Wiccan Nikkie Smith sold her own spell jars, among other things, during the Bad Axe Psychic Fair at Lisa's Love Boutique on Sept. 10.

As Nikkie Smith was preparing her vendor’s table Saturday morning, people lined up outside of Lisa's Love Boutique in downtown Bad Axe. One of the items she placed front and center was a black case with a large pentagram on the cover. It was titled, "A Guide to Witchcraft: Spells, Incantations and Potions."

Smith, a Filion resident, was one of the vendors at the Bad Axe Psychic Fair. The curious, the skeptical and true believers alike came for tarot card readings, palm reading and channeled sessions with mediums last weekend.

Among Smith's wares were "spell jars," small, decorative glass containers she made herself. Smith described herself as a Wiccan, often described as a modern version of the ancient pagan religion. She said she feels a strong connection with nature and the religion "just clicked" with her.

"You can take whatever you want from it," Smith said. "You ... just go outside and do your thing."

Witchdoctor bones for African fortunetelling were among the items sold by Wiccan Amber Furtah during the Bad Axe Psychic Fair at Lisa's Love Boutique on Sept. 10.

Smith offered a brief sales pitch for her spell jars, which promised solutions or remedies for a variety of needs. Can't sleep? There was a jar for that. Want to keep negativity out of your life? Smith had one for that, too. Another had the potential to foster prosperity for the buyer, she said.

"It makes you feel better that you're helping somebody," Smith said.

What about a love spell? Could some lovesick soul win the heart of someone for the price of just a few bucks?

Nope, Smith said. At least not with one of her spell jars. She explained that attempting to affect the free will of an individual is something she would never try. In other words, compelling someone to do something they usually wouldn’t do through magic is off-limits, as far as she is concerned.

"Free will is a big thing," Smith said.

Bad Axe’s Amber Furtah was another one of the vendors at the fair. Also a Wiccan, Furtah described some of the items on her table, which included candles, witch doctor bones for African fortune telling, a Tibetan singing bowl, abalone shells for "smudging" or cleansing ceremony, and several books on spirituality and the paranormal.

Amber Furtah, a Wiccan who sold witchcraft-related items at the Bad Axe Psychic Fair on Sept. 10, thumbs through the volumes of a spiritual and witchcraft compendium she assembled herself.

Furtah also displayed a collection of binders containing spiritual information and knowledge she compiled as a sort of library of mystical literature. It’s a subject about which she is very passionate and very happy to share with others.

"It's my life," she said.

In an area at the back of the shop, mediums, oracle card readers and palm readers sat at a group of tables meeting with clients, most of which had made appointments before the fair. One of the mediums was the Rev. Kay L. Napora, who is listed as a Reiki master and spiritual channeler on her business cards.

Wiccan Amber Furtah shows off some of the shamanic medicine wheels on her vendor's table at the Bad Axe Psychic Fair held at Lisa's Love Boutique on Sept. 10.

Napora said she channels a Native American spirit named "Spotted Eagle" who has been "with her" since she was 2 years old.

Spotted Eagle, speaking through Napora, asked one client at the beginning of their session to remove their hat and proceeded to explain that coincidences are examples of "synchronicity" and should not be dismissed as insignificant. There was also some discussion about health issues and advice about living well.

Spotted Eagle also advised the client to check the oil pan on their vehicle for damage and to commune with nature to become more connected to the unseen world.    

Wiccan Amber Furtah holds a mystical Unakite jasper stone at the Bad Axe Psychic Fair held at Lisa's Love Boutique on Sept. 10.

Mark Birdsall has been the assistant editor of the Huron Daily Tribune since April 2022. Mark was first hired by the Tribune in the summer of 2019 to serve as sports editor, covering high school sports and running the Tribune's annual football contest. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Huron County and shut down high school sports in March 2020, Mark made a temporary move to news and officially joined the newsroom as a reporter in July 2021.

Prior to arriving at the Tribune, Mark was night desk editor for the Cadillac News, where he also helped out the sports department on busy high school football and basketball nights. He previously worked at the Holland Sentinel and the Greenville Daily News.

He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in print journalism from Grand Valley State University, where he was editor of the student newspaper, The Lanthorn.

A native of Bay City, Mark is an avid fan of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Michigan State Spartans and the Chicago Cubs. He's also a movie buff and enjoys attending live music events in his spare time.

Mark can be reached by phone at 989-623-3188 or by email at mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com