Types of Psychic Readings
Contributing expert: Dr. Sam Youssef, Ph.D. - Updated: Feb 16, 2023
Although some people may think a psychic reading is simply an attempt at predicting the future, there are a wide variety of readings performed concerning almost every area of life. While fortune telling is certainly a service you can receive from a psychic, you can also get advice, guidance, and insight into your past and present. This article dives deep into the types of psychic readings available, how to choose a psychic, and things to consider before consulting a practitioner.
What Is a Psychic Reading?
A psychic is a person who has the ability to receive extrasensory signals and interpret them back to you within the context of your life. When you bring a question to a tarot card reader or consult a medium to speak with a deceased loved one, they’re using their psychic abilities to get a “download” of information that they can then relay back to you in the form of a personal answer or message.
Readings can be performed with various tools and techniques depending on a psychic’s unique process, skills, and abilities. Some practitioners may use a combination of things like palm reading, astrology, and tarot to best help you get the answers and information you’re looking for.
How Does a Psychic Reading Work?
When you find the psychic you’re wanting to work with and you choose from their selection of readings, the process for each practitioner is different. If you’ve found someone through an online psychic website, you’ll create an account with some basic information and then schedule a call or video chat for a timeslot that you’ve selected. When working with an individual psychic who may be local to you, you’ll likely choose between a virtual or in-person meeting and then select a package for a certain amount of time.
How do psychics work?
Each psychic has their own personal process of preparation based on their unique psychic code. When it comes to working with clients, they will most likely have some questions for you about how best they can help you. Depending on the type of reading you purchased, you may be asked to come with questions to ask the psychic or to simply get clear about what it is you’re looking for during your time.
How does tarot work?
A deck of tarot or oracle cards is a common tool that psychics may use to gain insight and add imagery to a reading. If you book a reading with a specific focus on tarot, then you can expect your tarot reader to pull one or more cards for you and answer any big life questions you may have. Your answers will be given through an interpretation of the symbolism within each card and how it correlates to you personally.
Online psychic readings versus an in-person reading
The ease of taking a phone or video call from the comfort of your couch, bed, or office makes virtual psychic readings a very accessible and convenient option. While it’s easier to take a call from home, there can also be something special about meeting in person. If you’re able to find someone local who offers psychic readings, you can schedule a time to meet in the real world. In-person readings tend to be more expensive, but for some they may get more meaning or connection out of meeting face-to-face.
4 Types of Psychic Readings Explained
As we mentioned before, there are many types of readings available out there. Fortune telling, love advice, career guidance, and tarot readings are just a few examples of what you can cover with your psychic. We’ll discuss details in-depth about a few of these reading types below.
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1. Psychic Reading
A psychic reading is a great place to start for someone looking for a little extra life guidance. On psychic websites you’ll find category lists for love, finances, career, relationship, and even pets. The practitioner can use their intuition and unique extrasensory perception skills to discern what you need to know about each of these areas and help you with your concerns around them. If you’re wanting to work with someone who uses tools like tarot or astrology, you’ll need to find practitioners who make these techniques part of their process.
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2. Tarot Cards
Anyone can utilize tarot cards within their psychic practice, but you can find people who identify themselves solely as tarot card readers. Usually using a deck of 78 cards, a tarot reader will follow their own unique process which often requires specific questions from their clients. You’ll come into the reading with a clear intention of what you want to know, formed into a concise question or even multiple questions. Your tarot reader will likely have one or more “spreads” that they use. They will pull a certain number of cards each with their own placement on the table signifying something like “past, present, and future.” Those cards are then interpreted based on their order, imagery, and the context of your question.
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3. Palm Reading
Using the lines, overall shape, and even contour of your hand, a palm reader can discern your unique personality traits and even predict future life events. While this type of reading is easily done in person, you can even map your palm by scanning all the lines and uploading a high-quality image of your palms to be read by a psychic online. Recently, palm reading apps have been developed to help you perform your own palm reading. You scan your hand with your phone and the app helps you identify the lines in your hands for you. While this is a fun tool to use, getting a reading from a psychic palm reader who has experience interpreting palms may prove to be more beneficial.
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4. Dream Interpretation
Although many of us forget our dreams within the first moments of waking up, there are those dreams that seem to stick with you or stand out. When dreams recur or you just can’t shake them, it can feel like there’s something more to know or learn from it. That’s where dream interpreters can be helpful. They are well-versed in the symbolism and meanings that can be found within the dream world. A dream interpreter can help you connect your dreams to your physical reality or decode a message that your subconscious may be trying to send you.
Choosing the Right Type of Psychic Reading
When seeking psychic guidance, you’re likely doing so with a certain reason in mind. Getting clear on what it is that you want or what it is you’re searching for is important for choosing the best type of psychic reading for you. Each person comes to their psychic with a unique set of concerns and questions about their life, and asking the right questions can lead you to answers that may surprise and enlighten you.
What questions should I ask during a reading?
Questions can really help your psychic get to the root of what it is you’re looking to get from a reading. Many practitioners ask that you come prepared with a list of questions you’d like to have answered. The more specific you can be with your questions, the more personal and helpful your answers will be. Try to stay away from questions that can only be answered with “yes” or “no,” as psychic messages aren’t always so simple and binary. Here are a few examples of good psychic questions to ask:
- What is the best way for me to improve my marriage?
- What do I need to know about my career path right now?
- How can I create the change I wish to see in my health?
- What advice can you give me about my financial situation?
Things to consider before consulting a psychic
Although most psychics get into their work to help people find hope and improve their lives, there are also those posing as practitioners in order to scam people. There are real cases of people receiving threats or having their money and identity stolen. It’s important to work with reputable websites and psychics with good reputations. Make sure you avoid falling prey to these fraudulent schemes by educating yourself on the dangers within the industry. We also created an article on what you need to know specifically about clairvoyant and psychic scams.