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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do you believe in psychics?

422 replies

EwwwwDavid · 20/11/2021 00:47

I've been to a few psychics over the years and some things they've said have been weirdly accurate, some not so much.
I had a very tragic bereavement about 12 years ago and haven't seen one since but done things I was told almost predicted what would happen.
Does anyone have any similar stories?
Ps im very much atheist and not at all 'woo' but sometimes reflect on things that are weirdly accurate.

OP posts:
Nesbo · 20/11/2021 08:00

That example above about the psychic who “kept asking if I knew a person called Jane” is such a clear example of the sort of techniques they use, and yet is offered up as an example of genuine psychic ability.

Asking someone if they know someone with a particular name is a fishing expedition. They are offering up no useful information whatsoever, just stating a name. If you’d said “yes, my mother was called Jane” then they’d have said “of course, that’s it, it’s your mother coming through” and immediately you’re thinking “she told me my mother’s name, that’s amazing” , even though that is literally the opposite of what happened - you would have told her your mothers name.

Alternatively Jane means nothing to you, so the “psychic” moves on and dangles a different bit of bait. They still haven’t given you anything remotely useful except make a name stick in your head. For weeks afterwards you are looking for something significant involving someone called Jane. As soon as you find it that apparently becomes evidence that the person was psychic!

If you don’t ever find a connection, then eventually you forget it. But how many other seeds like the name “Jane” did the “psychic” plant in you head during the session?

How many other events would have suddenly triggered a memory of something else she had said.

The victim, sorry…the client does all the hard work, seeking meaning from nothing.

I’d like to think they are harmless but they take money from people under false pretences, it really ought to be illegal.

TheMooch · 20/11/2021 08:01

@Liverbird77

I do believe. I've seen quite a few over the years. Some were quite obviously charlatans but three stand out
  1. Knew the occupation and nickname of someone. They also knee that he worked in a different environment than his qualification would suggest (I am being vague, they were specific).
  2. I was 36, single and living happily up north. This one said I'd marry at 40 and move to London. I dismissed it as I hadn't met anyone and hated London. It happened.
  3. This one asked specifically about a silver tea or coffee service that had been stolen during a funeral. I dismissed it and thought nothing more of it until I was listening again to a recording I made. I mentioned it to mum and she said, yes, this happened at my grandma's wake, but nobody had told me as I was already obviously very upset.
You could dismiss two as a lucky guess, but 1 and 3 were very, very specific.
I totally disbelieved. But i know 1 (friendship wise) and if it's all cold reading and research then she needs to work in Intelligemce.

Loads of fakes or just utterly crap ones though.

Kate896 · 20/11/2021 08:06

I went to see a psychic once who asked to hold my watch to read me. She sat there for a long time and said I wasn't giving off any energy and couldn't find anything. Lol. I just sat there. I wasn't going to say anything. I guess she couldn't guess what to say!

I'm not calling them frauds. Maybe they do pick up on things. But my advice to anyone who goes to see a psychic is 'be careful where they draw there energy from' Wolf in sheep's clothing and all that. They might not even realise that it's bad power they are drawing from.

I am a believing but non practicing Christian. As my life has gone on I have realised that religion is the good light to hold onto rather than psychics. Via religion (which ever one you follow, it's the same God for all of them anyway) that's the good guidance you can rely on.

Kate896 · 20/11/2021 08:10

*their Blush

spotcheck · 20/11/2021 08:13

I do think some people do 'know stuff'

I think most people are intuitive on some level- some more than others. I do think there are a lot of fakes out there.

But for people who say it ALL is woo- are you also the same people who believe you should trust your gut?
What is trusting your gut, if not just a bit woo?

LubaLuca · 20/11/2021 08:14

No. I think they either have some kind of delusional disorder, or they're cynical con artists.

JollyJoon · 20/11/2021 08:16

I don't believe psychics have psychic power but that doesnt mean I think they arent valuable.

I've never been to a psychic before but I imagine a good psychic would be someone who is highly intuitive and empathic and crucially will have lots of world experience with people from different walks of life: this should allow them to "pick up" on where a person is coming from, what drives them, what they have come seeking. I can't imagine that would be too difficult if you have the skills mentioned.

I think they serve an important role in our increasingly unreligious society. Once we would have turned to the church and priest, now some people turn to therapy (for confession) and psychics (to make sense of the unknown).

If psychics can comfort people and make them feel better about a loss or tragedy then I think they have done their job and they are worth what they are paid. However they should have some kind of code of ethics that prevents them seeing clients to an excessive extent when it becomes clear the client is struggling to move on.

Im not religious and never visited a psychic, but am spiritual I'd say.

Kendoddsdadsdogsdadsdead · 20/11/2021 08:18

I think they're a load of bullshit. 'Cross my palm with silver and I'll tell you something you want to hear'. They prey on vulnerable people. If it was such an amazing gift, they could do it for free and help so many people.

I would urge everyone to watch one of derren browns live shows.

He puts all this 'psychic' nonsense to bed.

We went to see him and a ball got randomly thrown around the room. One man caught it and derren brown asked him to think about something. Within about a minute or rwo, he had established the man was thinking about when he got sacked for getting caught having a wank in his office.

He done this as a show opener and guessed around 5 different people's thoughts.

He done some cold reading. And also the finale was a collection of peoples thoughts he has pre-written on a massive roll of paper.

There is no doubt in my mind that there are no psychics and anyone who says they are, is an absolute charlatan.

JollyJoon · 20/11/2021 08:24

@Kendoddsdadsdogsdadsdead
I dont think it's fair to say if they were talented they would do it for free. What about doctors or musicians who heal or lift people?

And as for preying on people: couldn't you say the same for psychotherapists and counsellors who see the same client every week or fortnight and simply smile and head tilt and two years later nothing has changed but they're still taking the money?

USaYwHatNow · 20/11/2021 08:25

Ive had two very specific incidents with the same psychic who I absolutely believed in. I've been to a few others since and no one has been as accurate.

JadeTrinket · 20/11/2021 08:25

@niceupthedanceagain

You won't get many people admitting they believe OP because the anti woo bully brigade always descend on threads like these.
Don’t be silly — Mn is full of ‘woo’ threads posted on by the credulous and vulnerable. And you don’t think that all these instances of grieving, bereaved people paying money to con artists entirely merits anger?
daimbarsatemydogsbone · 20/11/2021 08:26

[quote EwwwwDavid]@WorraLiberty yeah you're right and I agree with you completely. Just wondered if anyone had some fun or weird stories. The psychic I went to see told me the name of my husband and son (before he was even conceived) and it's just a bit spooky I guess?![/quote]
Knowing the name of your husband before he was conceived is impressive, I’ll give you that.

Nesbo · 20/11/2021 08:30

If only one of the “real” ones would accept the challenge to demonstrate their powers under test conditions.

Not only would they become a millionaire by claiming the prize on offer, but proving genuine psychic power under those conditions would literally be the most incredible event in human history. It would be world changing. Imagine the good they could do.

And it’s not like these people aren’t happy to profit from their skill by charging people for it, so why not claim a million for actually proving they can do it? Even if they’re not motivated by personal wealth, think of giving that amount away to good causes!

And yet…not a single one will take that step. A world changing gift, but they are happy to merely charge a succession of often distressed and vulnerable people for the privilege of being told some insignificant details about their lives or when they’ll be getting married.

On the other hand there are other people who are able to demonstrate time and time again how it is possible to use various techniques that will utterly convince otherwise intelligent people into believing that you must be genuinely psychic.

ShowOfHands · 20/11/2021 08:37

I have a friend who told me her psychic knew things they couldn't, frighteningly accurate etc with absolute conviction so I went along to her session with her. It was cold reading. Excellent cold reading but cold reading nonetheless. My friend (who will tell you she gives nothing away) was a total open book. She simply doesn't remember the bits which don't fit and feeds the psychic information in a loop. If it were real, we could prove it and we never ever have. In every single case, there's never been a demonstration of actual psychic ability. It simply doesn't exist.

I am intuitive and can cold read some people. I v occasionally do it in social settings with a new person/colleague present and they'd tell you if I'd lied and claimed it to be true, that I'm psychic. I knew most recently that my brand new colleague had caring responsibilities, didn't like pets, was anxious about an adult child of hers, had an ill parent, grew up poor though was comfortable now and struggled to spend money without guilt, holidayed abroad at least once a year and dreamt of moving abroad, hated cooking. I'd met her that morning and only chatted to her a little bit. Each bit of info is quite generic but pull it all together and it looks like a great party trick. She didn't tell me any of those things btw but they were easy to deduce.

People want to believe because the true random nature of life is scary and we do as a species like to spot patterns and cling to superstition.

Start another thread asking if anybody would like a reading as you're a bit woo and people will flock to it. Sad people. Scared people. All wanting comfort or answers. They're some of my least favourite threads and the worst posters are the "it's a bit of fun" ones because they don't see the harm.

SofiaMichelle · 20/11/2021 08:37

@Dogscanteatonions

I honestly think it should be illegal to tout yourself as psychic. Preying on vulnerable people. Disgusting excuses for human beings.
I completely agree.

They're all sick idiots preying on people's desperation.

How on earth can anyone think they're not?

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 20/11/2021 08:44

I think some of them look at the electoral role of the individual with an appointment with them beforehand to find out if there was anyone who left the household recently.

About 40 years ago, my grandmother who lived with us died. My mother went to see a psychic soon afterwards. She started off with the (unusual) name of my grandmother. She wasn't close with any other information. But of course when she got the name, you can understand why some people believe in it.

Then about 10 years ago a friend's DH left her. She went to a psychic - and the psychic asked about 'David'. David was actually his first name, but he always was referred by his middle name. The electoral role listed him as David Mark Surname.

AFS1 · 20/11/2021 08:51

@StillMedusa exactly the quote that came to my mind!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 20/11/2021 08:52

I do think a few people have some sort of gift that can’t be explained. I’m afraid most of those who charge are probably charlatans, though.

A formerly sceptic relative has twice been told the most extraordinarily accurate things by a local acquaintance who doesn’t charge. On one occasion it was simply after handling a small object that had belonged to a great-aunt who’d recently died.

The GA had lived hundreds of miles away and had never visited that area. The things my relative was told were nothing that could have applied to more or less anybody. TBH they were enough to send shivers up the back of my neck - but in a good way.

XelaM · 20/11/2021 08:55

I have spoken to two who were unbelievably accurate. Unfortunately I can no longer get hold of either.

One was in my hometown in Germany. She read Lenormand cards and gave predictions for the upcoming year and it was unbelievably accurate every time. I know Lenormand cards, and saw what the cards showed myself, so it wasn't any "cold reading". She was very good and always very specific about what my actual problem was (not the usual "you will meet someone" crap). My best friend who doesn't believe in psychics also went to her and thought she was the only one who was accurate.

The second one only did phone readings, but she was amazing. Could give absolute accurate predictions for what was going to happen the next day, next week, months down the line etc. Really unbelievable.

Having said that, the absolute overwhelming majority are charlatans (and I have been to and spoken to MANY as I used to be really into it). It's pointless to speak to almost all of them (99.999999999999%).

If anyone on this thread can recommend anyone really good I would love to hear it as I haven't been able to find anyone since those two. Please pm me.

Wisteriac43 · 20/11/2021 09:10

I do believe that some people have a gift. There are lots of charlatans though.

In my 20s I met quite a famous medium. She honestly seemed to resent the people that turned up to her talks, and laughed at the fact that people turned up (often with tragic stories) saying they really felt like she had a message for them. She just said 'I dont' took a picture with them and that was it. I don't know how you could take peoples money knowing that they were turning up trying to get a message from a child they'd lost or family member and knowing you wouldn't have a message for them. She predicted I'd move to London but I think that was a fairly good guess in terms of my age at the time.

The last physic I saw was incredibly complementary about me - I suppose that is part of the routine. They said my child was like Einstein! They are bright but definitely not Einstein. Said they would be able to take apart a clock and put it back together - they couldn't

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 20/11/2021 09:16

@Nesbo

If only one of the “real” ones would accept the challenge to demonstrate their powers under test conditions.

Not only would they become a millionaire by claiming the prize on offer, but proving genuine psychic power under those conditions would literally be the most incredible event in human history. It would be world changing. Imagine the good they could do.

And it’s not like these people aren’t happy to profit from their skill by charging people for it, so why not claim a million for actually proving they can do it? Even if they’re not motivated by personal wealth, think of giving that amount away to good causes!

And yet…not a single one will take that step. A world changing gift, but they are happy to merely charge a succession of often distressed and vulnerable people for the privilege of being told some insignificant details about their lives or when they’ll be getting married.

On the other hand there are other people who are able to demonstrate time and time again how it is possible to use various techniques that will utterly convince otherwise intelligent people into believing that you must be genuinely psychic.

One has. Gordon Smith, he underwent testing at Glasgow University. He also doesn't charge for his readings I believe.
Morgan12 · 20/11/2021 09:18

I've seen a few who were absolutely at it. But I seen one man who told me something that no one else knew. There's no way he could have guessed. And the only explanation I have is that he was genuinely psychic.

Catastrophejane · 20/11/2021 09:37

I’ve been to a few psychics/ mediums over the years.

I’ve gone as I’m fascinated by what happens after death, but wouldn’t say I’m totally convinced either way.

I’d say that all celebrity psychics I’ve watched on TV are examples of the most shit ones.

However, I’ve seen some really ‘good’ ones that have given me very specific information. I’ve gone to public demonstrations where they are telling various people in the audience very specific information that, as a bystander, I wouldn’t think could be relevant to more than one person.

There is definitely something there. Some are great, but like any job I guess, some people are better at it than others.

LadyCatStark · 20/11/2021 09:44

I’ve only ever seen one when I was 19. I’d just left my nursing course as it wasn’t for me and was going to start a teaching degree. She said I wouldn’t go back to the same Uni (I did) and would do something in law instead (been working in education for 15 years now). She said I’d meet someone called Darren. I’ve been looking out for him for 15 years and I’ve never even met one in passing 😂. I met my husband a few months later but she didn’t predict him!

SeafrontBingo · 20/11/2021 09:54

I went to see a psychic type woman in the Lanes in Brighton with friends - I realised they had wired the waiting room. We were chatting beforehand. Also, if they know you are coming in advance, Facebook & genealogy - if they know where you grew up & parents professions, etc..

Some work colleagues in Chicago are blown away by a medium one saw. Facebook & smarts I suspect. Profiles of friends give a lot away if someone really invested, even if yours isn’t open…

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