Dust off your crystals and put on your best flowy dress! Work that glottal fry and use words and phrases that have absolutely no meaning but sound spiritual! It’s time for the G*psy Soul Fair, happening this weekend in Oklahoma City!
Not to burst Shanna’s crystal ball here, but just because you wear boho tiered skirts and turquoise jewelry, that doesn’t make you part of an ethnic group, or give you permission to appropriate and profit from a derogatory name.
I know it’s not uncommon to see folks who make those sorts of sartorial choices call themselves the G-word, but Roma people and Travellers are actual ethnic and cultural groups that have faced centuries of discrimination. The G-word has long been used as a slur against them.
And yes, some members of these groups have embraced the term in recent years. But that doesn’t mean you get to embrace it when you aren’t part of the group. It’s kind of like how you don’t say the N-word when you rap along with Kendrick Lamar if you know you don’t belong to a group that can reclaim that word.
Also, please note that I’m not conflating the struggles these groups have faced historically. I’m simply trying to create a helpful reminder for folks who want to do the right thing.
For what it’s worth, Roma people didn’t invent tarot, numerology, reiki, essential oils, dowsing rods, curanderismo or crystals. So, like, why would an event featuring these various modalities even use the G-word?
It’s almost like the organizers wanted to use a very marketable term beloved by a particular type of woman, regardless of whether it lends any credibility to the information they’re sharing.
You really have to appreciate the work the new age and metaphysical community does to be taken seriously while simultaneously shooting itself in the foot at every last turn.
Also, this is all coming from someone who has devoted a lot of time and energy to tarot. I own way too many tarot decks, have written multiple posts on my own blog about tarot, and even published a tarot journal. I love this stuff, but I just can’t stand a community that can’t acknowledge where information comes from, or culturally appropriates a name that doesn’t belong to them.
So, support racism and head to the G*psy Soul Fair if you must. Or, read this post and learn where you can learn cool metaphysical stuff with a clear conscience.
Here are five ways to learn more about metaphysical stuff without supporting the G*psy Soul Fair.
Metropolitan Library’s Collection
Yep. That’s right. Metro Library has a ton of books, both physical and digital, for you to check out. Peruse the Libby app for an audiobook on astrology or tarot. Check out the physical collection for cookbooks about kitchen witchery. But just be forewarned: There is a dedicated group of religious jackasses in this state who actively cull the collection for the library. By that, I mean they destroy physical books they believe will lead people astray. It’s stupid. So, if you’re searching for physical books in the library’s catalog and a lot of them say that they’re lost, that’s what happened.
If Metro Library would like to lead an inquisition against these book destroyers, please know I’m available.
-
Local Metaphysical Shops
You can get tarot decks at Bad Granny’s. Craig’s Emporium sells all manner of metaphysical and nonsensical items. Art Soul Metaphysical is a great place for finding interesting art and magical items. Nature’s Treasures in Midwest City is a treasure in and of itself. I’m pretty sure if you went to any of these stores and told them what you wanted to know more about, they could point you to resources they already sell, or even connect you with locals who practice that.
-
Local Bookstores
We have so many indie bookstores, and they’re leading the charge for local events. If you mentioned to someone at one of these bookstores that you wanted to start a book club devoted to a particular new age topic, they would absolutely help you facilitate it, and use their social media to help you find people to join your book club.
-
Metropolitan Library’s Paranormal Fest
This event happens every year at the Downtown Library, and it’s full of free information sessions and activities. Plus, they have a vendor area where you can pay to have your palm read or a tarot reading or whatever. They’ve even had people who believe Bigfoot is real in the past, and they’ve done whole sessions on how they hunt for that creature.
-
Umm. Did you know that the Visit OKC website has tons of listings for local businesses, and some of those businesses happen to be psychics or tarot readers or whatever? Yeah. So, like, if you want to find a place to buy crystals, you can just search crystals on the search bar there and you’ll find listings for stores? You can also search tarot and psychic. I’m sure all those businesses have the backing of Visit OKC too. So, if your tarot reading proves false, you can complain to them.
