The forest fires had been ravaging parts of the USA for many weeks when I saw the large advert placed in The Guardian by a 'religious psychic mystic.' It wasn't the fact that a London-based clairvoyant was advising the American Government through an English newspaper that was most intriguing, however. Instead, it was Sister Maria Gabriel's methods of putting out the forests burning in eleven states that would amaze the world - if successful.
Tracking down plain-clothed secular Sister Gabriel was not difficult (she had left two contact numbers at the bottom of the advert). Whilst dialling, I considered that, as a self-proclaimed psychic, she must be expecting my call. When finally connected, I was swiftly informed that the Sister is "not a specialist in predicting phone calls. I specialise in predicting more major events."
The first telephone number belonged to a rather pissed off owner of a bed and breakfast where she was staying while the church undergoes repairs. "I am very annoyed," the land lord barked down the line. "The lady printed my B & B's phone number in a national newspaper. I have to field all sorts of calls and I don't know what's going on!"
The second number printed in The Guardian was a mobile phone and a faint, pleasant lady's voice answered on the third ring. It was the Sister and she was eager to talk about her advice, "The way I see it America has nothing to lose."
In the advertisement, Sister Maria advised the US government and President Clinton himself to order the main telly networks in the affected states to show films of heavy rain showers, non-stop, for twenty four hours. But to what end? Well the ad says ' to generate powerful, mental visualisation of heavy downpours' which will, fingers crossed, 'magnetise' real rain and put out the fires. An outlandish scheme and a gamble that may turn one of the most powerful nations in the world into a laughing stock. The response that she has received reflects these fears.
"I have been three times to the US Ambassador's residence in London and their staff accepted my letters. But I have had no response from Mr Clinton," Sister Maria admitted. "People representing US media have been in contact, though. The New York Times and CBS news interviewed me - hopefully they will make a public announcement."
Her visualisation method does seem to involve a certain level of open-mindedness which could be a hurdle for most square-eyed Yanks. Nevertheless, Sister Gabriel says, "there are a lot of groups over there who do believe in mind power. There are many books in America written on the subject."
The Sister's far out ways were also tested seven years ago Down Under. and worked. "I walked into the Australian High Commission and advised the same method to put out their bush fires. I didn't expect any response and then the Australian TV News network said they would show five hours of heavy rain." Within 12 to 24 hours, a heavy torrential downpour had successfully put out the flames.
Due to the tiny budget of the church, they could only afford an advert in the UK's Guardian but did "send a copy to USA Today." Maria has been placing adverts in English papers for years with her 'warnings.' "In '91 to '92, I warned the Government about messages received during a vision of the Virgin Mary to three children in Portugal," the Sister told me. "Unless we go back to The Ten Commandments and clean up this decadent society - no more profanity and pornography - God will send a bright comet, as a warning, and then an asteroid." To kill us?, I enquire. "The asteroid would be divine justice. It would affect many countries."
So far, Bill and his advisors have not been knocking on Sister Gabriel's B&B room door and fires continue to toast parts of the US. Apparently, even showing Gene Kelly's 'Singing in the rain' to the nation of box-watchers would be a start to visualising the rain fall needed to dowse the forest.
reported by Toby Osborne
