With all due respect to psychics (as human beings) I think it is at the very least a scam.
The daughter of a friend recently drove about 2 hours to see one and when she reported the woman’s ‘revelations’ I kept saying ‘I could have told you that’ E.g., the psychic told her she probably wouldn’t have children – she is 35 w/no current (or ever any long-term) relationship, so while not a no-brainer is certainly a reasonable ‘guess.’ She also told her she probably wouldn’t stay in her current job for very long. She is an artist who recently learned coding and got a job at an investment bank. Again, anyone could probably surmise that too.
But I guess there is some kind of allure to believing the pronouncements come from an otherworldly source.
Wendy and Robin, I’ve come back to this question. I think there is a difference between visiting a psychic (for a lark) and doing”psychic” activities. When I was out of high school, a friend of mine ( who was very interested in the paranormal) got suckered into repeated visits to a psychic and lost quite a bit of money. And no real answers or good advice. The NYTimes had an article maybe a year or two ago about the sad tale of someone who lost his hundreds of thousands of dollars to a psychic (who was later arrested). As humans we are sometimes so desperate for answers, especially ones that we want to hear. So these unscrupulous types take advantage of that.
That said, I also believe that, consciously or subconsciously, we do know most of the answers to our questions. I occasionally read tarot cards for friends and many have commented favorably on my readings. But all I’m doing is accessing the answers they already know. I am, in a way, giving them permission. I NEVER want them to reveal the question, because then I would put my own opinions or views out there. And then they wouldn’t answer the questions themselves. Really, I’m just a tool for them. And I never charge them money. 🙂
thanks, Petra, you make me think of it in a slightly different, and illuminating way. As you provide the ‘permission’ to reach answers for your friends – I think ultimately it comes down to the question of authority.
Everyone is looking, not just for answers I would say, but for some kind of authority in their lives. We might say we want total freedom but we all seem to be looking for someone or something to follow, believe in etc., whether it be in a religious context, or social, or political, etc.
I’m always looking for answers, and I love to informed by experts, but I can’t say that I’m looking for an authority in my life. How do others feel about this?
As a career coach, I believe the client has the answers, and my job is to ask the right questions. And I’ve learned to trust my intuition when a question suddenly pops into my head, it’s probably an important one.
She told me I was going to go into real estate and have four kids. I was about 20 or so and went with a friend of mine in New York.
That’s so funny.
With all due respect to psychics (as human beings) I think it is at the very least a scam.
The daughter of a friend recently drove about 2 hours to see one and when she reported the woman’s ‘revelations’ I kept saying ‘I could have told you that’ E.g., the psychic told her she probably wouldn’t have children – she is 35 w/no current (or ever any long-term) relationship, so while not a no-brainer is certainly a reasonable ‘guess.’ She also told her she probably wouldn’t stay in her current job for very long. She is an artist who recently learned coding and got a job at an investment bank. Again, anyone could probably surmise that too.
But I guess there is some kind of allure to believing the pronouncements come from an otherworldly source.
I’ve never been drawn to going to a psychic, but I know MANY friends who do.
Wendy and Robin, I’ve come back to this question. I think there is a difference between visiting a psychic (for a lark) and doing”psychic” activities. When I was out of high school, a friend of mine ( who was very interested in the paranormal) got suckered into repeated visits to a psychic and lost quite a bit of money. And no real answers or good advice. The NYTimes had an article maybe a year or two ago about the sad tale of someone who lost his hundreds of thousands of dollars to a psychic (who was later arrested). As humans we are sometimes so desperate for answers, especially ones that we want to hear. So these unscrupulous types take advantage of that.
That said, I also believe that, consciously or subconsciously, we do know most of the answers to our questions. I occasionally read tarot cards for friends and many have commented favorably on my readings. But all I’m doing is accessing the answers they already know. I am, in a way, giving them permission. I NEVER want them to reveal the question, because then I would put my own opinions or views out there. And then they wouldn’t answer the questions themselves. Really, I’m just a tool for them. And I never charge them money. 🙂
thanks, Petra, you make me think of it in a slightly different, and illuminating way. As you provide the ‘permission’ to reach answers for your friends – I think ultimately it comes down to the question of authority.
Everyone is looking, not just for answers I would say, but for some kind of authority in their lives. We might say we want total freedom but we all seem to be looking for someone or something to follow, believe in etc., whether it be in a religious context, or social, or political, etc.
I’m always looking for answers, and I love to informed by experts, but I can’t say that I’m looking for an authority in my life. How do others feel about this?
As a career coach, I believe the client has the answers, and my job is to ask the right questions. And I’ve learned to trust my intuition when a question suddenly pops into my head, it’s probably an important one.