Two shops help open portals to other world

People who come with questions may find answers via paranormal connections, By Mark J. Yablonsky Diane Howe is not a psychiatrist or a fortune-teller, but simply a psychic, one with rare abilities to connect where many others are fearful of going. And Debbie Wright is not a psychic at all, but someone whose business includes several people well-skilled in the art of “spiritual healing.” Both women own businesses where those in need of reaching out to a departed loved one or seeking other insight, go. Howe, 51, doesn’t even like being called a psychic, due to a “bad rap because of the amount of frauds out there who have harmed people.” But her Franklin-based business, called Open Lotus, is certainly a place where she can make good use of her psychic abilities. All of which almost begs one vital question: Why do people go to psychics? “They’re generally looking for answers, life direction or connecting with someone who’s passed on,” said Howe, who is also a Franklin resident. “I’ve seen spirits since I was a child and really started to study metaphysics since I was 16. And about 25 or 30 years ago, I started working with other people — and I do energetic healing.” Those with experience in paranormal abilities have said that in order for a spirit to become visible, it must transmit a lot of energy. Howe, though, said there’s really a two-way communication going on. “Once your spirit has moved out of your physical body, (it) has to lower its vibration low enough, and you have to rise your vibration level up, so you’re on the same page as them,” she said. “And then you can see them. I opened up here in Franklin (September 2007) where I live because we didn’t have a center like this. And I’ve had a lot of grateful people coming in and thanking me for opening up, because they had been going to other places, like Butler and Pompton.” It’s personal Wright began her business, Johnny Angel, located on Route 15 in Lafayette, in memory of her son John, who was killed in an automobile accident just five days after his 17th birthday in June 2006. Wright’s story, however, differs a bit from Howe’s. “I originally opened this store as just a gift store (April 2008). Then I started doing a group meeting once a month for people who have lost a loved one. One day, I received a call from a lady who was an Angel Card reader, and she was a healer. And something was telling her she needed to come to my store. “From that, she did come to see me and I asked her if she would speak at my group meeting. And from that, I started doing workshops and holding classes. But now, I have a psychic medium.” That medium, June Ponte, and another, Dale Orlando, are available at Wright’s business. Next month, Wright will be “changing over from a gift shop to an enhanced-life spiritual center and gift shop,” she said. Ponte, 57, who is also a Sussex County resident, considers herself as just a “conduit,” as mediums are known to be, between the living and the departed. She agrees with Howe that people are “looking for answers; they’re looking for emotional connections, and they’re looking specifically for answers about their jobs and their love lives and for people who have passed on.” Gaining acceptance All involved agree that unlike decades ago, when many were reluctant to even speak seriously of paranormal abilities, now is a time where many people aren’t so afraid to. “And even science is starting to acknowledge that concept,” Ponte said. “My mother used to read tea leaves when she was in England, so it can run in the family. And there are a lot of practitioners in the area; there are psychics and there are ‘Workers in the Light.’ And I won’t speak for anybody, but I consider myself a conduit; I’m just a wire connecting from both ends.” Has Wright, whose personal tragedy led her to this business in her late son’s name and memory, been changed by her involvement in the paranormal environment? “...I don’t believe I’ll ever get over it, but I do realize that I’m here to help other people,” Wright responded.