There is a house located at the southwest corners of 'H' and Blanche Streets in Bakersfield, California, which will forever hold a special place among my cherished memories.  My parents and I lived just two blocks south of this building during my childhood years from 1955 through 1961.  Bakersfield High School, which I attended for four years, lay just three blocks north.  'H' Street was my daily walking route to and from school, so naturally I passed by this building at least twice a day.  Architecturally this was my favorite house in the neighborhood.  There was something significantly different about this home, but it took me the longest time to figure out what that was.  I would sometimes stand in front of it and wonder who lived there; I wished my parents and I did.  It was a two-story home and I longed for a private upstairs bedroom where I could view all the trees and houses below.  I knew nothing whatsoever about architectural styles of homes.  I just knew that this house located at 1037 'H' Street was different from all the other houses in my neighborhood and did not fit in here.  In fact it didn't belong in Bakersfield at all.  It belonged in some other location, but not having much travel experience behind me I could not imagine where that might be.  And then one day in 1959 everything fell into perspective.  One Friday evening I met my friends at The Nile Theatre to see a new movie, "A Summer Place".  It starred teenage idols Troy Donahue and Sandra Dee, so therefore was not to be missed.  The theme song from the film was the number one song on the music charts as well.  It was a hauntingly beautiful theme still recognized today.  The movies locale was set somewhere in New England at a coastal resort.  I don't recall much about the plot today, but it definitely impressed me at the time.  I recall walking home from the movie theatre that night.  Being alone, I hummed the theme song over and over to myself as I walked towards home down 'H' Street.  Stopping on the corner at Blanche, I viewed my favorite house in the moonlight.  Suddenly I knew where this house belonged!  It looked as if it had stepped out of the setting of the film I had just seen.  It belonged in New England, maybe Cape Cod or some other equally as picturesque a place.  From that day forth, whenever I passed 1037 'H' Street I would stop to view that special New England style house, silently say 'Hello' to it and then walk on towards school humming the theme from "A Summer Place" as I made my way.

"1961 and On"

I moved away from Bakersfield the day I graduated from high school in June of 1961.  I spent one year studying Astrology and Psychic Development training with Jack Dareos, an internationally renown Clairvoyant, in Santa Monica, California.  The following year I moved to San Francisco to study with the famous Astrologer Gavin Arthur, who had asked me to become his protégé.  Gavin had done my Chart when I was fifteen years old and had predicted I would become a professional Astrologer by the age of eighteen.  His prediction came to be.  My Astrology training continued under the guidance of Elinor Melin, who I credit to be my true mentor.  My studies in Psychic Mediumship and Clairvoyant training were under the supervision of Reverends Florence Becker, Clara Pregger and Pearl Shannon of San Francisco.  I regard Pearl as the most gifted Psychic Medium I have ever known. I received my Certified Psychic Mediumship Degree at the age of nineteen.  My career as a professional Astrologer ö Clairvoyant became my full time profession from the very beginning.  Since the age of eighteen, my client appointment calendar has always been booked several months in advance.  Occasionally I would return to Bakersfield to visit my parents.  Usually, however, they opted to visit me in Northern California, so it was rarely I returned.  Prior 1998 my last visit to Bakersfield was in 1973.  Both of my parents passed away that year so I sadly returned to handle matters concerned with deaths duties.

Twenty-five years later I was invited to Lecture and to give Readings at "Insight Bookshop", a metaphysical bookstore in Bakersfield. I accepted for sentimental reasons.  I had never gone 'backwards into time' before and I felt that this opportunity would help me to assess 'where I had come' from 'where I had been.'  My lecture was scheduled for the evening of October 14^th.  I drove from my hotel and arrived at "Insight Bookshop" for my 7:00 P.M. appearance.  As I got out of my car, I looked up at the building.  I think you can appreciate my amazement when I realized that this was the very same house, the "Summer Place" house of my childhood, located at 1037 'H' Street at the corner of Blanche. 

"Insight Bookshop"

"Insight Bookshop" is owned and operated by Orville and Melinda Elkins, two of the kindest people I have ever met. Orville is a tall, athletic and ruggedly handsome Leo who also happens to be an Astrologer.  Although we never knew each other 'back then' we both coincidentally attended the same high school.  Orville was one grade ahead of me.  Melinda, his wife, is an Aquarian and thus the perfect Sign and partner for him.  Melinda is as lovely and elegant as Audrey Hepburn of whom she reminds me.

Upon entering their bookshop one realizes he has entered a very special place.  There is an atmosphere of serenity in this space.  The shop is as immaculate as Melinda herself.  Walls and tables are filled with the finest and most selective of metaphysical books, talismans and objects of occult interest.  Two wonderful cats walk tranquilly amongst the clientele as The Elkins assist customers and visit with their many friends.  I am always amazed at how busy the bookshop is.  In the back of the shop is a wonderful office suite, which is for the use of their invited guest Astrologers, Clairvoyants, Tarot Card Readers, etc. to do their work in.  I love this office and feel as comfortable working in it as I do at my office in Sonoma.  When you view the photos of both the Insight Bookshop building and that of my office at the bottom of the page, you cannot help but see why.

My working engagement this coming May 31^st and June 1^st will be my third appearance at "Insight".  I would like to thank The Elkins for inviting me.  I feel more than honored to be included amongst the many famous and celebrated metaphysicians they have hosted.  Special thanks, too, to the many clients and new friends I have made while visiting Bakersfield.  I guess I have come 'full circle' now thanks to all of you.  It has been a heartfelt joy for me to revisit that "Summer Place" house of my childhood and finally find out who lives inside.            

Gratefully,

Walden   

P.S.  They say if you are patient and wait long enough, your dreams will come true.  Walden's did.  The resemblance of these two building is remarkable.

Mr. Welch's forthcoming autobiography, The Man with a Vision, or Two and his astrological novel, The Ruler of the Third House, works in progress, will be featured in upcoming months.