Maria Shaw's Psychic Fairs - A Family Affair
By Trudy Marshall Bowler

This is a lovely article by a talented reporter/journalist from the Lansing MI area who recently did a story on our fairs. It is reprinted with her permission. Trudy is such a gifted reporter and a nice person. She's a Libra!

Families seem to come in many forms these days, but one would be hard pressed to find another one as warm and inviting as the family you will find at Maria Shaw's Psychic Fairs.

Today's psychic fairs are not the crystal balls and smoke and mirrors concept of the media. Instead, one will find honest and open intuitives offering guidance to those who are seeking a greater understanding of their own gifts and potential in this life. After 9-11 many found themselves feeling hopeless. This hopelessness became a spiritual 9-1-1 for many and a quest to find answers and a sense of hope in a time that left many feeling lost and afraid. Looking for reassurance many began to look in places that they had never considered in the past for that hope.

Walking into the fair you find yourself feeling like a long lost member as you are greeted at the door by Brenda Lynn, a Saginaw native. Brenda who is currently attending the door and helping out with sales during these fairs is like a breath of fresh air. With an abundance of energy and an infectious smile she makes each person coming through the door feel welcomed, making it very clear she lets them know she is genuinely happy to see them.

None of these gifted people claim to have all the answers or ever the right answer, instead what they offer is guidance in the right direction. Each will also quickly explain that free will is always at work and can change any given direction; good or bad. The incredible group of people who offer their various services at these fairs all have one thing in common the truly want to help and offer hope to all that come in seeking their services.

While many think that a psychic is someone who tells the future, each one will clearly inform anyone who asks that this is not what they do. Most prefer to call themselves intuitive, as they are simply responding to their intuition. We all have an intuitive side, some choose to ignore theirs while others don't know how to tap into it. This is where the benefit of someone who is familiar and comfortable with their intuitive ability comes in to help guide and often remind us that the strange feeling in our stomach is not to be ignored when something doesn't seem right. Most people get themselves into bad relationships, bad jobs and bad life choices not by following their gut but by ignoring it.

Rev. Midge Miller is a Reiki Master, a nurse, and a Universal Brotherhood Minister, a Certified Clinical Master Hypnotherapist instructor, and a Freesoul Counselor. With forty years of metaphysical experience behind her, Midge offers a great deal of warmth with a wonderful intuition. Midge makes it very clear that what she does should not be confused with fortune telling. As she explains "This is an extended art of intuitive awareness." Recognizing that all of her gifts come from a power greater than herself, she treats them and all who come to her with a great deal of respect and care. A reading from Midge combines all of her talents and her genuine desire to help others find their path in this life or to nudge them in the right direction if they seem to be losing their way. She will make you stop and think about the lessons that you learned along the way with the struggles in your life as well as the gifts that you receive from those lessons. Midge certainly lives up to her saying of "I don't do this for an income; I do it for a loving rather than a living." The gentle manner and concern that she gives to each person that comes her way, makes it very clear that she is a healer, not only of the body but also of the spirit.

Sherri Starr offers a wonderful tarot reading and a strong sense to those that have passed. Sherri finds that she is able to offer comfort to those that have lost spouses, family members and even pets that have passed over. Discovering these abilities as a child, but due to her fears of this ability and nobody to help her learn how to use it, Sherri chose to block them out. After a terrible accident in 2000 her husband of ten months was in the hospital. Shortly before his passing, she could feel him trying to reach out of her, "I felt him trying to reach out to me. He tried to hug me." Sherri quietly explains that while her husband was not moving, she felt his energy; she now understands that he was trying to tell her good-bye. After this experience Sherri made the decision to tune into her abilities and use them to help others.

Today Sherri offers a great comfort to those who have lost someone and even reminds many that their favorite pet that has passed over is still around causing mischief. Many are surprised when she asks about a pet that has passed and describes they way they played with them. "They are still around doing the things Sherri reminds a person that love does not end in this world, but continues on and often is able to help both sides of this life find comfort, closure and peace. Instead of feeling things have been left unsaid or undone, she gives both sides a chance to find peace and the ability to move on. Her genuine empathy and heartfelt guidance shows as she reaches out to those that come to her.

Hazel Thompson, a soft spoken woman who values her Cherokee heritage speaks of her beloved Grandmother who was a second generation medicine woman. "She had a knowing and wisdom, she just knew about things and I picked that up. We just have this deep communion between us." Hazel tells about the visits from Michigan to Alabama to visit her Grandma. While Grandma did not have a telephone or electricity and was never told in advance, she always knew when the family was coming to visit and had dinner waiting when they arrived.

During a very difficult in time her life Hazel began attending a church that offered her a safe haven; a home with a great deal of love. She began to discover that there was something bigger out there for her. Taking the opportunity to learn as much as possible, she found a direction in which she could utilize her gifts. Combining her skill as a Reiki Master, Channeler, Intuitive and Medium, Hazel offers information about connections you have had with people from this lifetime that you may have shared in the past. Her unique wisdom and understanding along with her vivid reading make Hazel a very real person that one is able to connects with easily.

Rev. Cindy Buning-Myers, a vibrant friendly woman with great wit explains that for her this is not a job "This is a calling; this is what God called me to do. All this does is open you up to that sense that God gave us all way back when, that we have lost in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives." Using an old gypsy tarot spread the table is nearly covered by the time she is done laying her cards out. As she goes through and explains what she sees one is amazed by what she is able to see. The information Cindy offers often not only covers yourself but those closest to you as well. When someone asks what Cindy does, she is prone to tell them that she is a tarot reader, but what one discovers quickly is her knowledge and skill is never-ending. With her unique spirit and a bit of humor, a reading from Cindy is always full of information and a few laughs. Her zest for life and her no holds barred honesty makes for a reading to be long remembered.

Proving that everyone must walk their own path and do things their own way is Charee, a warm woman who immediately draws you in with her warmth and kindness. If one is expecting the average tarot cards from Charee they will quickly be surprised to find that their reading is done with an average deck of playing cards. Her methods are as individual as this lovely woman and most certainly are the reason she has many coming back to see her time and time again. While she will not hesitate to let you know that you may have hard times ahead, she also remind you "The bumpier the road the greater the rewards." Charee believes that the reason that each and every person that sits down at her table is because God brings them to her. With her ability to analyze her dreams and a sense to recognize what is going on with a persons health many will agree that God has led them to her. She doesn't hesitate to suggest praying and asking God for guidance as she gives all credit to God for her abilities. Charee has a very nurturing energy that is felt immediately along with her personal joy in helping others she is very bright light even in the darkest of times.

The newest additions to this little family are Bay City's own [Ed.: redacted] of The Lighthouse Spiritual Center. [Ed.: redacted] is offering Aura/Chakra readings and as always her sensitive wisdom along with them. If you haven't had the chance to visit their store make a point of stopping by one of the fairs and find out about this hidden hometown gem.

There are many other gifted readers at each fair. Each is gifted with something uniquely their own to offer you. While many may walk through the door a skeptic, it is difficult to imagine any leaving without at least believing that there is a possibility of power greater than ourselves. One leaves with the feeling of that greater power being at work and insight to the reason and the destiny of our own path. Sometimes that extra affirmation is just the push in the right direction or a quiet reminder to get off of the roller coaster ride that is called life and start moving toward something more positive. Remember, you do not have to walk in with an agenda or a huge list of questions to ask. Most readers will not ask you for more than your birthday and time and place of your birth. If you have questions feel free to ask them or simply let that greater power take you where you need to go. There is no right or wrong in how you choose to approach your reading, simply do so with an open mind and spirit. Take the guidance and the lessons offered to you and give them a chance to work within your life. You are bound to be pleasantly surprised by the direction your life takes and the peace that comes along with it. While nothing is set in stone, what you do with the information you are given plays a very large part in determining what will happen. Any reader will tell you that they are only giving you the possibilities. Hazel explains it best. "I believe we can tell you what we see right now but things can change in an instant, even with just a thought".

It is not surprising to anyone who has attended any of these fairs in the past that this wonderful group is gearing up to kick off their first national tour. First stop: New Orleans, Louisiana on October 11. The entire weekend promises to be one of great enchantment. If New Orleans is a little too far to travel and doesn't fit into your schedule, there are many local dates set as well. The fair in Midland is scheduled for September 20 and 21 from 10 AM to 5 PM at the Holiday Inn. If you miss Midland be sure to stop by Under The Sun in Bay City at the corner of Euclid and Wilder on October 4 and 5 from 10 AM to 5 PM and don't miss the Halloween Fair in Saginaw on October 25 and 25 at the Hampton Inn, doors will be open from 10 AM to 5 PM.

This unique mix of individuals makes for quite an eventful and exciting afternoon. It can often be both startling and exciting to discover just how accurate they are. The sense of surprise when they bring up something they really should have no possible way of knowing reminds a person that what they are being told is real. While none claim to know the future as Midge reminds us "Only God can predict the future.", there is a wonderful insight to be found mixed with just the right amount of compassion, caring and common sense to help those lost and wandering spirits find their way home. In a time that mood altering drugs are being prescribed at a rate higher than any other time in history isn't it time to consider a different way of finding peace. * The medications simply adjust the chemicals in your brain and only last as long as you are taking them. Why not try to find true peace of mind and the ability to find joy without chemically induced side effects? The only side effect from any of the services offered at these fairs is a greater inner peace. The readers will not suggest that they are a replacement for your medical doctor, nor will they make a diagnosis or suggest you throw away any medications without consulting your doctor first. While many psychologists are beginning to suggest to their clients that they seek out mediums, intuitives and energy healers this is not a replacement for traditional medicine but an additional option that over time and with the guidance of your physician may improve not only your emotional well being but also your physical well being. Why wander through life wondering if you are fulfilling your own destiny when you can find guidance and peace just down the street? Isn't it time you found peace of mind and spirit?

If you would like more information on Maria's Psychic Fairs you can find a good deal of information at http://www.mariashaw.com or call 810-631-6887.

*Do not stop taking prescribed medications or make drastic changes to your health routine without consulting your physician first. Any method suggested in this article is to be taken as an addition to any medical diagnosis or treatment.

Return to the September 2003 Newsletter…