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Victory of Light Expo, largest metaphysical gathering in Midwest, coming Nov. 19-20


By Melinda Zemper
Special to NKyTribune

The Victory of Light Expo is one of the Midwest’s most extensive and affordable venues for exploring alternative spirituality in its many forms. Much more than a “psychic fair,” educational seminars, holistic healing sessions, live music performances, art exhibits, book signings and shopping make this a diverse, fun, family-friendly event.

When Victor Paruta opened Victory Books in Covington in 1989, he began a journey to become a celebrated psychic and organizer of the largest metaphysical expo in the Midwest.

Shopping at last year's VOL

Shopping at last year’s VOL

Paruta grew up in Cleveland, graduated from Miami University and lived in Covington from 1986 through 1999. He opened Victory Books in 1992 at what used to be the Quality Inn and is now the Radisson Hotel in Covington. The store was one of the last of the wave of independent bookstores before the big boxes moved in, and offered New Age new and used books, jewelry, crystals, art, candles, incense and imported arts and crafts.

But as the neighborhood evolved from a tourist retail to a bars and nightlife area, business slowed. A friend suggested in 1992 that he organize a metaphysical expo for psychics, paranormals and holistic healers, and after three years, the show was so successful it outgrew the Radisson’s hotel ballroom. The expo crossed the river to the Cincinnati Convention Center, then moved back to the Northern Kentucky Convention Center until it outgrew that space, too.

Next week a record-setting 300 psychics, healers and exhibitors will fill the Sharonville Convention Center on November 19 and 20, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the 48th Victory of Light Expo (VOL). The expo has been offered there twice a year since 2000.

Psychic, holistic and paranormal experts are leading 85 seminars, the most ever offered at the metaphysical event.

Thomas John

Thomas John

Thomas John, one of the nation’s most in-demand psychic mediums, will conduct readings for the audience during “An Afternoon with Spirit,” Sunday from 1 to 2:30 pm ($40). Fans can meet John at his booth where he’ll sign his book, Never Argue with a Dead Person.

Known for his accuracy and detailed readings, John has provided evidence of “the survival of consciousness” to clients ranging from doctors, lawyers, media and TV execs, Wall Street moguls, and high-profile celebrities Jennifer Lopez, Courteney Cox, and Sean Young.

He had his first psychic experience at the age of four, when he described to his parents in vivid detail a conversation he had with his late paternal grandfather, who died 10 years before John was born.

John described things about his grandfather’s life that only his grandfather and parents would have known, and revealed the exact location of his grandfather’s missing wrist watch (his best friend Jack had it).

He regularly contributes to HollywoodLife.com and has been featured by top media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal; New York Post; Travel Channel; Dr. Phil; and Entertainment Tonight. John is also a regular guest on 103.9 WFAS FM and 77 WABC AM.

Pam Gallagher, a certified astrologer and director of the Midwest School of Astrology in Cincinnati, will present “Astrology’s Look at the Next Four Years,” at 1 p.m. Saturday. She will give predictions of the next four years with Donald Trump as our new U.S. president.

Victor Paruta

Victor Paruta

Psychic and author Sonja Grace joins VOL for the first time. She presents “Spirit Traveler: Unlocking the Mysteries & Secrets of the World’s Great Historic Sites”  on Saturday  from  1 to 3 p.m.  ($25). Her book of the same title is for sale at her booth, where she’ll be doing readings all weekend.

Also new to the expo this year are: Tina Michelle, who will speak on “The Journey from Bitter to Better – The Spiritual Experience of Divorce” at noon on Saturday; and “Trauma Release” with Consuelo Cassotti at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Victory of Light perennial presenter Thomas Freese of Louisville, a noted psychic counselor, storyteller, author and artist, will present a seminar on “Introduction to Palm Reading.”

Freese is a regular speaker at Kentucky schools, libraries, churches and for metaphysical groups and reads palms, tarot cards, does past life readings and reads from photographs and objects.

Paruta, one of Cincinnati’s most trusted psychic mediums and paranormal investigators, will host “Ask a Psychic” seminar with mini-readings for the audience at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Paruta was voted “Cincinnati’s Best Psychic” by Cincinnati Magazine. He was featured on ABC’s Barbara Walters’ The View as an expert on ghosts and hauntings, and in many newspaper and magazine articles, and radio and television shows, including two episodes of Beyond Belief with George Noory on Gaiam TV.

Mark Pitstick, DC, returns to VOL to present three seminars, all  on Saturday. An accomplished chiropractic physician, he’s also an author and expert on death and dying. Dr. Pitstick presents “Enjoy Your Best Life Now!” at  11a.m.), “Heal & Transform Suffering” at  1 p.m.  (2 hours, $20.), and “Past Life Regression” at  3 p.m.  (2 hours, $20).

For those who love the paranormal, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, author of 60 books on the subject, returns to VOL to present two seminars:  “Effective Psychic Protection” at  2 p.m.  Saturday  (2 hours, $20.) and “Ouija Boards: The Zozo Phenomenon” at  1 p.m.  Sunday. She will also sell her books and conduct readings all weekend. 

Making new friends

Making new friends

Of the 85 seminars, 78 are free to attend with the price of admission, and 7 are 1.5- to 2-hour special events with an additional fee of $10 – 40 that delve more deeply into the subjects of past life regression; mediumship; psychic protection; spirit guides; tarot; and spiritual healing. For a complete list of special events, visit www.VictoryofLight.com.

Twenty-four seminars on holistic healing cover a wide range of diverse subjects: Tibetan Buddhist Healing Ceremonies (11 a.m. each day); Essential Oils; Chinese Medicine – Pulse Diagnosis with oncologist Dr. Peter Sheng; Divine Healing (with British author Christopher Macklin); Health Benefits Of Hemp; Crystal Healing; Energy Kinesiology; Iridology; Reiki; Chakras; and Plant Spirits.

Original music will be performed all weekend by Mark Kenworthy (keyboards), award-winning Native American flutist Douglas Blue Feather and Deborah Brubaker (chakra flutes). A full menu of healthful food choices is for sale in the lower level of the convention center.

Expo tickets are $15 daily/$25 for both days, and are available on the VOL website at www.VictoryofLight.com and at the door. Parking is free. Overflow parking is at Princeton High School; a shuttle will be available. Visit VOL on Facebook, online at VictoryofLight.com or call 513-929-0406 for more information.


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