In a previous post, I said not to get me started on metaphysical charlatans because I had a bone to pick. Well, here’s me picking. Don’t get me wrong, there are shysters in every business, but it annoys me that despite the blessing of their talents, some people who claim to have “high vibrations” spend a lot of time acting in “low vibration” ways.

Case in point. There is a woman I know. Let’s call her Barb. She does psychic readings and helps clients with a variety of metaphysical training and skills. Barb’s very pleasant, on the surface, but does some things that make me wonder if the image she portrays is just that, an image.

I’ve always believed that if you want to see a psychic, go ahead, then take that advice or insight and do what you want with it. If it prompts you to think more about something, great. If it inspires you to take action in a direction you’ve been contemplating, terrific. What I don’t like is when a reader encourages their client to keep coming back to them for advice on every decision the person is considering. It creates dependence, and I don’t like that. My thought is that a psychic is there to prompt you into finding your own answers, not give you the answer. This is something that Barb seems to do.

I understand that for some people, doing readings is how they make their money, and I’m not saying they shouldn’t have repeat customers, I have had a few people return to me when I’ve done readings for them, but I only see them once maybe twice a year, not every month or every week. I always encourage the people I do readings for to trust themselves and trust their instincts. This could be a contributing factor as to why there are times when I’m pinching pennies so hard they are begging for mercy, but I see psychic ability as something for a higher purpose. Money is good, don’t get me wrong, but to perpetuate dependence to make sure you get paid is at best manipulative, at worse, unethical.

I will be the first to tell you that I am a healer, not a saint. Someday there may be a ballad sung about my greatness as a healer, but if someone tells you that I am an angel in disguise, you have my permission to tell them they are full of sh*t. I’m not perfect, no one is, but metaphysicians have a responsibility to hold to a higher standard. Yes, we need to get paid. We should be there when our clients need support, but encouraging them to use us as a crutch to live their lives is wrong.

The other thing that annoys me and I don’t know anyone personally who does this, or I would really be on a rampage, is to say that they are 100% accurate. If you hear that about a psychic, high-tail it out of there. No one and I mean NO ONE, is 100%, regardless of their ability. Even the best mediums – people who can talk to the dead can only do so if the dead choose to step forward. Others who do readings can only relay what they are told by their spirit guides. If no answer is forthcoming, there is nothing to say.

I’ve had readings with one of the best psychics with a good reputation in my area. She’s famous and expensive. Nice lady, but she can’t read me worth a damn. Nothing she has said to me has been even close. I’m not saying she’s a charlatan. She’s not. She’s the real deal. She’s been accurate with a lot of people, but not me. Why? Who knows. That’s the beauty of true psychics. It depends on their connection to the universe at that moment with a particular client. I’ve had a psychic tell me things that blew my socks off. She is neither famous nor overly popular and, lucky for me, still reasonably priced.

The best way to find a good one for you is to see how you feel around them. I tell people that if you go to a psychic fair, ask yourself two questions. The first is, is there something I need to know today? You should get a feeling of yes or no. If it’s no, then enjoy yourself, knowing that things are where they are supposed to be for now, and relax. If the answer is yes, then walk around the room, look at the readers and ask yourself who has the information you need to know. If you feel an attraction to someone, that’s who you choose. I’m going to state the obvious here, if you feel uneasy with someone, don’t get a reading from them, and if you feel the need to stay away from someone, obey that feeling! Don’t disregard it. It’s not a challenge or a dare. It’s your aura, your energy field, alerting you to potential spiritual danger. Not everyone you meet in the metaphysical community is good. There are some who masquerade as good, baiting the trap for dingdongs who don’t pay attention. Don’t be a dingdong.

Once you get a reading, even if it doesn’t make sense while you’re getting it, think about it over the next couple of days and see what happens. By then, you can make a fair assessment if that person was really good for you or if you should try someone else next time.

Also, be careful of the ones who say you have been cursed, and it can only be removed by them and, of course, for a hefty price. As a person who does break curses as part of what I do, trust me when I tell you that if there is a curse, there are other people who can break it without breaking your bank account. Expect to pay for it, but make sure they explain everything to you, answer all your questions and give you an opportunity to say no. You can always come back to them later if you feel they are the best option for your situation. Also, feel free to consult other people. Don’t get locked into one person. That leaves you open to possibly being taken advantage of by a metaphysical charlatan.