Psychic reading

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Psychic reader booth at a fair.


Types of psychic reading[edit]

There are many types of psychic readings practiced. Although psychic readings might not incorporate the use of any tools, a professional psychic may have one or more specialized areas of expertise. Some of the more common readings include Tarot reading, email psychic reading, palm reading, psychometry, aura readings, or astrological readings.


Main article: Astrology

Astrology is the ancient study of how distant objects in the cosmos such as planets and stars have an effect on our lives. The position of the stars, planets, sun and moon when you are born is believed to have an effect on your personality, shape how relationships work in your life and even predict future events such as your economic success among other things. [9] Astrology does not require psychic ability.

Aura reading[edit]

Aura readings involve the observation and interpretation of auras.[10] The aura is a field of subtle, luminous radiation supposedly surrounding a person.[11] Psychics have offered aura readings for many years. They claim to have a unique ability to see or sense individual’s auras, however no evidence has ever been provided to substantiate this claim. The only supporting evidence for this claim lies within the logical fallacy that psychics use when they claim they are one of the special few individuals who can see auras, and that they are unable to provide evidence to prove this claim. Psychics suggest auras are made up of “bioelectromagnetic fields” or other such phenomenon that do not have a legitimate, scientific meaning. Individuals such as James Randi have tried to test claims made about aura reading, and when he includes a few simple regulations to the test, all the claimants abilities disappear. Since the ability to read auras has been so publicly debunked, Robert Bruce, in his book Auric Mechanics and Theory, has updated the conditions or variables that need to be in place for a proper aura reading. Bruce stated that auras cannot be seen if any part of the person emitting the aura is obscured. One must wonder why clothing doesn’t seem to inhibit aura readings.

Cartomancy or playing card reading[edit]

Main article: Cartomancy

Cartomancy is fortune-telling or divination using a deck of cards.[12] Tarot readings are a form of cartomancy.


Main article: Cleromancy

Cleromantic readings usually involve casting small objects and reading them by their position, orientation, and mutual proximity. There are numerous variants used throughout the world.[citation needed]

Distant readings[edit]

A distant reading, "traveling clairvoyance", or "remote perception" can be conducted without the reader ever meeting the client.[13] This includes Letters, Telephone, SMS, Email, Chat and Webcam Readings.

Correspondence readings are usually done via letters, later emails and filling in special forms on Psychic websites.[citation needed]

Telephone readings are live readings where both Psychic and Client hear each other by connecting via Premium Rate telephone line. In the last years, with restrictions on premium rate numbers, more common are pre-paid callbacks, in which case Client leaves his/her credit card details over the phone to an operator, after which gets a call on a specified phone number. Telephone readings became most popular with the growth of live advice TV shows as main means of advertising, and is commonly used by Companies rather than individual Psychics, due to high setup costs.[citation needed]

SMS[clarification needed] and Chat readings is a quick Question-and-Answer format of Reading allowing exchange of basic information between Psychic and Client.

Webcam Reading, or Video Chat Reading is the newest way of Psychic Reading allowing real time live connection between Psychic and Client. Client has possibility to see and hear Psychic, and can choose to be viewed, seen and/or type during the Reading.[citation needed]

Lithomancy and crystallomancy[edit]

Main articles: Lithomancy and Crystallomancy

Lithomancy readings usually involve especially suitable gems or stones that are immersed in water, or tossed as a set and read by mutual proximity.[14] Its origins are unknown, and there are numerous different methodologies used by various cultures throughout the world. A recently more common variant is crystallomancy also known as crystal gazing.[15] Using quartz as a crystal ball[16] it is stereotypically depicted as gypsy fortune telling.


Main article: Numerology

Numerology is defined as the study of the occult meanings of numbers and their influence on human life. It is essentially a reading of an individual based specifically upon numerical values such as their date of birth, letters in their names, etc. Numerology can be used in psychic readings.

Palm reading[edit]

Main article: Palmistry

Palmistry is another popular method of psychic readings, involving characterization and foretelling of one's future through the study of the lines, shapes, wrinkles and curves on the palm. Palmistry does not require psychic ability, as it generally uses cold reading abilities and previous knowledge of the subject.


Psychometry is a form of psychic reading in which the reader claims to obtain details about another through physical contact with their possessions.[17] Psychometry readers often ask the subject for their favorite and most meaningful objects, such as wedding rings, glasses, car keys, etc., for the reading. The belief is that objects which are in close proximity to a person for extended periods of time hold some of that person's energy; energy which can be detected.[citation needed] This method has been used to try and locate missing persons.[18]

Rune reading[edit]

Main article: Runic magic

Runes are an ancient alphabet used for divining the future. The runes are cast on a mat to discern future events or path a problem or issue will take. Runes are also considered magic and are used for spells and incantations by some witches.[citation needed]

Tarot reading[edit]


See also[edit]


  1. ^ Reading - Key Words Frequently Used in Parapsychology, Parapsychological Association (2010-04-14)
  2. ^ Carmen Nobel Vision Quest The Boston Globe, April 10, 2008
  3. ^ Karen Stollznow (2010-04-12). "A Psychometry Reading The Naked Skeptic". Retrieved 2012-07-13. 
  4. ^ "psychic". The Skeptic's Dictionary - Retrieved 2012-07-13. 
  5. ^ a b Wendy Haskett Psychic Fairs Aim for Aura of Fun in Mind Reading, August 15, 1987
  6. ^ Stuart J. Ritchie, Richard Wiseman, Christopher C. French. Failing the Future: Three Unsuccessful Attempts to Replicate Bem's ‘Retroactive Facilitation of Recall’ Effect. PLoS ONE, 2012; [1]
  7. ^ Truzzi, Marcello; Williams, William A. (2000). Encyclopedia of pseudoscience. New York: Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-5080-5. 
  9. ^ [2]
  10. ^ Belinda Whitworth, New Age Encyclopedia: A Mind Body Spirit Reference Guide, New Page Books; Revised edition (February 2003), p.34 ISBN 1-56414-640-5
  12. ^ Huson, Paul (2004). [ Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient Roots to Modern Usage]. Vermont: Destiny Books. ISBN 0-89281-190-0
  13. ^ Beloff, John (1997) [1993]. Parapsychology: A Concise History (reprint ed.). Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 24–25. ISBN 978-0-312-17376-0. 
  14. ^ Theodore Besterman, Crystal-Gazing, Cosimo Classics (November 1, 2005 - original 1924) p.6 ISBN 1-59605-388-7
  15. ^ Besterman, p.3
  16. ^ Andre Kole (Author), Terry Holley (Author), Alan W. Gomes Astrology and Psychic Phenomenon, Zondervan (March 1, 1998), p.75, ISBN 0-310-48921-0
  19. ^ Georgia Dullea Tarot Goes 'Po Mo', October 31, 1993