Sacred Sage Has a New Home

Two years ago, Diane Rothman decided to follow her heart.

The West Bloomfield resident opened the doors of , a retail shop dealing in all things new age, spiritual and metaphysical, in downtown Farmington. Located in a small space at the back of the Village Mall, the store has been holding its own – but it needed more visibility.

When The Olive Grove moved from a storefront space on the west side of the building, Rothman decided to take a leap.

"I had always wanted a store like this," said Rothman, who spent 27 years in advertising. "When the automotive industry crashed, I decided to retire from advertising."

Rather than watch funds she'd accumulated through profit-sharing "melt away," she invested them in the store. The only similar businesses in the area are located in Plymouth and Livonia, "but there's really nothing between here and Pontiac like this," Rothman said. "It's a good location, it kind of fills a need."

She said she initially chose the Village Mall because the space was available and it was close to home, but also because she loved the "downtown atmosphere" and events including the Farmington Area Founders Festival and Art on the Grand.

In addition to selling books, incense, sage, candles and other items, The Sacred Sage offers a psychic fair once a month, psychic readings and Reiki, a Japanese energy healing technique.

Rothman, who gives tarot card readings, said she has been attracted to all things spiritual and metaphysical since she was very young. "Then I got into the business world and did what everyone told me to do.

"I did pretty well (in advertising)," she said, "but I ended up coming back to this."

The Sacred Sage's monthly psychic fair takes place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and will feature four psychics, Reiki and other services. Admission costs $5; services cost $1 per minute.