Note: The following Q&A was originally published in our September 10, 2012 monthly e-newsletter. I’ve been drawn to publish it again to a wider audience on this blog, so here it is.
What should you expect from a psychic medium? We have outlined some potential client questions to help clarify some common traits of a psychic medium.
Q: Can you read my mind?
A: No. A psychic medium reading is different than telepathy. We can’t hear all of the thoughts in your head. The thoughts in your head are private unless you choose to broadcast them, in which case your thoughts might be picked up. As psychics, we connect with you energetically, so we can sense impressions of who you are and your most pressing concerns. We sense the energy in your aura which is a reflection of what is going on inside of you. Additionally, as mediums, Spirit communicate messages to us for us to share with you.
Q: If it’s really my dead loved one, why can’t you tell me his/her name?
A: Sometimes we can. Sometimes, a name comes thru clearly. Other times, only a letter or a sound is received. In other cases, Spirit is “stubborn” about not giving too much identifying information. Our perspective regarding why you may not receive a name is three-pronged: 1) There are a LOT of potential names, 2) If the name isn’t a common name, it may not be in our frame of reference from which the Spirit can “speak” to us, (Spirit uses our memories and experiences to communicate with us. If the name isn’t in our memory, Spirit may give us a similar sounding name, or may choose not to focus on communicating a name at all.), or 3) Spirit has decided that you will be more receptive of the message provided if it is given anonymously, so he/she may not be forthcoming with a name.
Q: If you’re REALLY a psychic medium, shouldn’t you be able to give me a reading without me giving you any information about myself?
A: (from Maitland) The quality of your question equals the quality of your answer. Therefore, if you choose not to communicate with the psychic medium, or you want to “test” him/her, you will probably receive a more generic, vague reading. A question like, “Am I on the right track?” might yield a response such as a simple, “Yes, you’re on the right track.” A question such as, “Am I on the right track and working in the right industry to achieve my highest purpose?” is more likely to result in a more specific response about what you’re currently doing, any current challenges you’re facing at work, affirming what you like / dislike about your current job, whether a job change is on your horizon, etc.
Q: How much background should I provide when I ask a question?
A: Just as a lack of engagement between the psychic medium and the client will not result in the best reading, too much sharing of information is not conducive to the best reading, either. A psychic medium reading is not therapy. Therefore, the client should not do most of the talking. However, the more comfortable and open you are to receiving messages, the more likely the psychic medium will be able to communicate accurate information.
You may have some yes/no questions that you want to ask, but for the most part, try to ask open ended questions. However, when you ask open ended questions, provide direction for the question, not the entire map. In other words, you should not provide too much specific background information. Using the same line of questioning as above, an example of a client providing too much background information would be, “I have been a pediatric nurse at XYZ Hospital for 25 years. I don’t enjoy the work like I used to, but I like the pay and benefits. Since my husband is disabled and doesn’t work, I will have to continue to work for at least another 10 years. Should I continue working as a nurse until I retire or should I change careers?” In this one, long-winded question, this client has “fed” the psychic medium a lot of ancillary information. By providing this additional information, the sitter will not know whether the psychic medium received information psychically or mediumistically about her husband, work industry, age, feelings about her job, etc. or if she just repeated back what was fed to her.
Q: What if some of the messages shared are completely off base?
A: It is healthy to use your logical mind when communicating with a psychic medium. If he/she tells you something that you feel is completely erroneous, you should discard that information. However, if you receive a message from a psychic medium that is valid, but you just don’t want to hear it, then you might want to consider what is being presented to you. But of course you always have free will regarding whether or not you acknowledge a valid message.
A good psychic medium should not have a vested interest in the information that you receive except that he/she has a vested interest and ethical obligation to provide you with accurate information. Although sympathetic if he/she receives information that may be potentially upsetting to you, the psychic medium should not change the message received or create a message to “make you happy”.
Q: What if he/she didn’t get anything right?
A: We would caution you to have realistic expectations regarding the information you receive during a reading. Determine what is “close enough”, but you should also not be too accepting of information that truly isn’t accurate. For example:
- If the psychic medium tells you that your Grandma’s name was “Gladys”, but it was actually “Gladiola”, that is probably close enough to consider that your Grandma has connected with the psychic medium because the names have similar sounds, and the name “Gladys” is more common than “Gladiola”.
- On the other hand, if the psychic medium tells you that “June” is your Grandma’s name, you probably should not consider that valid information. “June” doesn’t have any similar sounds to “Gladiola”. You shouldn’t stretch things to make it fit the situation, such as saying, “Well, Grandma’s favorite TV program was ‘Leave it to Beaver’, and the mother’s name in that sitcom was June, so I think you’re talking to my Grandmother.”