<p>I’ve never sought a psychic and do not believe that there is anything supernatural about any of them. The ones that I have met have been on occasions when they just happened to be there as I was. One was a fairly well known one. Both readings they gave me were so untrue. Not a bit of truth in them. I know how they came up with their information, which had nothing to do with powers. There are, unfortunately for them, some things that just don’t add up with me. I have a very athletic family that sails and are top swimmers, and I am built like a swimmer, but I can’t swim a stroke. I “look” artistic and have some niche interest in some art, but have absolutely no training and my knowledge is zilch. I have been on boards for music programs and conservatories, but have a tin ear and play no instruments and have a lousy voice. I’m not crazy about classical music eitherl I am on the board and work closely with Catholic organizations but am not Catholic. This gives some very interesting readings as the psychics try to guess my interests and background.</p>
<p>Dad <em>of</em>3 - I don’t believe that any of them could believe it. They have to know they’re making it up. I believe it is a skill of deception that they spend a lot of time mastering. </p>
<p>Although I am not religious, I do believe that many religious people truly believe they things they say. I don’t think the snake oil salesmen type believe they can actually heal so I put them in the same category with those who talk to the dead.</p>
<p>I do believe that some really believe what they are doing and some have definitely more skill than others. Some I believe are gifted at body language–I believe D could probably “read” people with little difficulty. From the time she was 3 years old, she could “pick up” easily on what people felt and why. She would come home from preschool every day & tell me how each of the kids in her class felt & why. Even when I was talking with the mother of one of her friends & she & the friend were out of hearing distance, when we got home, she told me exactly what was going on between the mom & D, even tho she & the friend did NOT discuss it at all & she was extremely detailed & accurate.</p>
<p>She has always been extremely empathetic but she has never read the future–she has warned us to keep S away from a counselor whom she said would harm him badly–we heeded her advice and feel it was a very good thing.</p>
<p>I do know that a “psychic” that has caused a lot of harm, hopefully unwittingly when she asked at a sitting about a child that the H of the person who had come for the reading has. The W had no idea what the psychic was talking about but the H did happen to have a child W didn’t know about & their marriage & their lives have never been the same. </p>
<p>I have always done all I can to avoid psychics as I prefer to believe I have some control over my future and work so it is as good as possible.</p>
<p>I am in awe of my D’s sensitivity to feelings & body language and have always trusted her on this matters–have NEVER known her to be wrong or inaccurate. It can be a heavy burden, so she tries to avoid toxic and troubled people as they truly drain her, just by being near.</p>
<p>I have a friend who does readings at parties just for fun. He has a PhD in psychology and also spent years studying all the tricks of doing readings. He tells people right up front that he has no special powers, it’s just for entertainment, etc. He’ll even tell them when it’s over the little things they did that guided his “reading.” In spite of all of that, some people are still convinced he’s psychic!</p>
<p>My comments are directed at those who make money by acting as mediums between the living and dead. Some have had popular television shows. I don’t believe they believe what they are saying. They are manipulating peoples’ feelings and grief for a profit.</p>