Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or not?

[Lottie]

My friend and I were discussing fortune tellers today and whether or not we believe in them. She is very much a believer which I was really surprised by, and I wondered what your thoughts were on the subject.

In my opinion the 'art' of Clairvoyance is at best, a combination of observational skills, a talent for reading body language and good old job experience. After all, the more people that cross your palm with silver, the more you are going to learn about peoples reactions to certain questions and how to utilise them. This is just my opinion and although its how I feel, that doesn't necessarily make it right for everyone.

Has anyone had any first hand experience of fortune telling and was it good or bad?

 

[Skippy123]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I don't believe them at all! Remember the episode of HW of Beverly Hills where the Clairvoyant (the one from the tv show Medium), she got it wrong about one of the wives husbands leaving. haha

 

[TravelingGal]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

Nope, not in the slightest.

 

[qtiekiki]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

Not at all.

 

[iLander]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I'm a big believer, but not in all of them.

I've had psychics tell me very specific information, that came true. But I've also had some that were so far off the mark, that it was ridiculous.

I think there are true psychics, but they are VERY few and far between, probably less than 10% of the people that claim to be psychic. I also think there are different types of psychic impressions; some people can see your future, some see only shadows of things around you, some sense a presence of someone else.

I don't think it's that far off from reality, if you read through some of the recent research in theoretical physics and multiple planes of existence, it actually makes sense. I think "psychics" see these planes, or different times.

If some people can have "beautiful minds" or be idiot savants, why can't others have equally remarkable powers of perception?

 

[yssie]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

Nope.

I do, however, firmly believe in
A) prayer, I've just seen and experienced too many unusually happy outcomes not to believe that *something* is listening, though I don't think it matters at all who or what one prays to, and
B) animal instincts. A couple of weeks ago my friend's dog wouldn't let her take their usual walk and she had to take him a different route - she complained about it on the phone to me on their way home. Later that day we found out that there had been a two-victim mugging on the road they usually took.

 

[sonnyjane]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

How do I say this without sounding like a kook...

I don't believe in the industry of fortune tellers of psychics. A lot of times when I've heard readings on TV, they kind of just pick things and extrapolate based on the reactions from the person or group, and end up getting lucky.

That said, I have always had a "weird" sense myself. I'm certainly not a psychic in that I can predict lotto numbers or things like that, but I get very accurate premonitions through my dreams.

I'll give you some examples. After graduation, my old high school boyfriend and I texted maybe once a year for the typical "hey how's life" type talk. He doesn't have facebook or anything like that, so our only contact was that annual text or so. One night a few years ago, I had a dream about him. The next day I got an email from his dad (still had my email address) that my former childhood flame was in the hospital after trying to kill himself. He survived luckily and we still talk, but I thought it was really unusual that after years and years of not really speaking, I had a dream about him the night before.

That's the most acute example, but there are notable others. For example, at the time, I was living in Miami and working at a PR firm. I had a dream that I was in Washington state on a whale watching boat. Having never been to WA or on a whale-watching boat, it was just a cool fun dream, but it was so vivid that it stood out to me and I told my co-workers about the dream the next day at lunch. Well, a few weeks after having that dream, I decided to quit my job in Miami (had been unhappy there for a while) and moved back in with my parents in north Florida while I figured out my next move. While there I met my (now) husband, who was in the military. We found out 6 months into our relationship that after completion of his school in Florida, he was going to be stationed in WA state and I did end up moving with him. The town was small but famous for its whale-watching business. I applied for a job with them and ended up working on the whale boat. It wasn't until my first trip out at sea that I remembered my dream that I'd had about a year earlier about being on a whale boat in WA. Again, not super freaky, but enough that I was like "woah, weird!" Never in a million years would I have imagined that life for myself!

So, I think there is *something* weird out there in the universe...some unexplained connections at times. I'm just highly skeptical of the "professionals".

 

[JewelFreak]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I don't think it's that far off from reality, if you read through some of the recent research in theoretical physics and multiple planes of existence, it actually makes sense. I think "psychics" see these planes, or different times.

This. I'd put the percentage of real psychics at 5% or less of those who claim to be. There are people who can perceive things we average Joes can't, but they're rare. Time, according to Einstein & many theoretical physicists, is not linear, but more like a fabric that folds or has waves. Some are able to connect with other planes of it. Maybe you did w/the Washington dream, Sonnyjane.

--- Laurie

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I believe in the possibility that people are able to do- see- know- feel unexplainable things. I don't believe in every palm reader or fortune teller- but I'm open to the possibilities.

 

[Maisie]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I do not believe in fortune tellers etc.

 

[Pandora II]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

My brother is a very accomplished palm reader after around 7 years of study.

He has seen many, many fortune tellers of all varieties and has done swaps - they do their thing and in return he'll read their palms. He's yet to meet anyone who he would say has any kind of psychic abilities (they've all been very impressed with his 'psychic' talents).

I read tarot cards for many years and was reckoned to be good at it. Again, a fair few years of study.

FWIW, both my brother and I are complete skeptics. There are ways of doing readings where even if you've never met the person or know anything about them you can make very specific sounding comments that will almost always be correct. Derren Brown is a master at it.

I'm also an atheist and secular humanist and so believe that when you are dead that is it. No ghosts, no spirits, no nothing.

So, no I don't believe in it at all - otherwise there should be a lot of lottery-winning psychics out there!

On the other hand, I find it fascinating which is why my brother and I put the effort in that we did - our father was very interested in all things occult and taught me to draw horoscopes when I was about 10 (in the years before websites where you could calculate planetary positions with the click of the mouse) - he used to do them as Christening gifts. I admit that I give them to friends when they have babies as well... it's fun!

 

[jaysonsmom]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

Nope.

I do, however, firmly believe in
A) prayer, I've just seen and experienced too many unusually happy outcomes not to believe that *something* is listening, though I don't think it matters at all who or what one prays to, and

I totally agree to the T, even the part about who or what one prays to.

 

[TristanC]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

Not in the slightest. I think it is sad that so many people shape their lives over the words uttered by a few people doing cold reading for a living.

But yes, I have experienced the oddest things, but I normally feel there is a reason why that could be, just because the reason never occurred to me doesn't mean that it is due to psychic forces.

 

[Pandora II]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

Not in the slightest. I think it is sad that so many people shape their lives over the words uttered by a few people doing cold reading for a living.

But yes, I have experienced the oddest things, but I normally feel there is a reason why that could be, just because the reason never occurred to me doesn't mean that it is due to psychic forces.

Sometimes it can bring great comfort to people though.

Neither I nor my brother have ever charged for doing readings (I think he did some charity fetes where you paid $1 and it all went to the charity)

I've also felt a fair degree of responsibility in what you tell people - sometimes you can do good by giving people a bit of extra confidence. For example: a girl is worried about her upcoming exams, it seems pretty obvious that she's bright and is the kind of person that studies hard but is just over anxious. Telling her things about positive outcomes can have a good placebo effect.

 

[zoebartlett]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I don't believe in any of them. I did go to a psychic once just to see what it was like. She got out the tarot cards and everything, and although what she said was amusing at the time, I didn't believe a word of it.

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I think part of me really wants to believe in mediums. I want to go to someone who is believed to be legit and have them talk to all the loved ones that have passed, without me saying a word, and let me know that they are still with me and give me details about them only I would know... maybe it's silly- i've just lost a lot of family- never met any grandparents, and have a few aunts and uncles who have passed, and I would like to think they are able to still communicate with me through someone.

Do I think ever person is legit? nope...

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I think part of me really wants to believe in mediums. I want to go to someone who is believed to be legit and have them talk to all the loved ones that have passed, without me saying a word, and let me know that they are still with me and give me details about them only I would know... maybe it's silly- i've just lost a lot of family- never met any grandparents, and have a few aunts and uncles who have passed, and I would like to think they are able to still communicate with me through someone.

Do I think ever person is legit? nope...

on a sidenote- I have had things happen where I have had a strong feeling something was going to happen- and it has. Stupid little occurences- but whenever I get the feeling about something it happens. i.e. Prizes at an event, phone calls from someone I havent talked to in ages- I will get an overwhelming feeling that it is going to happen and then shortly after it does. Could totally be random but it's definitely been more than coincidental on occasions.

 

[manderz]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I had a reading done once; it was $20 or something, and the proceeds all went to a really great charity. Overall, she was pretty vague on the things she did tell me (based on questions I asked) and the things she came up with were mostly wrong.

 

[Jennifer W]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

No, I don't believe. I'm curious and I find it interesting, but have no innate belief in it. I am another strong believer in the power of prayer, though.

Our house is reputed to be haunted and DH has seen our ghosts a few times. I never have, and have never felt their presence (I'm not the world's most sensitive person haha) but other people have. A friend of mine ran screaming from here once - he was meant to be looking after the place when we were away for a weekend and we had to come home early. A man in his 40s, not given to fanciful notions (he was a police chief) and he would not spend a night here... Another friend, a fairly hard-bitten trial lawyer came running in from the garden saying there was something there that he did not like (middle of the day).

It was a Victorian railway station and a few more 'sensitive' of my friends and family don't care to stand where the old platforms are. We put a fence up eventually, because people would keep wandering down there and scaring themselves.

 

[JewelFreak]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

We put a fence up eventually, because people would keep wandering down there and scaring themselves.

LOL. I grew up in a very old house that had paranormal stuff going on. Used to see an old-ish guy in overalls by the fireplace in my bedroom -- the house was originally a farmhouse 200 yrs ago. A friend of my brother's, who knew nothing about ghosts in the house, fled after one night, kind of green around the gills. In the night a man came through the bedroom door, stopped & looked at him for a moment, then walked on through a wall. If he'd been told about it before he came, I'd be more skeptical. Somebody made noises too. None of it was threatening, more like trying to communicate or play tricks -- my mother said they were here first, let 'em be. So yeah, I'm pretty sure there's something, don't presume to know what. I've had uncanny experiences since then.

 

[Jennifer W]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

Sounds similar to the sort of stuff people say they see here. I'm kind of disappointed that I never see, hear or smell any of the weird stuff that other people see. Like, I'm not getting my money's worth out of this house!

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

Jennifer & jewel freak- id love to have a paranormal experience just once!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

No, I think most of them are total frauds. I do believe that there is good and evil and a spiritual realm as well as a Creator and sustainer of the universe, though. And it is to Him that I pray.

 

[movie zombie]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

like iLander i had a psychic tell me some very specific things that i forgot about but later came true........
i would say that perhaps we make decisions that make somethings come true but in this instance, well, i think she did see "the future".

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

Not a believer, but always amused that we have laws for fortune tellers in Massachusetts...and they must be licensed. No license requirement for jewelry appraisers, however some that I know will tell you anything that you want to hear

Section 185I. No person shall tell fortunes for money unless a license therefor has been issued by the local licensing authority. Said license shall be granted only to applicants who have resided continuously in the city or town in which the license is sought for at least twelve months immediately preceding the date of the application. No such license shall be transferred or assigned. Unless otherwise established in a town by town meeting action and in a city by city council action, and in a town with no town meeting by town council action, by adoption of appropriate by-laws and ordinances to set such fees, the fee for each license granted under this section shall be two dollars, but in no event shall any such fee be greater than fifty dollars. Whoever tells fortunes for money unless licensed under this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.

 

[dani13]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I actually do believe in them....Not all of them...But I do believe some people have the gift of that sixth sense, that ability to see things us "normal" people don't see. I have been to several clairvoyant's in my life for readings, most recently my mother and I went together in August and were read by a woman we waited 6 weeks to see. It was a very intense experience. She did seem to tell me some things that have actually come to fruition...for the rest, well we'll see......

eta: The spooky thing is that she also knew details about some things that have happened in my life, which freaked me out a little bit....there was no way she could have known about these things, so YES, I do believe.

 

[Black Jade]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I don't think you feel a need to know the future if you believe in God, because then why do you need to know? You know God is taking care of you, so what else matters? Of course bad things are going to happen to you, they happen to everyone, but since God is in control, why do you want to know in advance--it's not like you can prepare.
To me, there are two possibilities about people who claim to know the future. They are either frauds (the vast majority) or they are in touch with something supernatural indeed. If they are in touch with something supernatural, which is not God (because He said to trust Him for tomorrow and not to go to fortunetellers), then is it really something that I want to mess around with?

 

[maplefemme]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I think the majority are frauds, I have only been to two who were very accurate and knew very specific personal details about my life, my work and my family, neither charged me. One knew very specific medical details of my Mother's passing and her childhood and the other knew way too much about my career and my divorce at the time to be mere coincidence.
She told me about a family member who died in a motorcycle accident when my Father was 18 years old. I thought she had made a mistake because I'd never heard of such an accident, but my Father confirmed she was indeed correct, his Cousin died when he was 18 years old in a motorcycle accident.
There's no way they could have known such things and both experiences were really positive, the couple of others I went to were useless and gave such generic info, they were definitely frauds.

I didn't ask about future events as I'm not really interested in getting a heads up on what will happen, I like the surprise journey. I wanted more help and advice with my work because my patients are all dying and many experience DBP (Death Bed Phenomena) and it's something that I want to understand as much as possible.
It's important for me to say that I'd never give/impose my personal spiritual beliefs to a patient, I'm there to listen and help them understand the experience for themselves.
But we as staff also experience unexplained phenomenon with certain patients and in certain rooms at times, so it's been helpful to get advice.

I recently attended a lecture at my hospital, put on by our own Health Region, they came forward with studies and evidence that DBP is not related to medications or disease process, as once was widely accepted and concluded.
It makes exploring other explanations, spiritual or otherwise, more viable and very interesting.

 

[JewelFreak]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

Not a believer, but always amused that we have laws for fortune tellers in Massachusetts...and they must be licensed. No license requirement for jewelry appraisers, however some that I know will tell you anything that you want to hear

That is too much!

Maplefemme, interesting experiences & thoughts. I saw an ER dr. this afternoon talking about near-death experiences & saying that when he talks to patients who've had them, he's certain they saw something real, not dreams or hallucinations. Many drs., he said, now feel there's more going on than science can explain.

Several years ago I read that emergency rooms across the country started an experiment. They put a shelf very close to the ceiling where nobody could see it from the ground; on it sits a piece of paper with a number. When patients talk about "floating out of their bodies" they hope this will confirm or debunk at least some of it. Haven't seen anything about results.

--- Laurie

 

[MissStepcut]

Re: Fortune Tellers, Clairvoyants, Psychics - believer or no

I believe because I believe my mom is psychic (and so does she). Though I think there are WAY more fraudsters than actual psychics. And I've shared on the boards before that a friend's mom thought she was speaking to demons and later was diagnosed with brain cancer, so I think anyone who is speaking to spirits should book it to an MD!