Turning seekers into healers: At the Blackbird House
by Sarah Barr
Staff Writer
Courtesy Photos
Like life, business evolves. When your business is the Blackbird House – devoted to healing, learning and inner transformation – that evolution can be a lot like the Reiki services it offers, where healing is often approached in cycles and phases as the body progressively processes energy.
It opened in 2022 as a gathering place where ancient practices and modern embodiment come together to nurture growth, authenticity and soulful expansion. This business, located at 147 Main St. in Old Wethersfield, continues to evolve while remaining true to its purpose.
“Aligned with healing,” Erin Touponse said.
She is a certified hypnotherapist and healing practitioner who owns the business with her husband Marcel.
“The relationships we’ve made, they drive a lot of this,” he said. “It’s a close group of folks here. They are constantly coming in with fresh ideas. It keeps us in touch with what people need, the tiger by the tail at times, holding on for dear life as it evolves.”
New ideas have transformed into new offerings such as a 100-hour hypnosis certification program. “Soulmatic” services are another addition. This deals with healing deeper trauma that’s stored in the body.
“They have created a community of people who love to gather here,” regular client Cynthia Gworek said.
Another conversation among clients is the Reiki Consortium that you book through Blackbird House to connect with a group of trained and certified professionals. You then get paired up with a practitioner who best fits what you are looking for.
Client Theresa MacNaughton said this model offers “greater flexibility, affordability and accessibility while ensuring every client receives compassionate, high-quality care. Each practitioner brings their own unique experience and gifts to the healing session” that results in “a collaborative approach that helps meet the growing interest in holistic wellness.”
That’s something to which the owners can attest.
“There’s increased interest in the metaphysical shop,” Erin said of that search for deeper meanings.
But there’s also interest in the brick-and-mortar shop as well. People come to purchase locally made jewelry and candles as well as get a tarot or oracle card reading on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
The hours of operation are yet another change from the early days. The Blackbird House is now open an extra day, on Tuesdays, as both Marcel and Erin are out of their 9-to-5 grind. While “Team Touponse” embraces ancient practices, it also turns to modern technology to share their wealth of knowledge. There’s an online gift shop and a podcast.
New offerings coming soon include a drum circle and a sound healing certification. There’s also Marcel’s cookbook; he is a classically trained chef and serves vegan delights.
Marcel and Erin help people focus on not just who they are but where they are. Perhaps that’s the biggest change.
“People are not just coming for healing, they are coming to be healers,” Erin said.
“There’s been a lot of recovery from the initial message. We visualized and shaped this since our 20s. Now it’s the what’s next. The overarching message for growth is less about what are we able to do in a store but how can we make ourselves available to help as many people as possible,” Marcel added.
“People want to become healers themselves. We were concerned with the nuts and bolts of the business, but the biggest growth for us is the people, and what they need, to find ways to meet them where they are.”
What about the energy they hope to attract versus release?
“A unifying element of people trying to help one another overcome stress. We offer services, exercises, introspective. We’re looking to give and get back connectivity. We attract people who seek the same thing,” Marcel said.
Get rid of toxicity and push towards more ease and comfort. That’s the goal. The means to do it is through hands-on work, eyes closed, deep breaths and deep feelings.
“We help people anchor back into their body. Bring them where their feet are,” Erin said.
Awaken your inner healer. The Blackbird House took flight four years ago offering a community for anyone “looking to expand their divine knowledge, understand their true purpose and heal from traumas.”
That goal has not changed. But perhaps the goal post has moved, as it is higher, lighter and holds more people. WL
For more information, go to theblackbirdhouse.com. Business hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.