metaphysical advice column
photography by: Michelle Tricca
Dear Susanna, I’ve always wanted to travel to mysterious places like Stonehenge. My friends make fun of me and tell me that all that stuff is made up and not real. How do I search out real places of mystery, just odd, or even haunted?? With this economy, I can only afford traveling to destinations close to home. – Haunted Hunter
Dear Haunted Hunter, I can tell you from personal experience that hauntings are
very real. And I could tell you some great ghost stories. In all my years of studying the metaphysical and spirit realm, I have come across a lot of proof that there is something “out there”. With that being said, it sounds as though you want to travel and not just be spooked or walk around in the dark waiting to hear a squeaky door or thud in the night. Taking a “staycation” is a great way to explore old Florida
history. One doesn’t need to hop an airplane to England to discover something mysterious. There’s plenty of mystery right here in our own backyard. For example, there’s a spiritualist town in Central Florida called Cassadega that’s known as the “Psychic Capital of the World”. St. Augustine is another fascinating and haunted old city. Florida even has ghost towns to explore. One can’t write about oddities and leave out Coral Castle across the “Alley” in Homestead, or Gibsonton which is near Tampa and has been the winter home for many circus side show performers. I love to travel. I’m the type who will decide to go somewhere
and just jump in my car and drive. I like to take the back roads to really see the road less traveled. I’m not afraid to talk to the locals and ask for tips and clues to help make my stay in town even better. The last time I went to New York, my poor husband had to endure me constantly stopping strangers to ask questions, and it wasn’t always for directions. I wanted to experience the locals’ favorites. Don’t be shy. I believe that in today’s world of social networking, we’ve started to lose the joy of actual talking, and most importantly, listening. Old Florida towns are rich in history, and if you take the time to ask around, you might be surprised at what you find. My good friend, Toni Land, is a paranormal investigator with
Peace River Ghost Tracker. She just launched a website called Florida Fringe Tourism. I recently asked her what makes a place a great fringe tourist destination. Toni replied, “My rule of thumb is to look for places that have history and more than one story or account linked to it”. She does a lot of research about strange and unusual places in the state of Florida that are accessable to visitors. After doing her homework she’s able to pinpoint the ones that are more fact than fiction. She’s noticed that a lot of websites often just copy and paste the same old “story” about a place’s mysterious local history.
CONT. >> Taking a day trip or even a weekend getaway in Florida without
breaking the bank is easy and fun to do with the mystical in mind. This state has it all, from geological phenomenon (rolling up a hill) to houses with documented hauntings. However, you don’t have to travel far to find the bizarre; for example, right in San Carlos Park there’s an entire condo complex built in the shape of pyramids with a huge statue of Beethoven’s head out front. Pyramids, as you might know, hold special energy. Well, that’s a whole other column... happy traveling!
Namaste and Bright Blessings!
About the Writer: SUSANNA TOCCO owns Anahata Holistic Healing & Spiritual Center in downtown Naples. She is a crystal intuitive, energy practitioner, Qigong & Yoga instructor as well as a teacher for metaphysical classes. She also designs Lady Morgan’s Apothecary line of ceremonial products. Additional information is available online at
www.SusannaTocco.com or submit questions directly to Susanna by emailing
SusannaTocco@rocketmail.com.
52 | Pulse Magazine SWFL
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