Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Woo or not?

177 replies

babbityann · 01/01/2015 21:05

Hello, I am new to Mumsnet. I would like to start a discussion on Clairvoyants, psychics, etc. Am I being AUBU to think that they are all charlatans just taking troubled people's money?

OP posts:
Andrewofgg · 01/01/2015 21:08

You are right, but get your flameproof undies on now!

EatShitDerek · 01/01/2015 21:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RonaldMcFartNuggets · 01/01/2015 21:08

Yep.

CalleighDoodle · 01/01/2015 21:11

Haha yes total no nonsense. They are very good readers of people.

Shakey1500 · 01/01/2015 21:11

There's a lot that do I reckon. As proven, there's various techniques/tricks used to exploit folk's grief which is despicable.

That said, I think there are some people with some sort of "gift" (for want of a better phrase) and I quite like a reading, but have my eyes open to it's lightheartedness and validity, or complete lack of.

Original poster
babbityann · 01/01/2015 21:14

Don't mind being 'flamed'. I just feel very angry at a 'Self styled' medium who told my, recently bereaved and very vulnerable friend that her dead daughter was distressed to have 'passed over'. She is now even more upset as she thought that her daughter had had a peaceful death. I think these people prey on the vulnerable for profit!

OP posts:
CarbeDiem · 01/01/2015 21:18

From personal experience - No they're not ALL charlatans. Some are.
So yes YABU to judge them all the same.

Welcome to MN.

TheRealAmandaClarke · 01/01/2015 21:33

Yes, they are all charlatans. Sorry about your personal experience. Thanks

Charlie97 · 01/01/2015 21:36

Money making charlatans IMO!

perplexedpirate · 01/01/2015 21:41

YANBU. They are my absolute pet hate.
Tantamount to grave-robbing IMO.

I've been flamed before for saying this so I'm used to it now.

revealall · 01/01/2015 21:44

I don't believe the dead can come back in any regard but my friend swears blind has seen and felt them.
On the other hand I have had very specific predictions for the future that have come true so not ruling woo out completely
Why would anyone say that someone was distressed to pass over...not like anyone can do anything about it. Just horrible.

RandomNPC · 01/01/2015 21:49

It's all bullshit, they are all charlatans. Definitely Woo of the highest calibre!

blueemerald · 01/01/2015 21:50

I've never understood why fraud or gaining money under false pretences is illegal in the UK but these proven charlatans are allowed to carry on.

I suppose disclaimers such as this:
Sally Morgan & her psychic services are investigational & for the purpose of entertainment. As they are not recognised scientifically, there are no guaranteed or certain results. go part of the way to explain it but I still don't understand why anyone would read that and still believe! She's pretty much telling you it's fake!

WineWineWine · 01/01/2015 22:00

Not a single one has EVER provided proof under controlled conditions of what they claim to be able to do. Even with the million dollar prize available.
They are all charlatans. Every single one of them.

Original poster
babbityann · 01/01/2015 22:01

Thanks for replies.
I am very angry with this 'clairvoyant' as my friends were getting better and was placed back at square one on hearing her daughter 'was distressed at passing over'. Rubbish! She was peaceful and had been ill for 18 months. I really hope my friend doesn't go and see another one to get over the last one, IYKWIM!

OP posts:
RandomNPC · 01/01/2015 22:18

And that is the reason that they are not a bit of harmless fun. It was truly appalling for that bloody charlatan to tell your friend that, heartbreaking.

SorchaN · 01/01/2015 22:18

I had a friend who believed in that kind of stuff. I told him I believe its just an ability to read people. And then I read him to demonstrate how it works. Really freaked him out, but I think he ended up thinking I had some kind of clairvoyant powers, even though I insisted that I don't... I loved the recent programme about the Amazing Randi - I think it's on youtube...

AcrossthePond55 · 01/01/2015 22:22

A supposed 'psychic healer' took terrible advantage of my alcoholic brother during one of his drinking bouts (he's gotten help since). Including taking him to a car dealership (drunk) and having him buy her a car for her 'church'. Luckily thanks to my very large and intimidating DH and a well-known (in our area) and well connected hard-ass bounty hunter we were able to get the car back from her and return it to the dealership and force them to take it back. So yes, I believe the vast majority of 'psychics' are not only frauds, but criminals.

BUT, I will admit to having had premonitions, not just about myself, that have come true. And to have had one or two things happen surrounding the deaths of loved ones that I really can't explain. I guess it could be down to coincidence, but who really knows. I do believe, however, that if someone really did have a true gift, they wouldn't use it to take advantage of people.

AmantesSuntAmentes · 01/01/2015 22:23

I believe people see and hear things which are inexplicable. I do too. I don't believe people should earn from it, personally. I wouldn't dream of it but then I don't offer to tell anyone anything. Some things are better left unsaid and I'd be equally as angry as you, were someone to hurt one of my friends.

AmantesSuntAmentes · 01/01/2015 22:27

To add - when people call it 'a gift' then charge others for it. They're getting it wrong. Surely the gift aspect should be what they could give to others, when asked. I don't consider it a gift. I consider it a pita.

AmantesSuntAmentes · 01/01/2015 22:27

To add - when people call it 'a gift' then charge others for it. They're getting it wrong. Surely the gift aspect should be what they could give to others, when asked. I don't consider it a gift. I consider it a pita.

Blackout234 · 01/01/2015 22:28

I believe some have gifts yes. My sister and i have seen and predicted things that i cannot explain, however, we would NEVER dream of taking money for this and i believe the vast majority that do take money for these so called readings are simply scam artists

HowCanIMissYouIfYouWontGoAway · 01/01/2015 22:30

What a vile thing to tell your friend. That makes me so angry.
I dont suppose this 'psychic' offered to help for a fee did they?

gatewalker · 01/01/2015 22:30

Amantes - You don't think people with a 'gift' in this area should charge? Why ever not? What about those accountants with an innate gift for numbers; or teachers with an innate gift for being able to communicate effectively with their students? And a lawyer who was born to be a highly respected prosecutor? Should they not charge either?

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 01/01/2015 22:31

All nonsense and the fact that they prey on the vulnerable is sickening.
Anyone that wants to defend me which you're entitled to if you believe in it who the bloody hell am I to force my beliefs or rather disbeliefs on anyone, but why do we never hear the news clairvoyant wins the lottery, because I'd there is such a thing as the gift, I'd be winning the lottery every game