The Village Mystic: A Metaphysical Center in Bradenton

When opened its doors on Jan. 3, the folks who run it also opened their arms to area residents seeking alternative healing, spiritual growth or even something as simple as a hug.

“I’ve lived in Bradenton for the majority of my life and I just felt like there was a need for a place like this in this area," said owner Dawn Collins. "Our goal is to listen to the community and meet their needs; to provide them with whatever resources they need."

The metaphysical store, located in the Village of the Arts, has a little of something to offer for everyone. The retail space is stocked with varieties of incense and essential oils, herbs, candles, jewelry and accessories, art, crystals, tarot cards and informative guides on all matter of subjects from yoga to Rekei, the art of healing through transferring universal energy (ki) through the palms. A significant portion of the art, jewelry and soaps sold at The Village Mystic are made by local artists.

In addition to offering a diverse selection of products, The Village Mystic also offers a number of weekly classes and seminars on topics that cover a wide spectrum of alternative and holistic practices.

“Our aim is to offer an extensive variety of products, classes and seminars to help people learn and grow spiritually,” Collins said.

The Village Mystic employs several professional instructors and spiritual guides with a variety of expertise to teach classes in yoga and Pilates, hypnotic meditation, essential oils and aromatherapy, crystal healing, dream interpretation, and Huna, an ancient form of Hawaiian shamanism taught by resident shaman, Jeff Wheeler.

The Village Mystic also employs two intuitive readers, Angela Weaver and Elaine Jackson, who offer their services by appointment in crystal balancing, spiritual cleansing, Reiki and tarot reading. Other services by appointment are massage therapy and crystal healers.

Erin Geraghty-Balent, also known by her alter-ego as the Bradentucky Bombers’ “Yakuza Girl,” is a martial artist and nationally certified personal trainer and yoga instructor who teaches yoga every Monday at The Village Mystic. Chrissy Johnson, a Reiki Master and soon-to-be-licensed massage therapist who holds a Master’s degree in exercise physiology, teaches yoga at the Village Mystic every Friday.

The instructors also teach Pilates classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Furthermore,

For those whose schedules prevent them from attending classes at The Village Mystic during the workday, additional classes are offered from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. throughout the week and during the day on Saturdays. The Village Mystic also screens a film each week during “Mystic Monday Movies.”

“We believe that people are searching for something else these days,” said Collins. “There has been a shift in society and people are starting to wonder, ‘What is my purpose?’ and ‘How can I help?’ We want to offer options that will help them discover the answers to those questions.”

Store manager and resident medium and intuitive reader, Angela Weaver, agreed.

“We value the community very highly, so when the community talks, we listen,” Weaver said. “To the best of our ability, we want to make everything that will help people along their journey as accessible as possible. Our goal is to be the stepping stone to help them along their way.”

In addition to being a retail space and a center for metaphysical education, The Village Mystic also serves as a haven for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

Although currently under construction, the meditation garden behind the store is nearing completion. The garden includes a burbling fountain, a selection of fresh herbs and other flora, statues of multiple religious idols ranging from the Virgin Mary to Buddha and plenty of seating where visitors can escape for peaceful contemplation.

Collins said that in the near future, she hopes to involve the store in the Dalai Lama Peace Pole Project by erecting a hollow peace pole in which people can insert their own prayers.

The Village Mystic will celebrate its grand opening during the Village of the Arts monthly Art Walk on Friday, April 6. Diane Stein, the author of more than 25 books on alternative healing, women’s spirituality, natural remedies and feminist metaphysics, will be at The Village Mystic for book signings during the grand opening.

Collins said she is amazed by the positive response The Village Mystic has received since opening its doors in January.

“The community has welcomed us with open arms and we already have several repeat customers,” Collins said. “It’s truly wonderful to feel so welcome and so loved. I think that people instinctively know when they’re being treated with honesty, integrity and respect.”

“We’re there 110% and we give you 110%,” Weaver said. “We are all connected as brothers and sisters and we love you for who you are.”