Busting the Myths on Psychic Readings

Emma Saunders
Apr 28
8 min read

How many times have you spoken to someone about getting a reading and they’ve said to you - “what if they tell me something bad?” Or something along those lines.

Some people see readings as a fascinating experience, a way to get in touch with loved ones or receive guidance. Some people aren’t comfortable with them and that’s okay too. Everyone is different and each perception is unique - built on experience, culture, family beliefs and our personal belief systems. There is no right or wrong answer to seeking guidance. It’s always best to focus on what resonates with you.

Some readers will offer mediumship where they connect you with loved ones who have passed, some use tools like scribing, tarot cards, oracle cards or drawing/artwork. Some don’t use tools and read just with their own senses. None of these is better than the other, they are just different ways of channeling and communicating the information the reader receives.

Let’s bust some of the myths about readings. These are some of things that I’ve heard when speaking with people, or questions that clients have asked before booking a reading.

I’ll get bad news or find out something is wrong

Readings are meant to help you gain insight, clarity and sometimes even healing. They’re meant to be a positive experience. A reader may tell you there are changes in the works but they don’t cast doom and gloom predictions. Any information you receive is meant to help you become better equipped to deal with a situation, not have you finish the reading in a state of anxiety or dread. A reader may for example tell you that they see a move ahead, but if they told you you’re moving because you’re about to find out your partner is cheating and you’ll move apart, then I would encourage you to consider the ethics of your reader. A reader is not there to tell you what to do next or what decisions you should make, much less sow doubt and insecurity in your life. Always remember that any information you get from a reader is not set in stone and just because it comes from a reader doesn’t make it absolute.

Readings contain future predictions

Not all readings contain predictions. Everyone reads differently. There are times where you’ll get confirmation that you’re on the right track, there’ll be readings where you connect with passed loved ones, and some will offer insights into what you can do to help you keep moving forward. If predictions or a forecast is what you’re seeking, I suggest you ask your reader if this something they do. Always remember that if you do have a reading containing predictions that those predictions are based on the choices you’re making now, and those predictions are just some of many possible futures. There are so many things that can change an outcome and change the direction we’re headed. If the prediction you’re received doesn’t come true, it may very well be that the future is no longer available to you because things have changed.

The death card is Tarot means just that - death

This is one of the biggest myths of tarot. Tarot is a very honest deck of cards and is well suited for future readings and getting to the core of a matter. But to put you at ease death is symbolic. When a phase ends or changes it is finished and there is a new beginning. Death simply means change, that a chapter is coming to a close and a new one is opening. It could be a change in jobs, the end of a phase you’re going through, a stage of personal growth where you’re leaving the old behind. Change can be scary but the universe doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle.

The reader can hear my thoughts and know what I’m thinking

While telepathy is certainly possible to a degree, a reader simply isn’t a mind reader or having a conversation with your subconscious while you’re sitting across from them. A reader tunes into your energy and connects to their guides and yours so they can bring forward the information that’s most relevant for what you need to know. During your session your reader is busy holding a connection to your energy and any guides present, holding a safe space, listening to their intuition and communicating their intuitive information the best they can. A reader’s focus just isn’t on discovering your deepest thoughts or secrets, it’s not their agenda and that would be invasive. They are to busy trying to provide a positive reading.

My reader wasn’t right about anything

Thankfully this isn’t something I’ve heard more than once or twice. After all it’s not a great thing to hear. It’s important to remember that readers, while yes they’re being paid for a service, can have good and bad days like everyone else. They are still people doing their work to the best of their ability. That being said, this can happen for a few reasons.

A reader may not have connected well to you or didn’t communicate the information they received well. A reader in this case may say ‘I’m sorry I’m having trouble connecting to you right now’ and take a few minutes to reconnect, or end the session if they feel they will be unable to provide a fair service in exchange for their fee. They may also try and keep going, intending to complete the service to the best of their ability.
A reader will always benefit from some validation. You’re probably thinking ‘well if they’re a psychic shouldn’t they just know?’ Remember your reader is still a person who feels doubt and insecurities like everyone else and a reader can be thrown off track by doubts that they aren’t giving the right information. Sometimes it’s a simple matter of how people can see things differently. For example a reader may see the symbol of a snake as a warning while some may see it as transformation. Validation or questions about the relevance of a symbol can help bring further clarity so you can finish the session with a full understanding of what the reader is communicating, and help you get the most of your reading.
The other possibility is that the information isn’t relevant yet. Some clients will tape their readings and find if they look back on things some time down the track, things have begun to make a lot more sense if they didn’t at the time.

My reading was generic

I hear this most often when a client sits down for a reading without a specific question or focus in mind. A reading to see what comes up is still a great experience. Without a focal point though readings can often become a confirmation reading where you find you’re on the right track, which is still good news, rather than hear something that has that wow factor. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have a reading like this, far from it. I’ve had a number of those myself and always found them worth it. If this is what you want go for it. You have a limited time with your reader though, so make the most of your time.

My reader can tell me what someone else will do

I was once asked by a client what decision would be made by a family member that had a great deal of influence on them. This is the hard part - a reader cannot read someone’s energy without permission so ethically so this shouldn’t happen during a reading. There is also the matter of free will. The choices you make are yours to make and the choices someone else makes are theirs to make. You’re the one living with the consequences of your choices, as they are of theirs. Readings are intended to give support, insight or messages from loved ones, not to give yes or no answers or tell you how to live your life. In this scenario, the reading could have explored how they could have affected their own energy and choices, finding hidden aspects in the situation, or any information relevant to the client based on what the outcome could have been.

My reader uses cues or items to guess information about me. It’s not real.

Unfortunately like most industries, there are people that are unethical. It’s always worth researching the reader. Look for reviews, ask people for their feedback and have a look at their socials if you’re not sure about them. It’s important to go in with an open mind. Our expectations have impact. If you go into a reading only wanting mediumship and nothing else, and the reader isn’t able to connect with anyone then the reading may not go well because the client isn’t open to anything else. Or the reader may simply be unable to connect to the client because the whole focus is on mediumship. Consider if it’s really worth the time the money if the reading isn’t genuinely for guidance or if you’re just wanting to test the idea.

The reader didn’t connect with the person I wanted to talk to.

Mediumship isn’t like dialling a phone number and waiting for the other person to answer. Mediumship relies on the reader being able to connect, hold space and articulate what they’re receiving. It depends on whether or not that loved one is able to come through. It also depends on the client. From the readers point of view, it takes practice to be accurate and the choice to be receptive. From the loved one’s perspective, they have to be ready. In life they may not have believed in the practice so they may not appear in spirit. They might still be going through a stage of healing and aren’t be ready. It takes a lot of energy for a spirit to come forward and it may simply be too early. On the clients side, you may for example want to connect with your passed grandmother. You may still be grieving and she knows that to come forward would encourage you to hold on to that grief rather than heal and let it go. If our grief is still to raw they may choose to wait before coming through. Be gentle with yourself and be open minded when you come to a reading for mediumship. If that loved one is not able to connect there may be others that want to connect with you instead.

And last but not least, this isn’t a myth but a red flag that is worth mentioning.

My reader said I need extra sessions or healing

An ethical reader will not say to you something like ‘I have your Uncle here but you’ll need to come back to talk to him. I’m the only one who can tell you this message so come back and see me.’ Your uncle can come through to any reader to deliver that message or may even try to visit you directly through messages or your dreams. The reader may say that you’re welcome to rebook with them but they should not pressure you into booking further sessions or stop you from seeing anyone else. On the same token, if the reader tells you need healing and pressures you with ASAP’s, warnings, alluded diagnoses and the like, then this is also a red flag, especially if they say they’re the only ones that can help.

As always, take what resonates with you and leave the rest behind. Remember every experience is unique and we’re all here as clients and readers doing our best. Make the most your time with your reader and I hope you leave your session with clarity and positivity so you can make the best choices that serve you.

To see other articles check out our posts on the blog page https://www.soulholisticharmony.com.au/blog

To see our range of books and card decks to help you understand intuition and readings and to develop your own psychic senses visit our online store

https://www.soulholisticharmony.com.au/shop-1

If you would like to ask questions or get in touch with us about a reading you can make an enquiry here or get in touch by phone and SMS

https://www.soulholisticharmony.com.au/contact

Be Well and happy x

Soul Holistic Harmony 💙💜🦋

💫Reiki

🌳 Crystal Healing

🌈 Oracle Card Readings

☯️ Integrated Healing

Emma Saunders