3 Secrets Of A Psychic

I met a woman the other day who knew precisely zero about psychics. It was an interesting conversation, as I tried to explain what I do, how I do it, etc. Afterwards, I realized that her biggest questions are ones that I get all the damn time.

So here’s some truth about the seemingly mysterious world that I live in.

Psychics are not unicorns

If you’ve ever had a hunch, first impression or a gut feeling, congratulations: you’ve had a psychic flash.   And since everyone has experienced at least one of those things, that means everyone is psychic. See what I did there?

The intuitive channel is inborn in each of us. Like supermodels or star athletes, some are genetically blessed with a seemingly effortless gift. Psychic info rolls in from the ether loud and clear, and they never break a sweat.

But the rest of us can work to develop our own unique psychic ability.   We may never be on the level of Derek Jeter, but we can at least get to the farm team and utilize our intuition to make life better.

I’ve written some other posts on how to become more psychic.  Here’s another one.

No psychic is 100% right

Working psychically is a bit of a dance between where the info comes from and how it filters into the human brain – then out of the psychic’s mouth.   The proof is what rings true for you, and also, whether that info makes you feel hopeful, empowered and strong.

If a psychic tries to scare you or makes you feel like they’re the only person who can fix your hot mess of a life, get the hell out of there. This is not the purpose of intuitive work.

I’ve had some snarky comments from haters who wonder why a psychic can’t be “put to the test” (newsflash: some have and done really well). The truth is, psychic energy is not a widget. It’s can’t always be measured empirically, simply because of the human delivery method (see above).

The concept of being open to something more fluid is a hard one for some folks to accept. Again, the evidence lies partly in the facts that will come out in a reading, but more importantly, what speaks to you in your gut.

Keep a reading in perspective; its one source of information – and bottom line, you must make your own decisions and choices.

I’m not “reading” you right now

When I tell people I’m psychic, some of them clench up – they’re wondering if I’m reading them right then and there. No, I’m just standing here in the Express Lane, trying to pay for my Lean Cuisine and copy of Star magazine.

Psychics are real people, with “to do” lists, families and everyday worries. Seriously, if I tuned in to everyone I deal with in the course of a day, I would wind up in the corner, drooling and sucking my thumb.

As a working psychic, I must manage my energy, so I read you only when it’s “time.” That’s for my health. Secondly, its not ethical to poke into someone’s bidness without their OK. So go ahead and exhale – I don’t know what you did last summer. Or last night.

Got any more questions about psychics? Hit me up!

Four Tools for A Spiritual Makeover

I recently re-did my office to make it my “reading room” for clients. Put away are the corporate items that once dominated the room: files, binders with reports, back issues of trade magazines and biz-related books. Those now reside in a couple of big containers stashed elsewhere.

Instead, I’ve consciously reworked the space to give off a peaceful, healing and spiritual vibe.   It helps me during the reading, but it also puts my client into a calm, positive space that they take with them afterwards.

Over the years, I’ve amassed a boatload of tools, tchotkes, potions, powders, Tarot decks, oracle decks, books and more related to the spiritual realms. I had fun dragging them all out and arranging them in my new room. But when it gets right down to it, there are four things that anyone can display in their home that will instantly pull in wonderful energies.

CRYSTALS

One of my friends had a living room that looked like a rock shop. Crystals everywhere.   I haven’t gone that far, but I do keep some particular ones in my room: quartz, amethyst and rose quartz. Those are the go-to stones and cover a lot of ground, purpose-wise. Displaying even a single crystal in your home changes the energies. I wrote more about stones here and here.

CANDLES

The light from a candle isn’t just warm and peaceful, it serves as a beacon to helpful entities on the Other Side. They’re drawn to the gentle illumination. The ritual of lighting a candle instantly dials down the everyday drama and puts you in a more peaceful state.

INCENSE

There’s a reason churches and temples burn incense: it creates sacred space. In some traditions, incense “carries” our prayers to the heavens.   Before my client arrives, I light the incense, then carry it around the room (in a dish of sand so no random embers drop onto the carpet). It’s the fastest way to “get in the zone.”

STATUARY

At last count, I had figures of Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Kuan Yin, Archangel Michael, St. Teresa, St. Anthony, St. Francis, random angels, a Native American shaman and some Hindu god whose name escapes me. Seeing this parade of enlightened beings from all traditions grounds me. It reminds me that there are entities available to help us as we navigate life’s ups and downs. But even a single image of a being meaningful to you instantly draws in powerful spiritual energy.

Got any favorite items of your own? How do you “make over” your space?  Spill it in the comments!

Getting Unstuck

One of the most common things my clients say when they sit down with me is, “I feel….stuck.”  It comes up over and over again. And again.

I know that feeling: you’re like one of those old vinyl records, and the needle keeps skipping. Yes, I’m dating myself, but whatever – where you’re at doesn’t fit in one or more ways. You’re bored with your job, but not sure what else is out there. Your relationship feels like it belongs to someone else.   You’ve got a nagging feeling, “Is this all there is?”   But at the same time, you can’t seem to make any significant moves.

Super-annoying. Especially if the album is by Captain and Tennille.

This is where intuitive information can be especially useful:

1) Finding the much, MUCH bigger picture. When you’re deep in the weeds on something like a complicated relationship, its hard to see past your own nose. When I tune in, my intuitive radar pulls back to see other influences at work. Most clients are surprised at what else is going on; that larger perspective is enormously enlightening.

When your issues can be seen…from space!

2) Decoding the karma and past life influences affecting you. I know, I know: some of you are rolling your eyes. But I’ve had too much evidence of multiple lives; its the way we learn and evolve. And there are plenty of things we “carry over” that impact our present life. A reading can shed some light.

3) Hooking you up with your spirit team. Frequently, I pick up on spirit guides, loved ones on the Other Side – even angels – who are available to help you.   These powerful entities can see waaaay further down the road and provide not just a look ahead, but assistance to get you where you need to go.

There’s a reason humans have access to information from our sixth sense: it’s specifically there to help us live the life we came here to do. So if you’re feeling stuck, take a fresh look and see all the options you have to work with. They’re there. Promise.

Three Things About Your Life Purpose

At a certain point in our life, we may worry that we’ve missed the boat on why we’re here. I’ve had a ton of clients lately wondering what their “life purpose” is. That nagging sense of something unfulfilled, unmet – that’s the Universe nudging you to take another look at things.

Now before you start hypeventilating over what a big job that seems to be, take a second. Over the years, I’ve sussed out a few things about the whole “life purpose” thingy. Read on and relax….

1) The term “life purpose” is pretty overwhelming. Don’t know about you, but it used to make me think of folks like Mozart or Madame Curie or Madonna – they all did something big and huge and left a permanent mark on humanity’s radar. “Life Purpose” implies something major. But that’s more the exception than the rule.

Even SHE probably worries that she was supposed to be a Doctor.

I love the story of St. Therese of Liseux, AKA “The Little Flower.”  Her thing was all about honoring God in little ways. Small kindnesses done to a single fellow human versus the big show in the ginormous cathedral. She famously said, “I only love simplicity. I have a horror of pretence.”  Word, sister.

I think this is how, for many of us, our Life Purpose shows up. What seems to come naturally, easily are all hints of what you’re here to contribute.

One of my friends at the diner makes it a habit to tell me a corny joke every time I see him. I inevitably laugh and it sets my day off to a great start. This is no big thing – just a laugh shared from a friend.  But to make others feel good, well, this is part of his Life Purpose.

So take your definition of “Life Purpose” down a notch. Or five. Not everyone will be Mozart – but each of us can contribute in small ways for the betterment of us all.  And in the big picture, that’s more important.

2) Believe it or not, your life purpose is frequently uncovered by the suckiest things in your life. I just read a gentleman who recently endured both cancer and a heart attack. I saw very clearly that his experience would be useful for other folks dealing with illness. I also saw that he could use his talent for art to create little “healing cards” to distribute at hospitals, etc. That would be one way to make his “theme” work on a practical level.

When you look at the challenges and struggles of your life, what common thread runs through them all?  This is very likely a key to what it is you came here to do.

3) Your Life Purpose doesn’t have to be the one and only thing you do. There’s this idea that, once you discover it, you quit your job, leave your home and family, and head off into the world to do it. For some people, that may be the case.

Clearly living the fantasy.

 

But for most of us, we learn to fold our purpose into our overall life.

Flip your thinking and see “purpose” more as a thread that runs through your life. Because that can be enough – giving you a compass by which to direct the rest of your actions.

Of course, if you discover that healing or helping others is what makes your heart sing, your job as a forensic accountant may not cut it.   You may find yourself making changes in order to spend more time doing what makes you happy. But that’s not an absolute; don’t let this myth overwhelm you. Finding small ways to address your purpose is likely to make the rest of your daily life much richer and satisfying, and stop those nagging 3 a.m. moments.

Remember St. Therese.   And if I can help you uncover your own Life Purpose by using the Tarot, past life readings and help from your guides and angels, get in touch.

The Blessings Challenge

I had a client here the other day who’s in a rough place. According to her, nothing is going right in her life. Zero, Zip. Bupkis. She was hunched over in the chair, hair in the face, and no matter what positive news I saw coming for her, it wasn’t enough. She was so caught up in her negative zone, that she couldn’t let anything hopeful in.  And I don’t think she wanted to.

She makes Grumpy Cat look like a kid on Red Bull and Pixie Stix.

Check it: when I’d last seen her a few months before, she was freaked out because she’d been unemployed for awhile. She never thought she’d work again.  I saw a job coming, and guess what,  she DID get it.  But now its not enough. She hates the job, it doesn’t pay enough, she doesn’t like the commute, yadda yadda yadda.

As a psychic, it wouldn’t much matter what I told her — she would never step up and accept anything good.   She’d just let the bad roll on over her.

Look, I understand that, when tough things are being fired at you like one of those tennis ball machines, its hard to stay positive.  These are precisely the times that call for summoning up your inner badass.

I wrote in my book, OK, So You’re Dead that souls on the Other Side vie for the chance to incarnate into human form.  I know, I know – who would choose to deal with all the stuff we have to deal with down here? But the truth is, being human offers the fast track to our spiritual development.   It’s serious boot camp.

So when you’re faced with a rough patch, you have a choice. Being a Debbie Downer may feel good because it completely absolves you of any responsibility, but it will change not one blessed thing.  It does not serve you.  In fact, that downer energy will just attract more icky stuff, like one nasty-ass magnet.

Now I’m not saying that you act like Mary Poppins On Nitrous Oxide, either.  I just want you to recognize that we are all given positive energy to work with in our lives. It’s a law of nature: yin and yang, dark and light, up and down. There’s never any bad that doesn’t balance out with something good; you may have to look for it, but its ALWAYS there.

So here’s the challenge: every night before you go to sleep, tick off seven things going right in your world (seven is a power number).

Your list could be as simple as the fact that you’re sleeping in a comfy bed, your kids are healthy, you have a roof over your head, you got a smile from the coffee guy, you’re not your mother-in-law, etc. I want you to do this every night for two weeks.

Whenever you encounter a tough moment during the day, recall one of your seven blessings from the night before. It counteracts the “heaviness” of that initial moment.

NOTE: The suckier your life seems at the moment, the more you need to do this!!!

I think what you’ll find is that the rough edges in your world start to smooth out. The more you look for what’s good and right, the more things will start to go right.

This is not Pollyanna talk; there are real physical properties to our attitude. It’s strictly an energy thing.  So when you’re challenged by the world, choose to stand up and claim the good stuff.  It’s like a shot of antibiotics to negative funk.

Need me to kick you in the butt and help move you forward?  Get in touch.

 

How — and When — Change Really Happens

Her email was all in caps: HELP! I’M TRYING TO CHANGE, BUT DON’T SEE ANYTHING HAPPENING!!!! (Yeah, that made my head hurt, too.)

This client is not alone. Lately, I’ve had a run on folks coming by who are trying their damndest to make a shift – but the results don’t seem to be following. It’s super-frustrating.

Most of us think “change” is like a vending machine: we put our intention in, so we should get an instant payoff. Wouldn’t that be great? But the reality is, we feel like our intention is a stuck bag of potato chips. Hate when that happens.

What I frequently see is that the payoff is closer than we realize. We just have to keep on truckin’. That’s what the Universe asks us to do: keep walking.   Have some faith. Because with each step we take, the Powers That Be take one towards us.

I’ve seen this happen time and again: we think that we have to do it all, but the truth is, we have partners. And when we show the tiniest bit of willingness to move ahead on our path, we get an assist. Our spirit guides, the angels, loved ones on the Other Side….these are just a few of the entities available to us to help us fulfill our mission here  [the rule is, though, you have to ask them for help. Even if you’re not sure what kind of “help” you need,  just send out a generic 911 call.  Then watch for signs that you’ve been heard.]

I also think our idea of “results” needs to shift. Our society encourages the notion of “overnight success,” “instant this” and “instant that.” But successful change is a process. It’s not one moment, but a bunch of them.   If Jeannie could blink and make it happen all at once, that would be cheating (remember how many problems her “help” caused for Major Nelson?  Am I dating myself?)

The Moon card in the Tarot is all about this. You can’t see a foot in front of you in the dark. It’s all kinds of scary (hence, the yapping dogs). But in order to get out of that spooky forest you need to keep pushing through. If you just sit down and curl up in a ball, that’s how you’ll stay.

Be brave. Even when you can’t see the results yet, keep working it.   Keep the finishing line in mind. All of a sudden, you’ll come around the corner – and there it will be.

If I can help you push past some obstacles and stay on the path, get in touch.  In the meantime, sing us out, Bono.

 

The Psychic Power of Joy

One of my favorite movies was on TCM the other night: A Hard Day’s Night is celebrating its 50^th anniversary.   Watching it again, I found myself smiling, laughing and dancing along to the Beatles music in my pajamas.

I started thinking about one of the reasons the Fab Four were such a break-out phenomenon: its widely thought that, after the horrifying death of JFK in 1963, America was in desperate need of joy. And they got it in the form of four cheeky, massively talented lads from Liverpool.

Joy is powerful stuff.  It changes molecules. It shifts the energy. I mean, even the grumpiest soul is lifted out of the doldrums by the belly laugh of a baby. And look at the phenomenal success of Pharell Williams’ song, Happy.  People crave joy to counteract the heavy times we live in.

If you’re not smiling at this, you have no soul.

I did a reading the other day with a young girl who was super-serious.   I suppose she thought that was what was expected.   Needless to say, she was surprised when I cracked jokes during the session. Being a wiseass is my personal style, but it happens to serve a very real purpose.

Joy amplifies the channel to the Other Side. It has a high energy frequency which makes tuning in to finer energies a lot easier. Think of how you feel when you’re dealing with something serious or sad: its heavy, slow-moving, thick.  Blech.

On the flip side, when people are laughing or happy, things feel light and clear. That makes any intuitive work way easier. Not to mention life in general.

When I was studying in England, I attended a service by the National Spiritualist’s Union. This was where mediums would give messages from the Other Side to people in the audience. Before the service started, ABBA music was played in the church. Instead of stuffy old hyms, we were asked to sing along to Dancing Queen and Take A Chance On Me. The minister then entered, dressed in an outfit to rival the cover of Sgt. Pepper. We were all smiles, the energy felt great – and it made for a wonderful evening.

Don’t discount the power of joy in doing any psychic work.  There’s no rule saying it has to be serious and solemn.  In fact, that may be counterproductive, like swimming upstream.

Before I read, I crank up my iPod and spend a few minutes doing my own Soul Train line to  the music of Earth Wind and Fire.   It makes me happy.  And it makes me a better reader.

What brings you ear-to-ear joy?  Indulge in it right now.

 

Can Anyone Be A Medium?

So I was just at this weekend workshop for advanced mediumship training – always good to tune things up, learn some new skills, stretch a little. During a break, I was chatting with one of the other students about what we did, etc.  I made a comment that I believe everyone has psychic ability. She jumped in  “But not everyone’s a medium.”

On that, I have to disagree. Yes, there are some folks who are totally awesome at connecting with spirits on the Other Side. To them, the sensing of energy, images, feelings comes easily. They connect the dots, seemingly effortlessly.

Other mediums may need to work a little harder at making the link with a spirit person. But they make it.

I’ve been in enough classes over the years to know that everyone can discover and develop their own ability. I’ve seen someone go from straight beginner to being able to give a mediumistic message by the end of a course. It may not flow as smoothly as those with their channel more finely tuned, but its there. The rest comes from practice and building one’s confidence. That’s really it.

I believe that the ability to discern other energetic levels is inborn in each of us. It’s a tool we’ve been given to more fully realize our life’s goals. Over the centuries, humans have evolved to be more aware of this ability and less fearful of it, generally speaking. I’m thinking that a hundred years from now, connecting with spirit energy or psychic impressions will be just another thing we do when we need information. Like a spiritual Google.

Our inborn ability can be drowned out by the struggles of daily life. It’s a subtle organ, easily overwhelmed by grocery lists, car pools, deadlines, whatever. Opening and developing your own gift takes time, practice and commitment; simply put, those are the only things that separate you from a professional medium or psychic.

When people learn I’m a psychic-medium, they’re all like, “Ooooh….cool. I wish I could do what you do.” I’m here to tell you that you can. I would love it if we could get away from regarding mediums and psychics like they’re magical creatures from another planet; the same ability to pick up other energies is part of your DNA, too.

And personally, I think the world would be a much more peaceful place if we all tapped into it. So start tapping, bitches.

I shared some simple exercises to open your own psychic channel here.   And I write more about the Other Side in my new book – which is a great read, if I do say so myself!

 

On Psychic Accuracy

I got a really nice email from someone I just read, happily announcing that she’s pregnant. During our session, the question had come up. I saw some minor issues conceiving, but with a healthy pregnancy by November.

Turns out, that’s when she’s due to give birth. She did have a few fertility problems in the past, but felt they had been resolved (clearly, they were!). In her email, she asked about the timing around this question, and why it was sort of “reversed” during our reading.

That’s a good one. The psychic process is not an exact science. For me, the information that I get sort of flows over and under itself; I’m along for the ride, trying to pick out the mile markers and identifying people and points in time. But its not an atomic clock.

Psychics are not Hal 5000

I think most psychics will tell you that they “let go” during a reading; we surrender our conscious, logical mind to something a bit more fluid. It’s the nature of the thing. Intuition is far more organic, and has its own language. By trying to be too precise, it can choke off the flow. At least, that’s how it feels to me.

Sometimes it can feel like this….

Being the super-organized, somewhat controlling person that I am in my daily life, the psychic process is challenging. But I’ve found it to be a good counterweight to my own growth. As I read, I avoid trying to be too exact, because once I go there, it’s more “me” talking and less spirit.

If you’re looking for 100%, time-and-date specific, bet-the-farm-on-it information, there’s always Wikipedia. Know that intuitive information is a little squishier. The edges around a message may be blurry, but the core is what you need to consider. Take what resonates from a reading, and leave the rest.

Fellow psychics, what’s your take on this?

Your Psychic Health

Whenever I  teach a Psychic Development class, I know I’ll have at least one student who’ll show up after a few weeks looking a little fried.  They have bags under their eyes, they seem kinda spent or frazzled, and they tend to just talkandtalkandtalk.   It’s exhausting to be around them, bless their pointed little head.

And I can tell immediately: they’ve been operating their newly-developed psychic abilities without a permit.

I get it:  its exciting when you start actively working with your intuition.  A whole new world opens up – literally.  But without some healthy habits, you run the risk of feeling like you got run over by a monster truck.  Or three.

Working psychically changes your physical makeup.  There’s an electrical dimension to our bodies; when we dial up our intuitive senses, we’re upping the wattage.   And like loose wires, that energy needs to be grounded to prevent burnout or that general spacey feeling.

You’ve been warned.

Regular meditation is a good place to start.  It helps develop a sense of control over your breath, and lets you navigate the subtle changes in your energetic body.

Then there’s preparation.  Before I read, I first surround both myself and the space with a protective white light.  I’m dealing with energy, so I want anything heavy or difficult to be kept at bay.

I do a short meditation (in addition to the one I do daily), then envision a window opening in the back of my head.  This is my personal technique that “tells” my conscious mind to shift into a different gear.   Once I’m through, I reverse it and “close” the window.   It’s like working out:  a warm up and cool down are essential to keep from getting injured.

Also, take it a little at a time.  If you try to open up your channels too quickly,  you’ll feel sort of fried.  Gradually build up how long you stay in the psychic flow.

Nice try, Hercules….

 

Because that side of our brain generates fine, fast-moving energy, it’s a good idea to counterbalance it with something slower and more grounded.  After a session, I always eat something, put my hands on the ground or pet my cats.  Anything “earth” related will bring you back into your body and offset that spacey feeling.

The other thing is to be careful where you read.  Working in the same spot builds up the positive vibrations, which not only helps your connection, but also protects you.   The “reading rooms” at the shop I used to work at had a great, juicy feel to them because of all the positive work that was done there.

I learned very early on to not read in bars or random public places.  The energy can be  very hard or heavy, and you’ll feel it for days after.  A lot of newbies will try and “read” people just wherever – and they pay the price.  As tempting as it may be, stick to appropriate times and places  to do intuitive work.  Put a process in place to better direct your energy, so its not just sparking all over the damn place.

For those who are naturally extra-sensitive, I wrote about a technique to add an extra layer of protection and smooth out that jagged feeling.  Wearing dark clothes or carrying dark colored crystals like smoky quartz or obsidian can ground you, as well.  Here are some other stones that are helpful for psychic work.

The thing is, providing a framework and a system to your psychic work will make it more effective – and make your daily life as a whole more comfortable.

What do you do to stay healthy and grounded in the spirit realm?  Hit me up in the comments.