Gladice Verlene Sarvey

he Beacon Journal Monday June 13 , 1988 Page B7 Demand for Astrologers up by Regina Brett Beacon Journal business writer At the age of 4, a "spirit" carried her out of a burning building to safety. When she was 12, she said, she told her father he would die soon. Two days 'later he died of a heart attack. She claims the ability to foresee births, deaths, divorces and even winning streaks for the Cleveland Indians. Gladice Smalley has been called "everything clairvoyant, palm reader, astrologer and born psychic. Her dad used to say she had "spooks," but Mrs.Smalley sees her power as a positive one. "I know what I have is what God gave me," she said. Mrs. Smalley, 56, opened business in 1974 as a clairvoyant, palm reader and astrologer. She now works out of her September Road home in Akron. But 'she doesn't rely solely on her own abilities. Her bookcases are full of guides for the planets and stars, a crystal ball and cards. "If you want to know your inside soul, get into astrology and you will. Astrology will help you know yourself, she said. "Astrology is a predictive science. It's like learning to do the weather, except that those who are born psychics have a much higher accuracy rate. Fees range from $20 10 $35 for various types of readings and services including a crystal ball, bio rhythms, character charts, numerology or card I know my planets. If you do it everyday, you learn it extensively," she noted I am not a fortuneteller. I'm a very normal person. ....and a private person," she added. At times she is mobbed for advice when people learn she is a psychic, but she's learned to live with her ability and to make a living off it. "The first year you don't make money. After that, you can make a lot," she said. It takes about $3,000 to purchase the books and equipment needed to set up shop. A good astrologer can make $25,000 to $40,000 a year, according to professional astrologer Joanne Stover. Ms. Stover uses a computer to analyze personalities and can mathematically calculate the locations of the planets. "Astrology is something that is not easy to learn, but it can be learned," she said. It takes about 36 weeks of instruction a to learn all 10 planets, 12 houses and 12 astrological signs and how they all in tea grate. "My students do 200 charts before they can start to charge a fee for it," Ms. Stover said. Ms. Stover teaches at the Acorn Grows metaphysical bookstore in Akron: and has 19 students in classes in Wooster, Massillon and Akron. Some local school systems have contacted Ms. Stover to teach continuing-education classes. This area is a hot spot one of the, best places for metaphysics in the country, she said, Membership in local astrological groups is growing, with 40 in the Akron Astrological Society, 35 in the Medina, Astrological Research Society and 40 in the Canton Aquarian Age Encounter, son, she added. At times she is mobbed for advice when people learn she is a psychic, but she's learned to live with her ability and to make a living off it. According to Ms. Stover. Nationally, about 4,000 astrologers are expected to attend the American Federation of Astrologers celebration of its 50th birthday in July. With the recent attention by the media concerning the White House reliance on astrologers, local astrologers and psychics are picking up business. Mrs. Smalley wasn't surprised when the public found out that President and Nancy Reagan consult astrologers she said she had already known it's going to make a lot of astrologers money," she said. But Reagan isn't the only leader who looked to the planets for advice. Adolph Hitler used astrologers; so did Abraham Lincoln and a few other presidents, including Martin Van Buren, Mrs. Smalley said. During the Goodyear takeover attempt, at least three of the company's top executives came to see her on separate occasions to find out if Sir James Goldsmith would succeed in his hostile bid. After much concentration, she said, she was able to predict that Goldsmith would not succeed. Mrs. Smalley has done readings for hundreds of clients ranging from ministers to television show producers, police officers and broadcasters. General Tire al and Firestone employees came to her to find out which state they might have to relocate to. But some calls are for black magic In and using negative forces, with which Mrs. Smalley refuses to tamper. Even so, her readings are not always positive. Some clients come to her with Th painful issues unfaithful spouses, child abuse in their past. One of her clients killed himself; Mrs. Smalley, said she had prior knowledge the suicide would occur. She now has one client who she said will soon be in prison."No one can change your life but you," Mrs. Smalley said. Some want her to perform miracles; she merely gives direction and advises when is the best time to act. To complement her natural psychic abilities, Mrs. Smalley went too astrology classes at the University of Akron and from area tutors. She now lectures at Kent State University, writes for the Inner City News and works about 45 hours a week. To develop psychic abilities, Mrs. Smalley encourages people to rely on their first thoughts and to stop rationalizing. As for astrology, "When people see the evolvement needed, they don't want to learn it," she said.