GET REAL.
While this story may seem to be the picture of perfection, not all psychics are con artists turned rock stars. In fact, they can be downright deceptive. That’s why one woman is on a mission. She wants you to know how to tell if your psychic is “the real deal.”
Meet Buddah Strouse. Buddah was born with a gift. And that gift is the ability to connect with those who have crossed over. Buddah has “seen things” since childhood.
“As a child, I would see spirits appear the way they looked when they passed,” Strouse says. “For example, if they died in a fire, I would see them burnt to death.”
Got goosebumps yet?
Don’t worry. Her visions didn’t stay this way. That’s because a visit from a friendly angel taught Buddah just how to control her gift. That angel was the Archangel Michael.
With a simple shift, she learned how to ask spirits to appear in the way they looked when they were alive. In other words, the creep factor gave way to real-life (dead) people who looked normal.
This may sound crazy, but it’s the truth. In fact, she randomly told me exactly how the man in my life recently died -- in detail. And I wasn’t even getting a reading.
That said, not all psychics have the heart of Buddah. More often than not, they’re wolves in sheep’s clothing -- dishonest and destructive. This concerning fact has led Buddah to a very important task. That task is to teach others how to find the real “Oda Maes” of the world.
Following are five essential tips that Buddah wants you to know to make sure your psychic is the REAL deal.
1. Do your research.
You wouldn’t buy a new car without researching dealerships, makes, models, etc. But what about a psychic?
Buddah says that one of the biggest mistakes those who seek out psychics make is a lack of research. This means you’ve got to dig.
“The first step is to look for someone who is established,” she says. “Find out as much about that person as you can.”
So how do you do this? Look for testimonials not linked to the person’s website. Google his or her name and see what comes up. Remember that search rank is a factor. Because most psychics won’t hire a marketing expert to boost their name to the top, you may have to scroll several pages to get the dish.
And take environment into account. For example, a flashing neon sign that says "$10 readings" might make you want to think twice. Most psychics work for $10, and they don’t need a tacky sign to state the obvious. So to find out the going rate, ask around. Find out from others what the psychic you’re considering has charged in the past. This is a good indicator of consistency and honesty.
2. Ask about “add-ons.”
A true psychic won’t charge for this, that and everything under the sun. That’s because real psychics are tasked with a promise to be honest.
“An example of this is a lady I have heard of who has a sign that says $10 for a psychic reading,” says Strouse. “But when you go in to see her, she immediately says that she can’t tell you as much information as she could if you got a $300 reading.” That's an obvious red flag.
Agree on a price ahead of time, and don’t be afraid to stand your ground. After all, you’re the one in charge.
“Don’t move forward if you’re not comfortable,” Strouse says. “Just walk away.”
In addition, it’s important to look for “add-ons.” These can be a telltale sign of fraud.
“They’ll say ‘you may need a special candle from Brazil’ or a special type of energy clearing that costs hundreds of dollars. Or they may ask you to bring them gifts in order for your loved one to make it into heaven,” Strouse says. “This has happened to people that I have read for. They will take advantage of you at the most vulnerable time, and a lot of people will believe this because they’re afraid that it’s true.”
3. Never sign a contract.
We all know that the terms of contracts can sneak up on us when we least expect it. The same goes for seeing a psychic. So to be safe, never sign one.
“Contracts will use a lot of different terminology,” Strouse says. “If you are doing any type of reading, it’s very important not to sign a contract saying you’re liable to come back or have so many more readings. And never give them a credit card number for future payments.”
In other words, make each visit a separate transaction. There’s no need for a commitment. If they’re genuine, they know you’ll come back if and when you need them.
4. Beware of “scare tactics.”
Death, in general, can be scary. And fraudulent psychics know this. That’s why they’ll use scare tactics to make an impression.
“If they say anything at all that’s really negative, beware,” Strouse says. “They may say ‘you have a curse on yourself or on your family, and for X amount of dollars I can help you.’”
This is where instinct is key. Rely on what feels right.
“Remember this. If doesn’t feel right, don’t do it,” Strouse says. “If it seems fishy, it is.”
Never leave with a negative vibe. In other words, the person doing your reading should be focused on positives and not negatives.
“You should never leave feeling bad or worse,” Strouse says. “The experience should be healing and uplifting.”
5. Ask for validation.
Validation is the biggest factor to take into account. It’s how you truly know that your psychic is the real deal.
It’s easy to WANT to believe, but don’t. General validation is not good enough. You want your psychic to be specific and detailed. “Look for specific facts,” Strouse says. “Ask them questions about your life. They should know validating details about your kids, family, etc.”
For example, they may be able to tell you a loved one’s name, how they died, and when you recently remembered them. Or they may be able to tell you a special story known only to you and the deceased.
So now that you know how to weed out the sketchy psychics, go ahead and get that reading. Who knows what you'll find out?