If you are representing your readings as anything other than a parlour trick, yes, that makes you a charlatan.

I wholeheartedly disagree. My “readings” were often illuminating and helpful. One of my very best friends I met while doing readings for people at University. He eventually came to understand how I was able to do it but he always respected the value of my “ability.”

I never did it for money, but I really don’t see any problem at all with people making a living off of this, IF they are good at it. If a psychic atmosphere makes a person feel more comfortable (than say, talking to friends about their issues, or a therapist) then I don’t see the problem. Again, I’m making a distinction between entertainers (the frauds) and the intuitive/NLP/psychology/people reading/cold reading experts. The latter definitely exists, even if the former is more common.

Does that make me a charlatan?

If you are representing your readings as anything other than a parlour trick, yes, that makes you a charlatan.

Don’t discount all of metaphysics because of the floopy language.. there is quite likely some rational and/or scientific explanation going on in the background.

I know there’s a rational explanation going on – it’s already been mentioned here several times. A) Psychics/mystics read people, and b) they speak in vague and extremely general terms. “Your first husband will die” is hardly a good prophecy, because it has a decent chance of coming true either way; if a psychic told me on what day my spouse would die, or how, then I would be impressed when it came true.

That’s all there is to it. Readings that come true are coincidences, intentionally made more likely by dodgy language. I’m more than willing to discount pseudoscientific nonsense that says otherwise, along with whatever weird definition of “metaphysics” you’re using.

As for the other issue, every psychic and tarot reader has disclaimers that it’s all just for entertainment purposes. That’s how they shield themselves from liability. It’s hard to say how many of them actually take themselves seriously, but I honestly don’t care. There’s nothing illegal or harmful going on; my only point is that Abby is entirely wrong in her distinction. It’s all fake, whether the psychic/mystic says so or not.

Or is it merely coincidence?

And I think Abby’s right. Some palm readers aren’t charlatans. Some are skilled cold readers who are entertainers in the vein of magicians and don’t pretend otherwise.

I’d say that it is less about finding a “favourable” reading and more about implying how a cold reader can use known probabilities, i.e. that wives usually outlive their husbands, to make a prediction that appears to be specific.

If she wasn’t religious, she would not worry about either tarot card predictions or eternal torturing and just concentrate on living her life with quality in the here and now. Eat well, exercise, reduce stress and you just might live a little longer and better.

Some of the times I have played it up for entertainment purposes.

I wouldn’t say I’m psychic (though I have said it, for entertainment purposes).. just that I’m generally pretty good at reading people.

Does that make me a charlatan? Would it make a difference if I charged for my services?

IMO, good psychics are just good at reading people and putting on a show. There are psychics who are only good at putting on a show and being vague… these would be the charlatans IMO.

Don’t discount all of metaphysics because of the floopy language.. there is quite likely some rational and/or scientific explanation going on in the background.

Tarot/palmistry == psychology, NLP
Religion == IDEA of religion.

Just because there isn’t a psychic connection between people, doesn’t mean there isn’t a psychological connection dressed up as a psychic connection.