"Psychic / Medium" Stereotypes - Focus On Appearance / Behavior

If you've ever seen a psychic, medium, or spiritually gifted person on TV, in a book, magazine, etc, they've most likely either been portrayed as; a) a dark, brooding, almost gothic looking person or b) a hippie, floaty, spacey type that waves their hands over a crystal ball. 

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While this can be accurate sometimes, based on the individuals style or persona, I find it to be wildly inaccurate for the most part. On occasion, even I have been met with skepticism solely because of how I look and / or present myself. Spiritually gifted people do, in fact, look normal or even blend in completely with everyone else. We are not all gothic or spacey hippies. Not that there is anything wrong with you if you happen to be that way. 

There are certain "famous psychics" that are not helping the cause with some of their behavior or presentation either. People who use "Miss ____" or "The Amazing ____" or even "Lady ____", are not to be trusted in my opinion. This habit is from way back when psychics were viewed only as mystics who hid in dark rooms and chanted over crystal ball and tarot cards. 

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In fact, Ive seen many examples of spiritually gifted people being portrayed as scary, evil, as bullies, etc. A prime example of this is The Craft. Now, as much I enjoy this classic "cult" favorite, I do think it puts a negative spin on spiritual people and practices, especially those who practice "alternative spirituality". The girls in the movie were also self proclaimed witches, so on the flip side of my previous statement, I do think it brings attention to the fact that "modern witches" are not what they seem to be, because they don't have any real ability, and Wicca or Witchcraft is simply an alternative belief system. Many modern practitioners of Wicca and Witchcraft tend to let it all go their heads, which is clearly depicted in the movie. 

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Now that we've covered some basic issues with how authentic spiritually gifted  people behave, what do they do? What do they not do?

Dos:

- Some of us can see the past, present and/or future

- Some of us practice herbalism (this is NOT synonymous with Wicca, nor is herbalism a natural born ability.)

- Some of us read people (there are numerous types of legitimate reading techniques)

- Some of us help people

- Some of us use crystals as a spiritual supplement or to aid in cleansing and bringing in positive energy

- We are (mostly), all different 

Donts:

- We don't know everything

- We don't always predict things

- We don't all do love or pregnancy readings

- We aren't what you see in Hollywood, or "Phone Psychic" ads

- We don't remove curses (do not trust anyone who says they can)

- We don't solely do readings from tarot cards or pendulums (I would be cautious with people who solely rely on cards, tea leaves, pendulums, and the like to "read" people)

- We can't tell you what to do or make life decisions for you

- We can't tel you exactly who you'll marry, or when, how, etc

- We don't need to see you naked to read you! This may seem obvious but there have been far too many cases of people getting taken advantage of by creepy frauds on various platforms

- We don't all see auras, but most could learn how

- We don't learn our abilities/ how to be psychic we are either born with them or we aren't (there are only a select few things that people can learn how to do, aura reading is one of them)

- We don't literally read your mind

- We don't need a bunch of your personal info (full name, birthday, location, etc)

- We don't all "see" dead people (except, I do :P )

*Please note that these lists are condensed for the purpose of this article and there are many more examples that can and may be added to these lists!*

In conclusion, there are stereotypes upon stereotypes about spiritually gifted people. In the years to come, I'm sure more will pop up as the way we are viewed changes and develops. 

The Ouija Situation

I was sitting in my room, on a Skype call when I started getting texts from my sister regarding her friends. Her friend had shown her a photo of a window in his house, saying that he was seeing things run around his house, the window had been broken and that someone had been scratched, among other experiences. I read the photo, immediately seeing that there was three spirits in his home. Two of them, were the same person. 

First, I saw the girl, wearing a hospital gown, her arms waving side to side in the air, an unnatural grin on her face. Her hair was damp and looked dark. Her skin looked sickly and the laugh she emanated was bone chilling. I saw that she was projecting a male image (which can clearly be seen in the photo I was sent, she was standing behind him / the projection)along with her true image (what she looked like in life). 

I saw her locked up in a hospital and restrained. I saw that she was violent, and extremely mentally ill. I felt that she took joy in harming people, and enjoyed scaring people. I also saw that she was messing with their phones and hiding around their house. I saw that she had been locked up for some time and had tried to harm her family. I also saw that she had been alive not too too long ago. I figured around the late 90s. 

Soon after I started my reading on the photo, relaying my messages through text to my sister, who then relayed them to her friend, my sister came through my bedroom door with her friend on the phone. I could tell right away that this boy was terrified. Normally, teenage boys don't want to appear scared or frightened, especially in front of their buddies. But he, and the other two boys involved were clearly distraught over the situation. I took the phone call and told them to slowly explain what happened. 

According to her friend that I spoke to, they had bought a Ouija board earlier, and decided to mess with it in a small building. As they were describing how they used the ouija board, I saw someone hanging from a noose, and I saw blood. 

Come to find out, as her friend was explaining himself, it was confirmed that the location in which they used the ouija board wasn't too far from the Norwich State Hospital for the (sometimes criminally) insane. He also said that "We followed all the rules, we said goodbye" Well, I hope this is a reminder for everyone reading, that it doesn't matter if you follow the rules, it doesn't matter if you're polite or think its a game. The Ouija has no pure intentions or uses, it is not safe and should never be used. 

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During the phone call, I gave instructions and advice on what to do to calm the situation at the home. I told him to either burn or return the Ouija Board and told the homeowner to reclaim his space without being aggressive and without provoking the spirit. I told him to expect to be rushed by the spirit, and that if anything else were to happen that night, he wouldn't see it coming, as this spirit is very sneaky and stayed low to the ground. Obviously still concerned, the boys asked if there was anything else I could do for them. So, I invited them to come to our house and I would help them cleanse themselves. I put together a small bag of frankincense, frankincense oil and myrrh cones, so they could each cleanse their own homes as an extra precaution. I had them stand outside on our deck, and I helped them cleanse, pushing any and all negative energy out and into the ground. Fortunately, I think the spirit was more attached to the house they brought it to, rather than the boys. 

Since I cleansed them, I haven't heard any concerns from the boys or requests for further help, which is a good sign. 

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