Psychics: Seeing the Future or Seeing Your Wallet?

Psychics have been shrouded in mystery for centuries, stirring up everything from awe to scepticism to outright fear. Whether they’re depicted as wise mystics in dimly lit rooms or scam artists with a crystal ball and a talent for vague statements, one thing is certain—people love a good psychic story. But like most things in life, the truth is rarely as dramatic as the myth.

The first and perhaps most common belief is that psychics know everything about you the moment they lay eyes on you. If this were true, every psychic on the planet would be winning lotteries, dodging traffic jams, and avoiding every single bad date with uncanny precision. Instead, most psychics claim to receive impressions—fleeting, symbolic, often open to interpretation. It’s less of an all-knowing superpower and more of an intuitive nudge. They describe their insights as puzzle pieces rather than full-blown narratives, snippets of information that may or may not make sense to the person receiving them. A psychic might get a sudden image of a blue bicycle, for example, and have no clue what it means—only to have the person they’re reading for burst into tears because their late brother rode one every day.

Of course, there’s the popular notion that all psychics are frauds. It doesn’t help that history is littered with con artists who claimed to see the future while conveniently charging exorbitant fees. But dismissing every psychic as a charlatan is like saying every mechanic is trying to scam you—sure, some do, but that doesn’t mean they all lack genuine skill or belief in their craft. Many who claim to have psychic abilities argue that their insights come from something beyond the five senses, something science hasn’t quite grasped yet. Meanwhile, others see it as an advanced form of intuition, something that anyone can develop with the right focus and practice.

The ability to predict the future with absolute certainty is another grand misconception. If psychics could do that, wouldn’t they have already monopolised the stock market or sports betting? Most who claim to have psychic abilities talk about possibilities, not guarantees. It’s about intuition, subtle energies, and sometimes just a really good guess. Free will and external influences mean that even if a psychic gets a strong impression about the future, things can change. It’s more like seeing potential roads ahead rather than a fixed destination. And honestly, life would be a bit boring if we already knew how every twist and turn would play out, wouldn’t it?

Then there’s the idea that psychics spend their days chatting with the dead as if the afterlife were a never-ending Zoom call. Mediums, those who claim to communicate with spirits, say that it’s not as simple as dialling up a ghost for a quick Q&A. If spirits exist, they apparently have their own schedules and preferences, which must be terribly inconvenient for those looking for instant answers. Some mediums describe spirit communication as more of a whisper or a feeling rather than a direct conversation. Messages come through as vague impressions, flashes of images, or overwhelming emotions rather than neatly packaged words. It’s nothing like Hollywood’s tidy, ghostly monologues.

Blame the movies for the persistent belief that psychics always use crystal balls. While some do embrace the classic fortune-teller aesthetic, many rely on tarot cards, runes, pendulums, or nothing at all. Some just work with what they call intuition, which makes the experience a lot less theatrical but, arguably, more personal. Hollywood has done a great job of making us think all psychics sit in dark, candle-lit rooms draped in flowing scarves, but in reality, many work in everyday settings, from psychic fairs to online consultations in their pyjamas.

Another myth is that psychics only tell you what you want to hear. If that were the case, every reading would be a love letter to your ego. While some psychics may sugarcoat things, many claim to offer insights that challenge expectations, sometimes delivering messages people would rather not hear. It’s not all “you’ll meet a tall, dark stranger” and “great fortune is on its way.” Some people walk away from readings feeling comforted, while others leave with more questions than answers. The most compelling psychic experiences often come from unexpected revelations rather than comforting platitudes.

And then there’s the dreaded curse scam. If a psychic ever tells you that you’re cursed but, conveniently, they can remove it for a large sum of money—congratulations, you’ve encountered a scammer. There is no evidence that curses exist, let alone that they can be lifted for a fee. These so-called psychics are more interested in emptying your wallet than clearing your energy. And yet, people still fall for it, because the idea of a supernatural force being responsible for their misfortunes is, oddly enough, sometimes more comforting than the reality that life is just unpredictable and messy.

Some believe psychic ability is something you’re either born with or you’ll never have. Others argue it’s more like a muscle—something you can develop, train, and sharpen. Whether that’s true or just wishful thinking, who knows? But it’s certainly not as black and white as Hollywood likes to make it seem. There are those who claim they suddenly became psychic after a near-death experience or a traumatic event, as though something had been switched on inside them. Others insist that anyone can develop heightened intuition through meditation and practice. The truth? Probably somewhere in between.

The idea that psychics can read minds is another popular misconception. If they could, imagine the chaos—it would be like living in a world where every private thought was broadcasted on a loudspeaker. Instead, most psychics claim to pick up on emotions, energies, and impressions rather than specific thoughts. So, no, they can’t hear you silently panicking about whether you left the oven on. And thank goodness for that, because if people’s real thoughts were accessible at all times, society would probably collapse overnight.

Some insist that science has completely debunked psychic abilities. While mainstream science remains sceptical, there have been studies on intuition, remote viewing, and telepathy that suggest there’s still a lot we don’t fully understand. It may not be proof, but it’s enough to keep the mystery alive. The fact is, humans don’t even fully understand their own brains yet, so dismissing the unknown outright seems a bit premature.

Psychics sit at the fascinating crossroads of belief, intuition, and, occasionally, sheer theatre. Some people swear by their experiences, while others write them off as nonsense. Whatever the truth may be, one thing’s for sure—people aren’t going to stop being intrigued by the possibility of the unseen anytime soon. Whether they’re real, self-deluded, or just really good at reading people, the mystery keeps us hooked. And really, who doesn’t love a little mystery?