Fortune Tellers and Psychics
One well-known TV psychic has been indicted in several states for credit card fraud—for billing the dead in addition to communicating with them. But don't let that sour you on the paranormal. Visiting a psychic with your date can be a lot of fun. How much of it you take seriously is up to you, but it can be interesting to hear what someone who doesn't know you has to say about you. Keep in mind that some psychics have better reputations than others, and people who take psychics seriously often don't use them for predicting the future, but as an aid in expanding the way they view themselves and/or their possibilities for the future.
COST
From $10.00 per person to several hundred.
HOW TO FIND A PSYCHIC/FORTUNE TELLER
Find yourself an alternative newspaper and look for "psychic fairs." These are events where you'll be able to check out several psychics. You can also try the Yellow Pages or ask friends. On the internet, you might try www.switchboard.com under "psychic mediums."
Most reputable psychics require an appointment several days or weeks in advance. So be sure to call and make a reservation. If you want to be in the room for each other's readings, ask if it is okay. You might also ask if you can record the session. It is difficult to remember everything that is said. Afterward, have lunch and discuss your experience.
BEWARE!
Some psychics have been known to spin a tale that leaves you hanging, with the caveat that if you pay them additional money, they will intervene to prevent a certain dread or misery, or on a more positive note, will help you achieve harmony and success. If this happens, take seriously our warning that you are being had. At the very least, if you can't pull yourself away, use your negotiating skills to get the price way down.
WHAT IS A PSYCHIC READING?
A psychic is someone who claims to have paranormal or supernatural powers that he or she uses to answer your questions or make observations about you. The psychic might simply look you over and start talking, or they may use props or aids such as tarot cards, astrological charts, your palm, or pieces of jewelry or metal that have been against your skin. Readings can focus on issues of the past, present or future and are offered in various degrees of detail and complexity.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FORTUNE TELLERS
Are you interested in having someone read your palm or would you rather take your chances with the tarot cards? What about an astrological reading of your zodiac chart? Or maybe you'll want to visit an old-fashioned Gypsy fortune teller who looks into a crystal ball and sees all.
Like religions, there are different forms of psychic art. For instance, palmistry is a method of interpreting the shape of the hand and the lines of the palm to determine your character and life experiences. One type of palmistry attempts to tell your future by reading the lines on the palm of your hand. Another type of palmistry tries to read the strengths and weaknesses of your personality from the shape of your hand.
Other forms of fortune telling include the observation of the wind currents and cloud formation, interpreting the damage when a hatchet is smacked into a table, reading smoke, tea leaves or coffee grinds, interpreting the entrails of dead animals, reading the holes or mold in cheese, and even interpreting the lines in your belly button or seeing how the bubbles come up when you pee in a pot. (Thanks to www.skepdic.com for this listing.)
DO-IT-YOURSELF PSYCHIC
If you are the type who likes to do it yourself, why not visit www.abaxion.com/divin.htm and check out the personal divination kit? Or perhaps you might find some of the following books to be helpful: Tarot Made Easy by Nancy Garen; $16.00.
You will need to buy the Tarot cards for an additional $7.00 to $25.00.
Beyond Palmistry: The Art and Science of Modern Hand Analysis by Beverly Jaegers; $6.99.
Palm Reading for Beginners: Find Your Future in the Palm of Your Hand by Richard Webster; $9.95.
WHEN YOUR REGULAR CALLING PLAN ISN'T ENOUGH— HIRE A MEDIUM AND HAVE A SEANCE
Maybe you're the type who boohoos fortunetelling and prefers speaking with the dead. If that's the case, you'll need a 'medium' and a seance. A medium is a person who acts like an air-traffic controller between this world and that. A seance occurs when a group of people get together to chat with the dearly departed. The energy of the group acts as a lightening-rod in reverse, giving the reluctant spirit the nudge or zap he or she needs to call home.
Usually the medium is a psychic and he or she expects to be paid for making contact with people who reside in another dimension. Your cellphone service does the same thing when they bill you for roaming charges when you are speaking to someone who is out of your calling area. You will need to decide whether you are trying to reach a loved one who is no longer with us, or are looking for a spirit guide. You will also need to decide if the seance will be held in your home or at a location that's chosen by the psychic. Some of the better locations for a seance appear to be dark castles with massive cobwebs and bats flying about.
WHERE TO FIND A SEANCE
Occult shops can usually put you in touch with a medium who holds seances or try your local new-age bookstore. You might also call a psychic and ask if he or she holds seances. Www.soyouwanna.com has step-by-step directions for holding your own seance.
FORTUNE-TELLING ANONYMOUS
If you are more hooked on fortune telling than you would like to be, or merely appreciate a healthy dose of skepticism, the place to go is the website of Professor Robert T. Carroll (www.skepdic.com).
OUIJI LOUIGI
Let's say you and your date decide to forgo a visit to the fortuneteller or psychic, but are looking to reach beyond the ordinary. Why not get yourself some popcorn and an Ouiji board and have at it! For an interesting Ouiji Board website, check out the Museum of Talking Boards at www.museumoftalkingboards.com. Also, keep in mind that it is seldom good form to make your first question on a Ouiji Board date "Am I gonna get lucky tonight?
