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Miami Psychic

HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

People often ask me, "Are you the real deal?" or "How do I know you're a real psychic?"

When people think of psychics they think of the spooky, old gypsy woman at the carnival with the crystal ball on the table and a sign that says $5 a Reading.

That's not a psychic; that's a fortune-teller. First of all, readings from a bona fide psychic can cost up to five thousand dollars. Second, real psychics don't do carnivals.

Some fortune-tellers are quite eagle-eyed (when reading people's mannerisms) and sharp-witted about human nature. They tell people general information about what they already know or want to hear, for example: "I see you are very generous. You are a good friend to others. But sometimes you give too much, and people take advantage of you." So on and so on, until the scoundrel takes you for every penny you allow to be taken. People complain about fortune-tellers, but they forget that it is their choice to patronize them.

A psychic is not a con, hooker, thief, or licensed therapist. She has no legal obligation whatsoever to keep your secrets -- but she will. A psychic is simply someone who has the ability to see into the pastand the future. A psychic can act as a healer, confidant, friend, miracle worker, counselor, or witch. She may supply a second opinion on physical ailments or whatever suits your needs.

A typical psychic reading may or may not involve tarot cards. Some, like myself, rely on meditation to reveal the truth. A typical psychic has spirit guides, visions, and vibrations to tell her she is on the right track. These guides are not evil; their job is to help. They can be anyone from an ancestor who has had the gift, to someone from a completely different cultural background, like an Indian guide who was once the tribal mystic. Everyone has spirit guides.

Good psychics will not make you ask questions. They will give you answers without prompting for any background clues from you. Psychics have regular clients. Some come once a year, some come every six months, and some (usually the very wealthy or disturbed) come weekly.

Switching from psychic to psychic is not recommended. If there is more than one psychic in your area and you are being counseled by both, you will mix their energies, visions, and power. As a result, not only will you get confused and lose your focus, but neither of their spells or meditations will work. Once you have a psychic with whom you're comfortable, who is doing specific work for you, stick with it. Be patient. Predictions are not always on your time schedule.

I am a certified professional tarot and palm reader, astrologist, and clairvoyant. I honed my psychic abilities at the Berkeley Psychic Institute. The money I charge reflects both how much the client can afford and the work involved. Some cases require volumes of supplies and take years to solve. Sometimes I inflate my fee if I'm reluctant to take the job. Some clients are demanding and insatiable. They may want love, money, or babies; the "feeling" put back in their vagina; or a "bailout" from jail.

In every case, I am fighting the devil with my blood, body, soul, and mind. My life and karma are on the line. When I step up against the high Santero priests, or Babalaos, they can see me telepathically. They try to get inside my mind and dreams.

The client's commitment is invaluable. I need to see the person invest in themselves. I need to know that if I call them in the middle of the night and tell them to get up and go into prayer right now, they will do it. My clients need to value prayer as a way to restore faith in God. Faith in God is the operative determinant because what I do won't mean a thing without God.

Think of it this way: If you were a psychiatrist, how much would you charge to cradle a client through Christmas night? Or to speak to them every single night on the phone while that client questioned your credentials, demanded more attention, or even threatened your life? How many shrinks can say they know what their clients eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? How many can say they prayed for their client for two consecutive weeks?

Some people are in therapy for more than twenty years and never gain peace. Clients have told me their shrink diagnosed them with depression and told them the only way to fix things was through endless appointments and medication. But they'll come to me once, and I read for them. When I hit on something no one has ever told them before, you see the lightbulb go off in their heads, and they choose not to be victims anymore. I give them the confidence to feel like they can have peace. In many cases I'm their last hope.

Continues...

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Excerpted from Miami Psychic by Regina Milbourne Copyright © 2006 by Regina Milbourne. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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