“What is the difference between a psychic and a medium?”
A psychic will be using their sixth senses, or working with their ‘clairs’ as I call them. That is clairvoyance or ‘clear seeing’, which is the ability to see with the third eye chakra rather than with their human eyes. They might see a vision in front of them or they might ‘see’ something in their minds eye, which is being shown to them by spirit. Clairaudience or ‘clear hearing’ is the gift of hearing not with the human or physical ears. It might be heard ‘inside their head’, a bit like a thought that pops in from nowhere, or it could sound like a voice whispering in their ear, but it will be coming from the spirit realms. Clairsentience or the ability to ‘feel’, which could be experiencing an emotion, that means something to you, the enquirer; equally it could be a bodily sensation such as discomfort or pain, which will also have significance to you. Finally there is claircognisance or ‘knowing’; the powerful conviction which can at times, be quite overwhelming for the reader.
The psychic reader will employ which ever combination of ‘clairs’ they are empowered with, they might use cards, a crystal ball, tea leaves or something else as a focal point for your reading and apart from these, they may also be sensing things from your energy field or aura; as so much information about you is stored there. This doesn’t mean that they are reading your mind though, as that is quite a different talent! A psychic may offer predictions or guidance, but the future’s not set in stone, and we all have free will. They can only highlight the potential which will always depend on your choices, and the choices of any others involved.
A medium may also use psychic gifts but specialises in bringing through information from departed loved ones and friends. Depending on how the medium works, they may give names, special memories, conditions of passing and hopefully, a message from your loved ones. If they also work clairvoyantly, they may be able to give you a physical description of that person. Mediums bring proof of the survival of our loved ones, bring comfort and messages, but may also answer questions that have been in your mind, most likely linked with the person who comes through during the reading. Mediums may also use a variety of tools as a focal point; others will purely use their connection to the spirit world.
“How do I choose who to have a reading with?”
This is a question that I’m often asked when working at psychic fayres and MBS events. First, decide if you want contact or a message with departed loved one, in that case choose a medium. If you are seeking answers to questions or guidance with a dilemma, then select a psychic reader. My advice is always; see who you are drawn to. All readers, whether they are psychics or mediums will have their own way of working, as directed and guided by their spirit guides. If you are visiting an event, then walk around, just allow yourself to be drawn to someone; your intuition will guide you to the right reader for you on that particular occasion.
Similarly, if you are trying to choose a reader from adverts in a magazine or shop window, then just allow yourself the time to read the adverts quietly, and see which one resonates most with you. Just trust your intuition and see who you feel drawn to.
All readers are in the business of being of service to others, not only you the seeker who would like a reading, but also to our spirit guides, Angels and the spirit realms. Our lives are dedicated to be of service, and that is a calling that we’ve not been able to ignore, but have been guided and compelled to follow.
“What is the difference between Tarot and Angel Card readings?”
Interesting questions, as I think all card readers work differently anyway!
The Tarot has two arcana’s – the major and the minor, plus five different suits. Each card has a specific meaning, which can alter slightly depending on where in the lay out it appears, coupled with which other cards are near it. The Tarot is structured very differently to Angel cards.
Tarot readers often use a spread called the ‘Celtic Cross’, which looks at the present, immediate challenges, distant past, recent past, immediate future, factors influencing the situation, external influences, hopes and fears, and the final outcome.
There are other spreads, and some tarot readers don’t use a specific spread at all, but follow their instincts and ‘do their own thing’. The reader may be using a combination of the spread, specific card meanings and their ‘clairs’; others may simply use the spread coupled with the meanings of the cards.
Some Angel card readers may use specific spreads; others like myself don’t use any kind of spread at all. Personally, I trust that my spirit guides and Angels will show me what you, the seeker, need to know for your highest and greatest good; indeed this is what I always request when I link with them ready to work.
“How can I tell if the readings are genuine?”
A very good question, as we all want value for money and also need to know that the reader has our best interests at heart! I would say, take notice of their approach. Are they approaching you, or do they wait for you to approach them? Are they saying things that are fairly general and could apply to anyone, or are they sharing things that are specific to you, resonate with you, having meaning to you personally? What is their attitude like? Do they come across as empathic, caring and understanding and ‘telling you things’? Or, are they asking a multitude of questions which might give them some clues? Trust your instincts!
Do they have any feedback from previous client’s readings available for you to see? I always have a book of testimonials available on my table, which is open for all to view. If any clients feel moved to add some feedback, then I’m happy for them to do so; but I never ask, it’s always for each individual to make that choice.
If at an event, you are happy with your reading, then tell the organiser! Organisers value and appreciate feedback about who’s working for them. Similarly, if you’re not happy with your reading, tell the organiser! They will take notice and won’t know that you’re not happy unless you tell them.
“But aren’t you influenced by my facial expressions and body language?”
Genuine readers won’t be! I usually explain that many of us have worked on the psychic telephone lines, and we aren’t able to see the person al all so can’t be influenced; we simply use our ‘clairs’, our cards or whatever tools we employ. We trust our spirit guides to share whatever you, the enquirer needs to know.
Even when doing face-to-face readings, I often have my eyes closed, as my guides and angels are showing and telling me things, I find it helpful to block out what’s around me and completely focus on my connection to spirit.
“I’m afraid that you’ll see ‘bad’ things…..”
No genuine readers should ever be telling you ‘bad’ things and by this, I know from experience this fear is around the prediction of a death, accident or loss of some other kind. Personally, I’m not shown things like that and wouldn’t share them if I did – for what would be the effect on you, the client? What purpose would it serve other than to worry you? I don’t know of any good reader that would do this either, and believe me, I know plenty of readers!
But whatever comes through, a good and caring reader will always consider how to deliver that reading. For instance, I might share that I can see new beginnings and a fresh start, which will involve the ‘letting go’ of something else. I might sense that this is relating to a possible relationship breakdown, but I would not say that, as the future’s not set in stone and everyone concerned has free will. The potential is there for new beginnings and a fresh start, but it will be dependent on everyone’s choices. I usually find that once I begin to start sharing the new beginnings, the client will make the connection anyway, because this has what’s been uppermost in their minds.
When I began working on the psychic phone lines, I was told that we must never predict the outcome of a health issue, the outcome of legal proceedings nor predict the sex of an unborn child. To this say I adhere to that, I would always advise others to operate that way.
“How do I know if the reader is qualified and insured?”
Ask them what training they’ve undertaken! Apart from our natural gifts and talents, it’s always important to develop them further and keep up that development! Most of us have sat in development circles; some are attached to spiritualist churches, others are privately run. We may also attend courses and workshops to enhance our gifts, our connections and learn more. Like any professional, mediums and psychics need to keep refreshing and developing their skills, and demonstrate that commitment to the world, our continuing professional development, event organisers and you, the clients.
Event organisers normally ask us to provide copies of our up to date insurance documents, or we wouldn’t be allowed to work at their events; and to get our insurance in the first place, we have to have demonstrated to the prospective insurers that we are trained and qualified in what we offer. If a reader is not fully qualified, then they have to display a notice that states the reading is for entertainment purposes only. If they hold accredited or recognized qualifications, then they are a professional reader and not an entertainer. If you have any doubts, then trust your instincts. I have worked at events where I’ve not been asked to produce my documents; my senses tell me that perhaps that organiser may not been very experienced in putting on fayres, or that perhaps they are in the business for the wrong reasons. Unfortunately, the latter is sometimes the case. If in doubt – ask!
“Do I need to ask any questions?”
You don’t need to ask anything, but do make sure before the reading starts, that you know how much you’re being expected to pay!
You may have questions in your mind, you may be seeking guidance with a particular dilemma, but I would suggest that you are open minded and see what comes through, channelled for you by the reader. After all, the guides working through the reader may see that there’s something more important that they wish you to know on the occasion, or may even offer something that seem completely unrelated, but leads to the answers you’ve been seeking. And that way, you’ll receive the proof that the reader was gifted and genuine.
Author Profile
Gilly Workman is a hereditary, intuitive psychic offering Angel Card readings; she is also a Master Instructor in Integrated Energy Therapy (IET) or healing with the energy of the Angels. She comes from a long line of psychics, mediums and healers, and has been doing readings since the age of 15 years. Gilly won The Golden Rose ‘Best Psychic Reader of the Year’ Award 2015