Beyond the Surface

One of the reasons that it is so difficult for me to really embrace calling myself ‘psychic’ is the stigma that goes along with it. Psychics are often considered frauds without a second thought. I have to admit, I have even been to a few less than convincing ‘psychics’. Today, for instance, I happened across a pet psychic on a radio show. As I listened, I noticed her using some really subtle techniques to make the information she gave seem more genuine than it really was. She had a few moments when she was really on a roll and gave some really good readings… but all in all, from what I could tell, out of a one hour show, legitimate psychism accounted for less than 15 minutes.

The history of psychics and mediums is riddled with parlor trick masquerades. As a psychic, I hate that. I hate that psychics really, legitimately have a bad name because there are so many frauds out there. I hate that I have to cringe to call myself what I am or instead have to opt for less inflammatory titles like ‘Sensitive’, ‘Intuitive’ or ‘Spiritual Counselor’.

It’s difficult, though, to weed out fact from fiction because of the nature of the fraud. Fraudulent psychics use methods that mimic what a real psychic might say or do. Far more in depth work has been done to document psychic frauds and indeed, I am putting together a course on it to offer in the shop. However, here are a few things to look out for when you encounter a psychic and how to determine if you’re getting the real deal :

• The Fraud : Asks questions and later regurgitates previously given information. This person might even use this in combination with the next couple of techniques to make it look more legitimate. For instance, they might ask if you are married. If you are a female and you answer no, there is a REALLY good chance that you are in the market so the psychic could probably later on say something like ‘love has been elusive’ and it would probably be right on, although vague.
  
  The Fix : Don’t give info about yourself until you are satisfied of their legitimacy. If asked a question, simply say ‘I would prefer not to answer that until the reading is done.’ A legitimate psychic will understand immediately and continue the reading without that information.
• The Fraud : Uses ‘good chance’ assumptions. The pet psychic, for instance, says something like ‘The dog loves her walks.’ or ‘The cat hates when you’re gone during the day.’ Chances are, if you have a dog, they enjoy their walk or if you have any animal at all, it could be said, that they probably like it when you are around. There is a very good chance that what she is saying is true for just about anyone. But when sandwiched between personal conversation, it can be difficult to detect as it sounds more personal.
  The Fix : This one can be difficult to detect in the moment. Especially if your reader is legitimate, which is kind of a contradiction. :) If your reading is legit, you will likely get what I affectionately refer to as Reading Head. Time will move very slowly or very quickly, your senses will seem either overly acute or foggy and you will have trouble remembering the session. Request a tape of your session ahead of time and listen to it later. You should be able to pick out anything that is a good chance assumptions.
  Additionally, there is only so much ‘good luck’ a person can have without being like… psychic or something :) If the psychic is coming up with what could seem to be good guesses but they are entirely unrelated to each other or anything that has been discussed, at some point it becomes mathematically improbable that they are all just really right on good guesses.
• The Fraud : Asserts overly broad or general claims. A broad claim hits a broad target. The bigger the range, the more likely they are to hit on something that rings true with the client. ‘I’m getting that you haven’t been feeling well lately’ could mean mental, emotional or physical discomfort and any indication that the client doesn’t think it applies will be met with an attempt to make it fit.
  The Fix : Rather than immediately agreeing, ask for elaboration. A legitimate psychic will reach for more information and should be able to color it in and give enough detail for you to readily identify what they are talking about without giving away information.

Again, legitimate psychics sometimes get vague messages or say things in a broad way or ask questions just our of friendliness or a need for some information to fill in a picture or help you connect information. We are only human.

There are real, true, legitimate psychics out there. If you are in the market for a reading, go on personal recommendations and shop around until you find one you feel comfortable with. Use your gut. Get to know and trust a psychic before allowing them leeway that might otherwise make you uncomfortable with a psychic you don’t know.