One thing that seems to astonish people new to metaphysics is that practitioners have more than one title. They have affixed more than one label to themselves. In our everyday world, a doctor is a doctor. Period. He is not also a carpenter or a chef. He could be, but his “label” is a doctor. In metaphysics, that’s not true. One person could be a psychic, medium, and healer all in one. They could also have labels that no one has ever heard before, such as eye-reader or lip-reader. They could also make up their own titles. Then there are those practitioners who add to their labels even if they can only perform the duties of that title in cursory ways.

All this labeling can make it confusing for people looking for someone to help them and for other practitioners looking for mentors and teachers. The most important thing to realize about all this is that a title is not one size fits all. Take the word shaman, for example. Normally, someone who takes the title of shaman chooses to be a part of a particular tradition and usually follows the methods of that tradition. Then there are those who are shamanic practitioners who may mix traditions but practice in a respectful way to those traditions. Then you have those who call themselves shamans because they went on a journey once and heard a voice tell them they were a shaman but otherwise have had little training and no guidance. In other words, don’t take anything at face value when it comes to titles.

At metaphysical events such as a psychic fair, I can always tell the people who have never been there before. They look like a kid in a candy store, wondering what amazing things they will encounter. They also tend to get readings from one of the first people they see at these events. This could be a good thing, but it often puts people off the process of seeking a spiritual advisor. My advice to anyone coming to a psychic fair who might be inclined to get a reading is to walk around the room several times to get a feel for who is there.

Most people aren’t used to making a decision with their “gut.” People usually work from the premise that decisions are made with either their head or their heart, and they do, but there is also another center in their body that has decision-making power, and it’s in the center of their body. More scientific research has been coming out on this subject. When someone gets hunches and feelings, depending on what it’s about, we will either consider them or ignore them. In the case of choosing someone to help you regardless of whatever or wherever you are, your gut is not something to be ignored.

In the case of looking for a spiritual advisor or mentor, listening to all three of your centers of wisdom is always a good idea. Many people have said something like, “They had a lot of experience, and they were really nice, but there was something off about them.” Guess which one of these statements came from that person’s “gut?”

When you’re looking for a psychic reader to answer a question, you want to walk around the room to see how you feel around someone. If it’s a good feeling, that’s a possible person for you to talk to. If it doesn’t feel good, keep walking. The other thing to note is that if a psychic is famous, it’s because they are very good, but it doesn’t mean they are right for you. You also have to take into consideration the personality of the psychic. If you prefer to deal with people who are more direct and practical in their answers, you don’t want to choose someone who gives answers that you have to contemplate a little to discern the meaning.

People often think that because someone has the title of psychic, it all means the same thing and that one person is as good as another. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some readers tell you whatever information they get surrounding your question without the use of tools. Others will use cards or other tools to help in the reading. Some will use a combination of both. Others will use a different kind of combination, such as a reading combined with a healing. Often in my own sessions, what starts out as a reading with cards morphs into a mini-healing session.

Trust yourself to find the right person to sit with. If you’re not sure, ask someone. For instance, at a fair, someone asked me if I read palms. I said I didn’t, but I referred her to someone who did. I didn’t know the woman I had referred, but earlier in the day, someone had asked a question, and the palm reader answered, and my “gut” told me that she was the real deal. A person with that true ability. At that point, I didn’t even know her name, but I knew the title of palm reader for her was authentic. Later on, a friend of mine went to see her as well and came back to tell me how much she enjoyed the reading and how accurate she was in telling her about things that no one could have known. My gut was proven right again. Trust what yours tells you, or at least consider it. It could save you a lot of grief later.

Don’t assume metaphysical titles mean anything until you are certain this person has the abilities you think they will need to assist you. Not all practitioners are created equal. Everyone has gifts, but not everyone has accessed them to their full potential or has good intentions in using them. Some practitioners are energy vampires and/or narcissists. Unless you’re paying attention, you will never know you’ve come upon one of those until it’s too late. You will have been caught in one of the traps of metaphysical titles.