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January, my wife Fyllis and I agree, is a good time to visit Florida. After arriving in the tiny town of Cassadaga, the choices we faced were as intriguing as they were varied. Did we prefer a healing circle or spiritual counseling? A séance or a class in ancient wisdom teachings?
Adding to the appeal was the ironic fact that this unique destination is located not far from Walt Disney World.
Cassadaga was founded by George Colby, a medium, who claimed his “spirit guide” advised him to establish a spiritual center in Florida. He established the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association. That neighborhood-sized community sits on some of the low hills in Central Florida. Of its approximately 100 permanent residents, about 75 are spiritualists.
The bookstore/welcome center is the logical place to begin a visit. Its selection of books explores topics ranging from spiritualism, metaphysics and Buddhism to meditation, yoga, and ghosts. Crystal balls and candles share shelf space with Tibetan singing bowls and small statues of angels and fairies.
The names and telephone numbers of mediums and healers who are on duty that day are listed on a board, along with business cards of the certified mediums and healers.
While Fyllis headed for a session with a “certified medium, healer and teacher,” I met with Reverend Doctor Louis Gates. In addition to providing services to clients, he is pastor of the Colby Memorial Temple.
Our conversation began with a recounting of when the reverend first started to believe in the tenets of spiritualism. That occurred at the early age of three when he said his grandmother, who had died, appeared to him.
His brief description of spiritualism led me to infer that it is a combination of religion, philosophy, and science. The overall message is one of love and hope without a lot of dogma.
While I was receiving an introduction to spiritualism, Fyllis was participating in a session with one of the practitioners who were on duty that day. She came away impressed with a number of the woman’s observations, and said she would adopt a wait-and-see attitude about others.
“I see you traveling a lot for work” fit well with my wife’s role as a travel writer. “You like the outdoors and open space” was in keeping with her love for hiking through woods.
The overriding goal, I concluded, is one with which both believers and any doubters can relate, at least to some extent. For example, I suspect that many people agree with an inspirational saying which we spotted: “Forgiveness lifts heaviness from the burdened heart.”
On the other hand, skeptics might have less faith in another nearby pronouncement we saw, which reads: “I believe in fairies. I do, I do, I do.”
After our talking and listening sessions, we strolled around town which, given Cassadaga’s compact size, didn’t take long. A walking tour pamphlet led us to Seneca Park, which is named for George Colby’s spirit guide; a healing area, and the Fairy Trail Park where, we were told, nature spirits “only show themselves to those who believe.”
We ended our visit at the Cassadaga Hotel for a snack and look-see. Even there, in the midst of its Victorian setting, guests may arrange for a psychic reading, séance, and other services in keeping with the overall purpose of the town.
I came to the conclusion that Cassadaga warmly welcomes not only devotees, but the curious and skeptical as well.
For more information, visit www.cassadaga.org.
