Lily Dale

[orleans]

a documentary by hbo
a book "lily dale: the true story of the town that talks to the dead" by christine wicker

the home of spiritualism

my understanding is that lily dale is an area of a town (i forget the town's name) outside of buffalo ny, where several dozen mediums, psychics, clairvoyants, & healers reside.

it sounds fascinating.

has anyone heard of it or been there (or live there)?

[MorningGlow]

1. It's near me but I haven't been there

It's actually a small community that was established by Spiritualists. A number of my friends have gone there, and they said that if you're new to having readings done, it's a smorgasbord, like being at a permanent psychic fair--and it's tough to choose which medium to go to, because it's filled with lousy readers cheek-by-jowl with some good ones, and you just don't know which is which--unless you're really good at listening to your instinct without any outside influence. If you have a psychic you know well and go to regularly in your own area, it's not worth visiting Lily Dale, they said.

They also said that if you just want to visit a pretty little village, it's a peaceful place to hang out, with lots of good energy established by the people there...but there are also a ton of entities hanging around, drawn by the strong light generated by the readers and visitors, so be prepared, if you are able to see ghosts. My former elder had one walk right through her on the sidewalk!

In the summer they have talks by famous spiritual folks at an outdoor stage (IIRC) and a pet cemetery that's touching to visit.

It sounds like an interesting place, but like any other...anything having to do with psychics, you have to be on your guard for fakes.

[Kookaburra]

2. MG, is this the place you posted about last year

I think you were the one who left information on a spiritual retreat -- someplace up north. I can't remember the details now, but I do remember that I wanted to do the retreat, but because of family and $$ restraints (not to mention a crappy-ass job, but that's no longer an issue), I wasn't able to do it. I book-marked on my old computer that crashed, so no one knows where that bookmark went. Figured if I was meant to go I would hear about it again.

Was this the place? And were you the one who posted that? My memory fails me right now.

[MorningGlow]

4. Gosh, I don't remember

Old age is getting to me. :evilgrin: Might have been--I don't have an intimate knowledge of many spiritual retreats in the area. :shrug:

Sorry I don't have a better recall about it. :(

[Mnemosyne]

3. Cassadaga, NY - few miles NW of Jamestown, NY about 45m. N from me.

The energy there is amazing.

A friend and I met up with a psychic he knew there, a few years ago. We sat in the woods talking and suddenly this beautiful golden retriever came from nowhere and sat down in our small circle. When we were done, he/she got up and left.

It was cool! :hi:

[teenagebambam]

8. There's also Cassadaga, FL

I just was there last week. A sister community, I'm assuming?

[ricochetastroman]

5. I have been there several times.

Talk about happy cats! They're all over the place, laying in the middle of the streets; I mean laid back.

Most of the little village is homes where mediums live and read. It's very quaint and suffers brutal winters. A very peaceful place with lots of history. It is fascinating.

I do not recommend the book by Wicker however, because I think she really waters down the spirit of the place.

My friend has been reading there (in his 5th generation of mediums). There is something extraoridinary in the air there unlike any other place. Their link is on line: http://www.lilydaleassembly.com/

The place is old and very, very rustic. A very peaceful experience. They have large halls for big lectures and the famous "stump" readings in the woods where mediums learn how to read to the public. :hi:

[orleans]

6. thanks for the link.

i just finished reading wicker's book. it was ... ??? ... not that great. i liked learning a few extra details about the community but i thought her writing style wasn't that great.

[ricochetastroman]

9. She was worried

about her reputation and wouldn't say how she really felt. Too safe. :hi:

[orleans]

10. right. too safe, but it also seemed her style was that of writing all over the

place. things were a bit disconnected (her writing was disconnected)
and yes, it was too safe.

[Douglas Carpenter]

7. I was born in Jamestown, NY and I have heard of the place all my life

I believe it has been around for a long, long time. According to their website it has been open for 131 years. I know that where I grew up that was the place people interested in Spirit mediums always went with hopes of contacting the dead.

I see they have a website:



http://www.lilydaleassembly.com/