By Suzanne Schmidt
A new store in Wesley Chapel provides spiritual guidance, workshops and metaphysical supplies.
Gaia Spiritual Doorways, 26300 Wesley Chapel Blvd., opened in the beginning of March.
Stephanie Smith of Zephyrhills is the psychic reader and universal psychic healer at the store. Smith, who previously owned the store when it was based in Zephyrhills, sold it to Sandy Sostakowski of Land O’ Lakes a few months ago.
Sostakowski said she decided to move the store so it would be closer to home and because there are no metaphysical stores in the Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel area.
“The store is very diverse in cultures, spirituality and religion,” Smith said. “We have something for everybody.”
The store sells candles, crystals, gems, jewelry, books, oracle and tarot cards, runes, oils, incense, botanical and spiritual items, saint and angel statues, fairy items, dream catchers, Buddha statues and more.
“If we don’t have something, we can order it,” Smith said. “Most of the time we can get what they are looking for and bring it here.”
The store also has hands-on workshops and classes on subjects like Reiki, a form of energy therapy, astrology, chakra therapy, gemstone and crystal therapy, and how to use a pendulum and tarot cards.
“Some people just come in to sit and relax and read our books,” Sostakowski said. “If people are curious, we encourage them to come in with an open mind.”
Ligia Novas of Wesley Chapel said she has been going to the store for readings and to shop for a few years. She was really excited when the store moved to Wesley Chapel because it means she can spend more time there.
“I just enjoy being there so much,” Novas said. “I have studied the effects of stones for years. It is exciting to be able to touch stones that I have only read about before. It is a great place to be because people from different religions with different beliefs can come in and feel comfortable just sitting and talking.”
Smith gives tarot readings as well as offers services outside of the shop like psychic parties and home cleansings. She said her tarot readings are unique because she actually writes down her predictions and gives a time frame.
Smith said her psychic parties can be a lot of fun for a group of about six to 10 people to get together and have their tarot cards read. She said she uses her talent to see spirits that she has had since she was little.
“I will go to the hostess’ house and give a reading to all the guests,” Smith said. “At the end I will do a group reading where I open myself as a conduit for the spirits. It is not a séance. It is a nice girls night out.”
JoAnn Boston of Wesley Chapel felt very good about her second reading from Stephanie Smith. She said she also likes the new location.
“I came back for another reading because what she told me in the first reading came true,” Boston said. “I like that they are closer and that the store is bigger now.”
Novas said she also loves getting readings from Smith.
“I like that Stephanie gives readings that are focused more on the present and not a few years out,” Novas said. “She is extremely accurate and she is great for guidance. She gives great advice. I go to her for guidance about things that I have doubts about and after I talk to her things become clearer.”
In the future, Sostakowski is hoping to expand the business to include more merchandise and start renting out spiritual DVD’s or movies. She said she is also always adding more workshops and classes to the schedule.
The grand opening will be May 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sostakowski said she hopes everyone will come out and see the new location.
For more information, visit www.universalpsychichealer.com or call (813) 943-3666.
The hours are Monday and Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
“We are here to help people feel better and get through the tough times,” Smith said. “I am here to give intuitive advice and spiritual counseling.”
