Michael Beaver knows there are a lot of doubters out there. But that’s why he puts on the Spirit Fest. He just wants to spread the knowledge of other ideas, he said.
“We’re talking the Bible Belt here, so everyone has different opinions,” Beaver said. “I don’t argue with people. I’d rather just give people an opportunity to believe what they want to.”
At Spirit Fest — which continues today from noon to 6 p.m. at Pittsburg’s Memorial Auditorium — Beaver attempts to bring together those sources of alternative options.
Those options include numerology, astrology, tarot, Kabbalah, angels, dreams, past-life regression, energy work, hypnotic healing, vibroacoustic healing, Reiki, reflexology and healing touch.
In fact, a bumper sticker at one booth read, “I believe in Dragons, good men, and other fantasy creatures.”
Lise Schilling, who does tarot readings, astrology, Reiki (energy balancing), healing touch and reflexology, said the event is a sharing of energies and positive work.
“I was on the radio in Joplin (Mo.) a long time ago,” Schilling said. “Seldom did I have any kind of difference of people in belief. I haven’t run into that that much. I’ve been doing this longer than I claim to be around.”
Another alternative choice is offered by Genia Rodgers, of Fayetteville, Ark.
Rodgers said she was born intuitive and has only “come out of her spiritual closet” in the last eight years.
Rodgers practices dowsing, or the practice of using rods to discover knowledge, among other practices. She calls herself a spiritologist, and she enjoys coming out to events like Spirit Fest.
Rodgers said she grew up in the church and learned all of her practices through the United Pentecostal Church.
“This is my life. This is what I do,” Rodgers said. “God is in many ways about understanding. It’s like a hot and cold faucet to God. The masculine is like the father. While it’s all still one source, there’s a balance there with masculine and feminine.”
A numerologist and practitioner of Kabbalah, Marvin Sebourn has written a Kabbalah-based book on “the 73 Faces of God.”
He said events like Spirit Fest are meant to reach out to people and find what they are missing.
“Our purpose is to get out here and intertwine energies,” Sebourn said. “My purpose is to offer clarity to people looking into what they’re doing with their life. Kabbalah will give you the tools for you to do whatever you want to do.”
While other vendors practiced past life regression, ionic detox foot baths, etc., even Beaver said the vibroacoustic table was one of his favorites.
It’s a little bit tricky, so let Julie Dawdy, worker of vibrational healing explain:
“The table vibrates and there is music being played,” Dawdy said. “I have tuning forks which open and balance the energy centers. Then I connect to your higher self. I ask them to instruct me. I ask them to guide me in drawing sacred geometry around you. People usually bliss out.”
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.
PITTSBURG —
