In a small country chapel lit only by candles, an organ sadly groaned the last weepy bars of a somber hymn. Shadows jumped the walls of painted knotty pine and flickered over the faces of the solemn congregation.
But I had come primarily for rest and relaxation. While a chance to explore ethereal dimensions sounded intriguing, it was not part of my planned agenda. The extent of my investment, I figured, would be the $10 a night it costs to stay in one of the 30 simple white cabins that form a peaceful circle on the bluff above town. Wonewoc locals have been known to call it Spook Hill.
“Seekers,” as they are called, or “people in need” come looking for some well-tempered guidance: newlyweds, the elderly, the chronically depressed. Some have PhDs in parapsychology and come in the name of science. From all over the country and occasionally overseas, they bring their troubles, fears, and expertise to the camp. Geier says they are brought here by feelings of “divine discontent,” an “epidemic” brought on by the limitations and emptiness of traditional organized religions. They come in search of healing, spiritual consultation, and advice on whether to purchase a new or used car.
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“I think that anybody who does this kind of work should consider themselves an intuitive counselor,” said Geier, who has been practicing professionally for over ten years. “The word “psychic’ has negative connotations. People feel threatened by the term. We are not fortune tellers; I want that to be clear. We do not read palms or use Tarot cards. We do straight mediumship here. That doesn’t mean we always hear voices. It’s hard to describe in earthly terms.”
“Your spirit guides,” she said. “That’s how they get your attention.”
Near the edge of the bluff there’s an unassuming shack easily mistaken for a storage shed. Within its spare, perfect square is a circle of 12 chairs–the seats to the summer’s hottest ticket. During a weekly seance that she likes to call “Saturday Night Live,” Geier dons a big straw hat before she slips into a semiconscious trance. Through “mental attunement” and the light of a burning candle, she invites the “departed” and other unearthly entities to drop in for a visit.
Humor, Geier contends, can be very healing, but there is no mistaking the gravity of a visit from a long-departed loved one. “There are somber moments, too. People will often cry. It’s not just a parlor game. We treat it with reverence.”
