Psychic offers glimpses into supernatural world

Sunday, January 20, 2008
BY DIANE McCORMICK
For The Patriot-News

Deedy Davis hopes to find her life's work. Mary Balciar wants assurance that her deceased father is well. Near-death experiences fascinate Gary Peters.

About 160 people sought a peek into the spiritual realm and their futures Saturday when Michelle Whitedove, winner of Lifetime TV's "America's Psychic Challenge," appeared in East Pennsboro Twp.

The author of five books on angels and ghosts told attendees that she recognized her psychic abilities in childhood and talked with God about her life's work in a near-death experience at 18.

After death, the soul can return under a contract with God to accomplish things in another life, she said.

Appearing Saturday for Vicki Fox Productions at Unity Church of Greater Harrisburg, Whitedove -- the "spirit name" she took to reflect purity -- didn't seem spooky or kooky. With her long blond hair, Southern accent and messages that could be soothing, the Florida resident seemed more soccer coach than mystic.

Everyone is intuitive and receptive to guardian angels, Whitedove said. Her job is to help listeners "wake themselves up spiritually," she said.

When Whitedove took questions from the audience, she just knew some things. She knew that one question, from a randomly pulled index card, came from the back row.

Other statements showed public speaking skill. "I see an office in your house," she said to a woman who shook her head. "So if that's not there, it will be."

When Whitedove assessed Arlene Taylor of Middle Paxton Twp. as a giving soul, Taylor's friends confirmed it with applause. Whitedove predicted that God will reward Taylor with a soul mate.

Whitedove's appearance was a "nice refresher" to help her reconnect spiritually, Taylor said.

"It gives myself some encouragement and helps me be more spiritual and in communication with God and the angels," she said.

Deedy Davis of Hampden Twp. doesn't consider herself religious but has been seeking "an authentic relationship with a power greater than me" for several years, she said.

"It helps guide you in being more positive, turning the negative around to help you manage better and to serve a bit better," she said.

One of the few men there, Gary Peters of Carlisle, said he doubts psychics but is fascinated by near-death experiences, which can "help to reaffirm our faith in God, the existence of heaven," he said.

However, when the program closed with Whitedove leading a prayer that included imagined shields, bubbles and mirrors, Peters left. "She lost me in the last 15 minutes," he said.

Mary Balciar attended because she wanted to know that her 72-year-old father, who died last Thanksgiving, is well. Psychics offer one-on-one relationships with departed loved ones that religious institutions can't, said Balciar, a Catholic.

A worldwide "shift in consciousness" that rejects strife is fueling the growing interest in psychics, Whitedove said.

"They know that they're searching for something that is greater than themselves, that fills" -- she gestured toward her gut -- "this."