Recap of crystal skull visit to Fresno

As I had mentioned last week, I was asked to attend the lecture on one of the famed crystal skulls named Max. The lecture was given by its owner, JoAnn Parks, at Fresno’s Tai Chi Center thanks to a last minute cancellation in Los Angeles. JoAnn has lectured all over the world and on radio shows like Coast to Coast Am, so it was a treat to have her in Fresno.

A crowd gathers around Max before start of the lecture

(Photo courtesy of Michael Banti)

I arrived a few minutes early as I wanted to get a glimpse of Max before the lecture started. As I walked in I saw JoAnn setting Max down on a table and I was able to walk up and observe it. Max was about the size of a human school and I was told he weighs in excess of 16lbs and carved from pure quartz and is estimated to be several thousand years old.

I sat down as the lecture began. First I have to say thanks to JoAnn. Her flight from Texas was delayed due to all the crazy weather and she had only about three hours of sleep. But she still showed up and spoke for the allotted two hours. So I have to give credit where credit is due.

As the lecture started I was under the assumption it would be a bunch of metaphysical mumbo jumbo (you know me always the skeptic), but I was surprised in how down to earth JoAnn was and how simple her message was. She didn’t try to force her beliefs on anyone in the room and wanted everyone to come to their own conclusion based off what they took from what she had to say. She talked about how she came across Max, that she received him from a Tibetan llama (monk) that she knew for several years. She then went into a bit of detail regarding the crystal skulls, how there are some known to be faked, and then ones like hers are a mystery (the British museum tested Max, but wouldn’t comment on what they found). She continued to talk about Max’s message (she claims he speaks to her telepathically) about peace and how he is to be used as a tool for knowledge.

After the lecture was over the group was allowed to approach Max one at a time and touch him (there have been reports of people sensing some sort of energy when they touched Max and others have claimed he spoke to them). I decided to use this opportunity to get some photos. As I walked up to him I snapped some photos, hoping something strange would show up similar to the photos displayed around Max, but alas nothing was out of the ordinary. When it was my turn to touch Max, I was a bit apprehensive (mostly cause I’m a bit of a germophobe, but Max was wiped down with a wet wipe after each person touched him), but I decided to as I wanted to say I touched one of the crystal skulls. Unfortunately no great revelation was shown to me, but I marveled at how smooth he was and how difficult it was to carve him with just hand tools.

A closeup of Max with a photo of with JoAnn with Max

and other skulls in the background.

(Photo courtesy of Michael Banti)

I did ask JoAnn if she ever planned on writing a book of her experiences and she said she had written a manuscript but had never gotten any further. She said she might make that available in the future, but wasn’t sure yet. She also mentioned that she would be back in Fresno sometime next year.

This event took place thanks to the Fresno Lightworkers, a group of like minded individuals that are dedicated to promoting and sharing a positive influence on the Fresno area (sometimes I think we really need it too). I’ve mentioned before they have a monthly psychic circle, but they also have monthly meetings where they discuss anything paranormal or metaphysical related. They have a Meetup page and you can go here for more information on their next meeting.

Weird Fresno gets a psychic reading

I know I tend to focus on the folklore aspect of the paranormal in the Fresno area, but I feel sometimes I leave out the metaphysical side.

Now I've never claimed to be psychic or sensitive (some of my ex-girlfriends would agree with that) but there are those out there that are but don't know how to hone their skills. Recently several sensitives that I used to work with in my ghost hunting days have started a psychic group to help those who don't know how to use their gifts to the full extent. One asked me to come to a meeting as they wanted to do a reading from someone the group didn't know (the sensitives didn't read me as they know me and could effect things) and knew how I'm skeptical of things.

The meeting started off pretty low key, the group mediated a bit. Turns out they were focusing on me. No cold readings ala John Edwards or Silvia Brown bullshit going on here. Honestly I was expecting this as that's how most supposed psychics work.

After ten minutes they finished and one of the group leaders asked for a personal object of mine. I've been wearing a Celtic cross and St. Michael's medal that inside when I ghost hunted lately so I thought I would give that to them as it had meaning to me. Each of the group held it for a minute or so before handing it to the next. All of them had a notebook and would jott something down every now and then.

When they were done, each began to tell me the impressions they got. Most were generalize and could be interpreted in several ways. But some were spot on and it was honestly a bit unnerving as I usually don't believe in this sort of thing. One girl asked me if I worked with buildings for a living, I told her how I worked in architecture. Another asked if I was a NASCAR fan, which I am (shut up I love racing). She then asked if I played the guitar. I did when I was sixteen, but haven't in years and I thought this question was weird. She told me I should pick it back up. Too bad I pawned the thing off years ago.

The group meets ever second Saturday of the month. But next month they are doing a Psychic Bootcamp, and the information on that can be found here. After that they will again meet for the psychic circle. If anyone is interested in going they meet at 1474 Van Ness Ave, which is just a bit north of Audie's Olympic Tavern at around 1:00pm. All they ask for is a volunterry donation to help rent the space.

For more information on the group itself, they have their own site which has the information on when they meet and where.