What is their purpose? Are they really able to communicate with the dead, and if so…..HOW do they do it? In this article we are going to take a quick and easy look at the notion of using a medium to make contact with the other side, and some of the common questions many folks have before making contact in the first place. (both with the mediums….AND their loved ones who are waiting as well!) Curious to know more? Continue reading as we take a closer look below!

What does the phrase “Afterlife Medium” even mean?

Good question! There are tons and tons of different types of psychic powers so to speak, and exceptional abilities as well. The ability to speak to, sense, or see spirits is one that is traditionally associated with mediums who purport to be able to cross the “veil” into the world that awaits us all, and report back on what they see.

Are all psychics able to communicate with the dead?

Absolutely not. Being a medium does NOT mean that you can see the future in a precognitive sense, instead, it means you have an innate ability to get information from another source altogether. (which most mediums believe are through the communications they receive from those in spirit)

In some ways, legitimate mediumship is a very specialized skill…..very similar to how a brain surgeon is a very specialized type of doctor. Finding a medium who really CAN see, sense and speak to the spirit realm is NOT as common as the ads and offers you’ll read promise, and it’s actually quite RARE to find a medium who is really very good at all. (in my own experience, over 20 years or so, I’ve found that only about 20% of the mediums I’ve consulted with have been able to do what they say)

What is the value of seeing a medium anyway?

Honestly? The BIGGEST reason to speak to a medium is HOPE, happiness and the reassurance that life continues after this one is over. There is nothing more validating, more comforting and more reassuring than getting told things that you KNOW are impossible for a “stranger” to know about you, and your loved ones who are no longer here. As a matter of fact, I was a complete skeptic before I had a mind blowing reading with a medium about 18 years ago. The information that came through was SO specific, so private and so impossible to guess, that I hung up the phone knowing with 100% certainty that “something” amazing had just taken place, and as much as it confused me……I KNEW in my gut that I had just made contact with a recently deceased family member.

That sort of evidence, and experience CAN change you at your very core….much the way it changed me. And THAT’S the biggest and best reason to consult with a medium in the first place…..EVEN if you are dead set skeptic right now.

Talking to a medium changed MY life, and totally changed the direction the last 20 years of my life have taken as well.

The truth is, regardless of what you believe, if you give the process a chance, open your mind and just SEE what happens, you’ll be quite amazed at how much evidence there is that the afterlife is real, AND that your loved ones are “dying” to let you know! (no pun intended!)

Are you unsure what to expect? Are you interested, enthusiastic but don’t know how or where to begin? Or, like I once was……are you curious, but NOT convinced, and simply want to have an experience of your own before you make your mind up? The truth is, there are lots of reasons that people call, see, or visit psychics, mediums and clairvoyants….and often, the BIGGEST reason is pure curiosity. (and NOT blind belief)

That said……there are many myths about psychics, and readings overall, and believe it or not, many of these “falsehoods” come from BOTH skeptics and true blue believers alike. Let’s take a quick look at 4 of them below…..and help YOU get the kind of reading you deserve when you’re ready.

Myth #1: There is no scientific evidence that psychic abilities are real

This is 100% false. Did you know that there are major Universities, right now…..that have cutting edge programs designed to study psychic functioning, how it works, why it works….and how to PROVE it as well? Duke University has the prestigious RHINE Institute, Princeton University the “PEAR Lab”, The University of Arizona the famous “VERITIES” program. (which studied famous psychic mediums like John Edward, and whose results became part of the HBO documentary the “Afterlife Experiments”. The truth is, many psychic studies have been done over the last 100 years that PROVE, conclusively that some people are indeed able to access information that science simply cannot explain….period!

Myth #2: Telephone Psychics are not as good as those you’d see in real life

I actually believed this one myself. But the truth is actually the REVERSE. For whatever reason, phone psychics have an accuracy rating much higher, in general…..than psychics who work face to face. As a matter of fact, the Windbridge Institute for Applied Science in Arizona studies mediums at great length…and has found that the psychics who perform the best, consistently and by far, are those who have no physical contact with their “clients”. (and whose only connection to the person they’re reading is through the phone, by voice contact alone)

Some additional facts about psychic readings I personally find fascinating?

1. Many psychics use meditation as a way to hone, develop and refine their psychic abilities
2. About 75% of all psychic mediums begin seeing “spirits” as young children, often starting under the age of 10
3. Having a near death experience, or an out of body experience, CAN lead to the development of psychic abilities in just about ANYONE. (people who are sick and near death and “see the light” so to speak often come “back” strangely psychic……and current studies are being done to figure out why this happens)
4. Many psychics are very religious……EVEN if they believe that all religions are treated equally in the world that awaits.

Of course there is much more…..but that’s just a small sampling of some of the insight, and illumination that comes from studying and writing about psychic professionally, as I have done for the past 12 years. (what started off as curiosity, has become a career!)

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What makes a psychic, medium or clairvoyant worthy of my faith or belief?  And how can I differentiate between a reader who is best used purely for entertainment, versus a genuine and gifted intuitive I can really trust?

For those of us who take our psychic readings seriously, or who need genuine guidance, advice or input before making a critical life decision, the truth is, separating out fact from fiction in the psychic reading universe is pretty darn important.  The good news?  There are a wide variety of trustworthy psychics available online or off, and learning to distinguish between the 2 is quite easy to do.

My best advice for those just getting started on the psychic path?  (or are getting your first reading and don’t know where to begin)

• Stick with psychics who have a long history of service, are well rated and reviewed, offer outstanding customer service protections (i.e. – 100% money back guarantees and great rates for first time callers or clients) and quite simply LOOK legitimate to boot!  (as some of the services you really should avoid LOOK so darn cheesy and unprofessional that you’ll know they aren’t trustworthy straight out of the gate)
• Remember that real psychics, and the ones that you should feel comfortable trusting have fans!  One of the biggest “secrets” to picking a legitimate reader is that the only real way to do readings professionally is to have a dedicated and loyal client and caller base.  Much like an attorney, or a doctor or any other speciality professional……if your only clients are those who come in ONCE and never return, you are not going to be able to stay in “business” for long!

With this in mind, the genuinely good readers are those that earn the trust of their callers and  clients, and often, as is true in my case, have relationships with those clients for many months, years and even, in some extreme cases, a lifetime as well!  (I have a friend whose grandmother has used the same psychic for close to 40 years….and makes NO big life decision without calling her first, a true testament to trust!)

Not sure if you need a medium, or a clairvoyant, or an energy healer, or a love psychic or just a good old fashioned LIFE psychic session?

The truth is, there are lots of different types of psychics to choose from, and while most people overlook this step, it IS important to make sure you pick the right type of reader for your situation, especially if you are interested in more than a light reading for entertainment purposes alone.

For example?  You do NOT want to call a medium when your interest is about your career.  Or, calling a love psychic to re-connect with a loved one who has passed over is also not such a great investment of your time, energy or income!  Learning what types of readers to what types of readings is pretty basic, but it’s pretty important none the less.

In general, here are the broad overview of the TYPES of psychics, and the kinds of readings they provide:

1. Love and relationships psychics (very general, the most common, and popular type of reading there is)
2. Mediums and spiritual psychics (most closely associated with spirit communication, there are a whole subset of these types of readers as well – mental mediums, physical mediums, voice mediums, etc…although by FAR, the most common are mental mediums, like the ones we see on TV)
3. Psychic Detectives (folks who do most of their work on crime and missing people cases, most often, they are mediums, or specialize in reading the energy of objects associated with a victim, missing person or potential “perp”, often called psychometry)
4. Tarot Readers – (One of the most common types of psychic readings as well, believe it or not, the tarot can be learned by just about anyone…..and while many tarot readers are excellent intuitives, in my experience, this is a much more symbolic and interpretive art, rather than a natural intuitive gift like most)
5. Astrological and Horoscope readers (again, very common and VERY powerful, especially if you find someone who is genuinely good!  I’ve had AMAZING experiences with astrological readings by phone and in person alike, and this can truly be a most memorable experience, especially if you have lots of detail about EXACTLY when you were born, and speak to someone with lots of intuitive skill to boot!)

My recommendation?

Take a few minutes to look over a psychic websites listings of services, and the specialties each reader is “known” for before calling.  Never be embarrassed to hang up the phone in the event that what a reader does is NOT amenable to your needs, wants or wishes.  (and simply move on to one who IS, most legitimate psychic services have a no penalty allowance for changing your mind about a specific psychic who is NOT working well for you, even if you’ve already paid)

In other words?  Do at least a few minutes of due diligence before you speak to a psychic..:-)  I also recommend writing down your most PRESSING questions up front, so you can get some key answers right away, rather than waiting for 10 or 15 minutes to find out the reader you are speaking to doesn’t “do” the types of readings you are looking for!  And lastly…..ENJOY yourself and have fun!  A great psychic reading can change your life, give you help, hope and an amazing story to share with your friends to boot!

I guess you probably gathered that by the title of this article.  But the truth is, I haven’t always been a “new age nut”.  (the nickname many of my friends and family call me when they think I’m not paying attention)

I started off as a super skeptic.  Actually, I was the person MOST people would turn to when they needed a paranormal claim debunked.

You see, as a writer and researcher and explorer of all things magical, mystical, mysterious and unknown…..I had looked at some many so called “cases” that “proved” all kinds of extraordinary things, that I had grown tired of the chase.  Almost every time…..I found a logical explanation that those who reported the case didn’t see.  (or if they did….they intentionally chose NOT to share it up front)

I had come to believe ALL psychics, mediums, ghosts, and similar style stuff was ALL a big scam.

One day…..ALL of that began to change.

First, I had a bizarre experience in the middle of the night, where I was awoken by a co-worker standing at the foot of my bed….bathed in a weird, golden light.  He stood there, waved….and then slowly disappeared.  (I also heard the phrase ” I came to say goodbye” clearly in my head, although he never moved his lips, or said anything out loud that I could tell)

Of course, the next morning…..we got a surprise call at the office letting us know that this well loved friend and colleague had passed away the previous night in his sleep, of a brain aneurism.

Then – about a month later, I had a chance meeting with a psychic medium who told me about this experience, and included details I had never told anyone in the world.  (including hearing the voice in my head telepathically, saying goodbye)  This medium, who was working on the phone and had never met me personally, also told me details of my relationship with this co-worker that no one in the world had known, and even things I didn’t know myself.  (but checked out to be true when I went home and looked through records)

These 2 experiences changed me.  And in profound ways.  And regardless of what you believe now, I think if they happened to YOU, they’d change you too!

I began to aggressively commit myself to studying psychics, mediums, and evidence of the “afterlife” that I had one time looked upon as silly.

1. Psychic readings
2. Near death experiences
3. ADC’s (after death communications…..which is the scientific term for “ghosts”)
4. Astral Travel and OBE’s
5. Past life memories
6. EVP (or people who hear electronic messages that sound remarkably like loved ones who have passed)

And of course, I studies psychic mediums of ALL types, including getting readings, or seeing many celebrity or famous mediums who are household names and well known around the world.

What I came to believe is very simple.

Most psychics are NOT that impressive.  And most paranormal experiences are NOT all that hard to explain.

But 10-20% of all psychic experiences CANNOT be explained away as luck, chance or fraud.  And when you have a genuine experience, with a legitimate psychic, medium or clairvoyant, your WORLD view changes in ways that are exciting, liberating and incredibly eye opening to boot.

I’ve now had MANY of these experiences, and I’ll never be a doubter again.  (i’ve also had plenty of BAD readings, and “false alerts” as well, but that goes with the territory of studying this field)

The truth is, if you want to believe in psychics, reading articles like this one is NOT the answer.  Seeking out your own experiences, and having your OWN adventures is.  And I promise you this, regardless of what you believe right now….when you begin that journey, your life will NEVER look the same, I promise!

Are psychic mediums “born that way” or can anyone develop the ability to communicate with the dead?  Is mediumship a gift, or is it a skill that can be honed with practice?  And is it a good idea to even WANT to speak to spirits, or it is more of responsibility than a real reward?  In this article we are going to take a quick and insightful look at how mediums work, and whether or not ANYONE can develop the psychic skill that makes spirit communication possible.  Curious to know more?  Continue reading as we take a closer look below!

Filed Under:  Psychic From Birth?

This is a pretty controversial question, even amongst those who are true blue believers in the magic and mystery of psychic mediumship.  Some mediums truly believe that you MUST be born with this gift to be considered an authentic medium.  Others are convinced that EVERYONE has the innate ability to speak to spirits, and to gain and glean information from the “universe” that most folks can’t see or sense.  And others believe that LIFE circumstances can trigger or unlock this innate ability, and allow “normal” people to become SUDDENLY psychic, without any previous paranormal history at all.

Filed Under:  Psychic Science

The fact is, in my research anyway, there is a good amount of truth in ALL of the above.  Some of the very best psychic mediums started seeing and speaking to spirits from a very young age…..with much of this manifesting between the ages of 5 or 6 forward.  (at about the age that most kids start having imaginary friends……only in their case, they aren’t imaginary at all!)

In other cases, losing a loved one can trigger the ability to see and speak to spirits as well, as up to 50% of spouses who lose their partner will report an experience like this, and up to 80% of parents who lose a child will have a similar “psychic” encounter, often called an after death experience.  (ADC)

The REALLY amazing thing?

It seems like normal, ordinary people can develop genuine psychic abilities with practice.  Meditation, yoga, prayer and even speaking to other psychics on a regular basis can be a trigger for having incredible spiritual transformations that defy scientific explanation.  Did you know that people who have near death experiences, for example, are well known to come “back” far more psychic than before they “died”?  It’s not only 100% true….its’ something that’s being studied right now, in 2011, by many leading hospitals and universities who are actively researching the after affects of a NDE.  (as up to HALF of all Near Death Experience Survivors report being able to communicate with loved ones who have passed on AFTER they come back!)

My own feeling?

I used to be a die hard skeptic. (no pun intended!)  But after having a genuine encounter with someone who died MANY miles away from my home…..at the very moment of his sudden, and unexpected passing, I’ve dedicated myself to studying the psychic connection between us all.  I’m now convinced that some psychics ARE in fact super special, and have the ability to see, sense and feel things that most of us never will.  (sort of like psychic “superstars” that may be born with the gift) I’m ALSO convinced that anyone can become more psychic with practice, and I know from first hand experience that ALL of us CAN speak to the so called “dead” with practice as well……and regardless of how skeptical you may be today, when it happens to you, you’ll know it’s true!

Have you been brainwashed into believing that you’ve got to spend a ton of money to get a genuine reading?  Do you believe that you’ve got to see a celebrity psychic or medium to get genuine information from your past, future or the other side?

Are you desperate for some great guidance or spiritual life advice…..but simply don’t know where to turn to get it?  If you are anything like the vast majority of people who crave more meaning and magic in our lives, but DON’T have a bunch of extra cash laying around to invest in expensive intuitives or enlightening advice, you probably think it’s simply NOT an option, right?

Believe it or not…..nothing can be further from the truth, as you truly CAN get serious and insightful intuitive and enlightening life advice from SERIOUS psychics, mediums, empaths and clairvoyants, without even needing to leave the comfort of your couch!

The EASIEST way to get an inexpensive psychic reading?

I may be a bit biased…..but it’s definitely by phone!  There are literally over a hundred different telephone psychic services which are available to people from one side of the world to the other, and most offer competitive rates that will surprise you if you think that all readers are expensive.

Are all psychic services created equal?

Absolutely not.  The only downside to this approach is that most psychic services are simply NOT quite as good as the sort of readers you’ll find on TV, or celebrity psychics you’ll read about in the news, or see advertised in premium places.  The GOOD news is that there ARE a handful of select services which are literally mind blowing accurate, and in my experience, those are often the exact services which offer trial or test psychic sessions for as little as $10.  (because they are convinced that they’ll impress you when you call…..and that you’ll become a customer,client or caller for LIFE once you do!)

The bottom line?  

A good psychic reading does NOT need to be expensive.  It DOES need to be fun, and GOOD and informative….and if you follow the simple steps above, you’ll find the ones WE use always are!  (and so too will yours as a result)

Are each of us born with ONE person we are destined to meet, marry and fall in love with, or is that simply fairy tale fantasy?  Is there any real evidence that astrology, or that the “Universe” holds any real influence over our lives, or again……is that all new age nonsense?

And if ARE born to meet and fall in love with one person, and have NOT yet met them……how in the world do we FIND them fast?

Any of this sound familiar?

If you are anything like the vast majority of folks who enjoy our articles on romance, relationships and the magical way that the cosmos affects our karma, if you HAVEN’T met the person you’d like to spend your life with, you probably have asked the question above MORE than once.

So let’s take a little bit of a closer look and see what we can’t find out!

Filed Under:  The REAL Secret to Happiness 

Believe it or not, I truly believe the real secret to being happy is FAR simpler than anyone really believes.  (although I guess underneath it all, I think everyone understands this to be true)  Happiness equals love.

Being in love.  Giving love.  And feeling like we ARE loved.  I believe that we come into this world to quite simply experience the beautiful bliss of light and love.  (and somewhere along the way, we get distracted by all of the other “stuff” that gets in the way, we are conditioned is important, and we forget our true purpose)

Filed Under:  Your Personal Astrology and True Love

I also believe with 100% of my being that each of us has a unique fingerprint, destiny and personal path to PASSION.  There is a map that we are here to follow, and that map leads us to exactly where it is that we will experience the most spiritual growth, with others in our soul circle.

So many people though, of course…..veer OFF of the map, and end up in unchartered territory that does NOT resemble what they’re mission, and destiny and purpose are supposed to be about at all!  Yet….the universe remains constantly aware of “YOU”, where you are supposed to be, and is ALWAYS around to gently nudge you back in the right direction.

The CATCH?

You have to ask.  It doesn’t happen on it’s own.  You have to be open and aware and ready to receive guidance.  (and most of us aren’t)

Your SOULMATE is part of that purpose.  I truly believe that each of us has a unique collection of special souls we are here to experience ALL of this with.  And there is ONE special soul, a spiritual soulmate if you will, that you are here to love in a very special way.

And NOT finding that one person leads to a life of LESS.  Less happiness. Less beauty. Less bliss.  And unfortunately…..far less LOVE!

Or…..maybe you are wondering what percentage of online psychic readings are real?  Are most phone psychic networks a scam, or are some the real deal?  And what is the QUICKEST way to get a legitimate psychic reading, without spending a fortune, traveling a great distance or having to weeks weeks,months or even years for a celebrity reader?

If you are anything like I once was, the simple truth is that you probably think that the ONLY psychics that are legitimate are those that are famous, well known or have some name recognition.  The truth is, it took me a number of disappointing experiences, including one VERY costly one, to realize that just because a psychic, clairvoyant or medium was a FAMOUS, didn’t mean that they were going to be accurate.  (or honest….but that’s a different story for a different time!)

I’ve found that you can get an amazing reading online, or by phone, for a fraction of a price, and NOT have to risk a dime to make it happen.

Let me explain…..

Networks like California Psychics offer 100% money back guarantees that if you DON’T find your reading is the very BEST you’ve ever had, they’ll give you your money back right away.  (or give you a replacement reading at no charge until you ARE "wowed" as well)

The fact is, you’ll never find an offline psychic, or local medium who will offer the same guarantees.

At best, you’ll be able to get an apology, and maybe a free follow up.  But in my 20 years of researching and writing about psychics, mediums, clairvoyants, intuitives and the wild and wonderful world of paranormal abilities, I’ve yet to have an OFFLINE reader offer me a refund after more than 10 or 20 minutes of their time. 

Contrast that to the ONLINE world of phone psychics, and if you know where to go, getting a GUARANTEE is part of the promise!  (and I’ve actually had readers say to me halfway through…..I’m not comfortable that this is going well for you, would you like to end this now and try a NEW reader with the same guarantee?")

At the end of the day, the internet has blown the doors off of the psychic reading industry.  Extraordinary readers are now available to ordinary folks who don’t have the big bucks to see a celebrity psychic, and I say that’s a very GOOD thing for all!

Are you excited about discovering what the universe has in "mind" for YOU?  Do you wonder if the secret to your success in life, love, lust, career and finance COULD be revealed in a simple deck of cards?  Or maybe you are trying to develop psychic abilities of your own and have started to research the tarot to make it happen? 

The truth is, if you are anything like I used to be, the tarot cards are a murky, mysterious and yet MAGICAL world of intrigue and inspiration.  When I got my first tarot reading by phone more than a decade and a half ago…..I didn’t know if I was being gullible and being snookered by new age nonsense….or my entire world view and belief system had been shattered in less than 30 minutes AND what started off as a "goof"!

A good tarot reader CAN open up a wide window into the wacky and  wonderful world of the unknown…..and I can honestly say, my life was permanently changed after my first tarot experience.’

That said – and in the decade and half since, I’ve learned a whole lot about the secrets of a GREAT tarot reading, and I’ll share 2 of those with you immediately below!

The Tarot is the MOST interpretive psychic tool there is:

In other words, you can have the same cards pulled by 2 separate readers, and get completely DIFFERENT readings, predictions and life advice as a result.  Of all the psychic arts, I truly believe the tarot is the most important to find ONE psychic who you trust, respect and admire….and of course, believe are GOOD at divining your destiny as well!

Remember, while there is some subjectivity in all psychic readings, and all readers use their own personality and perspective to "go" where  the information leads, tarot readings are equally as much about the reader as well as about you! 

(and that’s NOT typically the case with other types of psychics, so it’s definitely important to know going in)

The Tarot can also be the most ACCURATE psychic tool there is as well!

Why?  For the very opposite reason I gave above!  While many psychics, mediums and clairvoyants of different types try to interpret abstract information they are getting from "out there", a good tarot reader has EVERYTHING they need to know in front of them, in "black and white" and with concrete evidence to support what they say next. 

A medium may only hear fragments, or see shadows of "spirit" so to speak……where the tarot cards do tell it like it is, and a GOOD reader will blow your mind with enlightenment if you let them!