West Coast School of Mystic Arts Center for Enlightened Living

The Whistler Question Published Date: 2009-25-06 Buddha smiles on corridor Spontaneous donations being forwarded to Whistler-area non-profit groups — by Jennifer Miller, Reporter With the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, black bears, Black Tusk and many others, Whistler has no shortage of icons. But there’s a relatively new one in town that’s quietly spreading luck, goodwill and community support — all while simply sitting outside a Village store. The “Laughing Buddha” statue that holds court outside The Oracle gift shop, located across from the Celebration Plaza site near Marketplace, has long garnered belly rubs, photo opportunities, and interest from tourists, locals, children and even dogs, said the store’s owner, Kelly Oswald. “He gets his picture taken all day long,” she said. “Children kiss him; they call him Santa.” But it wasn’t until the squat statue was replaced last summer that people also started putting spare change on the symbol of good luck, she said. In just less than a year, the statue has collected about $1,000, (click to continue)
The Globe & Mail Published Date: 2008-12-01 I sold my stocks (the psychic said I should) — by Sarah Boesveld While businesses around the world suffer and shrink in the current financial downturn, psychics, hypnotists and astrologers are basking in the good times. Many say they've seen significant boosts in the past few months, and are seeing greater demand from investors who no longer trust the suit-and-tie financial advisers who told them to buy stocks that eventually tanked. Kelly Oswald, founder of the West Coast School of Mystic Arts Center for Enlightened Living and the Oracle in Whistler, B.C., says it's business as usual. Her team of more than 20 spiritual "facilitators" has seen a steady increase in clients since the centre opened. "We've been in the business since 1999. It's grown every year, it's grown steadily," she says. What's more, she's seeing more men seeking answers from the other side. "We have an 80-per-cent female, 20-per-cent male [clientele]. I would say it's definitely shifted to maybe even 70-30 within the past year. It's increased significantly." (click to continue)
The Whistler Question Published: 2008-10-09 Paying it Forward Between the 2010 Cities: North Shore to Whistler The North Shore, Squamish and Whistler will be ‘Paying it Forward’ for the next six weeks. Regardless of the stock markets, interest rates, the world economy or elections, these communities are out to pick up spirits and encourage good will. Pay it Forward, is the story of a young boy who sets out to change the world into a nicer place through random acts of kindness. (click to continue) PHOTO: Kelly Oswald speaks with host Nicole Fitzgerald from Shaw Cable’s weekly program, The Express, as cameraman, Jacob Gish catches the action.
Pique News Magazine Published Date: 2007-09-20 Psychic School for the Everyman The Oracle hosts a psychic certificate program this fall at Brew Creek Lodge — by Nicole Fitzgerald Imagine life with the ability to hit the fast-forward button for a quick glimpse of future possibilities. Contrary to gypsy stereotypes, no crystal balls are necessary. Psychic Kelly Oswald says anyone has the ability to tap into their psychic ability. (click to continue)
The Whistler Question Published Date: 2007-08-09 Chopra urges global ‘family of compassion’ Peace starts with internal commitment: author Deepak Chopra — by Jennifer Miller, Reporter With aggressive language for projects and movements that are supposed to be positive, it’s no wonder even peace activists are angry. Everything from the War on Drugs to the War on Poverty uses metaphors for violence instead of a language of peace. “Everything’s a war,” Dr. Deepak Chopra said to a crowd of about 1,000 people last Thursday (Aug. 2) at a large community event at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. (click to continue)
The Whistler Question Date: 2007-07-12 Famed Mind-body Expert Set for Visit Chopra to share message of change during ‘Seduction of Spirit’ retreat — by Jennifer Miller, Reporter If you want to help make the world a better place, you can work on your own and make a difference, but if you join with others in a common goal, much greater change can be achieved. People in Whistler will have the chance to learn how to affect positive change in the world and connect with 800 others who want to do the same thing when self-help guru Deepak Chopra comes to town later this month. (click to continue)
Pique News Magazine Published Date: 2007-07-05 Deepak Chopra encourages "Be the Change" Spiritual leader invites community to join together for social transformation — by Nicole Fitzgerald Ghandi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Motivational speaker and author of the Seven Laws of Spirituality, Deepak Chopra carries on Ghandi's inspiration and invites Whistler residents to be the change in their community. He'll be speaking Aug 2 from 8:00-9:30pm at the Fairmont Chateau in Whistler. "If you want to be the the change' in your community, I invite you to begin by hosting meetings to talk about how you can create a new humanity through personal and social transformation," he said. "Activities initiated by these meetings all over the world will be reported to encourage others." Deepak Chopra. (click to continue)
Pique News Magazine Published Date: 2007-06-21 Getting Chocolate Naked! — by Nicole Fitzgerald, Reporter Chocolate that helps you loose weight?! "As a nutritionist, I've thought chocolate is bad, but since I discovered this very exciting information, I don't have to give chocolate up!" said nutritionist Marrisa Schiesser. Naked chocolate is where it is at - naked as in raw cacao beans, sometimes known as nibs. Schiesser will unleash Pandora's Box on one the most powerful elements known to women at the "Chocolate - Natural Bliss!" workshop on Thursday, June 28 at The Oracle in Whistler. (click to continue)
Global TV Air Date: 2006-10-06 Everyday Hero with Kevin Newman Click for details on Global TV. This week's 'Everyday Hero' -- Canadians who make a difference, but are too modest to sing their own praises -- is a Whistler businesswoman who discovered the power of simple acts of kindness, and then shared it far and wide. WHISTLER, B.C. Like most world-class resort towns, Whistler can be described as being luxurious, tranquil, and laid-back... general terms to illustrate the small municipality, population 10,000, nestled in a valley protected by tall, majestic mountains. (click to continue)
Whistler This Week Date: 2006-09-28 The World comes to Whistler... Whistler gives back to the World. Transforming society, one person at a time 'Power of You’ conference planned Oct. 6 and 7 at Millennium Place, Whistler — by Jennifer Miller What if you could do something meaningful that would not only benefit you and teach you something new, but something that would also benefit others and the world? The third annual Power of You, planned Oct. 6 and 7 at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, can do just that. “It’s karma. It’s what you put out you get back. It’s doing things for the betterment of all,” said creator and organizer Kelly Oswald. “(But) there’s a wonderful opportunity for learning and growth as well.” (click to continue)
The Whistler Question Date: 2006-07-27 Changing the World through Kindness "Whistler... Pay it Forward" aiming to promote positive vibe in resort What is “Whistler… Pay it Forward”? Simply put, it is a free program designed to encourage us to be consciously nice to each other. The idea is geared to create an actively positive environment and enhance our sense of community through neighbourly gestures. We know that to instigate change, we have to start with ourselves, that change starts with the one. (click to continue)
The Whistler Question Date: 2006-07-13 Spreading positive Whistler vibe Question, others set to launch ‘Pay It Forward’ initiative — by Jennifer Miller Don’t be surprised if it seems like people around you start getting nicer, or at least more courteous, in the coming weeks. Perhaps someone you don’t know will buy you a coffee. You might find quarters left in a pay phone booth just when you need to make a call, or someone who sees you’re in a hurry might trade places with you in the grocery store checkout line. It’s likely these not-so-random acts of kindness will have something to do with Whistler… Pay it Forward, a new initiative and contest that will be launched in partnership with The Question in the coming weeks. It’s about doing nice things for others, and ultimately making Whistler a more positive place where people feel welcome, said Kelly Oswald, local business owner and one of the creators of Whistler… Pay it Forward. “It’s like smiling — smiles are contagious,” she said. “It makes you feel good.” (click to continue)
The Whistler Question Date: 2006-03-23 Movies for Mind and Spirit set Second in What the Bleep series to be screened this Sunday Three movies on the holistic theme are scheduled to be screened over the next few weeks in what organizers are calling Three Movies for Mind and Spirit. The films, which begin this Sunday (March 26) with two screenings of What the Bleep?! Down the Rabbit Hole, are meant to "awaken the viewer's sense of conscious awareness and evoke an appreciation that we are all connected," one of the organizers, Kelly Oswald of The Oracle, said in a statement. (click to continue)
CTV, Breakfast TV Date: 11-2005 Breakfast TV Michiko Higgins on Handwriting Analysis - currently unavailable.
Mountain FM Radio Date: 2005-11-04 Mountain FM Radio - Morning Show with Mike Ciccone Join Kelly Oswald for a morning of mystic explorations and psychic readings as well as radio contests and your favourite music. Currently unavailable.
CTV, Breakfast TV Date: 2005-10-27 CTV, Breakfast TV Live Eye takes a tour of Hycroft Manor with Kelly Oswald. "Who Killed Janet Smith?", the unsolved murder that make Hycroft Mansion fascinating to many. The history of Vancouver holds no concrete clues to the case. Currently unavailable.
1410 CFUN Radio Date: 2005-09-05 1410 CFUN Radio Kelly Oswald guests on the Shannon Nelson Show for conversation on The Power of YOU fundraising event for UNICEF's efforts in Darfur, Africa. Call in readings available. Currently unavailable.
CTV, Breakfast TV Date: 2005-09-05 CTV, Breakfast TV Kelly Oswald guests on Breakfast TV for conversation on The Power of YOU fundraising event for UNICEF's efforts in Darfur, Africa. Currently unavailable. thepowerofyou.org
Whistler Question Published Date: 2005-09-01 ‘Power of You’ to send karma, cash to Darfur — by Nicole Fitzgerald Power of You officials recently watched a video provided by UNICEF about the travesties happening in Darfur region in the African country of Sudan. The video was originally meant to be shown as part of the second annual Power of You fundraiser, Sept. 9 and 10 at MY Millennium Place, a UNICEF fundraiser for the people of Darfur. However, event officials deemed the footage too graphic for public viewing, so brutal were the images of the people suffering in the war-torn country ravaged by hurricanes and what media are reporting as genocide.
Pique News Magazine Published Date: 2005-02-24 Heritage of Faith Religion and spirituality in Whistler: from the Skiers’ Chapel to Snowboarders for Christ — by Pina Belperio Mysticism and New Age Movements Those professing to have no religion, along with those people embracing religions other than Christianity, are also gaining prominence. Neo-pagan or nature-revering religions include "faiths" such as New Age, Paganism, Celtic Reconstruction and Wicca. Unlike the structured, more traditional Christian religions, these groups believe in discovering the truth through revelation, some of which cannot always be fully understood or explained. Kelly Oswald, a metaphysician and founder of the West Coast School of Mystic Arts in North Vancouver, felt that the time was right to introduce these "other" faiths into Whistler’s spiritual community. (click to continue)
North Shore News Published Date: 2005-02-20 Film Explores Nature of the Indigo Child A new film that has a public viewing Tuesday in North Van explores the unique nature of “indigo children.” Indigo is the name given to a group of children who are often misunderstood in our society. A press release promoting the film states that indigo children have difficulty with authority, are often called “old souls,” and don’t tolerate certain situations that don’t make sense to them. (click to continue)
Whistler Question Published Date: 2005-01 Tsunami Event to Promote Healing — by Nicole Fitzgerald Organizers of MY Place show to send good vibes, money to victims A study was conducted on the power of prayer. One group of ill people was prayed for, the other was not. The people for whom prayers were offered healed faster than the group for whom none were offered. The Tsunami Relief Fundraiser on Friday, Jan. 21, at MY Millennium Place, will operate on this study’s principals by both raising money for the UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund through a silent auction and ticket sales and featuring prayer-like activities to send conscious healing to Southeast Asia tsunami victims. “Studies have proven there is power in prayer,” said event co-organizer Kelly Oswald, director of Mystic Arts school in Vancouver and owner of The Oracle in Whistler. “Whether guided meditation or singing, by sending that energy, we are helping people who are victims, compassionate helpers and those who have already passed on.” As part of the performance component of the event, Oswald will lead a guided meditation or visual journey to propel participants’ thoughts energetically to those in Southeast Asia. As well, Cheryl Brewster will bring the powerful tones of the Tibetan Singing Bowl to heal, clear and balance energy systems. (click to continue)
Vancouver Sun Published Date: 2005-01-08 A Psychic’s Eye to the Future — by Kevin Griffiths B.C. clairvoyants gaze into their crystal balls to the year ahead January is a busy time of the year for the mystic arts as everyone tries to get a jump on what’s in store for the year. While the tsunami has soothsayers working overtime in Southeast Asia with predictions that the tragedy is a harbinger of the end of the world (coming in 2010 according to Nostradamus), most local psychics, busy lining up their predictions for 2005 didn’t see it coming…. In North Vancouver, Kelly Oswald is the founder of the West Coast School of Mystic Arts. Her reading on the coming year focused more on people rather than politics. (click to continue)
Whistler Question Published Date: 2005-09-04 Wake up and smell the incense, Whistler — by Nicole Fitzgerald ‘Celebration of Psyche and Soul’ Planned this Weekend You would think metaphysician Kelly Oswald would be able to look into her crystal ball and predict how Whistler will respond to the inaugural Celebration of Psyche and Soul this weekend, Sept. 3 to 6, when Tourism Whistler and the spiritual community will pack the village with psychics of all sorts. However, Oswald only needs to look to the present and past to know Whistler is ready to delve into its more spirited side of living in the future. (click to continue)
Where Magazine Published Date: Nov 2003 Looking for the Light — by Louise Phillips In mystic Vancouver, the world of the spirit is closer than you think God moves in mysterious ways. These days, healing with crystals, balancing chakras and drawing mandalas, along with New Age events like the lantern procession, co-exist with traditional belief systems as legitimate ways to connect with the divine. In Vancouver, whether you adhere to an organized religion or follow the do-it-yourself route, chances are you can find a spiritual pick-me-up here. (click to continue)
Shaw TV Nov 5, 2003 Fanny Keefer Show Join Kelly Oswald hosted by Fanny Keefer as they discuss helpful Feng Shui solutions for your home and office. Currently unavailable.
CBC Radio Oct 31, 2003 Join Kelly Oswald on a Hallowe'en spoof at Hycroft Manor - supposedly haunted by the ghost of Janet Smith. Real or fiction??? Currently unavailable.
The Vancouver Sun Oct 30, 2003 Drawn to mysticism — by Kevin Griffiths There’s nothing like surviving a near-death experience to make you question your priorities. Three years ago, that happened to Kelly Oswald. Oswald was in Lions Gate Hospital. Hooked up to a heart monitor. For weeks, that was her home. Doctors believed that a rogue virus had attacked her heart. Oddly enough, the time she spent in hospital enlightened her. “It made me realize that we are all one, that we can do whatever we set our hearts to do,” she said. “I think a catalyst like a near death experience can be a good thing – it gives you the courage to do whatever it is you want to do.” (click to continue)
Whistler Question Oct 18, 2003 Clairvoyant foresees school for spiritual arts — by Nicole Fitzgerald Personal growth and psychic development courses come to Whistler. Whistler’s spiritual community is an underground one. Unlike many cities, which burst at the seams with metaphysical stores, spiritually based “churches,” and columns of newspaper advertisements on everything from Reiki treatment to past-life regression workshops, there is no central location in Whistler to access on the spiritual arts. In response to the number of searching spiritual guidance Whistler’s spiritual community is an underground one. Unlike many cities, which burst at the seams with metaphysical stores, spiritually based “churches,” and columns of newspaper advertisements on everything from Reiki treatment to past-life regression workshops, there is no central location in Whistler to access on the spiritual arts. (click to continue)
Whistler this Week Oct 4, 2003 Mystic Whistler — by Steven Hill From the natural to the supernatural Halloween night is the time most usually associated with the eerie and the paranormal in the Resort town of Whistler. However, the pristine and breathtaking natural beauty of the area, together with the open-minded and free thinking nature of the community, have served to attract many individuals with a definite slant towards the supernatural over the years. (click to continue)
CKNW Dec 15, 2002 Listen to a discussion on psychic ability - and how we all have this amazing intuitive resource we can tap into at any time with Kelly Oswald. Currently unavailable.
Vicki Gabereau December 5, 2002, 1:00pm Kelly Oswald appears on the Vicki Gabereau show! www.ctv.ca Currently unavailable.
Georgia Straight October 10, 2002 Mystic Academy — by Gail Johnson Kelly Oswald was always attracted to things some people might consider a bit whacked: feng shui, tarot cards, psychic abilities, and the like. About a year and a half ago, Oswald fell seriously ill. Once she was well again, she decided to shift her priorities. One result of this change was the West Coast Institute of Mystic Arts. Oswald says the North Vancouver - based school, which opened in September and is the first of its kind in Western Canada, is all about "weird stuff for normal people"... (click to continue)
North Shore News September 29, 2002 Reviving the Mystic Arts Remember when you used to lie on the grass and imagine you were a little tiny person in a great big green world? Or when you sat and stared in fascination at the colours, shapes and textures of all the rocks on the beach, marveling at the smoothness of the water washed pebbles under your fingertips? Somewhere along the line, you probably lost that feeling of connectedness with your world. The West Coast Institute of Mystic Arts wants to help people get that feeling back... (click to continue)
The Province December 7, 2002 Tarot course ill-fated Rec center cancels it after complaint from resident A North Vancouver recreation center cancelled its "Tarot for Teens" course after a resident complained about the witchcraft religion being taught through a public institution. "When I saw it, I said, 'Oh my goodness, this is ridiculous,"' said Natalie Hudson, a North Vancouver teacher who is changing careers. She wrote to the North Vancouver Recreation Commission to ask that the course be dropped. "I felt very strongly that since we're supposed to be a pluralistic society, this was inappropriate," she said. "Tarot cards come under witchcraft and sorcery." She said teaching about Christianity and Buddhism isn't allowed in public institutions. "I don't think necessarily that religion ought to be kept out of the schools and we should all be running around as atheists," she said. "But if we're going t make the decision that religion doesn't belong in public, if we can't say the 'Our Father' in our schools, why should they teach about tarot cards? There's an ideology there, too." Hudson said she feels similarly toward Harry Potter and television programs such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed. "I think there is a cultural fascination [with witchcraft] and we start legitimizing it [especially to teens] by celebrating it," She said.
Gringo Gazette November 5, 2001 Feng Shui Workshop Comes to Cabo Listen up, and get your house in order Feng Shui it's an interesting idea, but how do you say it? Is it "Feng Shui" or "fung shway"? And just what does it do? You can find out at a rare opportunity to discover the fundamentals of Feng Shui, 9:30AM on Monday, November 19th in the meeting room at the Marina Sol in Cabo San Lucas... (click to continue)
North Shore News November, 2001 Bad Spell for tarot course Recreation commission draws fire A course dealing with one of the most ancient methods of divination has just been cancelled for North Vancouver students. With the hype surrounding the latest blockbusters Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and the much anticipated Lord of the Rings, one may be forgiven for feeling a certain magic in the air. Bursting with alchemical imagery, these films promise to be the most successful box office hits this year. And if you're a teenager, you may not have to travel all the way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for a lesson in the occult. North Vancouver Recreation Commission has just come under a spell of trouble... (click to continue)
North Shore News October 28, 2001 Changing energy the Chinese way An all-day seminar next Sunday will take participants beyond the basics of feng shui. The seminar is being offered by Kelly Oswald, a North Vancouver-based graphic artist who is also a feng shui practitioner and teacher. The seminar is Sunday, Nov. 4 in the Rehearsal Studio at the Centennial Theatre. Feng shui (pronounced "fung shway") is an ancient Chinese art that involves maximizing the "chi" energy that flows in your home and enhances prosperity, health, relationships and well-being... (click to continue)