Meditation helps to destress

Chakra Color Light Bed Therapy, a good stoning, palm readings, meditation classes and haunting hunting are some of the unique services provided by the Mystic Cottage at 4971 Mobile Highway in Pensacola.

Tantalizing essential oils and incense immediately intoxicate the senses of anyone stepping into the little gift shop, which is celebrating its two-year anniversary.

Recent UWF graduate and Cottage employee Crystal Evans, known as the “Love Diva,” provides love and relationship guidance.

“I’m here to help people,” Evans said.

Another former UWF student, Erika Boussarhane, leads the weekly meditation classes, which draws heavily on visualization techniques while incorporating soothing sounds and utilizing tools, such as singing bowls, worry stones and pure essential oils to facilitate relaxation.

“We use a combination of East, West, and American cultural meditation techniques to help in de-stressing” Boussarhane said.

The small, nondescript storefront dons a Mystic Cottage logo over the door, which masks the multitude of candles, herbs and jewelry found within. There are also areas for vendors to display related wares.

It’s more than a store — it’s a “safe haven,” owner Cindy Greene said. “I try to provide a tranquil space to get away.”

Bringing people together for social events, like the upcoming “Goddess Night,” does exactly this. This “fun excursion” will be a night for “networking and pampering,” Greene said.

“People will dress as their favorite goddess or deity and dine on decadent hors d’oeurves with meditation and mini massages,” she said.

Dress-up activities are a running theme at the Cottage. One of the recently held anniversary activities was a “Mystic Cottage Paranormal PJ Party.” The pajama-party participants joined the Southern Paranormal Researchers on an investigation for the night.

One of the most interesting offerings is the chakra light therapy bed. It focuses different-colored lights at seven pressure points, while treating its user to various scents and relaxing music.

“It’s 30 minutes of ecstasy,” Greene said.