My claim is that I do not know if I am a psychic or not. I know how to interpret the results of tradiational folk practices used in divination and I know how to make rational decisions. Whether this is purely the result of my own mind or more powerful forces acting through me, I do not know because any force capable of doing so is probably not going to ask my permission to use my mind and body. As I have said before, the physical manifestion of a supernatural entitity has never tapped me on the shoulder and announced, “I’ll take over now.” If they exist, I imagine it would be easier to beam the information into my head.
Do you think it’s ok as long as their intent is right?
And(still), how does intent affect truth or falsehood?
Hmm. Well, this may surprise you, but some people create their fortune through hard work, wise investments, and making proper decisions. But if you choose to justify your morality by presuming that every individual you meet is a criminal who deserves to be ripped off, go right ahead. We are all the keepers of our own souls.
Which proves you’re not schizophrenic, at least – that’s a good thing.
- How do you interpret the results of traditional folk practices used in divination?
Which also means they are probably also wise and rational enough to not blow it all on fortune tellers.
Some may also just do it out of curiosity. At the university (Singapore) here we have a freshmen bazzar and there is an old man who read palms. I see a long line forming. I wouldn’t think that undergraduates forming up the lines all believe in the fortune-telling; some are just here for the novelty.
True, that. 
I am one of those people who created my, if not wealth at least comfortable standard of living, through hard work, wise investments, and making proper decisions. If you think what I do is easy, try it. My conscience is very clear.
Various cards, physical signs, memories of dreams, etc. have meaning. My skills is determining which possible meaning is relevent to the clients problems.
Who said anything about easy? As for your conscience…well, I’m certain that people like Sylvia Browne and Bernie Madoff feel no remorse about their actions, either. :rolleyes:
This is a point you keep trying to make. Because someone else behaves badly doesn’t clear the way for you for doing the same and be honorable.
This thread is petering out, unfortunately, but the subject is “Ask the Fortune-Teller,” not “Dump on the Fortune-Teller.” I think I get it that some people strongly disapprove of the whole activity; repeating this over and over is doing nothing to dispell my ignorance.
I’m not at all interested in whether there is a supernatural aspect to the whole thing. I’m curious about the process. People can come in saying, “I think my wife is cheating on me,” or “My son just got arrested for the second time for stealing hubcaps,” or “I have stage 3 cancer, what’s going to happen?” So, then what happens?
It’s known as cold reading, which is practically a science unto itself.
I’m fully aware of what a cold reading is. ZPG says she doesn’t do a straight cold reading. I’m wondering what she does.
I thought the distinction she was drawing was between a true cold read (working from hair, style of dress, manner, gait etc) and having the person actively tell her much of what she needs to know. “I’m here because I’m concerned about my husband. He gets so angry sometimes…”
I think people might also be underrating the wise old woman part of her service. People are getting legitimately “wise” counsel, as well as entertainment. I’d just as soon send a friend to her as a psychoanalyst*.
*I’m distinguishing between psychoanalysis and other, much more reputable, forms of therapy.
People tell me their problems and I give them advice or I give them sympathy or I provide a sounding board that doesn’t give them a hard time when they want to rant. And some people want an entertainer for a party that is good at personalizing the experience and some people enjoy the way I make jokes.
For “I think my wife is cheating on me,” that can go many ways according to what I know about client and the spouse. Sometimes after hearing the whole story, I suggest counciling, sometimes I suggest cleaning out the bank accounts and divorcing the person, and sometimes I suggest the client is paranoid.
“My son just got arrested for the second time for stealing hubcaps”, find out why. Does he need the money (and if so why does he need the money) or is he just a brat. Sympathize, try not to judge and emphasis that if sonny boy is going to keep stealing he needs to learn how not to get caught, otherwise, mainstream work will be just as profitable to him.
“I have stage 3 cancer, what’s going to happen?” Sympathize, sympathize, sympathize. Emphasize that god or gods will either cure the cancer or take them to a better place. The road to this better place may be painful for a time, but the reward is great.
So, essentially, you sell people hope and non-judgemental sympathy, and you help clarify what their situation is from an outsider’s point of view. I think that’s pretty admirable; and certainly no worse than a used car salesman, an army recruiter, a politician, a preacher or a life coach.
Do you play it up as if “the spirits are communicating through me…ooooooooooooo”? or any other cheesy theatrics?
Why can’t you give yourself tarot readings?
Why would you recommend that I not try? I’ve found it very helpful for focusing in on whatever it is that I need to address in my life, particularly when life throws me a lot of static.
I’m very disappointed to learn that A) you don’t give tarot readings to people who have their own cards (although you might not be able to tell that I read cards because I don’t look new age/wiccan/whatever in any way) and B) you “fix” the card readings, such as putting the Tower or Death cards in. That doesn’t strike me as an action of integrity. I’m sure you could pull plenty of cards for execs at company picnics that would ruin their day without literally stacking the deck in your favor. That’s just a bummer to me, as someone who sometimes gives tarot readings to friends (for fun and not for money; in fact, I refuse to take money for it). It strikes me as “scammy.” When I give friends a reading, I will tell them straight up, “All I am doing is interpreting some art on a card. If you find meaning in it, that is your doing; I am not predicting anything. I’m just explaining what some symbols can mean. You decide if these symbols, pulled out of a deck in this pattern, mean anything in context with the rest of your life.” And then I pull the cards randomly and give an honest reading.
I have always wanted to visit a fortune teller just to see if the person would tell me anything about myself that I didn’t already know. I am a college graduate who owns her own tarot cards (Motherpeace deck – the round ones) but rarely discusses it, and I’m also an atheist and pretty much staunchly against magical thinking. (Note: I do not think that conflicts with giving myself tarot readings. Again, I don’t believe the cards show anything supernatural at all. They are just another tool for sorting out all the things that are on my mind at the time that I pull them. Meditation would have the same effect, but then you don’t get pretty, arty cards to look at.) If I showed up at your business, I would be disappointed, wouldn’t I?
I don’t consider what I do bad. I think it is very honorable to help people. I think the mainstream religions that exploit people for money are behaving badly, but I’m not campaigning to have them outlawed like many of these same mainstream religious groups are trying to do to fortune telling.