While some people take on second or even third jobs or rack up debt on credit cards to make ends meet in tough economic times, others are turning to practical magic in hopes of finding their financial fortunes.

Even as many businesses are still reeling from the Great Recession, psychics, energy healers and tarot card readers appear to be doing a brisk business nationally and here in Central Oregon as people search for alternative ways to secure their financial future.

“People are down and out and they are turning more to the spiritual because it is all they have left,” said Carol Plattner, owner of Dream Pebbles Bath, located in downtown Bend, who has seen sales increase at her store for aromatherapy products such as soaps, oils and candles as people look everywhere and anywhere for answers.

“The aromatherapy leads into spiritual healing and uplifting,” Plattner said. “People need to have hope, feel better and push away the negative energies.”

She says using the products gives her customers self-confidence, whether or not the candles and soaps actually have any power to refill bank accounts or help keep or land jobs.

On Saturday, Plattner along with the owners of the clothing store Giddy Up, also located on Northwest Minnesota Avenue, hosted a psychic and healing fair as a way to begin building a “wellness community.”

Plattner leases space above her store to psychic Kaira Sherman of Divine Guidance.

Kali Lane, the daughter of Giddy Up’s owner, operates a practice called Access Consciousness above the clothing store, which she says allows the businesses to cross-network with each other.

Last week, Sherman held the first of a series of classes, which include learning how tarot cards can be used to empower a person’s life, healing with essential oils, and meditation and aura classes.

Candlelight set the mood in the small room above Dream Pebbles Bath as seven people took part in an “aura cleansing class” Sherman calls “Clear It, Heal it and Seal It.” Participants sat in the dimly lit room reading about the different chakras, or energy centers, to wake up their minds, bodies and spirits.

Class participant Laura Belle, 28, said the practice gives her a purpose and centers her when she starts losing control and having fear in her life.

Belle said the practice allows people to manifest what they want in life, and for most people this includes money. “Picture it, if you can see it then you can make it happen,” she said.

Sherman said her psychic readings are different from the typical “sidewalk psychic” readings. She said some people are frightened of what their future holds, so they live their life in fear until they have their next reading. Instead, she said she emphasizes readings or consultations that empower her clients.

“We look to see what is here and what is ahead. If there is a challenge, it is a fabulous opportunity for you to awaken your purpose,” Sherman said. “You reclaim the power to steer your own ship and manifest the type of life that you want.”

However, getting psychic guidance from Sherman comes with a price tag.

Sherman said she charges $98 for private 45-minute sessions and $52 for 25-minute readings. She said she has eight to 10 people a week coming in for readings.

She charges $25 for classes if students book ahead, or $35 at the door. The size of the classes range in size from eight to 20 people. She said her most popular class in Bend is the tarot card class, and since August last year she has taught approximately 30 classes.

Sherman said that most people are intuitive, but don’t trust themselves. She said she encourages her clients to come back as often as they feel they need it, but thinks of herself as “training wheels.”

“I don’t want people to call me every time they are trying to make a decision at the grocery store; this is deeper work,” she said.

All about energy

At Giddy Up, known more for its Western boots and sparkly rhinestone blouses, Lane runs her practice, “Access Consciousness.”

Lane started teaching classes after receiving multiple calls inquiring about “bar sessions,” a hands-on “energy bodywork process” done on the head that dissipates the electromagnetic charge where points of view are locked into place, according to Lane.

“A lot of people have had a hard time with the recession, (Access Consciousness) and all the tools can help bring people out of their circumstances,” she said.

Lane said the introductory classes that explain Access Consciousness cost $25. If clients are interested in learning more, they can attend an eight-hour class for $200.

But for some people, it’s not about the money.

Ryan West, who owns Becoming Joy Energy Healing on Northeast Kearney Avenue, only takes donations for her work. West said she has between five and 15 clients a week who donate between $20 and $200 for a session.

West said she works with her client’s chakras as well as their energy fields to create change.

Before opening her practice in Bend, West said she had never worked with clients on financial issues. But she said that has changed as people are willing to try different things such as energy healing as they struggle to cope with tough economic times.

“Everything in our life, including finances, are all energy issues,” she said. “When the energy flow is blocked or congested, you aren’t going to experience whatever you want in this world.”

Financial issues are usually caused by the root chakra and sacral chakra, she said. The intention to change something is the most important part, she said, then she uses a light touch to open, balance and connect the chakras that are having issues.

“To someone who doesn’t know what they are looking at, it looks like I am petting the air around them, but I’m moving their energy fields,” she said.