The Michigan Psychic Fair convened at the Plymouth Comfort Inn on Sunday afternoon to offer psychic readings, spiritual guidance, massage and reiki, a Japanese healing technique.

The Michigan Psychic Fair travels to cities throughout Michigan and was founded by Alison Jackowski and her husband Gerald in 1999 after they moved to Warren from the Upper Peninsula.

Previously working other psychic fairs, the Jackowskis decided they knew more about business and began started their own.

"We offer a sounding board for people to get advice," Alison Jackowski said. "I happen to believe in this. These people are well trained and situated to give advice."

The Michigan Psychic Fair is an event held on Sundays, usually three or four times a month in different Metro-Detroit locations. The fairs typically get about 30 to 50 attendees.

"We aim to be small and intimate," Alison Jackowski said. "I like the more intimate setting. It's less intimidating."

It has been held in Plymouth for seven to eight years now.

"We usually are in Plymouth about 6 times a year," Gerald Jackowski said. "We wouldn't be coming back if it wasn't a success." 

"The customers that come to us in Plymouth are very savy group of people," Alison Jackowski said. "Every city kind of has its own character. I like the Plymouth customers. They know what we're doing, they know what we're about, you say something like reiki to them, they don't go, what?"

 Participants during the fairs are constantly changing because as consultants, they get to pick their own days they attend.

The Jackowskis accept participants based on a variety of factors such as skill as a reader, experience, reputation, professionalism and how their client base reacts to the person.

There were six participants at the fair Sunday, three of which were there for the first time.

Diane Rothman spent 27 years in advertising before she decided to close her practice and open a metaphysical products store called The Secret Sage.

The store is located in Farmington and incense, oils, crystals and candles as well as offers readings and much more.

This was Rothman's first time as a Michigan Psychic Fair participant.

"My friend does readings and it is open when the store is not so I decided to do it for more exposure for the store," Rothman said.

Another first time fair participant was Lare Garza, an intuitive healer and massage therapist.

Garza also decided to particpate in the fair because a friend who does readings told him about it.

Garza describes his work as seeing a light green energy that flows through his body and into his clients.

"It's interesting trying to direct that energy, allowing only so much to come through," Garza said. "The customer doesn't know what is going on, some feel tingling in their body, some feel like they are floating."

Garza described one client he worked on four times in one month who was diagnosed with cancer. He never saw her again after that month, but she did phone him and tell him that her cancer was completely gone.

"It was an emotional release for her," Garza explained. "I'm so incredibly grateful that she felt comfortable enough with me to just release all of that emotional stuff."

Garza said that cancer patients often have a lot of pent up anger and aggression, and releasing it was the key to his client's recovery.

"Healing comes in all sorts of ways," Garza said.

Plymouth resident Eric Sweet, 28, hopped up on Garza's table for a deep tissue massage.

"It was extremely wonderful," Sweet said. "It was extremely painful, but well worth it afterwards. I almost had to ask him to stop a few times. I feel like a different person right now.

Jenny Reason of Pinckney came to the fair with her friend. It was her first reading ever.

"I was surprised," Reason said. "Sometimes you think coming to something like this is a hoax but my reader knew things. She was great. I really enjoyed it."

Regular participant Laura Berlin did Reason's reading. She has been doing readings for 20 years.

Berlin says she accurately predicted her own development of breast cancer during meditation and also prevented her nephew coming to harm.

"I thought what's my purpose, why am I here," Berlin said. "My purpose is to help other people."

The next Michigan Psychic Fairs will be held on Nov. 28 in Auburn Hills and Dec. 5 in Livonia.

For more information, visit them online at www.michgianpsychicfair.org.