Category Archives: Tina R. McSwain

Paranormally Speaking

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Tina R. McSwain

Many paranormal research teams employ the use of a “psychic” on their investigations.  Why not check out a local Psychic Fair to see what this mystic is all about.  CAPS will be there too, so come by our table and meet the team, tell us your ghost story, or get information on CAPS (The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society) and what we do.

CAPS to Appear at The Traveling Psychic Fair

The first Traveling Psychic Fair of 2013 will be held at Muggs Coffee on Park Road (near Selwyn intersection) in Charlotte, NC on Sunday – January 13, 2013 from 12 NOON until 5PM.

The Fair features the following:

Gina Spriggs – Master Tarologist

Lisa Jenkins – Intuitive Readings

Karen Yoder – Tarot With a Twist

Jenn Vivian – Aura Readings

Linda Backes – Mystical Fochaadams

Azera – Intuitive Tarot Reading

Dawn Petalino – Personalized Chakra Readings

Iesha Hoffman – Messages from Spirit

Bea Gordon – Angel Readings

Tina Heckman – Animal Communicator/Intuitive

Sherrie Avitan – Channeled Psychometry

Andy Silver – Spiritual Mediator

All Readers will offer introductory 15 MINUTE sessions for $25.00. There will be vendors as well.

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Paranormally Speaking

By

Tina R. McSwain

Things that make you go….hmm

In the past two weeks, there have been two articles on preparing for a Zombie Apocalypse, one from the US Department of Homeland Security, and the other, telling us that the US Military and local Law Enforcement Officers will recieve training on how to deal with the problem.

Links to follow:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/06/homeland-security-warns-the-zombies-are\ -coming_n_1862768.html?1346969251&ncid=webmail6

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/17/zombie-apocalypse-training-halo-corp_n_1889724.html?ncid=wsc-huffpost-cards-headline

Hmm….indeed!

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Paranormally Speaking

By

Tina R. McSwain

Are You Ready…

For the Zombie Apocalypse?  Traditionally, Zombies were beings made of voo doo spells.  They were the dead brought back to do the bidding of the living.  To quell them, you simply put salt in their mouths and sewed their mouths up.  Enter George A Romero and The Night of the Living Dead.  Zombies would never be the same.

There have been sequels by Romero as well as other well known “zombie movies”.  Some good, some VERY bad.  Recently, we have had a new player in this fascination with Zombies.  The Walking Dead, a very well written saga of a band of survivors led by Rick Grimes, a law enforcement office from Cynthiana, KY.

Over time, we have learned alot about Zombies.  In George’s version they are turned by a cosmic event which brings all the dead to life, in search of human flesh for sustenance.  In AMC’s The Walking Dead, we do not know what has caused the dead to walk, but we assume it is some sort of biological weaponry gone wrong.

With the current events in Florida, New Jersey, West Virgina, and Canada, we best hone up on our survival skills.  Following are suggestions and tips on how to survive a Zombie attack:

Who better to give this kind of advice than a Paranormal Expert, right?

First, remember they are slow.  You can outrun them.  With all the limb dragging and body parts falling off due to decay, you have time.  Just don’t get cornered or try to take on more than just a few of them.  Being outnumbered by Zombies will not end very well for you.  In TWD, we learn that the cold slows them down even further.  Therefore, do all of your Zombie hunting in the winter months.  You may want to think about Canada or Alaska as your new permanent home.

Second, do not make any noise.  This includes the sounds made by gunshots.  It is best to find and utilize a bow and arrow or cross bow to take these suckers out.  (No noise).  And, in a world devoid of industry, you can make an arrow out of a very sharp twig.  In TWD. Michonne makes very good use of a Ninja sword.  Might want to add that piece to your collection now.  (A true Jedi Lightsaber would come in most handy where facing a hoard of Zombies).  Also, a baseball bat, shovel or ax will work in a pinch.

Third, they MUST be mortally wounded in the head.  Kill the Brain!! Anything else will render them a threat.  They can still grab you and bite you.  Double tap if necessary.  But conserve ammunition.  Again, no industry for the manufacture of bullets and gunshots are loud  (refer to above paragraph)

Fourth, siphon gas from all the abandoned vehicles you will find along the way.  Pick a vehicle with high gas mileage as your escape vehicle.  Toyota Prius would be my choice.

Fifth, find food.  VERY important to find and salvage all the food you can.  Scavenge all stores, houses, cars, etc.  If you find a Wal-Mart, definitely hit it, but beware of the Wall-Martian Zombies left inside. The government says canned foods are good as long as there is no rust or the can has not blown up, so enjoy.

Sixth, grab as many weapons as you can.  Guns, ammo, shovels, swords, knives, bats, bow and arrow, anything that can be used to bash in or cut off the head of a Zombie.  (NOTE”  if you do cut off the head, it can still bite.  Be sure and crush the skull with whatever means at your disposal) Note:  National Guard Armories and police stations, as well as military bases would be an excellent place to search for weapons.

Seventh, find some sort of secure shelter.  Gated communities or even prisons would be a good choice.  However, ALWAYS have an escape plan if things start to go south on you. A solar equipped house with solar heating and air, solar power etc would be best.  (A battery powered car that could be charged with solar would be ideal as well.)

Eight, find bottled water, or boil your own.  Find and keep a lighter or matches handy for starting fires.

Ninth, remember you MUST put down any of your colleagues as soon as they die.  They will come back to bite you!  Again, in the head!!

And, finally, tenth, it is best to survive in a group.  More targets for the Zombies, and you can always sacrifice the weak or the slow so that you can make your escape and live on to fight another day.

A word of caution…people can be more dangerous than Zombies, so always keep your guard up around your “friends”.  Civility and humanism goes out the window in a true catastrophe.  And, being a pilot of an aircraft (or knowing one and saving him/her) might be a good idea.

I hope you will take heed of this public service announcement by CAPS Founder, Tina McSwain, and commit this information to memory so that you too can survive the Zombie Apocalypse!

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Paranormally Speaking

By

Tina R. McSwain

Being more than you can be.  CAPS and I are paranormal investigators and researchers first and foremost.  We strive to help those folks who live in a haunted house or otherwise experience the paranotmal and are frightened by it.  However, when you find yourself with such a captive group as the team members of CAPS, we often find other outlets for our talents.

We volunteer our time with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.  And, in the next few wkeks, you can do the same.  Like NASCAR?  Want to help the hungry?  Then, read on…

AARP Million Meals packing event needs 3000 volunteers for this special program.
Volunteers will get the opportunity to pack a million meals for seniors living in poverty. The event will take place May 24 – 25 at the Charlotte Convention Center and will be coordinated by Second Harvest Food Bank. Celebrity Race Car Driver Jeff Gordon will be there packing meals and will be working side by side with the volunteers for this event.
AARP and AARP Foundation, in collaboration with the charitable organization Outreach, Inc., are bringing together thousands of volunteers over the course of two days with a goal to package one million nutritious meals through Drive to End Hunger. Be a part of this extraordinary effort to help fight older adult hunger in your community and across North Carolina. The meals packaged will help feed older people in North Carolina. Together we can leave hunger in the dust.
Jeff Gordon, four-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, will be at the Convention Center on Thursday 5/24 to participate. Also participating are tennis legend Martina Navratilova on Thursday 5/24 and Friday 5/25, and Host of CBS NFL Today James “JB” Brown on Friday 5/25.
All participating volunteers will receive a t-shirt at check-in, on the day of the event.
Please consider volunteering for this event!

Thank you!!

Tina R. McSwain, Founder & Director

The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society (CAPS)

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Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

The Traveling Psychic Fair — Coming May 6th!

Until recently, I did not know just how big the metaphysical community was here in Charlotte.  If you’re in the area on Sunday, come and check it out.

The Traveling Psychic Fair is Back! Join a growing community of talented Healers and Intuitives for a day of food, fun and fortune! Introductory 15 minute readings are being offered by several of Charlotte’s most talented individuals for only $25!! It is the perfect way to “try on” several psychics to see who most resonates with YOU! Date: Sunday May 6th Time: 12:00 – 5:00 Place: Amelie’s French Bakery 2424 N Davidson St Charlotte, NC 28205 There will be: •Aura Readings •Animal Communication •Rune Readings •Psychometry •Intuitive Tarot •Life Purpose Readings •Holistic Energy Readings •Spirit Communicators….and much more! CAPS will be there too with an Information Table. Stop by and Say Hi!!

There will be:

Messages From Spirit – Jonathan Harris Intuitive
Life Readings – Linda Thunberg
OverSoul Readings – Lynn Durbin
Aura Readings – Jennifer Vivian
Scrabble Tarot – Karen Yoder
Animal Communication – Tina Marie Heckman
Rune Readings – Jennifer Halls
Intuitive Body Work: John Mcbride
Psychometry – Sherry Avitan Intuitive
Tarot – Gina Spriggs
Life Purpose Readings – Marcela McBride
Holistic Energy Readings – Jennifer Thompson
Somatic Intuitive readings – Kimberly Beroset
EMF Balancing – Aleksandra Shumaker
How to Make Your Own Pendulum – Shari Claire
Learn More About CAPS – The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society – Tina R. McSwain
Date: Sunday May 6th
Time: 12:00 – 5:00
Place: Amelie’s French Bakery 2424 N Davidson St Charlotte, NC 28205

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Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

A Different Kind of Convention

We are so used to the various science fiction, gaming and horror fantasy conventions out there.  This weekend in Charlotte, there is a different kind of convention.  A metaphysical convention called Shift Charlotte.

This convention will still have its vendors, its programming, and its interested clientele, but what you will find here are those folks who are Reiki healers, psychics and readers, tarot readers, and other practitioners in the metaphysical arts.

Why not check it out.

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Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

Small Cons Are Conventions Too…

There are many conventions throughout the United States on any given weekend.  Some are very large and well known like DragonCon.  Others, not so much.

However, the small Cons offer the fan an intimate feel and still present the genres that fan-goers have come to expect.  The writers, the gamers, the fan groups, all are present, and may be a little easier to get to talk with. 

It is in this vein, we find StellarCon.  A small but feature packed Con this weekend in High Point, NC.  CAPS and I will be there and on the paranormal panels.

Come on out and see us!

 

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Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

On a sad note…

The Passing of Carolyn Massad

It is with great admiration and sadness that I announce the passing of Carolyn Massad. Carolyn was my friend and mentor. She taught me so much and helped to guide my journey of self discovery. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and her colleagues in the Metaphysical community here in Charlotte and the surrounding area. Go with God, Carolyn, and rest in peace.

Tina R. McSwain, Founder & Director

The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society (CAPS)

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Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

The Holidays

This is the time of year for many religious celebrations.  From Yule, to Hanukkah, to Christmas to Kwanzaa.  People of various religions observe some of their most deeply rooted traditions at this time of year. 

It brings me to a point that I want to make relative to paranormal research.  You have to honor and respect, as well as, possess a basic understanding of the beliefs of you clients.  This is especially true when trying to help in remediation of a situation where an entity is present.  I depend on a client’s strong faith and belief system, no matter what that may be, when assisting them in regaining control of their home or business where an unwanted spirit is present.

In that vein, I would like to wish all a Joyous Yule and observance of the Winter Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and an empowered Kwanzaa.

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Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

To Treat or Not To Treat

When did Halloween become so controversial?  From the age of when its time to quit trick-or-treating, to whether or not a costume is required to receive candy, and even if you should celebrate the “holiday” at all.  I recently saw a post that “Halloween is of the Devil, and good Christians should be in church and not running around in costumes.”  It is a fact that many churches now have fall festivals as alternatives.  And what of the dangers of years past, when razor blades, pins and needles were purported to have been hidden in apples?  Does anyone even give apples anymore as treats??  Probably not for fear of getting tricked.

But, what about other cultures?  They seem to relish this time of year.  Take The Day of the Dead for example.  (El Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday that focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, often setting a place for them at the dinner table.  It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it has attained almost the status of a National Holiday. The celebration takes place on November 1st and 2nd, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Traditions connected with El Dia do los Muertos celebrations include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

(All Saints’ Day which is also called All Hallows, Hallowmas or All Saints is celebrated on November 1st in honor of all the Saints, known and unknown)

(All Souls’ Day is a day of commemoration of the faithful that have departed this life and is celebrated on November 2nd)

In Brazil, Dia de Finados is a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals, parades, and at the end of the day, people go to cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe, as well as in many Asian and African cultures.

Samhain means “End of Summer”, and is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st. It is celebrated by Celts, Pagans and Wiccans and is a magical time when the laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time of year.  It originates from the “Feast of the Dead” which was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the “wandering dead”. (See a pattern here given all of the above).

So, in closing, Happy Halloween, Feliz El Dia de los Muertos, Happy All Saints’ Day, Happy All Souls’ Day, Feliz El Dia de Finados, and Happy Samhain to all!!

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