Is your spirit that of a mermaid? Maybe it resembles a fairy, or perhaps you’re a tree spirit?
For anyone who has ever questioned the characteristics of their mystical makeup, Knoxville’s very own self-proclaimed genie may have the answer.
Known simply as “Zeus,” the spiritual guru long ago developed the distinction of being Knoxville’s only resident commonly seen sporting flowing robes, a genie lamp and carrying an artfully festooned staff around town.
“He had a staff, and I was like, ‘Who the hell carries a staff around the Old City?’” Klay Willyn, junior in anthropology, said. “I thought he looked really cool, because he looked different.”
Zeus returned to his birthplace of Knoxville after spending most of his adolescence in North Carolina and a little of it in Japan, where his military father was stationed.
“My life has been a journey,” Zeus said. “I’ve worked many different jobs dishwashing and cleaning buildings. I’ve done so much of that.”
After being called by God to switch vocations, he now makes his living selling handmade jewelry crafted from old silverware, wire, green glass and stones. The stones all carry his genie blessing, he said, and bring good fortune and protection to the wearer.
“I started making jewelry and making staffs and making rings,” he said. “God gave me my full potential as to what I can do. I’m a master mason. That’s how I’m able to make and design all of this without anyone teaching me — it’s already in me from a past life.”
Zeus can be found on weekends and most weeknights selling his wares at Preservation Pub, where he occupies his own nook under the first floor stairwell. His stack of oracle cards is sure to be close at ring bedecked hand, and for a donation, he’ll read yours.
Commonly confused for tarot cards, oracle cards follow a more free-form structure. Ask Zeus any question about yourself or future you desire, and the cards will reveal the blueprint of an answer. More likely than not, he’ll also disclose your characteristic essence in the spirit world, a gift he says he’s always had.
“It’s always been there, but I think around 13 or 14 is when I started identifying as a genie,” he said. “I knew I was different. I’m in a human body, but I’m a genie for God. There’s a type of angel that serves the Lord and serves Christ.”
Although Zeus does believe in the Trinity and wears most of his jewelry in sets of three to symbolize that creed, he does not subscribe to one religion. With business cards identifying him as a “Spiritual Adviser” and “Prophet,” he has a universalistic approach to spirituality.
“People always ask me what religion I represent,” Zeus said. “(The answer is) the universe; there is no title, no labels. The universe is open, and I think that’s the way God is. God is everything.”
His attunement with the spirit world is a gift from God, he said, and one that he uses to achieve his “special thrill” of helping others.
“That’s what I’m here for, to help others, to teach love and to spread love,” he said. “I like to use what God has given to me to the highest good—to awaken people to who they truly are and to bring hope to people who think they don’t have any.”
Beyond spreading love, acceptance and awareness, Willyn believes Zeus has the ability to teach people in Knoxville yet another important concept—originality.
“I think he makes people feel like it’s okay to be completely outrageous and out there and that it’s not something to be ashamed of or scorned,” Willyn said. “It’s something to be highly valued and praised, and you can do great things.
“Even if you’re unconventionally awesome, you’re still awesome.”
