Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a "Reading?"

The word "Reading" has been around for centuries as it probably refers to what an Astrologer does when (s)he "reads" an astrological chart or a Tarotist when (s)he "reads" the layout of the Tarot cards. And of course Astrology has been around for millennia in one form or another while Tarot cards/readers have existed since the 1400's Italy - when and where Tarot cards were first "invented." Today the term usually refers to any type of psychic consultation including spiritual sessions offered by a Spiritualist Medium who may act as either "receiving station" or channel for spirit guides, teachers, masters, angels and/or pre-deceased souls from other dimensions, spheres or worlds.

A Reader then is someone who is psychically or spiritually sensitive and developed in one or more of the Psychic Arts so as to be able to "read," interpret or receive inspired or advanced knowledge on or of human life - it's circumstances, events, occurrences and meanings in 3rd dimensional time and space.

So a "reading" can mean quite a number of different things and will depend on what a reader specializes in. In my readings I incorporate my psychic impressions (the art of Psychometry, Pre-cognition and Clairvoyance) along with professional skill as a trained counselor to help people understand their lives, relationships and current circumstances in life so as to be better able and more creative in coping, preparing or managing them. I refer to what I do as "Intuitive Counseling." Still, every "reader" approaches things a bit differently depending on what some call their "Gift" and others their skill or sensitivities. There are the good, the bad and frankly, the ugly (frauds, con artists, thieves) among those calling themselves psychic, mediums, astrologers, etc. Some have advanced degrees and are quite well trained, while others have years of life experiences and practice. And take it from one who has seen a lot over the years, there may also be those emotionally troubled individuals calling themselves "psychic." But of course you find the same prevalence of this sort of person gravitating toward religious callings of all sorts.

How can I tell a good psychic from a bad one?

Whenever possible go to a psychic that has been recommended by a friend or family member. Remember also psychics have their good days, their great days and their days...not so good. There is much that goes into a reading and one of those things is the attitude of the "sitter" or the person getting the reading. If a sitter is critical of the messages being given, negatively skeptical or closed - or even fearful of what the reader might say - those attitudes will all affect the reading. I don't know how others do it, but I do generally prepare in advance of my reading appointments in several different ways.

The other thing I am very dubious about is the "certified or licensed" psychic nonsense one sees in various parts of the country. I suppose it means that a person has taken and completed coursework and a curriculum that someone else has decided were the "courses" and curriculum to take (usually courses that that someone is teaching or offering through 'their school') in order to qualify for certification and licensure as a "real psychic." Listen, there is course work, even curriculum on parapsychology and Para-philosophy offered in several notable universities and colleges around the country - even so one does not graduate from those programs with endorsement of "Psychic Extraordinaire" or "certifiable" ESP! Psychic ability is a manifesting experience not a learned experience. No one can certify another as being a "genuine" psychic based on a training or educational model and besides everyone - everyone - has their moments of insights and ESP experiences through life but that doesn't mean that they qualify as "psychic."

Are psychics really accurate?

I touched upon this a few paragraphs above - Accuracy depends on many factors - least of all what the sitter brings to the session as well. I find that there are times I still am amazed at some of the things I may "hit on" in a reading and find that the sitter does not readily share in my enthusiasm. I am sometimes equally amazed at what people take for granted during a reading and I have seen that change over the last 25 years or so. Outside of material that might be "guessed" during a reading - Divorced or married, 3 kids or 4, etc. when I begin giving specifics on one personal topic or another, specifics that the sitter readily verifies I am amazed that they still may remain skeptical of the reading. There was a time when people - including myself - went to readers and reveled in the incredibleness of the moment - a moment that according to scientific minds should not and could not be happening. If I am able to "predict" or intuit events - and help or assist the person seeking guidance and direction than I consider the reading successful. It's fun to WOW people, I continue to WOW myself....- but the main reason I offer what I do is because I believe that we are all here to offer parts and parcels of ourselves to the world. We need to give of who and what we are - and if in doing so I can help someone achieve clarity, understanding, purpose and direction in their physical or spiritual lives then I feel I am doing my part. One of the advantages of Intuitive Counseling is that I am often able to understand things about the client much more quickly through my psychic senses than with more traditional counseling strategies.

Finally, no "psychic" ever "reads" any two people the same way. Even clients I have seen several times may have different results each time for various reasons. You know, sometimes its all about timing. None of us in life ever feels the same way about the people - strangers, friends, and family that come and go from our lives. We feel drawn to some, kindred with others and put off by still more. How one reacts to me, to the reading does affect the session. I explain to my clients that ultimately what I do is interpret the images or impressions I receive and sometimes the interpretations are off or I am just plain wrong. Its important that they hear that I am providing them alternative perspectives and explanations based upon these psychic impressions which not only need to be translated into the English language but in a way and with the words that the sitter will also understand.

So what is the right attitude to have during a "reading?"

Take it for what its worth - if its entertaining - be entertained -If it is informative - be informed. If it challenges you and causes you to be anxious or angry - ASK YOURSELF - WHY? Following the anxiety in a situation often leads to discoveries about one's self. Use what you can from the session that may be of help in determining options, in making decisions or resolving the problems - Let the session help you start to think differently about the problem or issue. BUT - I would suggest never - take it to heart. Never let a psychic's impressions stop or interfere with your goals. Instead use those impressions and the obstacles or difficulties laid out for you to find better ways or opportunities to go about turning defeat into victory. Also, be flexible and open to the psychic's opinion. Its not law you know -

Also, when meeting with a psychic you want to assist him or her in creating as open and positive and friendly an environment as possible. And though it is always helpful to clarify things the psychic may share with you, its another thing to be critical, hostile and closed minded. Often, an aggressively skeptical attitude is quite adversarial - negative and can shut down a reading. So be polite, show respect regardless how strange some things may seem to you. If the reader is really off the mark then discuss it with him/her and provide some direction or clarification. But whatever let them have their say because I know how things can always turn out in strange ways. I remember once many years ago - i must have been in my mid twenties - a cousin of mine in San Francisco called my mother (whom I was visiting at the time) and on the spur of the moment asked my mother to ask me how her daughter's wedding would go.... Most everything was already arranged, hall rented, gowns purchased, invites sent. I thought for a moment reaching for some goodies from my mom's fridge and said rather too abruptly between bites and my mouth full- "What wedding?" My mother looked at me dumb founded and just laughed. She thought I was kidding. When I did my best impression of the "Seinfeld Shrug," she quickly covered up the mouthpiece of the phone and gave me one of her panic-attack looks. "I can't tell her that," my mother protested. "The whole wedding is set to go off in a few weeks!" All the while Cousin Nickie was blabbering away on the phone - "What did he say?" "Tell, me what did he say!" Well mom just played it off as a joke to Nickie - or rather that I was playing around trying to be "cute" by saying the wedding wasn't going to happen. Nickie wasn't amused and probably felt a bit put off - But then at this point, had my mother told her what I said in truth, what good would it have done even IF she had believed it? When we heard back from Nickie just a few days prior to her daughter's wedding she was a bit flustered with my mom for not being more direct and forth coming about what I had really said that evening, though Nickie did understand my mother's reasoning - Because...it seems that I was correct after all. The wedding had indeed not taken place - It had been cancelled for lack of a groom... He backed out at the last minute!

The bottom line I think is if you are going to debate or argue with the messages and impressions the reader brings to you then ask yourself - Why are you even there? It is understandable that we all want to hear that our life is unfolding exactly the way we want it to or that we are always going to get what we want, i.e., no surprises and certainly no unplanned for changes. But life doesn't happen that way, does it?

So be open and receptive to messages. They may be in error, sure, but they may also provide you with information and input that may very well help you when the help is needed. So best advice is to just sit back and listen, take it all in and go with it. Later on look back and evaluate the session as a whole. Did you tape it? If so wait a day before you listen to the tape again. However be sure to use whatever information or messages are given in the way intended - as just another guide to sign posts up ahead; but certainly NOT as your gospel.

How often should I get a reading?

Unless you have a specific question or two to ask, or sudden circumstances present themselves, my opinion is a reading once a year is about right. This may not be a view held by others but I have a personal and ethical issue in being used as a crutch for people not wanting or empowered to live their own lives - and don't encourage it. However, I am a trained and experienced clinician as well so many times my follow up psychic sessions are truly counseling or teaching sessions as much as anything else. There are times a few of my clients may need to be referred to a counselor or therapist for one reason or another and I am trained to recognize those needs and issues.

Is everyone psychic?

I believe it is true that we all have ESP to one extent or another - Extended Sensory Perceptions - certainly Evolving Sensory Perceptions and the ability to experience everyday life beyond what we normally do through the five senses of touch, taste, smell, hear and see. We all have some ability to become more aware and sensitive to those extended sensory perceptions (ESP). And they certainly can help one live a more aware and spiritually balanced life. But no, not all people are psychic in the sense that they are able to consistently and with regularity be able to "harness" and call upon these abilities and use them at will. That's a much different step or level indeed.

In fact there are way too many people in these times who are just taking advantage of other's gullibility or need for help. I remember a time when, even in a large Metropolitan area or city just finding a reader or medium or psychic was near impossible - it was very discreet - sort of like the "Joe sent me," scenario. Now a days it seems every 5 or 6th person you run into is a card carrying psychic! (Higher in LA or New York - where ever third person you meet is a psychic...and out of work actor...).

In the Gospel of Thomas (Nag Hammadi Library) the oft quoted verse 70 goes: Jesus said, "If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not have that within you, what you do not have within you [will] kill you." With any calling in life - that of a teacher, a poet, an actor, a dentist, a builder, a mason...I truly believe Thomas' words. I believe that each of us must bring forth that which is inside of each of us, that which is uniquely us and to use it, share it, offer it up to the advantage - not the disadvantage - of the world and to those around us. I can only wonder that if we shared more genuinely of the "gifts" we have instead of those we think we should have or believe we are entitled to and then accepted each other for just that, wouldn’t the world be a much happier place?