THE Mill Beach pub became home to a spiritual gathering with witchcraft workshops, relaxing holistic therapies, and shamanic healing.
For the second year running the pub in Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, held a two-day event on July 19-20 bringing together all that is spiritual on the banks of the estuary.
There were more than 50 stalls selling wares from crystals, jewellery, and handmade soaps to holistic therapies like reiki and rahanni celestial healing.
Live music from local musicians and morris dancing from the Maldon-based Dark Horse Morris also entertained the crowds.
Organiser Lyz Barnard, 48, from Maldon, said: "It was fantastic there were far more people than what I expected and it felt good to know that people were interested in spirituality.
"I always said that I wanted to hold an event that people can come to and have some pf their questions about spirituality answered and to take part in different therapies and I think we were able to do that."
Children were entertained by storyteller Kate Millner, also known as Fallen Moon, and both children and adults found themselves getting their faces painted on the day.
Mrs Barnard, an animal carer and part-time bar maid at the Mill Beach Pub, added: "We've had excellent feedback and a lot of people saying that they can't wait until next year – the music was great and we had people from all walks of life coming together.
"It turned out to be a lovely atmosphere – the representative from the Stroke Association who was there said he had never tested the blood pressure of people so relaxed."
There was also spiritual readers, an aura artist, mediums, and tarot readers there with plenty of workshops on the paranormal.
Landlady Liz Mason, 50, said: "It was so busy and we had a great time meeting the many people that came along to visit.
"A lot of the singers and dancers were local and it was a day all ages could enjoy with storytellers for young children to listen to."
"It was a way to find out a little bit more about your own spirituality and what that means. Of course, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it was a way to find out a little bit more in a relaxing environment without getting pulled everywhere."
The event raised funds for the Stroke Association and Clark's Greyhound Rescue based in Little Totham.
