an interfaith minister.
Benson describes the Wiccan religion as respect for nature in all her cycles and respect for the earth and all its creatures.
“It teaches us to revere nature and all the forces of the universe,” she said. “We have a great belief for deity but to us it is both mother and father.
“When I was a child I never felt right in Christianity,” she said. “I’m part native American, when I started looking into my native American side, it spoke to my soul.
“I’ve been practicing the craft of Wicca for 30 years,” she said. “I want to educate people about Wicca. Witchcraft is not what 95 percent of people think. To be a witch is to see the divine in anything.”
Like other religions, there are various branches with Wicca and a specific path to follow, Benson said.
For Benson opening on Andromeda’s Alley also achieves her goal of being self-employed.
“I always wanted to open a retail shop” she said. “I always wanted to be a small business owner.”
Last January, Benson decided it was time to follow her dream even though her husband, a truck driver, was out of work at the time. So she left her job as a paralegal in Boston and started searching for a site with her family’s full support.
“It was a leap of faith,” she said.
She was searching for possible sites with her son-in law when they came down North Main Street in Mansfield and spotted a “For Rent” sign.
“I hadn’t been back to Mansfield in 30 years,” she said.
Benson also believes in giving back to the community keeping a bin for the food pantry as well as donating proceeds to the Central Asia Institute’s Pennies for Peace project.
At Andromeda’s Alley, Benson also offers classes in subjects such as Witchcraft 101, runes, herbal health, Reiki, group meditation and shamanism.
There are also several mediums offering psychic, angel and Tarot card readings.
The mediums will be on hand this weekend when Andromeda’s Alley offers a psychic fair and open house Sunday, Oct. 24, from 1-5 p.m. Also appearing will be “Creating the Law of Attraction” author Ed Langan and Mary Fontes, author and owner of Spiritual Garden Design.
Andromeda’s Alley at 110 North Main St. is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 pm., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday by appointment. For information call 508-339-7770 or go to www.andromedasalley.com.
Copyright 2010 Mansfield News. Some rights reserved
Online Comments:
ChristopherBlackwell
As a small business owner myself, I am well aware of how big of a leap of faith it is to open any business, and particularly a niche business such as this.
I wish Karen every success and I hope the local community, including the local Pagan community will give her support. If we want these specialized stores we have to make it possible for those running them to cover expenses and make a living.
I do the same with several small businesses in my own local small town. I will spend even a bit more to get the kind of service that none of the chain stores can offer and are not interested in providing. The power of our pocket book decides the type of businesses we can have. We have to do our part to support the small businesses where the owners know our name and needs.
ChristopherBlackwell
As a small business owner myself, I am well aware of how big of a leap of faith it is to open any business, and particularly a niche business such as this.
I wish Karen every success and I hope the local community, including the local Pagan community will give her support. If we want these specialized stores we have to make it possible for those running them to cover expenses and make a living.
I do the same with several small businesses in my own local small town. I will spend even a bit more to get the kind of service that none of the chain stores can offer and are not interested in providing. The power of our pocket book decides the type of businesses we can have. We have to do our part to support the small businesses where the owners know our name and needs.
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