I just learned about something called “The Trickster.” Not to be confused with T-Rex, Jeepster (love this song).
The Trickster is just what it sounds like: an entity with a slightly warped sense of humor. Your keys go missing, your reading glasses vanish, your checkbook was JUST THERE and it disappears. Some of it may be age-related (or in my case, blonde-related) but there are times when its The Trickster.
Don’t you just want to kick this little wiseass in the nads?
According to Wikipedia, the Trickster appears in a ton of other cultures, such as “Loki” in Norse mythology or “Anansi” in African lore. “Br’er Rabbit” in American folktales is another representation. Bottom line, we’ve got a very deep familiarity with this kind of energy, the kind that likes to break rules, mix it up and generally tweak easily-frustrated humans.
Done in by a giant ball of petroleum wearing a hat. Happens every day.
I believe that every home has a House Spirit — and The Trickster may pay a visit when the House Spirit isn’t looking (probably folding laundry — which I wish MY House Spirit would do). The best way to deal with their naughtiness is to call them on it. I read of one woman whose bag of pearl onions went missing as she made dinner. They had been there in her produce drawer, then they weren’t. She called out — loudly — “I want those onions back, and I want them NOW.”
Believe it or not, she heard a “thunk,” opened the drawer and –you guessed it — there they were.
Kinda wish it was a bag of diamonds….
So it goes to show you that the Trickster isn’t evil — they’re just a little twisted. Like your weird Uncle Bart. Or Rick James. And recognizing what they’re up to is your best weapon. I want to learn more about this entity, so share any stories, myths or family tales you might have!
Sometimes, I’ll just be sitting at Olive Garden, inhaling the endless breadsticks,when a Psychic Emergency strikes. Someone needs a reading! When I don’t have my cards or crystals handy, I turn to “psychometry.”
Psychometry is the art of object reading. You hold something belonging to the subject as a way to link in with their energy. That allows you to “read” them more easily.
Here’s how I do it: I take something the person wears a lot, if possible. A ring, watch, necklace — even their car or house keys — anything that’s absorbed their energy. Placed in my non-dominant hand, (the left), it’s a way to reach the subconscious; I start to feel the connection to that person and off I go.
Clearly, Frodo did NOT enjoy the vibes he got from THIS ring….
When I teach my Psychic Development class, I have the students each put something of theirs in a paper bag. Then I pass it around, have them pull out a random item and read it (without the owner revealing themself until the end). It’s a fun exercise and even beginners tend to “get” something.
The way you receive information from psychometry will be unique: you may feel a physical sensation, hear words in your mind’s ear or see images in your mind’s eye. It may be a combination of all three. Like your fingerprints or taste in music, your psychic style is unlike anyone else’s. As you get confirmation of what you’re getting, you’ll develop a sense of that style and build your confidence. The thing is to be brave: say what you’re getting, even if you’re not sure. You’ll be surprised at how often you’re right. Don’t be afraid to be “wrong.” Even the most gifted psychic is never on the money 100 percent of the time. If they tell you they are, run in the other direction.
It’s funny the kind of energy that “things” can give off. I was once in an antique store with my sister and started to feel very lightheaded and anxious. Turns out that there was a section filled with nothing but swords and knives used during wartime. The violent history of those items was still churning, but good.
The bad juju from the Civil War is NOT “gone with the wind.”
It’s for that reason that anything you bring home from a swap meet, antique store or yard sale should be heavily saged; you don’t want any funky residual energies coming into your life.
This yard sale goodie doesn’t need sage…it needs to be destroyed, ASAP.
Psychometry was one of the first things I learned when I was developing my psychic awareness, and its a wonderful way for “beginners” to start unfolding their own ability. Maybe because you literally have something to cling to as you read!
This time of year there are angels everywhere: in malls, on Christmas cards, hanging from my neighbor’s roof — you name it. I like the ones at Rockefeller Center myself:
We tend to focus on the one angel who brought the news of Jesus’s birth – and that would be Archangel Gabriel. Now I know she (yes, she’s the only one depicted as a girl in art and literature) works more than that one day a year. So I decided to find out more about this entity who was entrusted with the biggest Facebook post of all time.
“OMG! Don’t let those barn animals near the baby..!”
Gabriel is — no surprise — the angel of communication. She’s the one to call upon if you’re a writer, artist, journalist, or anyone who needs to get their message out. This goes for psychic work as well; Gabriel can help unblock your Third Eye and send you angelic guidance, prophetic dreams and visions (might want to not be driving when you send up your request. Just sayin’).
Archangel Gabriel can send inspiration and motivation — and she will give you a righteous kick in the ass if you are held hostage by fear and procrastination.
If you feel like you’re not where you need to be, that you’ve fallen off your “path” — give her a shout . She’ll get you straightened out and send you hints, info and nudges that will reveal your true calling. So needless to say, when you’re considering a career or job change, add Gabriel to your LinkedIn contacts.
But she’s not just about communication themes: like most women, she’s got a practical streak. Call on Gabriel if you’re trying to either get pregnant or adopt a child. She can help if you’re buying or selling a house. She’s also gonna help you out if you’ve overdone it on junk food, booze or anything else not Dr. Oz-approved; Gabriel will help you put down that box of Franzia, those Salem menthols, and purify your body. This goes for toxic thoughts, too. After all the family dysfunction this season brings, that’ll come in handy.
When you can’t get in to see THIS guy….
Gabriel is one of only two angels mentioned by name in the Old Testament (Michael is the other); clearly, she made an impression. And she doesn’t mess around: when you call on her, she will push you into the kind of action that will lead to wonderful things. So ring her up — and then “hark” to what this amazing “herald angel” has to say to you. It will be life-changing.
I still remember the first time I ever used a Ouija board: I was in fifth grade, having a sleepover with my friends. After a long, giggly debate, we decided the dead person we most wanted to contact was….Betsy Ross. Go figure. (I voted for Bobby Sherman, but he wasn’t dead– a minor technicality).
“Easy come….easy goooo…..”
Anyway, we shut the bedroom door, lit a candle, gathered ‘round the board….and promptly had the crap scared out of us when my mother (listening on the other side of the door) gave a spooky “Woooooooo.” Cue the sound of high-pitched squealing 10 year olds.
Ouija boards have a reputation, which hasn’t been helped by a long line of stories starting with “I heard about this guy who….” or movies where they burst into flames. But I personally don’t believe they are the default gateway to the demonic, and here’s why.
The board is a way of communicating with the spirit world. Like any work with spirit, certain precautions are necessary. Whenever I do a reading, meditation, etc, I make a habit of surrounding myself with the white light of love and protection. I declare that only positive and helpful entities be allowed into this circle. To me, this is my “Beware of Dog” sign to any spirit that might want to make mischief .
The same kind of precautions apply when working with a Ouija board. You only want “good spirits” to come through. And here’s one more thing I learned from a very experienced medium: have a bouncer. She works with a board all the time, but generally gets the information from one spirit guide alone. When she wants to communicate with a different spirit, that guide steps aside – but keeps an eye out in case things start to go off the rails. He has the power to tell that troublesome entity to hit the road.
“I don’t care WHO you are….you’re not on the list….”
Several years ago, I had a Wiccan friend of mine make a Ouija board for me. See how beautiful it is?
She put a lot of positive energy into it – and added one special touch on the back: the engraved message, “with harm to none.” When I work with this wonderful board, I have one of my guides serve as my doorman. I also make sure to start every session with positive intentions and the circle of protective light.
Having said this, however, I don’t recommend working with a board casually.Like chainsaws, explosives or PowerPoint, you need to know what you’re doing. It’s just good sense.
Kids and chainsaws….never a good mix.
As for all those tales of spooky Ouija boards? Wait…it’s spelling out something….”Forget….about….it….”!
I work as a psychic/medium – but don’t limit myself to two-legged clients. I’m frequently asked to talk to pets, including those who’ve passed over. And their take on that experience is pretty interesting.
Not quite the Spirit Pet I'm talking about....
Animals understand – on a very fundamental level — that death is merely a change from one form of energy to another. I believe its because they’re closer to nature; they recognize the rhythms of life, and don’t attach so much baggage to them.
They also know that, while death may keep them from playing fetch, it doesn’t really separate them from their human friends. They still pop in to curl up on their favorite spot on the sofa, or patrol the house, making sure everyone is safe and sound.
"3 a.m. and all is well...."
A spirit pet will often help a living animal adjust to a new home. In my volunteer rescue work, we placed a cat with a family who had just lost their sweet Pearl a few months before. I strongly sensed — and so did the new kitty – Pearl’s spirit. But I also got that she was helping him figure out his new surroundings and settle in.
Animal spirits frequently “direct” their owners to their next pet. They know best what that person needs, so they’ll arrange for a certain stray to cross their path….or to spot an ad for a dog in need of a new home. Its kind of like being a four-legged matchmaker!
"Hmmm....a Boxer mix dating a Yorkie? Not gonna work..."
Intellectually, most of us understand that we’ll be reunited with our furry loved ones at some point, but it’s a tougher sell to our hearts. Right before you go to sleep, ask your spirit pet to make its presence known. You may dream of them, or think you feel them jumping on the bed, or brushing up against you (they are). Keep your radar up and you’ll start to sense them more often – because that powerful bond between us never dies.
There’s something really tantalizing about the idea of having lived before. I’m not talking about that life before entering the Witness Protection Program — I mean the ones that had you riding alongside Charlemagne, or hanging on a barge with Cleopatra. [Funny, you never want to think about the one you had as a chimney sweep in 18th century London…]
No one wants to admit having been THIS guy...
The Past Life Club essentially argues that we have lived multiple times, and that each of those lives were essentially one more “class” in the school of existence. We had experiences, dealt with other humans, learned lessons. You die, spend some time assessing it all, then come back for another go. When you finally get it right, you get to hang out indefinitely in the heavenly stratosphere getting your feet rubbed while the rest of us slobs return to deal once again with human stuff like difficult relationships, making a living and acid reflux.
Like vacations, some past lives will be more memorable than others. Hint: if you are interested in any particular time period in history, that’s a pretty good indicator you lived back then. For me, I’ve been obsessed with this guy:
Ladies, here's the poster boy for staying single...
…and his daughter….
The REAL Iron Lady....
Ever since I was a kid, anything about Tudor England has fascinated me — and I never knew why. Then a psychic told me that I had been a court jester — specifically, a FEMALE court jester — during that era. And a little research revealed that female jesters were relatively rare, and indeed, Elizabeth DID have one. So that explains two things:
1) my interest in the time period and
2) my inherent wise-assiness
On two separate occasions, I was told that I’d had lives in medieval France, as a nun…
Black and white, always an easy wardrobe choice on busy days.
Again, doesn’t explain my lousy command of the French language. DOES explain my currently-dismal dating life.
Decoding past lives is one way to shed some light on patterns we’ve carried over into this one. Again, it’s one way (therapy is another). But for some, the idea of past lives can become addictive. I’ve encountered more than a few people who routinely blame whatever’s going on right now on a “past life.” One client of mine refused to actively engage in the life he had going on right here, right now, because he was waiting to be “reunited” with someone from a past life. Another spends all his time seeking out hypnotherapists who will help him explore yet another existence….and another…and another (yawn). Personally, I think it’s ’cause he’s bored with his present situation.
The purpose of examining a past life lies in what it can teach you about THIS one. If you can spot a pattern, find a lesson, learn something, then it becomes more than just New Age wallpaper. The key is to discover it, use it — then move forward. Your task is to make the most out of the life you’ve been given NOW. Because if you spend all your time looking backwards, you’re gonna get run over by the Express Bus to the future. And skid marks on the face are not a good look on anyone.
One of the subjects I’m most asked is about psychic readings that are done over the phone, versus in person: how do they work? Are they as accurate as an in-person reading? And why would you want one?
Let me break it down for you, starting with the last part: why would someone want a phone reading instead of sitting down with your reader. Answer: for the same reason shopping online beats dealing with the mall. It’s waaaay convenient. Just imagine: there you are, in your comfy pants [and I KNOW you have them],
Hopefully, these are not them...
on the couch, perhaps with a cocktail nearby. On a rainy, snowy, or otherwise totally busy day, that beats having to drive one more place, in my book.
Seriously. Do you want to have to go out in THIS?
Phone readings are also great when you’ve found a reader you really, really love — but he/she happens to be geographically undesirable. I like a certain reader in New Orleans [yes, psychics get readings for themselves too], and call her once or twice a year for my own personal “check up from the neck up.”
As to how a phone reading works, its really no different than a reading done in person. When I schedule my clients, I have my cards, crystals and reading mat at the ready, and a headset to keep my hands free. A time is arranged for the call, and all the client has to do is sit back, relax and soak up the information. They may miss out on the smell of incense or the music I normally have in the background during a private reading, but that’s it. No biggie.
...Operators are standing by...
Is the information as accurate as if the client were right in front of you? Yes. Basically, what’s happening during any reading is that the client’s Higher Self and the reader’s Higher Self are having a little chat out there in the atmosphere. The information trickles down to the humans involved, where its then relayed. Whether said humans are sitting across from each other, or on opposite ends of a phone line doesn’t matter. It’s a whole “Time/Space” thing, meaning that neither of those really “exist” on the spirit level. Get it? Me neither, but that’s what I’m told by my guides. At any rate, and having done tons of phone readings for people all over the country, I know its true.
So next time you’re feeling the need for some psychic insights — but your schedule is just off-the-charts crazy — don’t be afraid to leave the car in the garage, and just pick up the phone. I’m right here. In my comfy pants.
One of the subjects I’m most asked is about psychic readings that are done over the phone, versus in person: how do they work? Are they as accurate as an in-person reading? And why would you want one?
Let me break it down for you, starting with the last part: why would someone want a phone reading instead of sitting down with your reader. Answer: for the same reason shopping online beats dealing with the mall. It’s waaaay convenient. Just imagine: there you are, in your comfy pants [and I KNOW you have them],
Hopefully, these are not them...
on the couch, perhaps with a cocktail nearby. On a rainy, snowy, or otherwise totally busy day, that beats having to drive one more place, in my book.
Seriously. Do you want to have to go out in THIS?
Phone readings are also great when you’ve found a reader you really, really love — but he/she happens to be geographically undesirable. I like a certain reader in New Orleans [yes, psychics get readings for themselves too], and call her once or twice a year for my own personal “check up from the neck up.”
As to how a phone reading works, its really no different than a reading done in person. When I schedule my clients, I have my cards, crystals and reading mat at the ready, and a headset to keep my hands free. A time is arranged for the call, and all the client has to do is sit back, relax and soak up the information. They may miss out on the smell of incense or the music I normally have in the background during a private reading, but that’s it. No biggie.
...Operators are standing by...
Is the information as accurate as if the client were right in front of you? Yes. Basically, what’s happening during any reading is that the client’s Higher Self and the reader’s Higher Self are having a little chat out there in the atmosphere. The information trickles down to the humans involved, where its then relayed. Whether said humans are sitting across from each other, or on opposite ends of a phone line doesn’t matter. It’s a whole “Time/Space” thing, meaning that neither of those really “exist” on the spirit level. Get it? Me neither, but that’s what I’m told by my guides. At any rate, and having done tons of phone readings for people all over the country, I know its true.
So next time you’re feeling the need for some psychic insights — but your schedule is just off-the-charts crazy — don’t be afraid to leave the car in the garage, and just pick up the phone. I’m right here. In my comfy pants.
The headline is a line from one of my all-time favorite shows, I Love Lucy. In an old bit from their vaudeville days, Fred introduces Ethel, who’s posing as a medium in order to lead a seance which will hopefully impress Ricky’s spirit-obsessed new boss. Here’s a little taste…
Having done my share of working with spirit, I can pretty much attest to the fact that it does NOT go down the way it does in Lucy. For one thing, I don’t wear a turban — way too Norma Desmond/”Sunset Boulevard” for my taste. And unless the lights go out in the bathroom while I’m putting on my makeup, my eyeliner is on straight. There are a few other aspects of connecting with the spirit world that my clients tend to ask me about, so off we go.
First off, a medium and a psychic are not the same . A medium specifically works to communicate with the spirits of those who’ve passed on. A psychic tunes into the energies of people [living, generally], places and things, to provide an insight. The process of mediumship and psychic reading is similar, in that you’re “turning off” your own brain and allowing your Higher Self to take over and receive information from a source beyond the everyday – but the goals are different. They’re essentially two different channels on the same radio. Simply put, all mediums tend to be psychic — but not all psychics are necessarily mediums. [For those of you reading this with experience as a medium or psychic, I know, I know: this is a waaaaaay simplified description. Let me know what you think in the “Comments” section below. Now back to our regularly scheduled blog….]
As in baseball, ballet or pro-wrestling, some people are born with a gift and it takes hardly anything to bring that gift to the forefront [we hate those people]. The rest of us can learn their particular skill, but it takes some doing, and some will be better at it than others. I believe that’s the case with psychic ability — and to some extent, mediumship. It’s a natural function, but some have the volume on their particular radio turned way up loud, and tuned in perfectly right from the git-go; the rest of us need to fiddle with the dials.
I began working only psychically, but after some profound experiences with the spirit world, I made a conscious decision to develop my own mediumship abilities. Unlike many mediums, I wasn’t talking to my dead granny as a child; I pursued this as a discipline, because it intrigued me and because it was a way to deepen my service. To that end, I spent some time at the Arthur Findlay College outside of London, considered the “Harvard” of spiritual studies. I joined students from all over the world — and at all levels of expertise — who were there to sharpen their ability to recognize the presence of spirit, connect with it and convey messages.
It kicked my ass.
The coursework involved getting highly specific details about spirits, then trying to connect them with someone in the group. The focus on “specifics” is two-fold: 1) to confirm that there is indeed life after death and 2) to combat the perception of mediumship as a bunch of hooey (keep reading for more on this).
As if this wasn’t challenging enough, add in language and cultural differences, jet lag, and heavy English cuisine, and its no surprise that I was completely, utterly knackered at the end of each day.
...and needed one of these, STAT...
One of the things that made the experience — and mediumship, in general — so tricky, is that the information passes through a very human filter. Speaking only for myself, I don’t get the message verbatim: I pick up images, words, feelings from the deceased and try to interpret it. So it’s hard not to try and figure out what things mean, rather than just giving it, “as is.” The logical part of your brain wants it to make sense. Your ego doesn’t want to be wrong. Yes, there are super-gifted mediums out there with very high rates of accuracy — good for them. But no one is 100 percent right all the time. Not even John Edwards, Sylvia Browne or Alison DuBois [BTW, my fellow reality TV fans, did you SEE her on that infamous episode of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”? Holeeee crap!]
Just for the record, I'm waaay better behaved at dinner parties....
You should also know that you may not always hear from the person you hope to hear from. Being a medium is like having the only working wi-fi in a crowded airport: a lot of folks are gonna try and jump on it.
Yeah, it's kinda like this.
Just like when they had a pulse, some spirits are still bossy. Others have a very important message they want you to hear, which will take precedence over just hearing “hi” from your dead mother. You can certainly ask that special person to come through during your session — and personally, I do my best to link in to that spirit. But know that you hear from who you’re supposed to hear from and get the message you’re supposed to get.
At this point, I have to mention the unfortunate reality of phony mediums. These are the people who cynically target those in grief or in need, bilking them out of peace of mind, not to mention, cash. I think there’s a special place waiting in Hell for them. You don’t mess with someone’s grief. You don’t take advantage of their pain. If you do, well, let’s just say, “Karma is a big, sparkly bitch.” And not in a good way.
Good thing Patrick Swayze redeemed your fake-ass before the movie ended...
My own experience with the spirit world has shown me that those who’ve crossed over are generally pretty positive. They’ve been released from physical pain, they’re with people they haven’t seen in years, they don’t have to deal with stupid bosses, mortgages or traffic, and that whole “death” thing turns out to be pretty cool. They care about those left behind and want them to know that the problems of this world are, in the end, just not such a big production. So for a faker to tell a vulnerable client that they’re “cursed”, or that the spirits are angry, or some such baloney (and oh, by the way, you can appease them by letting him/her do a ritual at the low, low price of $2500) makes me want to deliver a serious beat-down.
A session with a medium is a very personal, intimate thing. You may find yourself sharing details of a difficult relationship or a tough situation, so its best to find someone who comes highly recommended and is above all, a professional. You should leave feeling empowered, positive and uplifted. You should have a sense of peace or closure. You should NOT be scared, worried or in a hurry to empty your wallet in order to rid yourself of some bad mojo. Yes, a reading from a qualified medium does cost money — and there’s nothing wrong with that. After all, it IS a skill that takes time, training and a lot of physical energy. But there’s a huge difference between paying a one-time fee for a one-time service — and feeling pressured to hit the ATM repeatedly as the price for fighting off bad spirits, curses and random hoodoo. Trust me, your loved ones on the other side could care less about your money because (psst!): they don’t have checking accounts in Heaven.
