Real Mediums don't read Tarot Cards

People seek out mediums so they can once again connect to their dearly departed, thatʼs what mediums do, this ability is rare. An extremely talented medium can pick up a name, cause of death and at least one bond or event between the person and their now passed, loved one. They get this information directly from the spirit world, not from cards or any other psychic tool. Youʼll see this calibre of medium starring in their own TV show. They are called Evidential Mediums.

Then there are the psychic, intuitive and spiritual advisors who make up 90% of the revenue seeking services you see advertised. They use tools; tarot cards, stones, crystals, palm reading or whatever else. Collectively they work with symbolism and intuition, enabling them to perceive and predict. It isnʼt a matter of being less gifted than a medium, itʼs that they are differently gifted. Occasionally psychics will have mediumship abilities, it can happen, just not often.

Mediums using a photograph or personal item (psychic tool) are called Psychic Mediums.

Vague statements like “Mother is here, she loves you”, is often used by mediocre readers. Most mothers love their children. ”I had a dream about you, I haven’t seen you in a while, you need to come in and see me” via phone or email is soliciting. Luring easily tempted clients isnʼt ethical. Sadly, itʼs literally impossible to impose standards in this industry.

Staging is personal. This is the branding of reader and room. Sometimes people identify with it, sometimes - not so much. A weaker reader will often overcompensate or a passionate psychic may feel it helps with their connection. Lighting, music, scent and décor are all identified as staging, if it competes with the actual act of reading, then it is usually a marketing tool. If it compliments the experience and makes the sitter feel good, then it may very well lend to creating a healing environment. Itʼs really a matter of personal choice.

Government regulation of advertising such services... insists that all psychics use the phrase “for entertainment purposes only”.

Teaching classes is often a method of supplementing income for spiritual advisors. People coming together in spiritual growth is a good thing, but if a certificate is promised and the teacher isnʼt recognized in their field, than do know that this is not the same as an industry recognized course and does not lead one to becoming a certified psychic or medium.

In the USA there are university departments, noetic science based organizations, afterlife validation research groups and quite a few listgroups that do testing and certification. There is nothing currently available in Canada. The criteria to test mediums is strict and rated on the afore mentioned prerequisites; name, event, bond and how the person died. Psychics must receive identifiable testimony from the sitters. The evaluation is free but affiliation with some of the more recognized groups, may have a pricey membership.

Very few contenders pass.

In Canada a professional researcher who specializes in policy, corrections and criminology for the Government - spent the better part of a decade investigating Canadian Mediums. Her task was to prove the survival of consciousness and she did so, by observing ten test mediums. They, as a group, scored 73% accuracy on her three point criteria. She felt this was highly evident of genuine connection. Of course, individually some scored higher, some scored less. When asked if she thought mediums should be tested and certified, she felt that there are too many variables that would affect outcome. First, there are degrees of enlightenment that a person may experience throughout their lifetime. There may be a particular timeframe of paranormal phenomena and spiritual growth, closeness to spirit guides may change and channeled messages can become weaker or sense of purpose may change. There could be days that a sitter is unreadable or the reader is not focused. In the end, she reminded me that she did not set out to test mediumsʼ accuracy, she set out to prove that consciousness survived death.

Jennelle Deanne Evans from Hamilton, Ontario is certified on two American Lists and is being mentored by an already established, International Medium. In an interview Evans said she benefitted from being certified because there were support forums for members that helped maintain standards. When asked what she personally enjoyed doing, she replied that she was not fond of email readings as they are often cut and pasted (by the unscrupulous) and lack personal advice - she wouldn’t want to be associated with that. She also commented that when it comes to phone chat lines, she felt that most readers are very good but they have been told to keep the sitter on the line to increase phone minutes consumed. That, she felt, takes the focus away from getting a helpful reading, as she genuinely wishes to bring clients the gift of the message.

Brough Perkins in Toronto, was tested and certified by Craig Hogan Phd. Perkins spent a considerable length of time, communicating with Dr. Gary Schwartz (after the University of Arizonaʼs SOPHIA research program- not included in it). During our interview he spoke about the importance regarding demystifying and clarifying exactly what it is a medium does. Perkins offered ...“strip away the fairies, demons and mythopoetic nonsense and adapt a more atheist point of view, because belief systems, just get in the way of mediumship work.”

When asked to define the difference between psychic and medium, he rested on the idea that psychics are just underdeveloped mediums and then he went on to suggest possible ways someone could evolve to the next level. Perkins, ended our conversation by telling me that heʼd like to launch a bereavement and suicide prevention project with his gift and agreed, that Canadian Mediums and Psychics should be tested by reputable psychologists and scientists. He shared that his preferred mode of reading is by telephone because he feels that both he and the client would be more comfortable in their respective homes and that he found it easier to focus in.

While polling LinkedIn groups (specifically psychic/medium & spirituality groups) for this article, I encountered a fair bit of open mindedness, expected defensiveness and for lack of a better word - delusion. There exists a certain percentage of people, who classify themselves as psychic, intuitive, mediums or spiritual advisors - despite never being able to get consistent testimonies or able to get any ticks on the three hit - medium test. Some felt it was simply about a little guidance or reflection, based on the outcome of a tarot card (or other psychic tool) random reading, and itʼs okay if it is a little vague. To some, the act of being a Spiritual Artist is like being an entertainer and they are merely performing.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, when asking interested consumers, all agreed that some kind of regulation should exist. Quite a number of those queried, stated that intuitives who have repertoires of cliched phrases and overblown bios, make it difficult for the few that have research worthy skill. It was even suggested that a Review Board be set up to critic, praise and obviously - validate professional practitioners.

At very least for credibility, there should be more defined marketing; Psychics & Intuitives who divine with gut instinct or tools should have substantial testimony and need to advertise themselves as such. Mediums on the other hand, should offer their tested percentage and let the potential client decide if the ratio is good enough for them. All professional readers (those who make an income) should be retested every three years, or so and this service, should be free. No medium, ever, has earned 100%. Anything above 70% is considered high level. Perhaps the ratio is intimidating.

If certification was mandatory and a mediumʼs website did not list a rated percentage, than a consumer can ask why. If a percentage is posted, one must be able to verify it with the organization who graded the medium with an operable hyperlink. Being affiliated with higher profile groups, of course, would be more prestigious.

The intention of this article is to draw attention to the ethics, the clarification and the possible certification of more people in the Spiritual Arts, specifically the Canadian Market. This is a revenue generating business, maintaining standards is implied.

If any governing party in Canada should go about launching an affiliation that tests and certifies psychics, mediums, intuitives and spiritual advisors, please invite me to join!